Fellow Dopers:
The ship just sent over the first lines and the mighty IKE is again moored at Pier 12 North, Norfolk Naval Base. Six months have come and gone – that’s a long time.
I’ve been to ten different ports of call, though I was unable to get ashore in some. I’ve been to the Persian Gulf enforcing UN sanctions on Iraq, hosted two heads of state, toured nine different U.S. ambassadors, given general tours to more than 11,000 foreign nationals, crossed the Atlantic and did the Ditch twice and endured temperatures in excess of 120 degrees.
Through it all there’s been one thing I could count on – the kind group folks on this board.
You were with me as I drank my morning coffee each day. You were a steadying influence when I became frustrated. You sent out to me positive vibes. You tolerated my quirks, redundant rants and peccadilloes.
You sent me well wishes, postcards, candy and cookies.
Irreconcilable flirting, tracking down and debunking the drowning bird conundrum, an intentionally posted smiley (2 actually!), my rants against smiley users, my continuing quest for fine willing woman flesh... You know me better than I know myself!
There’ve been highlights: a faster board, more features, a veritable explosion of registered posters, reg melodramas and the cornucopia of sexual threads.
There’ve been lowlights: the troll/sock puppet invasions and, of course, the passing of Wally.
I hope that I’ve returned to you some semblance of entertainment, diversity, and joie de vivre and not just withdrawn what I needed from the board.
From the deepest recesses of my being, I want to thank you for enabling me to endure a half-year away from my son and from “normal” life. I couldn’t ask for a better on-line family.
I now get to spend an entire weekend with my son. Putt-putt, Jeepers and grilled cheese sandwiches loom in my immediate future – I couldn’t be more delighted! Thank you for keeping me sane enough to be able to enjoy this reunification time with my son.
I was going to attempt to name all the specific Dopers who’ve been so kind. Unfortunately, the list would stretch to the horizon and I would still probably omit someone, so I’m not gonna try. Manny, manny of you I will meet next weekend. This Dopefest and my son are what have kept me going the last two months. I look forward to kicking all your asses at 8- or 9-ball!
I shall be the putz in spanky clean whites with a chest full of fruit salad.
For those not attending, I’m sure an adequate thread will be generated so you may attend vicariously.
Well, my son is waiting, so again thank you – all of you – for being my friends and being a part of this insane uber-reality known as the SDMB.
ChiefScott sends