[meteorite-list] Tucson Thanks! Part II of II

From: Gary K. Foote <gary_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 08:51:22 -0500
Message-ID: <45E3F10A.29921.56B9200_at_gary.webbers.com>

Now, though I sat it out in the frozen northeast, I have been to Tuscon. Next year I
shall have to heave my carcass westward in January. Thanks Doug!

Gary

On 27 Feb 2007 at 3:48, MexicoDoug wrote:

> (continued from last message)
>
> To warm down a bit I stopped by to see Kitty Killgore who I didn't expect
> this year. Apparently the show promoter had kicked Martin's SWMC out of the
> show some time as a not for profit, because as everybody knows, this is
> Tucson and everything has to have a price tag. SWMC fund raising and
> acquisition strategy apparently just didn't fit
> the bill... So there was our unchanged Kitty in her usual good humor, and a
> selection of some of the finely prepared meteorites we have come to expect
> from Southwest Meteorite Labs. Thanks for the smile every time I visit!
> Always a room filled with eye-candy...
>
> At one point, I caught up to a group of Moni, Rob Matson and other friendly
> folks. It was the first time I had met them in person. Moni is a greatly
> spirited conversationalist and also, it becomes apparent in talking, a
> dedicated and hardy hunter when the opportunity is there. Some day I hope
> to hunt on some dry lake beds with Moni and her friends!
>
> Rob, actually was a sort of icon of mine, turned out to be the antithesis of
> what one expects when speaking of History's great comet and asteroid
> hunters. Patient to discuss and open about his work, completely too humble
> about his accomplishments, and the kind of person who we all wish we could
> have as a friend. Good luck with that black crusted fresh desert find you
> picked up from the Chladni gang Rob; I appreciate your advise and follow-up
> and hope someday I can discover a celestial object like you have done -
> which I dream of associating with my own Father's name. Congratulations
> with
> my highest regards to you for your hunting successes!
>
> Also I met Jason Utas and his dad Peter. We didn't get to speak much, but
> they are a great team and look great together. It's hard to believe young
> Jason has already accomplished himself so well, but he has earned my respect
> by reading his posted thoughts (not always in agreement - but fresh and
> creative thought processes to back himself up). It was nice to say hi.
>
> A new face for me was Don and his wife Linda Hurkot who came from way up
> North. Thanks to Don in many ways, I was able to get my own superior slice
> of Seymchan, instead of one filled with epoxy as almost happened. At Al
> Lang's sale we both bid against each other for ownership of a certain CM2
> that I have always hoped for. While I simply couldn't compete on the final
> bid, I am very pleased that the specimen went to the finest home I can
> imagine where it will be loved. Anyhow, that's my consolation and what I
> keep telling myself:-). As Don considered me a friend, he offered me the
> piece I lost at his cost when he saw I felt a little bad. Of course I was
> flattered for his thoughtfulness! Thanks for everything Don and I am glad
> to hear Linda had a lot of fun besides meteorites too. Hope we meet again.
>
> At the meteorite party, the person I remember most was Mar?a Haas already
> mentioned, as kind as ever and a lovely change from the outside. Re:
> Outside: the so called security guard and his boss who kept others and me at
> bay in the entrance way to the Steve and Geoff bash. Let's not give those
> pinheads more bandwidth than they deserve. But if you saw someone
> pantomiming on the window with their hands begging to get in that was me.
> Word has it that Keith Vasquez (of "Will Work for Meteorites" fame, and
> another great acquaintance from the show, took a picture of this debacle
> from the inside - I want a copy!). Bob Verish and his lady were stuck out
> there and it provided us a fine opportunity to get acquainted, and I want to
> thanks you guys as well. Regarding the party, I also met Dima here. Dima
> is Serge A.'s Cometshop partner. What a nice person. I highly recommend
> him for anyone who would like some honest dealings. I was able to pick up
> his last piece of the Shirokovsky fake they had, which he celebrated finally
> getting rid of, after they had originally been duped into believing it was a
> real pallasite.
>
> I've already mentioned Geoff, but not really Secret Agent #1, who I felt
> fortunate to carry on with at the party. Steve Arnold has the heart of a
> meteorite hunter and this blood really overflows when you speak with him and
> his escapades. It is very refreshing to discuss the life of a full-time
> meteorite salvager and one can see the difficulties facing this rare breed
> of person. Steve made a lot of sense to me in any case, though I won't
> comment how sober either of us was as it was his birthday party! Anyway,
> the meteorite-hunting icon he is, I had a few US hunts planned post-Tucson,
> and decided to stop shaving and them get a copy beard like he has. They say
> imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. BTW, when I got home my girl
> told me I looked more exciting with the new gruff beard. Shucks now the
> joke is on me and I have to keep it a while. Arrrgh. Trust me meteorite
> hunters really have a tough life! Needling aside, I hope a full length
> account can be written some day about Steve and the team's (Geoff, Phil)
> Brenham project. The hunter he is, Steve didn't have a single piece of
> Brenham on him when we met earlier! Thanks for the insight...
>
> Then there was THE AUCTION. That would be synonymous with Michael Blood.
> Despite all the whining, crude jokes and other crap, Michael, participating
> in your auction is great fun - and Tucson just wouldn't be Tucson without
> Michael Blood & Co. I found the auction a fair, professionally run affair
> that is a magnet for the meteorite community. Regardless of personal
> opinions, I think it will be very hard for an argument to be made that
> doesn't compliment you for your efforts with the formerly known as "People's
> Auction". An opportunity to socialize, and 150 meteorites up for grabs.
> Some at good prices and some not so good. There's enough going on and
> enough variety that everyone can take home something (and you might even get
> a Gold Basin in Twink's cake here -thanks for that touch!) Thank's Michael
> for an evening of fun which is much more difficult than it seems...
>
> Finally, after all the comments on the list I've been a bit afraid to
> mention Al and Iris Lang's sale. Having seen both sides, all I can say is I
> am the happy owner of Jelica, a witnessed fall anniversary date on the
> birthday of a dear family member. Though I paid dearly for it was a
> "must have". I wouldn't call this an auction - just a sale. Absent are the
> fees normally associated with an auction: WYSIWYG, and there is no
> arbitrating third party. Lisa, a chic friend of Geoff's was there in an
> attire that must have been something of an evening gown, and was quite kind
> to serve a suggestion of champa?a in fluent Spanish. Juxtaposed with
> usually grumpy faced Al, it made for a nice combination. Though Al didn't
> look very grumpy this time! Bob C. was there and took home the main mass of
> a meteorite I craved and was a reason to go to Tucson, but the bidding got
> out of hand and I certainly don't have the purchasing power to compete for
> meteorites backed by two tons of Campo del Cielos so I made my best offer
> and Bob went on to nearly double it as the frenzy continued and money
> painted the town green with envy. *Sigh* it was a Mexican meteorite. Wah
> hahaha. No thank you's here - but congratulations are certainly in order to
> Bob.
>
> Dave Carothers was a great person to meet -in person- for the first time.
> We exchanged a few mutually enthusiastic words about meteorites, Tucson and
> the list and it made all the difference to me, especially in light of our
> past interchanges on the met-list...thanks for the friendly words, Dave it
> was a pleasure to meet you in 'real life'!
>
> I ran across Jim Tobin who kindly filled me in on a certain misconception I
> had regarding a meteorite he once wanted. Jim was great as usual - always
> happy to answer technical questions I've had, for which I'm thankful, but I
> was sorry to have missed Paul this time around (who was at his daughter's
> graduation). Regards to you both!
>
> Somewhere here I met a bunch of other very nice people. Fred O. immediately
> comes to mind as a very straightforward Coloradoan who just loves
> meteorites.
> Jan from Holland was there with his lovely wife, still looking like
> newlyweds and he's even better to meet in person than on the list! A big
> pleasure Jan and Yvonne! Bruno was on the prowl there and I gave him a big
> hello but he couldn't remember who I was, but that was ok since his wife was
> looking fine with some of the nice meteorite jewels sparkling around their
> room. Somewhere in the mess I remember seeing an always friendly Jason and
> appreciate the chance to say hello,as was the case with my hello to a
> friendly Tim Heitz. Erich was looking quite well this year with his
> companion as I watched him get a quite massive iron he still had time to
> give a friendly hello. Hans was there and his illness didn't put any
> dampers
> on his penchant to sell...as was sold out prot?g?e Jose complaining as usual
> how he wants to go into the construction industry (chuckle, chuckle) - but
> congratulations Jos? on finally owning Rockgems in full. Outside Hans' room
> was a Saharan Blue Person named Mohammed. He turned out to be a very nice
> guy with a pile of unclassified CR's as well as some specimens of the latest
> Moroccan fall last December. Mohammed had been robbed earlier and it was
> rather a sad affair. I wish Mohammed the best of luck and he has a great
> sense of humor and seems like a good source of material around the porous
> NWA borders. Several other friendly smiling Northern African guys were all
> quick to give smiles like Pani, Raouf and Larby, all in my limited
> experience. Bud Eisler was there and kindly took time to describe the
> adventure he was now participating in and his extreme courteousness and
> attention was noted upon visiting his room. Good luck with that Galleon!
>
> Bob Haag and his Heidi were in the Westward Look Resort with a very small
> but effective meteorite display compared to prior years. Bob, as usual,
> shared his talent for exciting people about meteorites. Eduardo wiped him
> out of small affordable Esquels in front of my eyes and left not a one, so I
> am resigned to the fact that I won't ever get this signature Haag meteorite.
> Bob himself was the typically Bobby Haag who hasn't changed in 20 years in
> many aspects. He kindly allowed me to 'fondle' and then 'handle' his
> massive specimen of Allende with my bare hands - and it was a religious
> experience I must say. Thank you Bob for the priceless opportunity. As you
> say, Mexico has been kind to you and I hope for you that this continues.
> Please don't take the Lang sale event too seriously. Things have changed
> less than you think ... you'll see, you can continue to sell to the little
> guys and make our day. My best to you and family...
>
> So here I sit, back home, and after two more weeks of meteorite adventures,
> in my boring little computer corner, with a very few new meteorites to savor
> and a copy of Meteorite Magazine I received from the editor himself. Larry
> L. and his wife, the husband-wife team were there and very kind and brought
> an interesting component to the meteorite melting pot and I had wished to
> continue some discussions with them, but I only saw them twice. But
> enough to be happy to have met a nice enthusiastic couple.
>
> Speaking of people that have become scarce, I noticed Dorothy Norton and her
> husband Richard I believe too. I turned my head and a moment later they
> were gone. The Norton's always have so much to add to Tucson for those who
> have an opportunity to talk with them. I was sorry I mostly missed out this
> time, but appreciate the brief encounter none the less.
>
> Plus the fun in meeting for the first time and discussing meteorites with
> great pleasure with Dave Gheesling Richard Young! Thanks for a great time
> to each of you.
>
> Well, no doubt that I have forgotten some of the most important people.
> Cheers to everyone and thanks for making a fine, fun Tucson possible!
>
> One person I haven't forgotten is Walter Branch who I pray will attend next
> year. Last year we lamented together about missing Tucson and I also told
> him I looked forward to the day we could meet. His response (14Feb06):
>
> >would have loved to have shared a good time with and feel bad about
> missing[Tucson].
> Next year my friend... next year! -Walter
>
> Next year it shall be!
> Best health to all, Doug
>
>
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Received on Tue 27 Feb 2007 08:51:22 AM PST