What a weekend it was.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:16 pm

It is late and my house it quiet except for the purring of my cats. They always get upset when we leave for more that a day. Anyway, the glow of the weekend has not worn off yet so I thought I would take the time to write down a few thoughts while they are still in my head. I must confess that I did not attend the 75th just to see the factory or attend the shows or play a bunch of cool guitars. Yes, I wanted to do all of those things but I wanted to do them all with YOU. I am sincerely grateful for the time we had together and I am sad that it is over. Seeing you all there was profoundly gratifying experience for me and one that I will not soon forget.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 10:16 pm

sigh...(8)

building a 'bridge of sighs...'

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:19 am

This had to be one of the top three people experiences in my life. I have to admit I was really apprehensive going alone and only being a member of the forum for only 4.5 months, but from the first introduction through the whole weekend it was total acceptance. Like having the most positive family reunion. Putting a face on the forum personality was an interseting experience - other than those who we've all seen in pics here, no one looked like what I expected - I tend to envision in my head what someone looks like as I read their posts and build a character. Well, I can safely say we are all real characters (!

) but not how I had envisioned. As I laid in bed this morning in that half-awake state of dream/contemplation (after a much needed 10 hours of sleep!!!) I realized how we all share the trait of being creative personality types and what an interesting and just fun-loving bunch of people we had gathered there!

THANK YOU ALL for enriching my life!

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:54 am

Here here John!!(as I toast your words with a diet Dr.Pepper)

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:13 am

Yeah, good post.

When we did the first Mid-Atlantic Fest, that was what I thought was just as equally beneficial..the gathering of people who you only know from posting on Forums here and elsewhere.

I liken these events to being at a wedding reception, where everybody tries to get to everyone else but there are always people you miss getting to. I am guilty of that as well, but I got to see and speak to many people I wouldn't have a chance to do otherwise....I really enjoyed that.

eric_b · Post by **eric_b** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:34 am

Heck,I STILL have trouble remembering who was who,with the degree of difficulty rising dramatically as the nights wore on

The earlier we met,the more likely I am to remember!

johneek · Post by **johneek** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 2:17 pm

This was an experience of a lifetime. All of the events were great, but the underlying treat of the entire weekend was the people. Like
John Allgaier, I was relatively new to the forum, but never had a moment when I didn't feel welcomed and invited to be a part of whatever was going on. Eric, thanks for all the time you were willing to spend answering my many questions; it was great.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:16 pm

It is cool that it was about the people first and the event second. One would not be there without the other but the priority was clear. I agree, it was an experience of a lifetime.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:28 pm

Hey , wait a minute, you're not THE Ted Staberow?? I met a really nice guy this last weekend claiming to be Ted Staberow! I saw no id tho, so I can't be positive. He had a very nice wife also. Are you sure you are THE Ted Staberow?

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:45 pm

And a gigantic THANK YOU to Peter for starting these forums, without which most of us would not know each other! And thanks for keeping it a relaxing place to hang out.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:07 pm

What an intense weekend this was! Without a doubt, the most gratifying part of my time there was all the wonderful poeple I got to know, forumites and others (lurkers?). Alisha was nothing like I envisioned her!!! I like who I met much more than the imagined person.

I too, didn't get to spend time with many folks as there were just too many and with everything going on, I am sorry I did not get to them. Perhaps next time round.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:10 pm

It is cool that it was about the people first and the event second. One would not be there without the other but the priority was clear. I agree, it was an experience of a lifetime.

Ted, that's exactly what i've been telling everyone. It was all about the people, by far. The guitars were, of course, a great part, but meeting everyone was just incredible.

By the way, i'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to you and your wife! Give her my best.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:41 pm

Thanks John! I will. She actually started missing you guys while we were on the plane. It is a testament to how successful the weekend was that our wives/girlfriends enjoyed it as much if not more than we did.

Yep Charly, it's me.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:57 pm

Ted, his wife Maryann, and Jeff Thomas and his wife Becky were the last people that my wife and I said good bye to at the hotel. They left together in a van that Ted rented. It was a bummer having say goodbye to everyone, especially them, since they were that last forumites left. I almost wished the van wouldn't start so they would have to stay longer LOL...and thanks again for lunch Ted.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:09 pm

Any time Joey!