I get to travel with my job, and have been able to meet forum members all over the country in the past several years.

I bet I have met more than 25 members who live in the Southern California area at various GTG's, and probably at least another 25 members in other states.

Usually, because of my limited free time, I hook up with just one guy, at their house or at locat restaurants.

When my travel schedule is set in stone and I have clear free time, I have been part of big GTG's, usually in Dallas, and once in Atlanta. I think my last trip to Dallas last June had almost 20 guys show up.

Some of the most memorable I've met on the road are the legendary Larry Bible, El Presidente, Mike Mover, Arthur Dalton, Webwench (wish she'd come back), Gerryvz, run.exe, Shanta, Bill Wood (Webmaster), Donnie Drummond (Benzmac), and many, many others.

However, there are other guys who I'd love to sit down and chat with over a cup of coffee, but haven't been in their neck of the woods yet.

I guess off the top of my head, they would be (in no particular order), and not limited to: Botnst, Medmech, w126, Gilly, Cap'n Caragous, engatwork, and the banned Kirk V.

Soooooooooo, my question to the ShopForum alumni is:

Who would you most like to meet up with if you had the chance? (feel free to choose me, heheheh).

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Gilly.

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

Yeah Paul, next time I'm in SoCal I'll stop by. I had hoped that I'd get a chance to drive my kiddos to MI & WI this winter to see snow, but the timing wasn't right. Else I'd like to have visited some of the Shop folks up there.

Too bad about Webwench. I guess she got really PO'd about the massacre. Also, she really enjoys political and social commentary (as do I) and so this more laid-back incarnation probably bores her (not boring to me, but not guilty of overstimulation, either).

How far are you from New Orleans? I go there about once per year....

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Yeah, too bad about Webwench. Actually, there was a thread about stereotypes and gender differences, and she got pretty p.o.'d about the generalizations. She posted that she regretted posting as a female, and declared she was leaving, and might come back under a non-gender-specific name.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Yes, webwench added some class to the place. One of my favorite posters.

I've only met Longston, Mike Tangas, Ben Ploeger, and Kerry Edwards. I've driven past Gilly and Ted so many times I can't even count. Ted and I are never in town at the same time it seems.

I'd actually like to meet everyone. Even those with whom I disagree a lot. In fact, those are the first ones I'd like to meet.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

bardii

Last I heard he was managing Ralph Nader's presidential campaign...

probably,

Snibble, Benzman500 mostly cause they are my age and spoke with them via MSN in the past.

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

Couple of hours. Let me know when you come, we can visit Felix's and have some oysters.

GTG would be good. What's in the middle, Topeka?

I've met lots of folks from the Shop, some at GTG's and the rest through my travels. Quite often the meet involves eating or a cold adult beverage (either is fine by me) and plenty of talk. That list includes all of the original SO Cal crowd, Sixto, Larry Bible, the Webmaster, Benzmac, DJNWK, Kuan, MedMech, Narwal, whunter, RLeo, leathermang and others.

I still need to meet up with Ted (W126) and Gilly since I seem to hop over to Wisconsin on a regular basis. Definite have to get back to South LA and meet Bot, we'll call that one the Doodlebugger GTG. Still trying for an extended detail to the DC area so I can get the chance to meet WBAIN and the rest of the DC area crowd. Plus the next time I get down to the Hotlanta area I gotta spent some time out at engatwork's place.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Mike
I might swing around the North Channel area this August on the Beemer, so if you are in Michigan that time of the year maybe we can meet up.

Gilly

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Id say that in addition to wanting to meet all of you guys, theres a member that doesnt seem to post much..... MBJOE. And he has THE most beautful Orient Red 240D, with the ultra rare 15" "deep dish" Bundts... I think it has like 350K miles and he restored it from the ground up.

While I dont post as frequently as many of you guys, I always enjoy reading what you guys have to say. This forum is very interesting for the people it brings together, and it has never failed to impress me. Friendly people, diverse in knowledge and opinion, whom all share a common passion. Mercedes-benz!

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

Howdy All,
I would like to meet all the "dog" people. And since I'm on the subject, take a look at my webpage and see the new little critter. Enjoy
http://community.webtv.net/Sulkhalil/SalukiCornerChime

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Frank X. Morris
17 Kia Niro
08 Jeep Wrangler 4 door unlimited