Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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.

sigh...(8)

building a 'bridge of sighs...'

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!

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Any time Joey!