[meteorite-list] An open letter to the men and women of Tucson! :)

From: Michael Gilmer <michael_w_gilmer_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:34:20 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <704157.2153.qm_at_web58405.mail.re3.yahoo.com>

Hi folks!

As another Tucson show nears, the second in my brief time enjoying
meteorites, I find myself subject to a mix of conflicting emotions.

First, I am excited and thrilled. This is the time of year when old
trends are broken and new trends are set. This is the time of year
when collectors and dealers alike are clearing out their closets and
offering up great deals to finance their pilgrimage to Tucson.
Everyone is clamoring over new falls and new developments. The
Michael Blood auction is around the corner and hosting servers start
to groan under the strain of absentee bids and last minute window
shoppers. Old pieces that haven't seen light of day in years are
brought out to admire or trade. And new pieces that have never seen
the light of day are brought out for the first time. Even for those
of us who cannot attend in person, we stand to benefit from the fresh
injection of material and data into the meteorite market. For me
personally, I have already reaped the rewards to some extent - I
got super deals recently on Claxton and Peekskill, thanks in large
part to the influence of the impending show in the Arizona desert.

Second, I am disappointed and regretful. Personal obligations will
prevent me from attending this year in person. I look forward to
going so badly, that each of these last two years has been an
agonizing time when the show comes and goes. I dwell on the great
deals and great people I am missing out on. I know that no matter
how good the writeups are afterwards, or how good the chatter is on
The List, I won't be able to eat a piece of Twink's Gold Basin cake
or bid live at Michael's auction. I'll have to settle for the
generous accounts and photos shared by others, so that we homebodies
can attend vicariously through them.

Third, I am excited again, once the show is over. Because then
everyone goes home with their newly-acquired goodies, and the
specimens begin to trickle out into the wider marketplace. Falls
and finds previously unavailable will soon be on eBay for .99 cents
opening bid. And information previously unavailable will be
disseminated throughout the collecting community as people retell
the tales they heard around the warm wine-stocked dinner tables of
Tucson. The show will act as a vigorous constitutional for the entire
field of meteoritics and the hobby of collecting meteorites.

Lastly, I am offering $25 plus the costs of actual FedEx Overnight
shipping for a small piece of Twink's Gold Basin cake. It doesn't
have to be big. It can be like a micromount - big enough to identify
and enjoy, but not too big to break the bank. A 3x4" Riker box full
will be plenty. Seriously. This isn't a joke. If someone wants
to FedEx me a piece, contact me offlist and I will take care of the
expense by the time of the show.

Good luck, god speed, and everyone have fun!

MikeG


.........................................................
Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA)
Member of the Meteoritical Society.
Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network.
Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com
..........................................................




      
Received on Tue 20 Jan 2009 03:34:20 PM PST