Jimmy,

JA> DS>   But, there are probably some who think "it updates by itself". That's
JA> DS> like these individuals in [insert hobby here] that think [insert event
JA> DS> here] happens by itself...setup before, operation during, and takedown
JA> DS> afterwards. It's like people want the glory and the benefits...but NO
JA> DS> ONE WANTS the gall and the work involved.

JA>Exactly! Until you've been in on the planning of any kind of 'event,'
JA>you don't really know what goes on, and the amount of work and
JA>'manpower' it takes!

  I saw that with the Facebook page of some of the bigger
hamfests...such as Hamcation in Orlando, HamCom in Plano, Hamvention in
Xenia...and the Huntsville Hamfest. So many on the outside take for
granted all that has to go on behind the scenes...then they complain
about the high cost of admission, etc. Basically, they want something
for nothing. Yet, Robert Heinlein was right...TANSTAFFL -- "There Ain't
No Such Thing As A Free Lunch".

  When people have complained about the way I do nets or other jobs,
when I ask if THEY want to do the work, they instantly backpedal.

  A fellow ham radio operator in northern Florida is president of the
local club (I told him on the landline "you poor bastard!!", and we both
busted out laughing!!).

  He said he nipped that in the bud real quick, when this club member
brought up that "the club needs to start and do such and such activity".
A fellow club member, next to the individual making the suggestion,
texted the club president "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!". Well, the
president said "Since you brought it up, I gather we can count on you to
head it up, oversee it, and take the responsibility for keeping it
going!!". The individual backpedaled in a hurry!! <G>

JA> DS>   Basically, in life and hobbies, there are too many "takers" and not
JA> DS> enough "givers". In short, if you don't put much into a hobby or task,
JA> DS> you shouldn't expect to get much out of it.

JA>Agreed!

  It's like what Jesus said about "Casting your bread upon the
water"...although most will think it just results in soggy bread. <G>

JA> DS>   I won a Baofeng HT at the Shreveport Hamfest several years ago, but
JA> DS> used it mainly to monitor the Amtrak frequencies, and NOAA Weather
JA> DS> Radio. But, unless I can get some better financial situation soon, my
JA> DS> travel outside of central Arkansas is over, forever...ham radio and
JA> DS> otherwise.

JA>Hate to hear that. :-(

  I do, too...believe me. Yet, while I could strongly use a
"compensation trip" for all the crap I've had to put up with in the last
year with moving back home (losing 95% of my furniture in the move, as
there was no room for it at my Mom's house -- and I still haven't
unpacked the stuff in the garage), placing my Mom into a nursing home,
and getting all that financial stuff done (my brother wanted nothing to
do with it, but he wants his money)...there are several red flags to
consider, as follows:

1) Even with an ADT Alarm System, a neighborhood watch program, and
constant police patrols...if an "alarm event" occurs, you can't just
"drop what you're doing" to come home. And, it's nearly impossible to
find someone you can trust to be there while you're away.

2) Bedbugs at the hotels. These are a hellacious hassle, because you
have to burn all your clothing, bedding, etc. -- as intense heat, aside
from extremely strong insecticide, is the only thing that will kill
them. And, they are all over the place...in some areas, very
concentrated...especially in New York City and Washington, DC -- in the
latter case, it's not just the politicians. 

3) Transportation logistics and cost. Going from the airport, train
station, or bus depot, via taxi to the venue, will cost you big time.
They really know how to gouge the tourists.

4) Event costs. Costs at the event, as well as lodging, food, etc.

5) Health issues. You never know when you'll have something like a
kidney stone, migraine, IBS, cardiovascular, or other illness attack
away from home.

  Now, I have "dreamed and planned" about tentative trips (one or the
other, but both would be nice) before mid-2020. But, there's the
possibility (and the way my luck runs, the likelihood, if not certainty)
that NEITHER of these will be able to be done.

A) The 2019 Duke City Hamfest In Albuquerque, New Mexico, in September.

I could take Amtrak's Texas Eagle from Little Rock to Saint Louis. Then,
after a layover in Saint Louis, I'd take the Missouri River Runner to
Kansas City...then board The Southwest Chief to Albuquerque. Once in
Albuquerque, I'd take the New Mexico Rail Runner to a shuttle stop
served by the Isleta Pueblo Hotel and Casino, where the hamfest will be.
So, ground transportation, per se, would not be an issue once there.
Everything needed, including meals, is all at the hotel/casino/hamfst
venue.

On the way back, instead of detraining in Little Rock in the dead of
night, I'd go to Dallas, have lunch there, then take the northbound
Texas Eagle back that night.

B) The 2020 National Square Dance Convnetion in Spokane, Washington, in
June.

  The trip would start like the trip to Albuquerque, but continue on The
Southwest Chief to Los Angeles. From there, I'd take The Coast Starlight
to Portland, then The Empire Builder to Seattle. I'd square dance
Thursday and Friday, then meet with area hams on Saturday, before
heading back out. I'd take The Empire Builder to Chicago...then one of
the Lincoln Service trains to Saint Louis to spend the night (I'd much
rather spend the night in Saint Louis than Chicago). Then, the next day,
take The Texas Eagle from Saint Louis to Dallas then from Dallas to
Little Rock.

  Normally, the National Square Dance Convention is the last full
weekend in June, and many times, the same as Field Day Weekend. But, due
to the HOOPFEST event, the 2020 event is one week earlier. Amtrak will
only let one book 11 months in advance of departure, and the sleeping
car space sells out FAST!! So, even if I had the funding for the Spokane
trip (I don't have it for anything at present), I couldn't book it until
late July, 2019.

  On another note, a fellow ham on D-Rats told me a hilarious joke the
other night.

Q: How do you get an 80 year old woman to drop "The F-Bomb"??
A: Have another 80 year old woman yell "BINGO!!" <BG>

  Both he and I were laughing for several minutes. <G>

Daryl

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