Nonnymus wrote:
> sue mullen wrote:
>
>>
>> The Solstice is one of George's cruises that has turned into the
>> GGC2009. Here is the link: http://www.cruisemaster.com/solstice.htm
>
> Sue, some of the magic of r.t.c. is the (now) long-term bonds and
> friendships that have been established over the years. Ermalee, Lori,
> Steve, Tobie, Jean and others remember my kids as teens, remember when
> marriages occurred, have been to each other's homes, have dined together
> aboard ship, have traveled together, have shared triumphs and sadness.
> That's something overlooked when someone just pops in anonymously and
> criticizes r.t.c. folk for wishing someone a happy birthday or
> occasionally trading old timer or inside stories.
>
> Back in the 90's, when r.t.c was young and gaining its personality, we
> were learning how to behave, talk and act. I remember a time I made a
> smart-a**ed comment about a forthcoming gay cruise someone mentioned,
> and a particularly vile and puerile old wench trolled it into a brief
> fight with a very well respected r.t.c. contributor. We made up at one
> of Ermalee's parties in MD, and I've always 1) regretted making the
> comment and 2) have had bad feelings for the old wench ever since. She's
> not around anymore, thank goodness. Perhaps she fell off her broomstick.
>
> When tragedy struck us in another state, it was some of the good people
> of r.t.c. who collected cruise memorabilia and helped restore some
> souvenirs and cruise memories, which we still hold dear. Another r.t.c
> regular, in CA, spent days helping me with insurance matters as well,
> as did Erm's son who I'd never met. Even as I write this, Tobie and
> Barb are in Reno and have invited us up for a visit. When we once took
> a road trip with Erm and Bill, we drove by Gainsville for the last
> meeting with another dear friend, Peter Bugda, before he passed away.
>
> What's great about r.t.c. is that it's open to all. Even heels and
> trolls have gone on GGC's or other planned cruises and have both liked
> the people they met and also become liked by the r.t.c. old timers.
> Remember the gent who passed away on the cruise, and Lori spent the
> entire night sitting with his fiancee? Lori'd never met either before
> the cruise, but had the warmth to offer help and comfort to a stranger
> from r.t.c.
>
> Much of the fun of a GGC includes just hanging around with the people.
> George's great about his meet and greets. Nothing is formal, you just
> show up and start visiting. Shore trips are a ball as well. Perhaps
> Steve Sykes recalls joining with me smuggling booze back aboard the ship
> (several times). Does anyone recall the time I added to the GGC
> newsletter with a paragraph asking that if any of the shipboard
> personnel inquire about Bill and Ermalee, that GGC members not tell
> where they are? Some non GGC folks read it and were absolutely
> incensed about what kind of group would harbor people like Bill and Erm,
> or allow them to be aboard the ship? Remember presenting
> a Port of Marshall MO plaque to some ships? The hijinks are some of the
> fun of a GGC, IMHO.
>
> There are some folk I think I'd really enjoy meeting, breaking bread
> with and getting to know better. For instance, I have a hunch that
> Chrissy would be darned fun to visit with, as would Clint. There are
> some that I'd not enjoy meeting, but perhaps that's a mistaken
> perception as well.
>
> Anyway, Sue, I've begun polling the Nonnyfamily and am giving it my all
> to get as many of us on the new GGC as possible.
I haven't been around RTC as long as you and some of the others, but so
much of what you posted above brings back great memories for me. I
definetly remember your tragedy and being amazed about all the help and
support you were getting from your RTC friends.
I was a little to shy to join any of the groups, but then we were on the
Disney Magic doing the exact same itin. the GGC2003 was doing. Walking
through St. Marteen we meet Tobie and Barb, the first RTCers we ever meet.
Since then we have been on some SGCs and some other group cruises, but
the Solstice is the first GGC for us. Over the years we have made some
very close friends, some of the same people that you mentioned. Just
like you, we have seen our cuise friends on cruises and at land
gatherings and I appreciate each and every one of them.
I hope the Nonnyfamily will be able to join us. On the Conquest,
Sleezy?? we got to meet you and Mrs Nonny and your first grandchilds
parents before she was born.
So many friendships have been formed here on RTC and as you say wishing
someone a happy birthday or whatever, is just part of our cruise
experiences. If it weren't for cruising, we would not of meet so many of
our wonderful friends.
sue
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