Damn, Is that a tear in my eye?
"Nonnymus" wrote in message
news:B_%Vj.17599$CE1.16178@newsfe23.lga...
> 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.
>
> --
> Nonny
>
> Nonnymus
> Never believe a person who is
> Drunk, Horny or Running for Office.
|