Someone from up above dropped off a package at my desk. It had to be from a higher being because the two included contents will save my life and the lives of others attending CES. I returned from vacation this week to find two CES guides on my desk – The Frommer’s 2008 Complete Guide to CES and the CES Pre-Show Planner.

The CES Pre-Show Planner is everything I have ever wanted. The magazine-sized book has full page, colored maps of the halls, complete with vendor’s names and booth locations. And did I mention, an alphabetical listing of exhibitors? Life saving.

Its smaller companion, a Frommer’s Guide, “is designed to help you navigate the official show locations” and contains lots of travel tips. This virgin got to reading and has learned the following:

1. Pack hand sanitizer (tech vendors and products are dirty)
2. The recommended reading list contains Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (acid tabs might be  press giveaways this year and CES journalists must take instruction from Hunter S. Thompson for survival)
3. When you check into your hotel room, ask for a complimentary humidifier (can you trade that for complimentary Wi-Fi? Blogging before breathing)
4. Do not tip CES Staff; they cannot and will not accept tips (are press kits/materials considered tips?)
5. New this year - CES attendees get a 20 percent discount on Las Vegas Monorail tickets (this offer expired on December 24, 2007; good thing we read the fine print on Christmas Eve)