I just thought you might all like to know this is definitely happening! I now have ticket, visa, and lots of $$$. Thames Consular Services got my visa painlessly for a fee, and I'm flying to Moscow on Sept 13th, a cheap flight with Lufthansa arranged through Airline Network. Nathalie's meeting me at the airport, I hope, and after that we'll see. I'm starting to get really excited.
I don't think I'll have Internet access to post anything there, but would you all like to hear about it when I get back?