Apologies if this is a repeat, I searched and couldn't find this reported yet. Here is a link to an article about Google's changes to their External Keyword Tool, wherein they now report actual number of searches. I don't mean to promote this web site, but they were the first ones in my Reader to report it.
Google Updates their Keyword Tool – What You Need To Know | John Cow dot Com
This could be huge. On the other hand, it could be much ado about nothing if the numbers are bad. I'm sure time will tell, and by the time we get to this part of the 30DC, Ed and Dan will have the answer.
Cheers,