Try and get to SV if you can, hopefull the weather will be OK!
The laser is really only the final stage in the collimation process. It ios the bit you need to do each night, I only check the other parts every month or so, but you do need to have everything else righ before using the laser.
Have a look at this guide
http://www.astro-baby.com/collimatio...on%20guide.htm I found it really useful
Malcolm