I have been to a few i.e., the last two at the Aladdin, missed both Orleans, did most of the Trops and haven't missed since. I like to get to town on Sunday and stay at the host hotel as it makes it much easier for me to get around. Except for the last Aladdin my wife Janice has been unable to attend a full convention as she used to work, USPO imagine and after retirement she does flowers at weddings and has had to leave early. We're all set for #15 and cannot wait.

My first impression upon seeing the bourse floor is sensory overload. It is incredible the amount of "stuff" available with friendly vendors ready to help. What else is overload is all the chips I’d like to buy and my meager budget. I see the “biggies” drop several K on a chip as I’m going thru my pockets looking for that other dollar to get a new $5 4Q house.

Last year I entered my first BJ tourney and found that Sheldon was indeed easy and made the final table with Christine. I'll avoid the Poker Tourney for the obvious reason that when I'm "gone" after a few hands what do I do? And, why give some of those guys more ammunition to get after me, I do that without poker.

In recent years I've volunteered to work with Ralph at Membership Thursday 10:00am - noon. Ralph is amazing and is fun to work with. Then I go help spread joy at the Club Table for a couple hours on Friday, that's a fun group as well. And Jeri Hempill I don't know why "they" don't buy those watches either.

I will be forever in debt to Mary Ann Massey as I had quite a toothache last year and she got me some help, thanks. There are so many others that I value and many more to seek out and bore with my ceaseless stories.

I guess this picture from last year says it all. I know it would make the people at the Federal Witness Program wince. Great people, lots of fun, lifelong memories – you should go. But Brian, I missed the Friday Nite Splashbar awards ceremony because I was helping at the Landau Auction…consider making SplashBar III another night, maybe.

And lastly, where else could you meet great guys like Bedo, Pasternack, Peacock, Shaffer, etc. Almost makes you wonder what could have happened if "No Child Left Behind" had started earlier.
Regards,