For what it's worth...
You know there’s something about the people that I’ve met at the last 5 MMS’s that I haven’t been able to really explain until I recently gave a it a bit of thought. It took math to help me figure it out.
I don’t really go out much. I haven’t since we had our Daughter 8 years ago. It’s not even that I’ve been yearning to go. I’d much rather be cuddled up in front of a fire, at a Red Sox game or camping with my family. So, it’s not like I sit around thinking “Oh I wish I could go out on Saturday night.” I don’t even drink when I’m home. I buy a case of beer for the holidays and have most of it left over on Easter.
I don’t even really have many friends. I have people that I hang out with at functions every few years or so but other than my camping buddy’s not many others. My Wife always laughs because I don’t go out. She goes out every now and again and if we go somewhere I always drive so there’s no “partying” from my end there.
Then I signed up for the myITforum SMS list. From there I heard about and went to my first MMS in 2003. I can’t remember if it was at Mandalay Bay or the Venetian, but it was definitely in Vegas. In fact it was my first time in Vegas. I didn’t know anybody so I never left the hotel. That’s right. I went to sessions, the myITforum party and basically spent the time in my room. I attempted to meet Rod but he was swarmed by a crowd every second I was at the party so I didn’t bother to approach him. Of the conference I thought “great content, I may do this again.” Since I spent most of the time in my room I wasn’t so sure though. If you’re reading this and you did the same thing, SNAP OUT OF IT. INTRODUCE YOURSELF!
Then I went in 2004. I’m not sure who introduced me to Mike Mott (AKA “Da Don”) or if I just started talking to him but we kind of hit it off and the Pfizer crew let me hang with them. I guess I was the comic relief:) Through them I met Josh (AKA PBaby) and Rich Wood (AKA Lemons). Now the crew has grown to a pack of wolves but back to the math.
My closest friend Steve (you don’t know him) is my camping buddy and as such I see him and his family at best 3-4 times a year. Our memories go back to High School marching band and he was also my roommate at Berklee in the early 80’s. There’s a lot of history and many party’s there. I actually did drink then.
Then you take the pack of wolves that I’ve hung out with at the last 5 MMS’s. Some have only been there for a couple of years and some for the time that I’ve been there. I hang with them 5-7 times a year all in week’s time. There’s drinking, laughing, jokes and many, many stories. These are some of the nicest people that I’ve ever met in my life. I see them more than my closest friends and we have more stories and crazy things happen to us in a small amount of time than my closest friends. I’ve come to the realization that these ARE my closest friends. I actually care what happens to them and their families.
Rod, you’ve really done something here with myITforum that you should be proud of. IT truly is a “community” that cares about helping people. I’m not really sure what my career would be like without myITforum but I’m glad I don’t need to know.
I’m not sure how long this is going to last as budgets are always getting clipped, people leave companies or change responsibilities, (Heck, I’m not even really an SMS Admin) but if any of them ever need me for anything at all, I’m there. Sorry for being long winded but this is something I’ve needed to say for a long time. Thanks for the memories……..Tada!
PG