I do remember how quiet the 1998 season was in KS (one meteorologist in the Wichita area could not remember a more quiet spring). That season was a lot like last year in the amount of busts. In 1998, there were maybe as many as five tornado watches that were completely dry, all because of the strong cap in place that spring. 1999, on the other hand, was an active year.
We know you had to be a dedicated chaser to keep plugging away last year (an even more frustrating year that 1998 in KS). That is why many are anticipating this season to be an active one (probably not 2004, but some nice opportunities should present themselves).