Brian McCollim
11-03-2003, 09:07 PM
All I can say is wow! Well, I guess I can say more. I went to the metalmeet not really knowing what to expect but I was hoping for a good time. Boy was I impressed. Not just with the knowledge and skill of the members present but the truly admirable relationships that exist within this group. I have been a long time reader and have been a bit reluctant to post as I didn't feel quite comfortable posting, I wish now that I had been more vocal in the past. I did not do much metalshaping this year, but I did shoot a lot of pictures which I will get posted this week sometime. I also shot some decent video. I know some guys seemed oblivious to me shooting pictures and that just made them all the better.
I am not a good photographer and did not have a real good camera, the content is there and hopefully when you see your picture there you can put a comment about it so we all know what you were doing. I learned so much by just walking around and watching and listening to the discussions. I also learned that there is not a soul there that was in poor spirits. It was a refreshing experience for me.
I would like to thank those who helped me out a bit, like John Forney who lent me his hotel room for a shower, this is the first time I met John and I know it will not be the last. I also would like to thank Stan Lobitz for making me laugh so much and for teaching me about the flowers. He is one guy that really enjoys Life. Bill Harrison is a great pal although I only met him in April, I feel I've known him all my life. Thanks Bill for going to dinner with me, you are a good date!!!! HA HA.
The ever humble and always gentlemanly Dan Shady just has a way about him that makes me happy to see him, if only briefly. He also has a way that makes every one feel important to him. Always a pleasure Dan.
I was also glad to see the rest of the folks I met at D&D classics in April, I feel as though it was a grand reunion.
To the folks I just met this year, I enjoyed each and every conversation with each and every one of you. It was great to finally put faces and pesonalities with all the names. This is perhaps the best expo I have ever been to. Unlike any car shows or motorcycle events that I have been to, there were no inflated egos to be found, just a lot of very helpful very wonderful people. I now consider each and every one of you friends. I just can't wait for 04! I will be banging metal next year so watch out.
A very special Thank You to Randy and his family for putting up with us. It was very gracious of them to host this event. Also a great big thanks to all who helped put this together. Great Job.
Brian McCollim
I am not a good photographer and did not have a real good camera, the content is there and hopefully when you see your picture there you can put a comment about it so we all know what you were doing. I learned so much by just walking around and watching and listening to the discussions. I also learned that there is not a soul there that was in poor spirits. It was a refreshing experience for me.
I would like to thank those who helped me out a bit, like John Forney who lent me his hotel room for a shower, this is the first time I met John and I know it will not be the last. I also would like to thank Stan Lobitz for making me laugh so much and for teaching me about the flowers. He is one guy that really enjoys Life. Bill Harrison is a great pal although I only met him in April, I feel I've known him all my life. Thanks Bill for going to dinner with me, you are a good date!!!! HA HA.
The ever humble and always gentlemanly Dan Shady just has a way about him that makes me happy to see him, if only briefly. He also has a way that makes every one feel important to him. Always a pleasure Dan.
I was also glad to see the rest of the folks I met at D&D classics in April, I feel as though it was a grand reunion.
To the folks I just met this year, I enjoyed each and every conversation with each and every one of you. It was great to finally put faces and pesonalities with all the names. This is perhaps the best expo I have ever been to. Unlike any car shows or motorcycle events that I have been to, there were no inflated egos to be found, just a lot of very helpful very wonderful people. I now consider each and every one of you friends. I just can't wait for 04! I will be banging metal next year so watch out.
A very special Thank You to Randy and his family for putting up with us. It was very gracious of them to host this event. Also a great big thanks to all who helped put this together. Great Job.
Brian McCollim