I know it's been a long time since I was active here, but I havn't forgotten y'all. I just renewed my membership for my 7th year. Seven years! For me, that's impressive. Personally, I never thought I'd last this long, but there's something about those little bits of nicely stamped or painted bits of clay that keeps me going...

I was a member for a couple of years before I even thought of going to a convention. I sat reading the board and buying on Ebay before I even attempted it. The commraderie of the pre-convention discussion boards was phenominal!

I remember my 1st convention. I was nervous about approaching folks. I was nervous that I might do something stoopid, and become a laughing stock. But, the folks there were so nice and friendly. I sat and talked to many of them about my collection, and about theirs. I liked it, I felt at home. They made me feel that I was one of them, not just a collector, but a friend.

I spent two more years at the Conventions, making friends, winning bets and partying with those folks who had become my deepest friends.

But whether you can make the next convention or not, we are all here, together.

And that's all that really matters, isn't it? A bunch of folks coming together for what they love?

--Mike Pellerin (R-5986)