My Goodness.

[wilson]

You all are honestly the best.
I've mentioned this to several people this evening, but I want everyone to know. This is the goofiest, most fun, most loving and welcoming group of people that I think I've ever met. It still seems a bit odd to say that I feel "close" to a group of people that I "met" on the interweb, but I really do. It never felt abnormal at all to come to Durham to spend the weekend with all of you; in fact, it was exciting to come here and put faces and real-life, physical familiarity with online personae.
When I left Atlanta on Friday, I was worried. A part of me felt like it really wasn't the best decision to come and spend the weekend here. Now, however, I know that it was the best decision I could have made. My batteries are charged, so to speak, and my cup is full. It was just wonderful to be reminded of a place that I love. Part of my motivation is the thought that, hey, it'd be nice to achieve enough to get a job at Duke someday, but most of it is just knowing that, in y'all, I have a(nother) group of people who'll back me up, root for me, etc., the way we all do for each other. I could not have had more fun this weekend. I sat in Cameron tonight with tears on my face for most of the first half, because I had the great experience of sharing one of my favorite places with some of the best people in this world. I will go home knowing that, while preparation for Comps won't be a lot of fun for the next few weeks, I can do it. I will do it. Y'all may not hear a great deal from me between now and Thanksgiving, but please know that you've done a lot to give me the final push across this finish line. Y'all are really the best.
And bjornolf, TNTDevil, bones, and everyone else, I fucking love my pirate ship. I can't wait to go home and put it together. It will receive a place of honor in my home, and bring me much-needed smiles whenever I look at it.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[devildeac]

You all are honestly the best.
I've mentioned this to several people this evening, but I want everyone to know. This is the goofiest, most fun, most loving and welcoming group of people that I think I've ever met. It still seems a bit odd to say that I feel "close" to a group of people that I "met" on the interweb, but I really do. It never felt abnormal at all to come to Durham to spend the weekend with all of you; in fact, it was exciting to come here and put faces and real-life, physical familiarity with online personae.
When I left Atlanta on Friday, I was worried. A part of me felt like it really wasn't the best decision to come and spend the weekend here. Now, however, I know that it was the best decision I could have made. My batteries are charged, so to speak, and my cup is full. It was just wonderful to be reminded of a place that I love. Part of my motivation is the thought that, hey, it'd be nice to achieve enough to get a job at Duke someday, but most of it is just knowing that, in y'all, I have a(nother) group of people who'll back me up, root for me, etc., the way we all do for each other. I could not have had more fun this weekend. I sat in Cameron tonight with tears on my face for most of the first half, because I had the great experience of sharing one of my favorite places with some of the best people in this world. I will go home knowing that, while preparation for Comps won't be a lot of fun for the next few weeks, I can do it. I will do it. Y'all may not hear a great deal from me between now and Thanksgiving, but please know that you've done a lot to give me the final push across this finish line. Y'all are really the best.
And bjornolf, TNTDevil, bones, and everyone else, I fucking love my pirate ship. I can't wait to go home and put it together. It will receive a place of honor in my home, and bring me much-needed smiles whenever I look at it.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Great to meet you. Good luck. Thanks for making the journey. And I still have your Mutiny Fleet bottle with the awesome pirate painted on it. Guess you'll have to return next month and claim it. Or help us drink another bomber from the Heavy Seas/Mutiny Fleet series from the Clipper City Brewing Company. ;)

And BTW, you owe me a 6er ;) . But I'll settle for 1-2 specialty brews from the folks at Sweetwater. Like a Donkey Punch. Or a Happy Ending. Oooh, I can post that here without getting infraction points... :roll: (now that you know the story... )

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Good to finally meet another member of the Atlanta Mafia! And I'm glad to finally have that pirate ship in your hands instead of mine!

[Very Duke Blue]

It was just meeting you. Any mother would be proud to have you for a son. I didn't know your part of the Atlanta Mafia. If I ever have a "job" for you, I'll pm you

[CameronBornAndBred]

Great meeting you Wilson, you picked a great weekend for the journey, despite the weather. Lotta fun sitting with you in basketball game. Whether you make Durham your home one day or not, we can always make it feel like home when you get there.

[bjornolf]

And bjornolf, TNTDevil, bones, and everyone else, I fucking love my pirate ship. I can't wait to go home and put it together. It will receive a place of honor in my home, and bring me much-needed smiles whenever I look at it.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

In your house? I expect to see a picture of that in your office at Duke someday. You promised! ;) And you're welcome. I saw it on sale and immediately thought of you cause of your comment. Thanks to everyone who helped foot the bill, especially the ladies at the beach weekend, DD, , and the Oz for keeping it for us so I didn't have to pay to ship it down there. I apologize to anyone I missed. And thanks also for helping to keep it a secret, guys and gals! And we'd love to see a picture of it in its place of honor when you get a chance!