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Charmy's 2012 FUN Show Report w/lots of Pics!!!

ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
“WOW” is the best adjective I have for this show! It seemed like a whirlwind of activity almost the whole time. From the minute all the dealers were let in, the show had a loud buzz until at least Saturday afternoon. I had a lot more of dealer to dealer activity than usual since many dealers were looking for quality collector material that seemed hard to find. I had just purchased a nice group of high grade toned proof Indian cents and sold almost all of them before the end of the show. Here is just one of them.

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on Tuesday, I left nice sunny warm 85 degree Southern California and arrived Tuesday evening to biting 40 degree cold Florida temperatures! At the last minute, I decided to take what I call my “Baltimore” coat with me and was I glad I did – at least for the first couple days.

I got settled into my condo who I shared with a couple other people, then it was off to dinner at Maggiano’s for some dinner and fine wine!

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They even have their own monogrammed wine glasses!
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Though the temperature was probably below 40 degrees on Wednesday morning, the sun was bright and shining and it was a gorgeous day! I took these photos of the lake and pool from the balcony off our condo.

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Dealer set up was Wednesday at 2pm so we stopped for some lunch at TGI Fridays before heading to the convention center. Along the way, we came upon this hilarious car advertisement for a lobster restaurant!
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The convention center
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The registration area of the convention center was already crowded with people (mostly dealers) waiting to get in for set up.
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This is the registration line
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There was also a long line at the top of the escalators which you had to take to get down to the convention floor area. However, they had actually turned off the escalators so as not to create an overly crowded area on the floor right in front of the doors to the bourse floor. But that also created much difficulty for people who had large suitcases and boxes of material they were bringing onto the bourse floor – and there was only ONE elevator. So all of this greatly slowed down everyone getting onto the bourse floor. Fortunately, everyone seemed very courteous and helpful, and there were no accidents.

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Towards the end of set up on Wednesday, NGC held a wonderful reception to celebrate their 25th anniversary. I have to say, the reception was top notch and the wine they served was absolutely wonderful!

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They also had a beautiful display of these rare coins!

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After set up, we headed out to dinner at Ming Court on International Drive – one of my favorite Chinese food restaurants! They have the most excellent ambiance and superb service, not to mention very tasty food!

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They also had beautiful live Asian musicians playing on these very interesting instruments

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I had this very yummy spicy chicken curry dish – and of course a good bottle of wine!

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On Thursday, we met several forum members for the “forum breakfast” at Denny’s.

Me, Jerry/Yellowkid, Rick Snow and his assistant Karin
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Dennis/Dennis88 and Mike/MFH
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More forum members
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Here are the PCGS/NGC/CoinTalk forum members who stopped by my table throughout the show (in no particular order)

Wayne/Auraborealis
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Alden and Nick/OnlyRoosies
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Gary/FrozenInk
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One of my ANA Summer Seminar Buddies (wanted to remain nameless!) and his brother on my right
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Shane/Kryptonite
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The next day Shane wore this very expensive colorful shirt and wanted me to be sure I got a photo of him in this shirt – so here he is!
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B./Tamu15 and Paul/CoinKid
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Joe/JMW
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Greg/SavoySpecial
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Alan/HardTimes
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Mark Feld (looking like he felt that day – very tired!)
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Ken/Green18
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Jason/PhysicsFan
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Matt/BillyGoat
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Chris/CPM9Ball – who brought me these two wonderful bottles of wine!
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My fellow wine lover and good buddy Dennis/DennisH
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Rick Snow and his assistant Karin (who always brings tasty homemade chocolate chip cookies to the shows so she is known as the “Cookie Lady”!
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Ron Guth
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Stewart Bley
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Doug/GDJMSP (CoinTalk Moderator) – he may seem a bit “gruff” on the CoinTalk forum, and although I know probably won’t like me dispelling that perception, but he is actually a big kind and charming teddy bear in person and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Doug!
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Todd/Blu62vette, me and his dad Roger/MustangGT
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Don Willis, me and David Hall
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I also ran into several more of the “regular” forum members, including Wei, TomB, Colonel Jessup, Ian Russell, and more!


After the show on Thursday, a large group of us went to Vito’s Chop House for dinner where we had some amazing steaks, and even more amazing wine!!
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When you walk into the restaurant, they have a display of some of their cuts of steak and lobster
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They also had this huge aquarium containing beautiful salt water fish
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I realize tequila doesn’t mix well with wine, but before dinner (and before we ordered the wine), Rick and I had some Don Julio 1942 sipping tequila – mmmmmmmmmm, tequila doesn't get much better than this!
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Just before dinner, we ordered this double-sized bottle of wine which cost over $200, but it was definitely worth it!!
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Here is the plate of beef they bring to the table to demonstrate the different cuts that are available
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They also have their own signature steak knives (that’s Karin demonstrating what she would do if someone tried to steal her steak!)
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This is the second bottle of yummy wine we ordered at Vito’s
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After we rolled ourselves out of Vito’s, we all headed down the street to Howl at the Moon (a chain of dueling piano bars which anyone who has read my previous show reports may be familiar with). The two piano guys at this Howl at the Moon were true entertainers and were very good at engaging the audience.

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Here they are playing a Devo song!
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A lot of my friends have now become fans of the Irish Car Bomb, so of course, they ordered a round as soon as we got there!
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(Yes, I know exactly what you are all thinking – tequila, wine, beer/whisky/Bailys all in one night – and though each of these are wonderful drinks all by themselves, yes, I definitely paid the price the next morning for combining them!)

Anyway, one of the trademarks of Howl at the Moon bars is that they also have these dry-erase boards where you can pay a tip to have any “advertisement” or phrase written on the board but you have to increase the prior tip by at least $1. We paid double the prior tip to “advertise” the FUN show and was surprised when someone soon paid even more to have their own phrase replace it!
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My hubby and I are Chargers fans so of course, I have to be sure to promote them on the east coast!
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A Scotch lover who felt “what goes on at Howl at the Moon, stays at Howl at the Moon!”
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Those of us who didn’t care!
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I was moving quite slowly on Friday morning but I did manage to go around the bourse floor and take photos of what was going on. As you can see, the bourse was quite crowded for most of the day.
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David Lange at the NGC table
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The PCGS table
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They had a gold panning set up where anyone could stop by and try their hand at panning for gold.
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Mike Bean had his spider press on display
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The Hobo Nickel Club table
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During the show, I was able to acquire several nice key date pieces for inventory, including an 1856 Flying Eagle. I even found a few toned Lincoln cents for my own personal collection and 4 more beautiful Conder tokens as well, including a really neat Conder that was struck over another Conder token!

The Conder token on the left was struck on a Conder token just like the one on the right.
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More critter Conders!
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Friday night after the show we were all still pretty worn out from staying up so late the night before, so we had a low key dinner, went back to the condo, and watched a mindless movie. In the morning I walked out onto the balcony and, although the sky wasn’t as clear, I noticed what a difference the temperature was from the first morning.
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We had bought a lot of snacks for the condo and still had quite a bit left so we brought them to the show to share with our customers on Saturday.
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Since my son Erik who lives in Italy came home for the holidays, I scheduled my flight to leave the show on Saturday to spend more time with him. (He’s the one on the far right next to my other son Troy – and that’s my hubby holding our very upset kitty who wanted desperately not to be in the photo)
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Even though my flight wasn’t until 7pm, I headed to the airport around 4pm since we heard it was very crowded and security lines were long. Luckily, they had died down by the evening and, even though they screened (privately) my bags, it didn’t take very long. But each of the terminals did seem quite crowded, including mine.
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Here’s a view of the sun setting from inside my terminal
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And from my plane window just before taking off for home!
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Even though I very much look forward to each show I attend, I look forward even more to coming back home – and it sure is good to be home!

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Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
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Comments

  • foodudefoodude Posts: 3,552 ✭✭✭
    That's a lot of pictures, and a lot of wine … it was a very good show.
    Greg Allen Coins, LLC Show Schedule: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/573044/our-show-schedule-updated-10-2-16 Authorized dealer for NGC, PCGS, CAC, and QA. Member of PNG, RTT (Founding Platinum Member), FUN, MSNS, and NCBA (formerly ICTA); Life Member of ANA and CSNS. NCBA Board member. "GA3" on CCE.
  • Another great show report, thanks Charmy!!!
  • SNMANSNMAN Posts: 1,401 ✭✭✭
    WOW thank you for sharingimage
    Positive Transactions with: justindan; Drunner; Segoja, Dragon, fivecents, Connecticoin, WTCG, gsa1fan, abitofthisabitofthat; commoncents05;Broadstruck; and ......more
  • CoinJunkieCoinJunkie Posts: 8,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great report. Love the pictures of Shane! I was originally planning to use a free flight to attend this
    show, but Weds was blacked out, so I changed my mind. When we thought we might meet up, Shane
    stated via PM that he'd be wearing the loudest shirt at the show.

    He was not lying! image
  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 10,712 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice report and thanks for the pics of the NGC display, I was courious how it looked.
    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The next day Shane wore this very expensive colorful shirt and wanted me to be sure I got a photo of him in this shirt – so here he is!
    image >>



    Nice report, yet couldn't scroll any further as this pic semi blinded me...

    So glad he didn't also have a matching man purse! imageimageimage
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 16,823 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Enjoyed the pics Charmy....I feel like I was there.
    $200 wine....copper must be berry berry good to you!! image
    Good get with the three top dogs....Ron, Don, and David!! image
  • WTCGWTCG Posts: 8,940 ✭✭✭
    Any Thursday morning pics?
    Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup
    Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
  • AuroraBorealisAuroraBorealis Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Still airport hopping to get home with a little over an hours flight from home... I always enjoy your show reports Charmy and it was a pleasure meeting you...Look forward to the next time...

    AB image
  • littlebearlittlebear Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    Phenomenal report, as usual! A big thanks from those who could not be there.


    Larry L.


    image
    Autism Awareness: There is no limit to the good you can do, if you don't care who gets the credit.
  • I've never met a women who enjoys coins, wine, tequila, AND Irish car bombs. LOL hopefully I'll have the pleasure of meeting you next year image. Thanks for sharing all the pics.
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,676 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very informative post. It was a great show. Wow, there was no shortage of wine! I had a half bottle stored under my table on Saturday. It was not there in the morning. Hope the security guys had a good time. (that is sincere, not a jab)

    Posted Sunday night from the Dallas airport.
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 13,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Charmy: Your caring and sharing way with wine is exceeded only by your gracious and warm heart. Salud!
    When in doubt, don't.
  • scotty1419scotty1419 Posts: 927 ✭✭✭
    I love your reports Charmy - thanks for sharing. I dont get to visit any cool shows so its great getting a visual of forum members.

    The Prisoner is a great choice image
  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,114 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It was nice to get to meet you in person, Charmy!
    Successful BST transactions with 170 members. Recent: Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • etexmikeetexmike Posts: 6,794 ✭✭✭
    I always enjoy your show reports and all the pics included. It was getting a little late and I was beginning to worry. Glad you finally posted. image


    Mike
  • WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 6,696 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I find it interesting that Charmy does this report(s) and we never really gets show reports from our host who sponsor the show!!

    WS
    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    Thanks Charmy, for such a wonderful report.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • That was really interesting, I have never met any of the people in the pictures but I have read your post for a long time and it is nice to be able to picture what everyone looks like now. Thanks for taking the time.
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good report.I see a candid photo of myself in one of your many pictures.image
  • JMWJMW Posts: 497
    You do a great job promoting the hobby. If I ever get into copper, you're may gal!
  • clw54clw54 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭
    That's a nice cat. image
  • kazkaz Posts: 9,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Enjoyed the report and the photos; it's always nice to be able to connect names and faces!
  • Way to buck the stereotype buddy image
    imageimage
  • TAMU15TAMU15 Posts: 577 ✭✭
    I made the report! so happy image showing off my newly made gold sticker image

  • Great Report as always, THANKS for sharing with us Charmy.
    Mike.
    Enjoying time at home with the family now is my full time passion.

    rabbitracks toned showcase set
    myurl
  • coinkid855coinkid855 Posts: 5,012 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for the report, Charmy! It was great seeing you! image



    -Paul
  • TWQGTWQG Posts: 3,145 ✭✭
    Your show reports always make me hungry.
  • What do the condors look like?
  • SoCalBigMarkSoCalBigMark Posts: 2,786 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image
  • BillyKingsleyBillyKingsley Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭✭
    Great report as always Charmy. Great to put a face to the name of some people!

    Do you mind if I post that image of the Lobsterwagen on a car forum or two? I wouldn't be surprised if one of my more talented (than I!) model building friends built a replica of it.
    Billy Kingsley ANA R-3146356 Cardboard History // Numismatic History
  • Very nice report and pictures. Thanks for sharing Charmy.

    Ron
    Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
  • WTCGWTCG Posts: 8,940 ✭✭✭
    Thanks for posting that picture of the lobster car. On Tuesday morning I caught a very brief glimpse of it and I thought it was an odd looking model that didn't look like a parade float nor anything you'd normally see. To be honest it sort of looks like that giant lobster is in a position on top of the car trying to have intimate relations with it.
    Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup
    Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
  • coinkid855coinkid855 Posts: 5,012 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Thanks for posting that picture of the lobster car. On Tuesday morning I caught a very brief glimpse of it and I thought it was an odd looking model that didn't look like a parade float nor anything you'd normally see. To be honest it sort of looks like that giant lobster is in a position on top of the car trying to have intimate relations with it. >>




    image



    -Paul
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great report Charmy.... several very nice wines there as well... those 'big reds' are super. The show really looks as if business is on the upswing... best indication I have seen so far. Cheers, RickO
  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,445 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I didn't know Shane and Tony Montana wore the same size. image
    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • HighReliefHighRelief Posts: 3,654 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I always look forward to your informative Coin Show reports with the great pictures.

    Thanks Charmy image
  • DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    Thanks!
    Becky
  • PrethenPrethen Posts: 3,447 ✭✭✭
    Charmy, I'm curious to know if the PF66 in hand looks as pink as the picture or that just an artifact of the photo? It must look quite dazzling in hand...how are those mirrors?
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Your show reports always make me hungry. >>



    Her show reports make me thirsty.image
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thank you everyone for all your kind comments. I really enjoy putting these reports together and it helps to know you all like them as well.


    Goldbully, even though copper is doing well, gratefully, I didn't have to pay for the wine!

    Aurora, it was great to finally meet you too - and you certainly do have excellent taste in toners!!!

    Moderncoin, I look forward to meeting you too!

    DennisH, it's people like you who also make attending shows that much better image

    Rick, sorry, but I didn't take any photos of that beautiful set of Indians.

    WalkerGuy, it was great to finally meet you as well.

    Etexmike, sorry for being so late - I started to prepare the report a couple days ago, but I got distracted and it's hard to concentrate on organizing all the photos, so waiting until I get home is usually easier for me.

    Watersport, perhaps PCGS feels I do a good enough job that they don't have to do their own report! image

    JMW, I'd love to be your "copper gal"! image

    CollectingMachine, the Conders are pictured in this thread (I know the photos aren't very good since I only used my cell phone to take the pictures).

    clw54, thanks, she is a hoot, very noisy, feisty and has lots of personality!

    SoCalMark, thank you for editing your post image

    BillyKingsley, that lobster car was certainly eye-catching - feel free to use the photo!

    Ricko, I thought you might approve of our wine choices - they were some of the more quality and tasty wines I've had.

    Prethen, my photos of the 1909 proof makes the coin look darker than it is - it does have a lot of vibrant pink and magenta on the portrait and bright mirrors, it is very pretty in hand.
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 9,953 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I always look forward to your reports....keep 'em coming!
  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,237 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I always look forward to your reports....keep 'em coming! >>



    +1 Glad you had a great show and always good to put some faces with a username.
    @ Elite CNC Routing & Woodworks on Facebook. Check out my work.
    Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 27,410 ✭✭✭✭✭
    nice report and pics charmy, thanks image


  • << <i>Way to buck the stereotype buddy image
    imageimage >>




    As you can clearly see I keep my belly well sheltered and the pony tail doesn't exist image
  • blu62vetteblu62vette Posts: 11,900 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think that pic hides the ponytail well Mr. Mullet.

    http://www.bluccphotos.com" target="new">BluCC Photos Shows for onsite imaging: Nov Baltimore, FUN, Long Beach http://www.facebook.com/bluccphotos" target="new">BluCC on Facebook
  • Really enjoyed the pics and report, thanks so much !
  • Charmy you are the best! What a fabulous report. I have to get to FUN one of these years. image
  • Thanks for posting those photos!

    They help me realize what I missed. Looks like a fantastic, FUN, show!
  • Aegis3Aegis3 Posts: 2,896 ✭✭✭
    mmm... Maggiano's. <insert Homer Simpson drool sound> Been way too long since I've been to one. Great food in super-copius amounts, giving nearly a week of leftovers sometimes.
    --

    Ed. S.

    (EJS)

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