Post #211639 by Karbora on Mon, Jan 30, 2006 10:11 PM

Now that is what I call a memorable weekend! Sometimes in life it is all about showing up. I will definitely be a "repeat offender" at next years event. Meeting most of you for the first time was such a thrill for me. As if you couldn't tell from my enthusiastic response each time I heard a familiar TC name being mentioned. Especially the locals from O.Ville. I instantly knew their were going to be many kodak moments when I met up with KG and Marian when I first arrived at the Hawaiian Inn and the stories started flowing. Thanks for all you did to organize this event. I was elated when I found out Jon Pez was sitting across from me at the Luau (although he would not divulge any secrets behind the white sauce at Kobe steakhouse) and was able to swap stories about local habitats. Then there was the ceremony to reunite Flounder with a long lost piece of art from his past. It was a beautiful thing. I still have to get more facts from him on this item but not always good to delve into a history lesson when the crowd is well in to one of Pablus's zombie barrels. They tend to make you live for the moment!

Going out on walkabout with Christy, Liz and Al on Saturday was super cool (minus the Witco whiplash I got from cranking my head around to catch all the sightings). Beautiful day, great company, fantastic stories. I was ultra impressed that at one point in the afternoon we ended up in the same antique mecca where Tikilicious, Steve, Chip and Andy were treasure hunting. I half expected some kind of tiki meltdown. Can you image the forces that are generated from 8 TC's in the same location? Seems like most everyone found one or multiple must haves and helped each other with the finds. The camaraderie among this group always astounds me!

Other highlights for me included the inspiring musical talents of Pablus and the Haole Kats. Hanging out with Martini (and Tiki Bree and Tristan :). Spotting the gnome all over Daytona Beach who was such a long way from home........and of course all of the fabulous retro inspired fashions. I literally could not wait for the next event to see what everyone would be sporting. You all rock! By the way KG I hope your cool jacket makes it as it was listed as DOA after Julian’s. Keep us posted :)

I can not close without personally thanking the Neptune tikis for allowing me to hound them all weekend about their tiki interests and collecting strategies. It is such a rare opportunity for me to meet people who have such similar interests and passions that I could not STOP talking about it! I tried to be cool but who knew I would get to discuss such things with those who have gone before me. I hope you realize how much I appreciate your words of wisdom and your willingness to share through experience. I am truly grateful and am personally so glad to have had a chance to meet you and hope their will be more events soon! We need to make the rounds here in Central Florida in 2006. Of that I am certain.

Anyway my final summary of the weekend:

An ocean front room at the Hawaiian Inn with kitchenette and glow in the dark decorative fish............................................................................................$89.99

Tequilla Hawaiian Luau (black light included)...................................................$35.00

Hanging out with Tiki Centralers all weekend.................................................PRICELESS

(Too late to count excalmation marks in this post)

Kim