Anyone else notice there isn't near the activity here that there was last year or even earlier this year?
I know that I, for one, don't get here as much as I have in the past, and I haven't posted on any other site in several years. This is the only ham related site that I feel comfortable using, and have made many friends on here as well.
I know Adam is freezing his ass off in Maine, and he and Devie are very busy trying to get situated in making a new life for themselves. My wife and I really enjoyed having lunch with them. They went way out of their way to make a special trip to meet with us. I'm sure that Bob, who I also had the pleasure (?) of meeting, is very busy in his new job, traveling all over hells half acre, and trying to make more money than the Koch brothers. And Gerry (Nanook of the north) well, he's just Gerry. My guess is that he is spending a lot of time trying to find Maxwell. Probably trying to have him for Christmas dinner. (Do they even celebrate Christmas way the fuck up there? And here's to all the others that have come and gone. I also miss the interaction with many of you that are still here, and I hope to spend a bit more time here in the future.
Although I'm not terribly active in the political boards, I do miss jerking Janet's chain. It was hard to do, but every now and then there would be an opening, and bazingo, a well placed shot over the bow. Most of all, I really miss is interacting with the Pope. I missed a chance to meet him last year, but will meet up with him when we get back to San Diego. I look forward to a trip on his yacht. He and I (along with Bob and a few others) really had a lot of fun playing off of each other, or setting ourselves up so someone else could take a well aimed (and funny) shot at each us. For me, it was a lot lighter, and more fun back then.
Obviously, I can't change anybody's mind or belief, and even if I could, I wouldn't. The one thing that has always worked around here, is taking a cool down break after a very heated discussion. Once composed, everyone comes back, and things are just like they have always been. There has always been a high amount of jocularity and camaraderie on here, some very heated discussions and hurt feelings, but everyone always came back, picked up the pieces, and moved along to the next pun-fest, cheap shot, cartoon, joke, or whatever. I miss all of that, a lot.
It is my hope for the new year ahead of us is that we can get all of the family back together, and have fun like we have always done before. After a shitty day, I could always make it better by getting on here for awhile. I'm sure there will be more heated discussions and more hurt feelings and butt-hurt, but the frivolity, joking around, and just plain fun should be enough to overcome all the negative shit. As one man said "Can't we all just get along"? He was willing, and this he stated after having had the worst beating of his life.
This time of the year reminds me of all the SKs whose voices, posts, and wisdom we will never hear or see again. Albi W3MIV, Bob VK3ZL, and Russ W5RB. They will not be forgotten.
I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday season.
PEACE