[Leica] How it began-- "THE FAMILY OF 6!"

[stasys1 at cox.net (Stasys Petravicius)]

Ted- You all looked good on the screen here in RPV Calif. Best!  Happy 
Holidays and Christmas! Stasys and Irene Petravicius
On Dec 4, 2011, at 5:33 PM, <tedgrant at shaw.ca> wrote:

> A SPECIAL LUG FAMILY: "WHAT CAN EVOLVE!"
> 
> 
> 
> Once upon a time long long a go on the LUG lived three members, separated 
> by a body of Pacific water between Big Vancouver Island and mainland 
> Canada.
> 
> 
> 
> One member on the island, two in the great city of Vancouver, a mere 90 
> minute ferry ride away.
> 
> 
> 
> Quite often with LUG Leica subject posts back and forth .. "Some day we'll 
> meet and greet and do Leica photography face to face was always part of 
> the chit-chat."
> 
> 
> 
> After a few years a Leica demo day at a Vancouver camera shop looked like 
> a face to face meet and greet would be possible, as the Island shooter was 
> the Leica key-note celebrity for the event. However, things went a foul 
> due to the stupidity of the shop owner and his small minded complex 
> against one of the three members. :-(
> 
> 
> 
> Eventually another opportunity presented a visit to the mainland and a 
> quiet afternoon of sharing Leica conversation, the LUG, an excellent 
> presentation of fine food fare provided by Tom and his wife Tuulikki 
> celebrated with "Fine single malt scotch." And the family of 6 was born.
> 
> 
> 
> However the sealing of it's birth was topped off with an excellent 
> Japanese dinner which has become the "dinner of celebration" at each of 
> the families following gatherings. Not very many of late.
> 
> 
> 
> As it turned out it was the beginning of the "Family of 6!" The 6 newly 
> found Leica using friends. Three husbands and wives. It  created a bonding 
> that began on the internet, but became "The Family!" Face to face as very 
> warm hearted friends. We eventually became closer in sharing our lives as 
> photographers, technical and manufacturing, editing. Family up's and downs 
> through thick and thin and in illness when it occurred.
> 
> 
> 
> So where is this going?
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> 
> 
> Well after a very long absence of gathering opportunities? A nice story of 
> how our friendship evolved through the internet created a bonding between 
> real life face to face humans in such a completely supportive manner.
> 
> 
> 
> Last evening celebrating the survival of my wife's recent situation. We 
> had one of the most enjoyable , yep Japanese dinner, sake and tea. Then 
> completed the evening at home gabbing and enjoying our many years of 
> friendship. Of course closing the evening with a wee dram of single malt 
> and short bread cookies. J
> 
> 
> 
> A classic gathering of friendship. However! I must add! Damn love them all 
> so much! And I'm so happy my wife was still here to celebrate the family 
> of 6! It just wouldn't be right if only 5! :-(
> 
> 
> 
> Our thanks to our Saloon Keeper Brian Reid for the creation of the LUG. 
> Because without it we may never have met.
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> 
> 
> Thanks from, Tom Abrahamson, Henning Wulff, Ted Grant and our wives.
> 
> 
> 
> Cheers and thanks Brian old buddy for the LUG!!
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