posted
Thank You all! It's great to be 54. Especially when some Docs claimed I'd never see 50. Just goes to show how much our so called medical experts know. Hell! Most can't even paint a sign!
I'm living a dream. When I was young, I would look at maps and imagine myself a pirate on a ship. In my dreams, I would sail to distant lands full of strange animals and adventure. It sucks to grow up and live in a World that frowns on dreamers.
Just a few short weeks ago, I was sitting in my small computor room in Fergus, Ontario flying around New Zealand and Australia. Now we are flying those same routes for real! We're metting people face to face that have been part of our Letterhead Family for years and years. Eveyday I wake up to the sound of strange birds and pinch myself myself.
Letterville comes up in all our discussions. Everyone asks about the website and the characters they read about on this BB. "Is Si really a pervert?" "What is Joey Madden like in person?" "Are you wearing the red thong?" Barb often gets "How do you put up with him?"
Many comment on our Family spats, but all agree that the users of Letterville have had a profound effect on their lives. Even those that often find fault with the site have to agree they met their buddies here. It's rewarding to learn thst so many follow the website daily. We're doing our best to encourage the lurkers to start posting. A special thanks to Anne McDonald from NZ for jumping into this Forum. What a gal!
There is something to be learned here. Those of you who post are having a big influence on thousands around the World. Many of you are someone's hero. They dream of meeting you. Something to think about before we push that post button. Nuff said on that topic. You all know what I'm talking about. Treat eah other good and use this Forum to lift people's spirits as well as educate.
The last 8 days here in Oz have flown by. Anyone who has ever stayed, or spent time with John Jordon can testify to his incredible energy. He keep us busy from the time the plane landed. Even yesterday, our last day in Sydney, he had us loaded in his car bright and early for a trip to the Blue Mountains. What mind blowing scenery!
John even made sure we risked our lives on the World's Steepest incline railway. Imagine dropping into a ravine hundreds of meters deep at a 60 degree angle. WOW
I just woke up a short while ago. We're sitting outside at Dave and Trish Fishers home. It's a large piece of land located in the western suburbs of Brisbane. There are 3 young Daughters and a cattle dog called Bimbi. Trish is a great cook! We have some problems happening back home, but right now life is very good. I may even try our Dave's pool later today.
So what had been my favorite experience downunder? Was it the stunning scenery at The Bay Of Islands? How about the Sydney Opera House and Bridge? Seeing John Jordon in his undies?
None of the above! What can I say? The body painting workshop in Napier tops my list. I managed to pass myself off as an expert on the subject. As a result, I got to sling paint over the very best substrate I have ever worked on. A naked 20 year old model! The cool breeze in the shop made my job even more challenging as I had to go back and repaint some special areas.
Give me a few hours and I'll post a few pics here for those of you who share my interest in the ancient art of body painting.
Love you all. Thanks for your warm wishes.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
I doubt I had any serious influence on you starting to "get out there" and do what you have always wanted to do.
But I hope Shirl and I might have offered a bit of inspiration.
Your vacatiion looks good on both you and Barb. You guys deserve it!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
I was so happy to get to meet you both in Petaluma... I'll bet that seems like a long time ago, what with all the adventures that you two have had since then... Enjoy every moment!
-------------------- Rose Davidson Sleeper Woods Design Honoring Tradition with Technology Lakeport, CA 95435 Posts: 104 | From: Lake County, California | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oh, Happy birthday there, Steve! It's great to know you got your wish (ahead of time. Did I say ahead of time?!) I always lose a little of myself when taking a deep dive on a steep hill or fast elevator. But, it seems even after the body painting you're able to write a long post. You guys must be doing fantastic in the land of Oz. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Ditto on what Doug said! Is there anything like the letterhead friends and experiences! Thanks, Big Guy, you and Barb are tops. Give those great downunder folks a hug for me too!
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Happy birthday Steve, now who could ask for a better birthday present, a dream trip down under.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Happy Birthday Steve- did you know it's also my wife Joan's birthday today as well~! She's looking forward to meeting you after I get back up there next week. All the best!
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
That was a great "editorial" there mr. Mayor! I enjoyed reading about your trip and look forward to the body art pix. Just a thought but you mentioned others talking about our family spats here. I'd be willing to bet that just about any of us would do anything possible for another on here even if it's two that butt heads all the time. It's just a hunch I have. It's sorta like "I can say what I want about my family but you'd better not say anything bad about them or you'll get a fat lip." Yep, I can just see Todd and OP with their arms around each other, big smile on their faces, patting each other on the hiney...
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
A belated Birthday wish Steve.... Well what can I say now I have had the pleasure of meeting the guy who made it possible for me to experience the wonderful world of Letterville. Yes Steve....I can understand your enjoyment of the "bumpy canvas" at Napier and as soon as I can get some pics posted I will. I also have made a 15 minute DVD of the Napier meet (about 12 mins of the body painting!!) and might consider offering it to you guys. Enjoy the rest of what Oz has to offer and a safe trip home.
-------------------- Norman Biss aka KiwiNorm Living and working in one of the best countries on earth... Papamoa Beach, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand norman.biss@gmail.com Posts: 141 | From: Papamoa Beach, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic