Well, here I am….fashionably late but here nonetheless! So many people to acknowledge and so little time! Please accept my apologies if I’ve left anyone out. I wish I could have spent more time with everyone there but time went by so fast and we were always busy.

Right up until a few days before, I didn’t know if I was going to make it to the meet since I was having problems with the car (transmission, cooling fans, etc.). So when I got there the first issue was to make the car reliable so that I could get home again. Needless to say, I had a huge list to complete and Mick and I were on a mission. Both Don and Boosty made absolutely sure that every single item on that list was complete. Until that was done, I had tunnel vision. Once all was done, the real Frank and Mick let loose.

Firstly, I want to thank everyone for making my son feel like one of the gang. He wasn't sure how he would fit in since he would be the youngest one there but he truly enjoyed himself and is already talking about going again next year.

Mick (mickman) - Thanks for always being there and being the best pit crew. You truly deserved the award.

Bob (echossei) – For offering your help to me at every turn and in every way. After blowing my entire budget on the exhaust you even offered to pay for a hotel room if I stayed an extra night. You have no idea how much that meant. By the way, Cathy is still baffled at my “Best Entertainer” award since when I’m working in our garage I’m always a miserable SOB and she steers clear of me.

Mike (Lash) – For giving me a BC t-shirt and not taking anything in return. If you’re ever in my part of the woods, I’ll teach you how to sign so you can order your own beer!

Don (jr’s3800) – For your priceless contribution to getting my car in the best condition it’* ever been…Hell Yeah!!! The a/c is still working. Now I have to fight my wife for the car everyday! I’m still telling friends and neighbors how generous and knowledgeable you are. You did everything you said you were going to do…. plus more!!! I cannot thank you enough but hope you know how grateful I am.

Gumball – It was a pleasure meeting you and I was honored to see you wearing the Canadian hat! Were you under the influence when you offered to take care of anyone that was giving me a hard time? By the way all, I know Gumball now and I’m not afraid to call on him if I need help!

Pete (Fake Canadian) – My Bonneville misses its near-twin and is looking forward to the next get-together. It was great to compare notes with you.

Amanda – Remember the promise you made to me?

Randman – I had heard so much about you before the meet and was glad to finally meet you. Thanks for accomplishing the first mod on my car. Rolling down the passenger window is a breeze (no pun intended) now!

PeterG and Crash – You guys sure have a fast car. I’m still trying to figure out how we got home and you guys were still at the border…even though you were going about 20mph faster than me the whole way home. If you slowed down you may have gotten home faster than us. Great seeing both of you again!

Crash’* Wife – Your burgers were amazing. Thanks for feeding all of us and don’t let the teasing about your forum name bother you. Long forum names are where it’* at. They’re just jealous!

Bandit – You’re a sad puppy, you broke your promise to me. And don’t interrupt….I”M TALKING HERE! And in case everyone else isn’t aware, “When Canadians Attack” is a photo chop….it’* really not me!

Toasty – I know for sure now that you’re bringing sexy back! Look out Justin Timberlake!

Brianj and Lisa – Always a pleasure seeing you. Looking forward to seeing you next month. And Lisa, I’m not quite bilingual but my wife is more impressed with my other linguistic skills!

Tom – Thanks for the Zaino and claybar tech session. We bought some Mothers while we were there and hope to meet your standards on my car. I’ll post pictures when it’* done.

Squela – I visited the tree before we left CT and it asked me to apologize to you for jumping in front of your back bumper. By the way, you sure have a mean kick.

Petraman – Mick told me you were laughing at your laptop at 2 a.m. while everyone else was sleeping. I have a phone number for a PC addiction hotline if you ever need it.

Gonneville – Thanks for giving up your spot on the sofa to Mick so we could stay an extra night. Next time you’d better bring your Bonneville. According to Bandit, the back seat is great for sleeping.

Tracy – Your coordination of everything went above and beyond. Many thanks. Cathy read your post and asked about the so-called lap dance. I thought we agreed, whatever happens in Enfield stays in Enfield!

Last but not least…..

Boostmaster Flex – I left you the BS phone fully charged with an additional 1700 minutes on it. I’ll pick it up next time I’m in town. On a serious note though, you opened your home and your garage to Mick and I. Words are not enough to express what that meant to us…especially considering that we had never met or even spoken personally before NEBF. The unbelievable clincher was that you wanted nothing in return. In this day and age, that’* unheard of. You gave me free parts, labor, a place to stay…in short, you treated us like family. Without sounding sappy, all my life people continuously took from me and I let them…so I wasn’t used to having so much offered to me with nothing expected in return. I was very deeply touched and am proud to consider you a friend. As Cuba Gooding so eloquently stated in Jerry Maguire….”You are my ambassador of kwan.” Please know that our home is open to you any time you’re in our neck of the woods.

Frank..

You and Mick are family.

Tough to follow up what you said, time and time again I meet BC members that I've only communicated with through this site and maybe a package or two. Nearly every time it'* the same.. awesome people that you are proud to have met and consider a great friend from the first face to face meeting. You and Mick fit right in, it was a pleasure to be able to help you and have you in the house.

While you say you didn't give anything back...smiles are worth lot and you guys kept us smiling or laughing nearly the whole time. BRRRRRNNNNGGGGGG Uh.. Bob...it'* for you. Priceless...

Why do I get singeld out to answer the BS phone?

Frank, your words above are exactly why we all wanted to help and everything above was very well said.

Like I told you at NEBF, if you don't want help, don't want things offered to you, don't want to have a good time, and don't want to feel like family, then don't come to a BC meet. When you come to meet, you don't have a choice in those matters, it is bound to happen.

I guess I tend to take the "fatherly" role at meets most times and probably spend way too much time watching after folks and making sure they are taken care of, so I am sorry if I kept pushing you to accept the things offered, but it is the way things are... and like it or not, we really do like helping and taking care of each other. It'* the BC way

BRRRRRNNNNNGGGGG ... uh Bob..it'* for you again.

Bob if the shoe fits....

The BC way is habit forming isnt it!

Yup he was a very happy camper.

Don, he'* still smiling! Just yesterday he washed the car, cleaned the tires and rims, took out the trunk liner to dry, and sprayed some tropical air freshener in it. He'* pimpin' today! Now how do we stop him from installing an amplifier and subwoofers? I'm not particularly fond of bleeding ears!

Oh my God, I can't believe he took the BS phone with him. I was sure he had left it at home! I'm definitely glad he left it in Enfield for you Bill! Hope you get a lot of good use from it. In Frank'* case it only takes a couple of drinks to get it fully charged!

Cathy
Mrs. MMBLF