The Tucson Adventure

Folks, I try really hard not to let envy get into my life. But I’m
having a really hard time not being jealous of those of you that get
to go to Tucson. I am not in a position to attend myself for a
variety of boring reasons. So I’ll just have to approach this from a
different direction.

For those of you able to attend the Tuscon Extravaganza I have this
to say:

I hope each and every one of you have the best time you’ve ever had
in your lives. I wish each of you very extremely safe trips,
outrageous fun, intense relaxation (yeah, like that’s gonna
happen…), and the most rewarding experiences you can imagine. For
those of you selling, I wish a hungry horde of dollar heavy
customers. For those of you looking, may you each find a surplus of
your desired items at the best prices you can imagine. For those of
you going for the education availabe I wish an unfailing memory and
all your questions answered completely. For anyone else I may have
missed I wish all the happiness you could want and then some more
for good measure! Enjoy yourselves one and all!

Mike

  I hope each and every one of you have the best time you've ever
had in your lives. ...<snip>. . .   Enjoy yourselves one and all! 

Thank you Mike! I well remember my first 7 years as a hobbiest
envying anyone who could attend the shows in Tucson and Quartzsite.
I lived in St. Louis then and was raising 3 children and such a trip
was out of the question. When we moved to Mesa, AZ in 1984, my knees
went weak at the prospect of being able to participate!

In spite of your admitted jealousy at not being able to join those
of us in Tucson this year, you have managed to “stowaway” in the
thoughts I’ll be carrying there. Your well-wishes will enrich the
events for many of us there and unwittingly you will have joined us
in spirit!

We will have to do our part on return, to share the experience with
those who have had to remain home this time.

The addition of Orchid to my life and to the Tucson experience has
been beyond belief. Thank you to our beautiful founders and to our
benefactors!

Pam Chott
www.songofthephoenix.com

Folks, I try really hard not to let envy get into my life. But I'm
having a really hard time not being jealous of those of you that
get to go to Tucson..... For those of you able to attend the Tuscon
Extravaganza I have this to say:   I hope each and every one of you
have the best time you've ever had  in your lives... 

Mike,

I have to tell you, I’m absolutely humbled and impressed with your
attitude. To take your disappointment at missing the show and turn
it into gracious feelings of good will and pass them on- that’s
commendable! I’ll be thinking of you and your excellent attitude the
next time I find myself harboring snarky envious feelings. If
everyone could muster your sense of good will, this world would be a
much better place! Thanks for brightening our day with your positive
attitude! Warmest Regards,

Kate Wolf

OH MY POOR FEET!!

My wife and I went to the AGTA and GJX and Gem Mall in one day.
Beyond anything that can be imagined! My words are poor to describe
the wonders of nature that are on display in Tucson. I think that
every open field in the town had a tent pitched and someone was
trying to sell stones or jewelry or something. Traffic was crazy and
parking is a nightmare. Stuller had a laser system that I drooled
over, it was too large to fit in my briefcase but I did put it on my
want list for Santa. Met some old friends and hopefully made some
new ones.

I try to write about the Tucson Gem show, but after including the
word fantastic 3 times in one paragraph, I gave up.

Sam Patania, Tucson
www.patanias.com