Pam,

I have always not been quite like the rest of the little boys on the block. Of course, I grew up next door to Cheryl Ladd.That accounts for alot of it, I think...I blame her for lots of stuff, poor girl!! Always liked to push things to the limit. Almost broke the world's record for staying awake under medical supervision in 1972 on a TKE Fraternity bet. Bamboozled the Doctor into letting me celebrate the last 12 hours with 100 proof Southern Comfort on a 100 degree day. Ended up face down in the gravel, 2 hours and a few minutes from achieving the record. At that time the record was 11 days 18 hours and 55 minutes. Let me tell you, after that long awake you tend to be a bit off base. Add alcohol and heat, well, I am surprised I made it for 10 hours. As I remember it, one of the last things I heard was a song playing...You know it...America..."Been thru the desert on a horse with no name..." There have been other great incidents...Don't know if you are familiar with The Black Hills Motorcyle Classic, aka "The Sturgis Rally" About everybody that does Harley shows up there...million or so people for the 10 day event. I owned and old Sportie at the time but rode a "Titty Pink" 50cc Honda Dream all the way across South Dakota to the rally on a bet.Had my leathers on and black Harley T-Shirt on riding a bike that would go about 35 MPH tops, maybe 45 downhill. It was a nice color contrast. Had to sleep with the damn thing to keep the hard cores from stealing it and doing unspeakable things to it.

I have jumped out of airplanes, fell out of moving vehicles, skateboarded on long 7% grades, glided, hot air balooned, white water rafted,and a whole bunch of other great adventures. Refused to ski(I am knock kneed and am afraid of not being able to get both skis around the same side of the tree), Been to Shamrock, Texas on a Saturday night and lived thru it(Remind me to tell you that story, I still shiver)... Well, it's been a HOOT!!

If I walk out right now and get smeared on the street, my last thoughts will be pleasant ones. I have a Fantastic Wife that puts up with me and Loves me for what I am, 2 Beautiful Daughters that I am still trying to figure out,(Not that they aren't trying to do the same with me),Now I am trying to act normal.

I have met folks like yourself and others I have met in this hobby to THANK, and I do. The Chip and Casino Collecting Community is something very special and I am honored you folks put up with me. Thank you so much, but have to go. I have a chance to ride second seat in a old bi-plane doing nighttime crop dusting. Never done that before...ADRENALINE FOREVER...

Mark