Plane tickets are expensive and my income does not easily accommodate such purchases, especially not right now. (edit: roundtrip located for $200! this still causes pain but not as much pain as before).

In my experience, plane tickets to carnival are often worth buying well ahead of time as it is harder to find something cheap closer in. Especially for the leaving on Sunday part.

I miss many old friends. I don't really give a crap about Carnival or Midway or Booth in particular anymore, I just want to see you people again.

Yes.