Making new friends and keeping the old

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DCBluesman

Passed Away Mar 3, 2016
In Memoriam
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
7,679
Location
WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA
The 2008 Chicago Pen show is behind us. I'll not bore you with the details of my adventure, but I do wan to acknowledge some of our members who were in attendance.

The terrible trio was back in action...Ed Brown, Eagle and I re-united and re-created the DC Supershow lineup. It's always fun with these two characters. The good part was that we were joined by Dawn (PR Princess) so we did not win the "Ugliest Vendor" prize.

Also selling at the show was csue (Cathy Sue), a totally delightful lady!. Nick Frederick (Nickfff) showed some lovely and unique pens (and bought a few nibs from me!). Linda and Mike Kennedy were there for the weekend providing some great stories, sharings and laughs.

Scott Meyer (baldysym) was there with scores of beautiful pens. Of course this is the third or fourth (maybe the fifth?) show Scott and I have both worked.

These regional get-togethers are a real tonic for me. Every one of the folks I have met from this site have enriched my life. This weekend may have topped all of the previous gatherings. Thanks to all of those who attended and added to my enjoyment of the weekend!
 
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lou, So many questions......
Do you have any pics of the show? How was the turnout, what did your booth look like, how many vendors were there, any pics of the elusive eagle?
 
Sorry I missed it but doctors:( orders not to fly kept me home to play with <s>your</s>my new camera. Hopefully see you all at the DC show.
 
It could have been better!!!!!!! But that would have required Lou to bring an instrument. :D We absolutely had a blast and would do it again in a New York minute. PR Princess is an absolute jewel and what she sees in Ed I will never know. (j/k)[:eek:)] Actually the only fault I found in Ed is his judgement of distance. [}:)] Eagle is as colorful and confusing as the blanks that he makes and a lot of fun to listen to. You just need to keep him away from the cheese. [:p] Nick was a surprise as we had never chatted even through email. He is a class act and had a great display. Lou is the big overstuffed easy chair of the group. He is so comfortable to be around and engaging. I would love to see him on Jeopardy. Category: The Intercontinental Railroad
Clue: The date in which the golden spike was set.
Answer: Ceremonially completed on May 10, 1869, at the famous "golden spike" event at Promontory Summit, Utah



If you ever get a chance to go to a pen show, take the time and do it. The Chicago show was more about vintage pens, but it was informative and gave us some serious ideas for new pens. The vendors were some of the nicest people we have met. Unlike some of the antique shows we have done where the dealers are too good to talk to you unless the the check you are writing them is five figures or more.

Anyway to the whole group thanks for putting up with Linda and I. We will think of you all whenever we see flaming cheese. :)[:0]:)

Mike & Linda
 
Originally posted by Texatdurango

Yeah, we wanna see photos of everyone! Seems like being stuck here in Texas, it's a LONG way to any of the neat shows.

Sorry George. With the excitement of the show and with getting to meet everyone, the one thing of any importance that we forgot to do was to take photos!:( Eagle was the only one who had the presence of mind to take any. He however, graciously agreed to give me the photos he took and I have posted a few of them below. :D:D:D

If I remember correctly, this was JUST before closing on Saturday. In the photos are Mike and Linda Kennedy, Ed and Lou. Eagle is, of course, behind the camera. :D



20085516823_Chicago%20001a.jpg





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200855161330_Chicago%20007.jpg





This was my first experience at a pen show, and I can not tell you how much I learned. I found all of the other exibitors that I spoke with very helpful, knowledgeable and truly passionate about pens.

It was also my first opportunity to put real faces to those whom I already know. While I was admittedly a little trepidacious about this, I found it was unwarranted. Everyone was just as I have come to know them, if not better.:);)


To paraphase a quote in a recent email that was sent to me

"You will meet some people in your life that you will know and will
know you
better than those you have been raised with,
These are your family,
Rarely do members of your true family grow up under the same roof.
I count my blessings for having such a wonderful family."

I could not of send it better.

I wish to thank everyone for coming to Chicago and making this last weekend a very treasured and memorable one.




Oh, and Mike and Linda - add squid to that flaming cheese.[:0][:0][}:)]:D
 
Funny, you should ask for pics.

The only flash bulbs I saw came from Eagle's camera.

The weekend was fun, the show sucked. Attendance was POOR at best. We (the
"hand-made community") have a lot of work to do to become accepted at these venues. Vintage pens and some manufactured pens were the "desired objects". I certainly hope this is NOT indicative of "shows in general" this year. Many attributed the problem to gas prices and other ecomonic factors -- I really don't care WHY, just WHEN will "discrimatory spending" sky-rocket again???

Meeting the Kennedys was a real treat. There are probably not three more divergent personalities than Eagle, Lou and I but they somehow found space in the middle to mingle. And, it was a pleasure to have Dawn with me on the "pen roadtrip" for the first time. We look forward to our next visit with the group and invite others to "join in".

If you are ever in Chicago and need a good place to eat, we found a GREAT Greek establishment. I thought Dawn had gotten a recommendation - no, SHE took the recommendation of Lou (From D. C.). You need an authoritative recommendation on ANYTHING, consult with our own DCBluesman!!!! (Even finding restaurants in CHICAGO!!)

"Happy Trails" was being sung by some of the participants, as we left. I guess that is an appropriate summary of our gatherings. "Until we meet again!"
 
Hello, It was great to meet you all-Mike, Linda, Eagle, Lou, Dawn, and Ed. Mike-your writeup above got a laugh from me as it brought back some funny memories! It was good to chat with you. Linda-thanks for looking over my booth so I could get a break. Mike and Linda showed me one of thier pens and the ca finish was flawless. I enjoyed putting a face with names or this case aliases. I finally had a looming question answered...why is Dawn called PR Princess. It stands for "polyester resin" which I did not know until the event :)I saw one of the blanks she created and it was very cool! Ed and Dawn had some really unique/cool pens displayed. Eagle is a total character and very fun to talk with. Lou is very kind and very willing to help-fountain pen expert. Thank you all for meeting and the hospitatilty.

Thank you,
Nick
 
Originally posted by PR_Princess

Originally posted by Texatdurango

Yeah, we wanna see photos of everyone! Seems like being stuck here in Texas, it's a LONG way to any of the neat shows.

Sorry George. With the excitement of the show and with getting to meet everyone, the one thing of any importance that we forgot to do was to take photos!:( Eagle was the only one who had the presence of mind to take any. He however, graciously agreed to give me the photos he took and I have posted a few of them below. :D:D:D

Oh, and Mike and Linda - add squid to that flaming cheese.[:0][:0][}:)]:D

I'll be glad to add squid ... that was one of the best exchanges of the weekend .. [}:)]:D;)

but now there is one question that comes to mind .. where is a picture of the PR Princess?????????????????????????;)

I will bring my camera to the next get together [}:)]

I can't even begin to put words to what a wonderful weekend this was. Meeting those of you who have become friends and those of you who are likely destined to do so was an excellent ride on the rollercoaster of life. Personally, I find rollercoasters that are higher, faster and more wicked are the best [:p]

Take care all
[:X] Mrs.
 
Originally posted by MLKWoodWorking
but now there is one question that comes to mind .. where is a picture of the PR Princess?????????????????????????;)

I will bring my camera to the next get together [}:)]

Actually - shes in there! 2nd picture above :)
 
Originally posted by alphageek

Originally posted by MLKWoodWorking
but now there is one question that comes to mind .. where is a picture of the PR Princess?????????????????????????;)

I will bring my camera to the next get together [}:)]

Actually - shes in there! 2nd picture above :)

[:0] Really?!? [?] I thought that was Ed's daughter. [:I] DOH!!!
 
20085516823_Chicago%20001a.jpg


Foreground in jeans with back to the camera is M(ike) Kennedy, talking to (loud blue shirt) Ed(4copies) Brown. Seated in the lovely red dress is Dawn. In the very distant background (short-sleeve blue shirt) is the Bluesman.



20085516855_Chicago%20003a.jpg


Foreground, far left is Uncle Albert. Blonde in the center is L(inda) with M(ike) behind her and Ed (4copies) to the right. You can see Dawn's beautiful red dress, but her face is hidden behind the writing table.

200855161330_Chicago%20007.jpg


Bottom photo is an escaped mental patient we let sit behind the table while the men from the County came to collect him.

Special apology for not mentioning that I also met Chris (kent4him) Koterman who drove in to make some kind of special delivery to Ed. It was shortly after Chris's visit that I noticed the arrival of the O'Douls. [8D]
 
Originally posted by alamocdc

Originally posted by alphageek

Originally posted by MLKWoodWorking
but now there is one question that comes to mind .. where is a picture of the PR Princess?????????????????????????;)

I will bring my camera to the next get together [}:)]

Actually - shes in there! 2nd picture above :)

[:0] Really?!? [?] I thought that was Ed's daughter. [:I] DOH!!!

:):) Do you actually think that its an accident that she is turned away in both pictures?[}:)] Somehow I doubt that..

Nice pics! Now how about some of the pens?!?[:0]
 
Lou I'm please that you have did have a good weekend wish to be there, no Pens show here in OZland, did present some pens last year at the Royal Melbourne Show and was please by the result, will do the same this year
 
Originally posted by alphageek

Nice pics! Now how about some of the pens?!?[:0]


Sorry, no pen pics were taken that I know of. :(

The battery ran out on Eagle's camera after just a few snaps..... Or we all broke it - depending on your point of view!!! :D:D[}:)][}:)][}:)]
 
"Bottom photo is an escaped mental patient we let sit behind the table while the men from the County came to collect him."


ROTFL!!!!
 
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