worldwide friendships thru our chat line

[dick benbow]

This past weekend was a very special time for me.
For years I have chatted on and off the line with B. Scott Gould from holland. We have developed a wonderful friendship over the years. Something that is interesting since we never met....until this saturday.
He was stateside visiting relatives and we made arraingements to spend the day at what else, a koi show! We had a chance to get to know each other on more of a face to face basis and I got a chance to run him over to another chat line friend who was in the japanese koi import business so that they could meet, having also chatted over the years.
I think the world is a better place with chances for all of us to grow closer thru communication. Just think, it was all started 200 years ago in an island nation with a food fish that developed color....and a colony that revolted from the mother country that spawned the likes of Bill Gates and Paul Allen that brought the world a whole lot closer......and to bring it all back full circle, our american chat line host in japan to bring us the KB chat line.

"who'd of thunk!"....

[MCA]

Is he the wild and crazy guy in person he is on the boards? He is a hoot on the boards.

[dick benbow]

Actually he is a soft spoken guy and pretty sharp wit and thinker. Taller than
myself 5'9" and slender. I can never find a fit in what my mind pictured prior to what the reality is..... in person. But sure was neat to make the aquaintance after all these years.

[lypope]

Isn't it great to meet people in person that you've become on-line friends with? I think that's a lot of the reason I travel waaaay out of my way (everywhere is out-of-the-way if you live in Arkansas!) to koi shows. Yes, I love to see the fish, but I particularly enjoy meeting the people I've gotten to know here on the boards. I've never had a bad time at a koi show!

[Richard Rombold]

Dick,

Wonderful story and a great insight. I know personally that the forums, especially KB, has opened my eyes. I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for the integrity of the members of this forum, and have made some good friends along the way.

Richard

[Steve Nguyen]

Dick,

I know the feelings. It's always a great experience to meet someone who shares so much of your hobby. I met many nice individuals since joining the KB chat line too.

>colony that revolted from the mother country that spawned the likes of Bill Gates and Paul
> Allen that brought the world a whole lot closer...

well, yes and no. reality is that the 800 pound gorilla controls 80% of all internet traffic should be credited for bringing the world closer based on a vision of "Change the Way We Work, Live, Play and Learn." maybe someday online chat will be a thing in the past... check out below links.

YouTube - The Next Step in Global Meetings
YouTube - Cisco TelePresence... Just for Fun!
YouTube - Cisco TelePresence on Fox's Vanished!
YouTube - Cisco TelePresence Suite on "24"

Steve

[aquitori]

It's kinda funny to meet people from all over because of KB. Here in Cali, I have probably met maybe 75% of those people. I am happy that there is an outlet now for those who want to get more info by the minute with having to look very far to get it. One click a way as it has been in the last 10 years.

[Lee]

When I attended the Arcen Holland Koi Show last August, with my wife, Sheila - Scott was one of the first people who I sought to meet.

Scott and I also had a long running internet conversation going...and, he was not at all anything which I had previously thought he would be like.

He was at least a hundred times nicer. And, funnier, too.

We shared hours of conversation and laughter together...as well as, lunch at another VERY special koi Dutch 'wooden shoe' wearing hobbyiest home.

Of interest, I took a great photo of Scott whilst in Holland, which I begged him to exchange for the stern looking photo that he had been using on the KB board.

I sent him the photo, however, I don't recall if he ever exchanged the one which I had sent for the one he had on his page?

However, you're absolutly spot on. There are world wide wonderful and valued friendships available to all of us throught this wonderful koi hobby of ours.

I have made several most valued lifetime friendships. And, I believe there are many more yet to be made.

Scott, is indeed, one of those valued friends...made through this board.

I agree, isn't sharing this hobby with others, what this hobby is all about?

I know that I believe it is. And, I want to continue to believe this is not ever going to be exclusive that it excludes more from joining in to the same wonderful times and friendships of koi shows and other koi events which we have available...

With warm hugs,

Lee Aronfeld
Grand Cayman

[cindy]

Dick, you got to meet B!! Pics???

[dick benbow]

here's a picture of us at the show...He's the tall dark handsome one on the right....