LAN unpacking - AND - a thanks to 2old2pwn

Making an effort to "share" with the group.  I have copied and pasted this post from the 2old2pwn forum.  Just a little window into our world.

For those of you that weren't at the LAN this year, I wanted to share a really awesome thing that happened.

First, every year there is one bag or box I bring home from the LAN that I refuse to unpack.  Sometimes it is just cables, or some clothes, or a box of games.  It just sits in my den for a month or two.  I guess in my mind once I unpack the box the LAN is officially in the past and I have another year to wait.

So this year, it was a large gift bag.  I unpacked it today and really relished some awesome LAN memories.

On Friday night at the LAN party this year we had chicken kabobs.  It was a pretty awesome group effort.  In the dining area off the lobby EVERYBODY pitched in Thursday afternoon.  Folks were chopping veggies, cutting up chicken, assembling kabobs, wrapping foil pans.  It was like  a huge laughing, smiling, joking assembly line.

We marinated some in honey teriyaki, and others in caribbean jerk.

Friday evening we broke out the 100 or kabobs and fired up the outdoor grills.  Shortly after starting the grilling a storm hit.  You may remember it...it was the worst severe storm of the year.  It tore through the midwest and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people all over the midwest and east coast.  When it hit, it blew over two tables in the courtyard at the hotel and moved all the patio furniture to one side of the pool.

I decided that there was no way around getting wet, so I just stood out there and grilled.  Selden007 manned the other grill, which was closer to a dry overhang.  I just stood out there, quickly lifting the grill lid to turn the food.

An emergency team of 2old2pwners was waiting inside the hotel door with platters.  I would give the signal and they would open the door enough for me to quickstep a kabob off the grill and onto the platter inside.

By the time everything was done, some folks were wet.  I was a soggy panda to be sure.  After wringing myself out, changing clothes and drying my hair I got down to the lobby dining area.

2old2pwn members were happily munching everywhere.  Laughs and conversations filled the air.  I remember thinking that I would stand in an open courtyard during a lightining storm for these folks any day.

Now let me get to the bag.

The LAST thing I expected was Nova and Gutter to gather everyone's attention and sit me in a chair.  Nova made a wonderful speech on behalf of the clan and I was presented with a gift.  I was grateful to attend the first LAN.  I volunteered to work on the second LAN.  I have been intimately involved in the third through seventh LAN.  Apparantly, this is worthy of thanks to this group!

Truthfully it is all selfish.  I have made some of the best friends of my life with 2old2pwn.  I have had the BEST times at the seven LAN parties we have held...and it is an event I look forward to ALL year.  So thanks wasn't and isn't necessary.

That being said...this was a really moving gesture and I offer my deepest thanks and gratitude to all of you that participated in this.

What I recieved was a beautiful world time mantle clock.  It has a an engraved plate on the top that reads as follows :

Walla

Heartfelt thanks from 2old2pwn

Without your selfless contributions

we would not be the Best Clan Ever

we would not have the best LAN ever!

For all you do. Thank You!

Wow.  You guys rock.  Thanks for being my friends and thank you for your generous gift.

I unpacked the clock today, got it set up and put it in a place of honor in my office.

2old2pwn - BEST CLAN EVER!