Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.
Sleepy Eyes McGee
Posted 2005-12-29 11:43 PM (#271061)
Subject: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 231

Location: N.J.
The Good: I met Al in person and he was one of the most down to earth "gear selling" people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.Al also gave me the insight on the Ovation airlocks and I trusted his judgement ever since{LOL}. I joined this forum this year and was really surprised at how open minded alot of the members are. I've seen the "M" and the "T" words brought up all the time and never has anyone really bashed them like you see on other forums. I also purchased my first 1st true Ovation {1st one I have is an Adamas}from a member here that I absolutely fell in love with just from the pictures.I also realized that I am in the company with some fantastic players on this board and I would have never known about them if it werent for this forum.

The Bad: I missed the factory tour and havent been able to get the go ahead from the "boss" to order the OFC guitar. BAH! :)

Have a safe and Happy New Year....!!!
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MWoody
Posted 2005-12-30 12:07 AM (#271062 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984

Location: Upper Left USA
The Good: I tried several flavors of Ovations and got to meet a handful of you all. I got to resurect a couple of broken Ovations (sometimes the only way to play one) and made some friends in different locations. My GAS pains are not gone but they seem to be more focused!

The Bad: Several Names that I have enjoyed posting with are no longer here. Whatever the circumstance, you are missed.

2006 will bring me a 12 string!!!
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jb
Posted 2005-12-30 3:06 AM (#271063 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 370

Location: Isle of Man, UK
The good: Many laughs brought about from the people and postings of this board - you're a great bunch of Cats and Kittens, and a pleasure to be around. My four new O's this year (you guys are the cause of more GAS than refried beans, I'm sure!) - Deacon, Breadwinner, EA63 Viper, and a Tornado.

The Bad: I don't think I can justify an O or other make during 2006. :(

The Ugly: I'm far too much of a gentleman to say. Honest.

Have a great New Year celebration and a safe, groovy, and altogether fantastic 2006 one and all.

JB
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Beal
Posted 2005-12-30 7:31 AM (#271064 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
The Good, The slothead tour and then long awaited Cliff and Dolly Llama reunion.

The bad, It all went too fast.

The more good, There's next year
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Jeff W.
Posted 2005-12-30 7:41 AM (#271065 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
[list]
[*]The Good...
[*]tons of fun and informative posts
[*]the continued growth and well-being of the OFC
[*]I acquired the Lowden O25, U681T, FD-14
[*]And on a very special note-Schroeder "beat" the "Big C"
[/list]
[list]
[*]The Bad...
[*]We must still put up with Schroeder.
[/list]
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Captain Lovehandles
Posted 2005-12-30 7:47 AM (#271066 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3408

Location: GA USA
My 2005 Ovation milestones:

1) Bought my first acoustic O

2) Played a Preacher AND Viper

3) Met Kerry Marchman, Sam's friend, and the man who assembled my Deacon in 2001.

4) Read "the book"

5) Talked or exchanged emails with members unheard of in the heretofore previous.
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Standingovation
Posted 2005-12-30 8:45 AM (#271067 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192

Location: Phoenix AZ
The Good: It's Dec. 30th and I'm still here to talk about the year in review. Let's hope THAT trend continues. Obviously many new OFC friendships were made and sadly some seem to have gone cold. Where do these people go? We need a "Where Are They Now" section. My closest friendships both in "real" life and also here on the board seem to have gotten closer. I'm personally in good health and my extended family remains mostly intact. My son graduated from NYU 2 weeks ago and now goes to work on Wall St. Nice accomplishment for him and relieves a significant financial burden for me (frees up more cash for guitars?). I was fortunate to aquired some nice instruments this past year - the U681, 0018SH, 05 Collector, CL Contour, Kamaka tenor and Blackbear uke stick out as winners. I said goodbye to some nice ones also - CL, Adamas II, Country Artist, 00018, 1537, 2005ES, Thunderhead and some more. All went to good homes, but all are missed.

The Bad: I missed some opportunities. I procrastinated on a whole bunch of stuff. I added a few lbs. But in the grand scheme of things - big f*cking deal! A few friends lost loved ones this past year and that's always difficult. But all in all, I'd have to think long and hard to come up with anything really bad to reflect on, so that's a good thing. The UGLY? Hell, the word doen't even exist in my vocabulary. I'm almost half a century into this gig and seen a lot of stuff and as far as I'm concerned there is no ugly, just opportunity.

My only New Years Resolution is to be here on Dec. 30th 2006 to look back once again and reflect on what should be another great year (and talk about the couple of custom O's and M's that are currently in the pipeline).

Happy 2006 to all.

Dave
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schroeder
Posted 2005-12-30 9:10 AM (#271068 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413

Up until June this year there were only good bits - particularly my first custom O when my Country Artist/Folklore cross arrived.
I've had better days than the one in June when the man said "It's a T3 tumour" and I've had a lot better days than the 3 months that followed that.
BUT - hard on the heels of the bad came a tidal wave of good wishes and messages from people here that knocked me out with their wit and wisdom. Until you've been there you don't know how much it means. It made a huge difference to how I felt and I will be forever grateful.
The best bit since is the arrival of Bongo Boys U681t - difficult to imagine a better get well soon card. Can't believe an FD14 is even the tiniest bit better, but I plan on finding out next OFC Tour.
I really hate being nice about anybody, especially in public, so I won't.
But you know who he is.
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Capo Guy
Posted 2005-12-30 9:17 AM (#271069 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394

Location: East Tennessee
As posted by MWoody;

2006 will bring me a 12 string!!!
Here's One.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ovation-ADAMAS-1885-12-string-acoustic-electric...

I already have 3- 12 strings. If I had any more I would spend most of my time changing strings,(2 of them are slotheads). :D
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Steve
Posted 2005-12-30 9:24 AM (#271070 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 1900

MikeW, I just got an email from the seller. That Adamas 12 is a 1992, Serial number 6721...There's also an 1858 for sale, item # 7378430214, it's looks to be substantially used..

Steve
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Mitchrx
Posted 2005-12-30 10:25 AM (#271071 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071

Location: Carle Place, NY
The Great:
The OFC 2006 Calendar & CD trinket. Thanks again to Brad & Steve.

The Good:
I learned about digital/computer recording thanks to Waskel, Cliff, BrianT and others here. I found out the difference between FET and OP preamps. Decided to keep my 1537 and send it to the factory for reburbishing. Acquired a 1718 Elite, a really nice new flavor of O sound. This forum has inspired me to devote more time to playing guitar. As a result, my skills and confidence have improved and I played my first gig in many, many years before an enthusiastic group at the St. Alban's Veterans Hospital.

The Bad:
I missed the '05 factory tour.

The Ugly:
Cliff's mangled PT Cruiser.
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Slipkid
Posted 2005-12-30 10:36 AM (#271072 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Lots-o-good stuff...
The road trip that started with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & the Martin Factory and ended in the OFC tour was fantasic.
Meeting so many board members in person was a real blast.
Being interviewed for the 40th anniversery DVD was a high point.
The calendar project was so successful that I have doubts that we can top it next year. I just wish the last couple people would get theirs so I can put the project behind me.
Had a great once in a lifetime trip to the Grand Canyon. I got to play "Here Comes The Sun" on the lip of the canyon just as the sun burst over the horizon.
I am in the hunt for the next, and most likely last guitar. I'm like a panther stalking it's prey. But I'm not going to settle for the weak or the sick. It might be a long hunt.

On the bad side, I have suffered through some troubling nightmares involving a french maids outfit. I think I've got past it with therapy and drugs.

Happy and Healthy New Year to Y'All!!!
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Paul Wag
Posted 2005-12-30 10:55 AM (#271073 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 939

Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Great Stuff:
Got a bunch of OFCers and other friends together for a weekend of music and comparing guitars in Palestine, Texas (of all places).
Moved into a new home and had OFC members over.
Got my Hamer Monaco Elite.
Got my Hughes and Kettner amp.
Band is till pluggin away.
Family is all healthy and safe.
Started a new job.
Got not one, but two OFC calendars!

Maybe Next Year Stuff:
Missed the tour this year.
Missed the Kerrville Folk Festival this year.
Didn't get my song recorded and off to StandingO.

Wow, all in all a great year!!

¡Prospero Año Nuevo!

:D :D :D
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Jeff
Posted 2005-12-30 11:55 AM (#271074 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 863

Location: Central Florida
The Good:
[list]
[*]Being healed of cancer (thank you, Lord)!
[*]Completing chemotherapy.
[*]Acquirring several excellent (non-Ovation) guitars (see my signature for details).
[*]Coming to the realization that it's not the quantity of guitars I own, but the quality, and how well I play 'em that really matters.
[*]Many, many hours of reading, laughing, crying, and learning from my fellow OFCer's.
[/list]
The Bad:
[list]
[*]Having to say goodbye to my dear old dad, who passed away on new year's eve last year.
[*]Having to say goodbye to several beloved Ovations ( a few were sold out of financial necessity, some to fund other purchases).
[*]Not being able to make the Factory Tour.
[/list]
The Ugly:
[list]
[*]Me during chemo! :eek:
[/list]

Resolutions for the coming year:
[list]
[*]To be a better husband, father, brother and friend.
[*]To grow deeper in my faith.
[*]To take better care of my health.
[*]To become a better player.
[*]To build my my stable of O's back up a bit. :D
[/list]

Happy 2006 to all!
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Paulcc1
Posted 2005-12-30 12:51 PM (#271075 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180

Location: Vermont USA
The best of 2005 meeting all of you.
Happy New Year
See Ya in 2006
Pauly :D
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Weaser P
Posted 2005-12-30 12:51 PM (#271076 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5327

Location: Cicero, NY
The good: Another year spent with a healthy and happy family as well as lots of new friends made here (just go with me on that, k?) who all very openly share their wit, wisdom and experiences. For that I would like to sincerely thank you all for the continued enjoyment.

The bad: Ironically, that same french maid's nightmare that troubled Slipkid.

The ugly: I got nuthin'.

Have a safe, healthy and happy '06, folks! And rest assured that I'll be raising a glass to you all Sat night.
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Beal
Posted 2005-12-30 1:03 PM (#271077 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
Was there a llama in the french maid's outfit in your dream too?
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Jeff W.
Posted 2005-12-30 1:35 PM (#271078 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
...asking you to "Dust My Broom"
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Weaser P
Posted 2005-12-30 1:58 PM (#271079 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5327

Location: Cicero, NY
If it's all the same with you guys, I'd prefer to not relive it. I'm just now getting over the "saddle burns".
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Jeff W.
Posted 2005-12-30 2:04 PM (#271080 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
Bag Balm, Weeze....

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Waskel
Posted 2005-12-30 3:05 PM (#271081 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Originally posted by cwk2:
Was there a llama in the french maid's outfit in your dream too?
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2005-12-30 3:48 PM (#271082 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
The bad: I didn't have time to post before Jeff and Waskel got off on the llamas again.
All other bads have turned into goods. As of this morning I would have listed my inability to link up with any other OFCers as a bad. Then tdeej called and we met and I got to play his 1547.
Too many goods: Got back into guitars after too long. Bought 2 of them from this board and am one of the fortunate to have a 1537 thanks to Noah. Both daughters graduated with honors and we went to Italy together. Oldest found a job, youngest just got a 4.0 her first semester at UP and loves her Ovation I got her for Christmas.
Mostly finished the cabin remodel from hell (that's where all remodels come from).
Next year I'm going to learn to play that Classic and Ultra GS, link up with more OFCers, possibly on the mother of all decks in McCall and maybe get my first Adamas. Only small changes, but my life is good.
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cruster
Posted 2005-12-30 6:02 PM (#271083 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850

Location: Midland, MI
The Good: It's all good, just some is more good than others.

The Bad: See The Good.

Thanks for all the education, entertainment and flat out fun I've had here in the last 364 days with you folks. I appreciate it!
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stephent28
Posted 2005-12-30 8:57 PM (#271084 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
Mark, how did you like the 1547 versus your 1537?

A comparison?
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2005-12-30 9:17 PM (#271085 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
Unfortunately, we didn't have the best conditions to do a comparison. Tim called as he was passing through town with his family. We (7 of us)sat in his van in the rain as we talked and I played a little. We agreed to get together when the weather is better and compare the 2. I couldn't tell a difference in sound although I think mine has lighter strings. His also played like "butter."
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JeffreyD
Posted 2005-12-30 9:33 PM (#271086 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777

Location: East Wenatchee, WA
Well, let's see...

The Good: Discovered this group while making a "selling decision". All of the offers of $100 to $200 for my very good condition 1537 persuaded me that Waskel isn't the only Raskel on this board. Kept the 1537. Learned a lot more about the 1537. Started up a new church and am the Worship leader where the 1537 is center front.

The Bad: Work takes too much time that could be spent on music.

The Maybe: Acquired my first long dreamed of Adamas and the jury is still out. Hopefully a professional set-up will turn it into another dream product.

As another Jeff said...I too hope to become deeper in my Faith and walk humbly before God.

My prayer is that everyone on this group is truly blessed in 2006.
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innerman
Posted 2005-12-30 11:30 PM (#271087 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 327

Location: Houston, TX
The good: many things, most having to do with my wife and kids, and aquiring a little more wisdom with a little more age.

The bad: Too much travel at times, not enough time with wife, kids, and guitars

The Ugly: I am now very concerned about exotic animals and a bunch of guys with beards popping in uninvited during my french maid dream.
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Waskel
Posted 2005-12-31 9:05 AM (#271088 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Originally posted by cardinalflyer:
All of the offers of $100 to $200 for my very good condition 1537 persuaded me that Waskel isn't the only Raskel on this board.
Jeff, I'm hurt. If I had seen that thread I would have offered you $250, at the very least. Maybe $275. ;)
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alpep
Posted 2006-01-01 1:01 AM (#271089 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581

Location: NJ
well it is 2 am my last guest has left and I just chugged the last couple of fingers worth of champagne out of the bottle...

the good. After a rather long recovery I was able to play guitar again. I never even thought what it would be like to not be able to use your arm but wow what a wake up call.


the bad having to have an operation and watch my mom go through several operations this year.

the ugly? keeping my 4126 +++ kids in line on a website that was started as a lark. u681t backlash and keeping the politics and religion off the board.

06?
a new design for the website.
an OFC day in CT that will knock you out with a bunch of new things.
oh yeah I may even finish my garage...
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Beal
Posted 2006-01-01 4:38 AM (#271090 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
Good luck on the garage Al. Happy New Year.
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Bailey
Posted 2006-01-01 5:12 AM (#271091 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005

Location: Las Cruces, NM
Love You All

What a bunch of guys who have overcome insurmountable problems because of their love of music.

Kinda makes us realize that life is not fair or even predictable.

BUT a good guitar (or mandolin), will make it tolerable or liveable and let us hope for the miracles that happen sometimes, and help us survive even if the miracle is delayed, as often happens.

Bailey
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ignimbyte
Posted 2006-01-01 8:31 AM (#271092 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812

Location: Hicksville, NY
It's 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 1st right now, and I'm just checking things out to make sure that everything's good to start the New Year. Besides partying with friends and family, I spent the entire day yesterday cleaning the house, doing all the laundry, picking up the trash, cleaning the cars (inside and out), giving it a full tank of gas and topping off all fluids, and most of all, giving all the guitars a set-up :D and practically anything and everything that, I hope, yielded positive outcomes. :)

Yes it poured like crazy in Queens and in Long Island yesterday ... as for the cars, well I made sure that the interior's clean and presentable.

It's just something silly that I do every New Year's eve ... superstition I guess. It's based on the belief that, for example, if I start the New Year with a clean house, then I will live through the rest of the year with a clean house. And the same applies with everything else ...

Oh yeah, another silly practice that I do every year ... like a Cinderella-thing ... after an evening of partying outside, I made sure that I'm at home before 12 midnight to welcome the New Year with my family.

The Good: a) After two out of three years of being treated like **** with my former employer, last August, I finally quit my job, but got hired with a new job on the same day! :eek: sounds hard to believe at that time, but it happened to me ... I can just imagine the odds of that happening.
b) The health and wellness of everyone in the family are in good spirits! I am thankful to the Lord for looking over us, and although some days are better than others, I'm glad that we're able to make the best out of 2005.
c) With all my doubts and fears, I took a case that I thought was going to be an uphill battle, but turned out to be one of the best things that happened in 05! I reluctantly accepted to provide special instruction to a little girl with autism-like characteristics last November. Two months later, she went from keeping her distance from people to engaging (at least) in some social interaction with them, and from barely tracing letters to legibly writing the first three letters of her first name on her own! She also went from physically prompting me due to her frustration of not being able to express herself, to verbally inquiring and asking things in near-complete sentences starting with "Can I," "I want," and "I need."

The bad: a) Since I started with two jobs, getting home late in the evening does not allow me ample time to spend time with the family, do the house chores and practice my guitar playing. Fortunately, my job allows me to bring my guitar to accompany the children during music sing-a-longs -- it's better than nothing I guess.
b) I missed the OFC tour :(

2006:
- I pray that I will keep up with my faith in the Lord, and to glorify Him through good times and in bad times - especially during good times for the grace that He has given me is much more than what I truly deserve.
- I hope to be able to find time to play my guitars, and fulfill my GAS(ing) for "one really good one" (gonna work out with the wife over it ... ;) )
- Make it to the OFC tour in 2006
- To continue the camaraderie, fun and entertainment, informative and educational advices with the wonderful folks who make the OFC today!

:) Have a wonderful and prosperous New Year to all!!! :)
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cliff
Posted 2006-01-01 12:54 PM (#271093 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
The Good:
A Factory Get-Together (and ChowderTed's Sauce) TWICE in one year!!

The Bad:
TheCorporateFollies.

The Ugly:
The other patrons at Amici's the night of the SlotHead Dinner.

Here's t'06.
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moody, p.i.
Posted 2006-01-01 4:04 PM (#271094 - in reply to #271061)
Subject: Re: Bye Bye 2005... The OFC Year in Review!.


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654

Location: SoCal
The good? Life.

The bad? What bad?
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