I didn't think there was anyone out there that still thought I was a guy! Sorry to throw you and miragearmor off there! LOL! Ronin, your comment is just histerical to me...I can't tell you how many guys asked me how my hubby is involved, to which I had to say he nods and smiles a lot and is vaguely impressed but mostly isn't involved. Definitely a role reversal there!

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Here are the exclusive items I've bought at the Picnic.

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Here's what I received for attending the Trivia contest.


...and what I won as this year's Trivia game champion:


It totally rocks!

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Man, I love the background effects you added!
*makes mental note concerning future contact for photoshop help*

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Ok, with the board finally up and running again (looks for his missing PM options)... for now, I can finally share my feedback. After a couple weeks, I hope that I can do my excitement from that day justice.

PART I

Millsy - You truly hit a home run with the location! It was clean, brightly lit, climate-controlled, had plenty of furniture for sitting down and setting up customs and sales items, his and her bathrooms, a kitchen, sufficient (non-parallel) parking, a nice front yard, I could go on and on. I'm glad that you were able to secure this location for us and I look forward to holding next year's event there as well. Thanks again for being my navigator through the hilly streets of Pottsville to Ruby Tuesday! It would have taken me at least twice as long to reach the restaurant otherwise.

Apacolypse - It was good seeing you again. Thanks for helping to break the ice by getting everyone to introduce themselves. Simply brilliant! For the first time in my life, I was at a social event where I knew the most people there. I am looking forward to discussing your custom vehicle ideas and I really hope that you will enter the custom Operation: Flaming M.O.T.H. Vehicle Contest planned for next year.

PoetFlint - What can I say? Every year you manage to find a way to win my trivia contests, no matter what format in which I set it up. Congratulations on keeping your title! Thanks again for my long-awaited self-custom. He's awesome! "Blitzkrieg" is busy securing my alarm clock on my nightstand. When we get PM access again, I can then finally read the file card information that you sent me on him. We'll see how well you fare in next year's trivia contest.

Apacolypse and PoetFlint - Thanks for visiting me at my hotel after dinner to drop off PoetFlint's custom for me and sticking around for a couple hours to chat. It definitely helped ease the depression that I fall into after our meets end (i.e., going from being surrounded by friends to being alone). I really appreciate it.

MacGyver - I'm glad that you were able to make it to our picnic for the first time. I hope that we can expect to see you at next year's event as well. Your eye-painting demonstration was amazing. I normally don't have such a steady hand, let alone with a bunch of people staring at me and filming/taking pictures. I wish I could have watched more of it, but it was one of the only moments where I wasn't running an event, so I needed to take that opportunity to grab a bite to eat. You are a welcome addition to our group.

DarkWynter - Once again, thank you for sacrificing yourself (including sleep) and turning your family into an assembly line to provide us with such wonderful customs and dioramas! Without you and your family's efforts, there would not have been a reveal, there would not have been any exclusives. Your customs were a testament that our meets have reach a new level. I am hoping that for next year the rest of us can pitch in with our strengths to help lighten the burden that you've placed on your shoulders for two years in a row, so that you'll be able to enjoy the next picnic more. Just as Ray Stanz is the heart of the Ghostbusters, you (despite being from Maryland ) are the heart of the PA JoeCustoms meets.

On a sidenote, I'm glad that you were able to make it to the Connecticut G.I. Joe Show and display your latest diorama creations. The one that I bought is the centerpiece of my Joe display in my "mancave". It was fun hanging out with you again and discussing customizing techniques as well as a slew of other topics. I hope that you made it back to Maryland safely. If you haven't checked it out, go to the Tri-State Vipers Web site and read the feedback from the show. All of the CT Vipers loved you.

<Sees wife tapping her foot> I'll continue to provide my one-on-one feedback later this weekend. I obviously need to get going.

Blitzkrieg

PoetFlint- Thanks for the new additions to my 25th collection, and helping to figure out what the trivia contest was called.

Blitzkrieg- Thanks for all the information you provided me through pm, Thanks for setting up a challenging trivia contest.

DarkWynter-The exclusives were Excellent you really out did yourself.

MacGyver- It was really nice to meet you and find out you were a chick. You do great customs. I really enjoyed seeing the S6 Scarlett in person.

Apac- It was good to see you again.

Millsy-Thanks for getting the location for us. I really enjoyed the trades that we did.

Rob - Nice to see you again. I'm glad that you made it out.

AegisGreat - thanks for the Ninja Viper and fodder. Nice to meet you as well.

Ronin- Glad you made it out. I hope you can continue coming.

Chuckles- Ok so we didn't win, but we had fun trying. Lol. Your Dreadnok base was Kickazz.

ToplessJeep - Thanks for selling the seats to me. They are really spicing up my display.

Mirage Armor- Your Iron Grenadier costumes was insane. You must really like them.

Tri-State Vipers- It was cool to meet you guys I'm really glad you guys made it out.

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I am planning on attending the Philadelphia comic con. Is anyone else?

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Ok, now that I have a few more moments to spare, I can finish sharing my thoughts and compliments.

Part II

Chuckles - It was good to see you again. Your Dreadnok compound diorama was awesome! I loved all of the "Easter eggs" that you had scattered throughout the place like the Hector Ramirez TV screen, the various munchies, and your self-custom ("Chuckles") peeking through the window. I loved your custom Dreadnok vehicles. You should consider painting up a few more and perhaps selling them next year. Or even entering my Operation: Flaming M.O.T.H. Vehicle contest. Sorry that we didn't get to film your Cobra PSAs at the picnic. Believe me when I tell you that even as late as during halftime of the trivia contest I was trying to push the schedule along to make sure that we could still film at least a couple PSAs, but it didn't work out. If you're still interested in filming the PSAs next year, I will make sure that the filming occurs earlier in the itinerary to help make sure that the event doesn't get bumped. Just let me know next year prior to the next meeting. I will try to be stricter on keeping to the itinerary. I just hope that I can balance being on track with everyone still having fun. BTW, your signature is very touching.

Rob - [Millsy, please pass this along] Your sales display looked so professional that I felt that I was at an actual toy show. I was really impressed. I just wish that I would have had more than a few minutes to shop. I certainly would have taken a serious look at the items that you had for sale. From my initial glance, alot of your stuff looked tempting to buy. Hopefully, next year we'll get more time to chat. And I was relieved to hear that your father pulled through fine.

Aegis - Congratulations on winning third place in my trivia contest, despite your partner going AWOL. I'm glad that you and your family were able to join us for dinner at Ruby Tuesday.

Toplessjeep - I'm glad that you were able to make it to the picnic. Hopefully, you'll be able to join us next time from South Carolina, thereby making it even more of a multi-state event. I enjoyed our talk during the close of the picnic.

Dagger - I'm glad that things worked out at the last second and that you were able to join us in Pottsville. Nice job in spotting the second M.A.S.S. Device clue in the bathoom and getting Mitch to help you find the third clue outside. I'm looking forward to seeing you next year.

Tri-State Vipers (Ronin, Ripper, Miragearmor, etc.) - I wrote my comments and compliments earlier on the Tri-State Viper Web site.

I am thrilled that overall everyone had a fun time at the picnic, and I am looking forward to getting together with all of you again next year!

Blitzkrieg

PoetFlint- Great seeing you again buddy! We'll do those PSA next year I'm sure.

Blitzkrieg- A fantastic job organizing the event and thanks for all of your work putting it together.

DarkWynter-Great exclusives! I love Grizz's beard.

MacGyver-I couldn't stop looking at you too.

Apac- I had a great time playing with Mitch after Ruby Tuesday and I loved your Star Wars PP repaint.

Millsy-You secured a wonderful spot for us and I hope we can return there for future meets.

Rob - If there's one thing I can count on at the Joe picnic is Rob freaking out and loving one my obscure set list on my Ipod.

Aegis-You have a wonderful family and thanks for the free stuff.

Ronin- Nice to meet you finally and you fit into our group so well.

Chuckles- Nice shirt.

ToplessJeep - Your enthusiasm is wonderful. Let me know what you think of TF 2 after it comes out.

Mirage Armor- I think you got the best prize from the trivia contest! I'd love to have that figure.

Pedro- You're such a cool guy. I'm sure we have a lot in common.

Doc- It was great meeting you. I hope you come to all of our events!

Tri-State Vipers- Thanks for making the trip and I liked all that you brought to the event.

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Not too creepy, but just the right amount of stalkerness.

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*kasnort!*

I'm...I'm not really sure what to say now...

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Wow tried to get on here awhile ago but everything was locked down. So I apologize for not being able to have a list of thanks to everyone. I enjoyed the time with you guys that I get once a year.

Special thanks to Blitz for completely taking over and making this thing happen with my absence on the board.

Special thanks to Dark Wynter for the customs and dios you made. Get some sleep next time. Oh and we still need to PM about the other plans.

Can't wait to see you all again.

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I have issues with this post. That's all I'll say on the matter.

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I'll answer for you Rick..(I'm a Skook...that will be my excuse.)

First off Joel, glad to hear you had a great time.

This was a GROUP effort to see this meet happen again this year. Yes...Blitz did a great job and DarkWynter and his family did an outstanding job with the exclusives. BUT, if not for Millsy taking the intiative (looks back and sees that Millsy started the planning thread for the meet)...it possibly wouldn't of happened. Both Millsy and I discussed about having something more "localized" for the guys from the south...and the crew from NJ/NY area to possibly attend. Sort of like how at the meet at your house...we wanted to get some people from the south and NJ area to attend...and we spoke of getting some kind of hall down by you - which you basically told me via PM "Hey, I'm too busy to look in my neighborhood...so you look up the places and I'll try to go look at them." Sorry...Millsy and I decided if we were gonna do the leg-work...we were gonna start local to us, as we both knew of several possibilities.

There was advertising of the event posted on several boards...and questions/concerns answered to possible newcomers..in hopes they would attend, which worked out great as they did!

Millsy did a great job with the hall location...not only was it perfect...but it was free. I made a point to ask just about everyone there how they liked the location - especially those who attended previous meets up at Kirby Park. All the feedback I got back was "This place is Great!" ...so it looks like Millsy found us a definate location that works well for everyone.

Not starting a battle here...just setting you straight as not only I...but others heard you make this same statement at the meet. Blitz did not "Take it over"....the rest of us decided to work "Together" and make the meet what it turned out to be, it had nothing to do with your absence on the boards...it had to do with democracy. Alot of the planning was done right here in this thread...in open discussion...and some via PM's.

Again...glad you had a great time, hope you can make it to the next.

Now you know.....

I just wanted to comment on a lot of the unseen things that did not get the attention they deserve.



To make this what it was and repeat it again for next year a lot goes on. No one person can do it all. Unfortunately, the efforts that are not seen easialy get forgotten. There are a lot of unsung heroes in this.
Chuckles, you advertised in your sig. and brought your impressive dio. I did not get a chance to tell you in person but it helped form some ideas in my head on how to improve parts of mine. You also managed to bring the original exclusives as well.
McGyver, you believed in this enough to commit to a long drive and provided a key event in your presentation.
Poet, I was so out of it we did not get a chance to hang out, but just knowing you were there and would have my back if anything came up (physically and prayerfully) was a huge blessing.
Dagger, Aegis, Rob, Heck just about everyone; you all brought some great stuff for trades which is a big draw for everyone driving in.
Millsy and Apoc you both played key roles to get this where it's at and also brought an impressive line-up of customs to look at (Heck, Millsy you had a small army )
Topless you got this going years ago and even though you're busy with other parts of life managed to make time to come attend.
Blitz, there are things you do to support this that noone will ever see. This goes for everyone that attended and their significant others including family in a lot of cases.
The tri-state vipers support alone is worth mentioning. Add the grill (which didn't work for us in a small group, but was a must repeat in a large group) which Doc and Ripper manned was a huge blessing to me when I had to step away for a bit.
There are so many more that make this event what it is. Everyone that attends brings something unique and worthwhile, just by showing up. I hope to see you all and new faces next year .




This is going on right now, planning for the next event. Lots of good ideas and potential for next years event, so if anyone wants to be part of it I ask and encourage you to jump in and work with us.

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