Real Life

[Trius]

This Saturday was my daughter's 16th birthday. She lives in Stratford, ON, with my ex, so I drove up and spent part of the evening with her, dinner out, etc. (I've started her on the True Path, i.e. film/OM, etc.; an RF will follow, I promise.)

Then on to Brampton (NW of Toronto) for two nights with my best friend. Today I trunedled off to Port Credit for lunch and an afternoon of chin-wag with GeneW, one of our valued RFers who has become a dear friend to me. Even though we met in person last November at a RF meet-up, today was our first chance to just sit down the two of us and connect. We have a lot in common, so it was a really, really wonderful afternoon. We had lunch, I got to meet his wonderful wife Marion (thanks Marion for drawing Gene to the Great White North!!!), and we are planning all sorts of wonderful activities down the road.

And thanks to RF (as well as the OM list) for bringing us together... and to Jorge I want you to know that this is not just an exercise in cyberspace, but real people are making real connections.

And to PeterC, FrankS, Jan, etc., in T.O. ... when's the next time? I'm pumped!

Earl

 

[peter_n]

Nice one Earl! 🙂 Gene's a good bloke - my hero actually - the stuff in his gallery HP5+ with HC-110 showed me the way. If I get results 1/2 as good as his I'll be really happy.

 

[back alley]

makes me wish i lived in the east.

glad for the 2 of ya!!
joe

 

[rover]

I have to figure out a way to crash one of these Torontonian gatherings.

 

[Trius]

I just wanted to add that Gene, while not posting here often much, is doing well, extending his walks. He told me that the other day he overdid it a bit; while not carrying a real heavy load, he maybe went just a bit too far and had one too many lenses. 😀

Gene's wife, Marion, was a real delight, and the three of us hit it off really well; we're arleady thinking of future meets, including in my wife (who didn't accompany me on this trip) ... perhaps this Fall they will get to Rochester to take in Eastman House, the Finger Lakes and Letchworth State Park.

Any of you guys who can make a Toronto meet up some day, we'd welcome you, of course. And Joe, the next trip you make back to NYC, plan a stopover of a few days in T.O., and everyone will gather, I guarantee.

Earl

 

[lynn]

Lucky you!
And I'm really glad to hear that Gene's doing well...

 

[GeneW]

Yup, I'm still kickin' though mostly lurkin' -- Earl, it was great to meet up with you again and Marion and I are looking forward to a visit to Rochester.

I agree with Earl, RFF has contributed to some really fine friendships. I'd never met any of the Toronto area RFFers until we met in person via the forum. A really great bunch of folks! Worth it for that alone, though I've learned more about RF photography here than I could ever repay.

I did overdo it the other day trying for some good photos on a cold, nasty, windy, rainy day. I like shooting in bad weather, but my ticker was not as, well, tickled. So I'm staying close to home for a couple of days and partaking of grandma's surefire cureall for anything what ails ye: Guinness 😀

Gene

 

[back alley]

no need to push it gene but it shows you are capable of doing so and that's a good thing.

if i stop buying gear and save a few bucks i would love to join you guys!

joe

 

[jan normandale]

Earl, you don't write, you don't call, you don't send flowers...... LaL!

Maybe we should organize a Buffalo / Toronto International RFF event. Would be fun...?
Canadians always have passports and we don't want our American friends being refused entry to their Homeland after having a good time on the favourable exchange rate because they don't have a passport . (chuckle) Lets plot. Who starts this thread?

Cheers, Jan

 

[Trius]

I'd be up for a May GTA meet, maybe we can gather closer to Gene's stomping grounds? Another alternative would be WNY, as you suggest, Jan. I can do some research on an attractive location.

 

[FrankS]

I have met some of the nicest and most decent people here from RFF.