OK - In light of a recent post that put Scott and I at opposite sides of the light sabers ... I have a great idea to promote peace and harmony. Serious now ......

OK - I'm going to ask that in THIS post - we say NOTHING negative about anyone or anything. NO exceptions. No substitutions. Do not pass GO, do not collect 200 dollars.

The topic is open to anything - musical or not .... just please - NO bad news. I'll start.

1) Fran Carango and I have been friends since the Roland Juno 106 was the rage. We met in his store in Levittown Pa, and fast developed a common thread. IN all those years .... I have never, EVER heard him use a swear word - and I've seen him get cut on saw blades, fall off ladders, and pay me real money to help him (?) in his siding & window business. His kids all stay in contact with him, he is married to the same woman he has all his kids with, and he has NEVER turned me down when I asked for help.

2) I've seen Donny(NJ) perform in his dance club, and he is in "absolute control" of the crowd. He feeds them, shmoozes them, and dances them till they can't take it anymore. He's a perfect gentleman, a consummate professional, and knows just how to please his crowd. We met through THIS forum.

3) George Kaye. What can I say about this man? He has got to be the coolest store owner I know, and I used to BE a store owner! He has welcomed me into his world, and made his store available to me from 3000 miles away. I feel like his shop is right around the corner!

4) Don Mason is a new friend that this forum made possible. From the start - we had a connection, and exchanged emails and late night phone calls over the two years I've been here. His southern charm is both imminent and infectious. I hope we get to meet in person some time real soon. Maybe when the Eagles go to the superbowl in February .............

5) Dan O'Neil was a recent meeting, but a great experience! We carpooled down to his store a few months ago to do some shopping and he literally cleared his schedule for the whole day to accommodate the 4 of us - Me, Fran, Donny & AJ. We played keys, sang songs, made deals, ate crabs, drank beer. .... what a blast! I'm tellin ya man.......... We had a day and a half that afternoon!

6) Scott Yee and I are very much alike. (That's NOT negative !!!)
WE have a passion for the music, the gear, the career and the people. It's a part of who we are. We've only spoken on the phone a few times, but I feel that we have definitely formed a bond. If there is a little friction now & then, it's because we may be like two chefs in the same small kitchen. There will always be room for different opinions among friends ....... hey - I live with 4 women - I am always out of the loop! I welcome Scott's friendship, and respect his passion for music.

* * * I can't single out each of you at this time, but as a "blanket hug" let me say that this forum is a big part of my day. My life is on overload at the moment, but I make a few moments each day ( a few times a day!) to check in with the world, as I call it. I look forward to the exchange of ideas and humor, and I miss it when I don't read everyday.

Please share some positive thoughts you have about others that you know on the forum so we can see each other through the eyes of someone close to them. This can only bring us to a better understanding of why we have the opinions we do, and may make it easier to "read behind the lines" as we read the words. Typing is so cold and abstract - it's easy to miss the real meaning behind the letters.

OK campers - say something nice!