The Unofficial, Official Blade Show 2018 Thread

Southern Gent said:
Odaon Odaon I think for next year we could set something up real nice in the pit for you and Marney. I can just see it now, the two of you coming down the escalator and getting hitched under the lights of the Waverley. Just think of all the cool, sharp wedding gifts you guys would receive.
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Haha!! Sounds perfect. I'll work on convincing her of that. :D
 
Southern Gent said:
It’s taken me a little longer than usual to post anything about the show this year because It was very different than any in years past, but not in a bad way, just different. Not unlike Andy’s post, this Blade turned out to be a very special one for me because the experience literally consisted of me focusing 100% of my time on the people there and 0% chasing down the “got to have” it blade.

Typically, the week leading up to the show I’m plotting out my course of action for the weekend and touching base with all those friends both new and old that I want to meet up with at some point during the weekend. This year on Wednesday two days prior to the show, I wasn’t even sure if I was going to be able to attend. I had what I thought was a minor surgery a couple of weeks prior, which developed an infection and I had spent much of the previous week on my back. I was very fortunate to have Orion fly in on Thursday and Sergio and his family come by that evening for a visit at my house. Seeing them and having the excitement build was a rallying point for me and I resolved myself that I was going to suck it up if need be.

Meeting a lot of the forum members I’ve previously only spoken with using screen names is always a pleasure, catching up with those I can only see once or twice a year is an exceptional treat and continuing to grow relationships with those I have now been able to call friend for several years or more now is irreplaceable. Blade has also become something Madden looks forward to attending each year and the pleasure I get from watching his eyes go wide as he takes everything in and see where his interests lead him this year is indescribable. I also really enjoy watching his interactions with the folks that may only see him once or twice a year. The Fiddleback dinner was especially special because my wife could join for the first time and get to meet a number of people in this crazy group and she finally realized it’s not a secret society with me being the sole member. As always, the pit was…well the pit and every bit as entertaining as the show floor.

I may have only been at 75-80% for this Blade show, but it is one that will stand out in my mind for many years to come. Special thanks to Sergio for being a great long-distance friend and giving me one of the best gifts I’ve received in recent memory and to Orion for helping me get through the weekend. For fear of leaving anyone out, I’ll give a shout out and virtual fist bump to everyone else I had the pleasure of spending some time with throughout the weekend. I could spend several pages going through all the highlights of the weekend, but in-order-to spare anyone who has come this far along in this post all I can say is that you should circle the date on your calendar today for Blade 2019. Make it a priority and not an afterthought or a “wish I could” moment. With this crew, the sacrifices needed to attend are well worth it. I was so engrossed in the environment I all but forgot to take any photos. Here are a couple of my favorites though.

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Southern Gent Southern Gent - Justen, you my friend have to be one of the most hospitable guys on this planet! Thank you so very much for making this perviously unplanned and short trip to Bladeshow, a memorable one! In the two days I was there, you were a Broker, Chauffeur, Bartender, Tour Guide, Yelp Advisor and last, but certainly not least, a GOOD Friend! It was great hanging out with you and Odaon Odaon . Orion, it was a pleasure meeting you and hanging out for a bit at the show. I'm glad that you enjoyed your first trip to Bladeshow. Nice scores BTW!

Justen, please thank Kristi for giving us the late night tour of your beautiful home!

One of the great highlights of the weekend was seeing that giant smile of Madden's up close and in person. He is a special kid for sure and always fun to be around! Give him a fist bump for me. BTW, how many business cards and stickers did he wind up with? :)

Oh, and special thanks to Bruno and the photo of him you text me. My daughter is now an official Frenchie Fan Club member! If it wasn't for the fact that she'll be headed to college next year, we may have been looking into acquiring a new member for our family o_O:rolleyes:.

To Andy, Philip and Allen, it was great seeing you guys as always. You had some great blades on the tables this year! I missed out on a Fiddle that I had my eye on. By the time I made it back around the table on Saturday, she was gone :(. Allen, I also regret not picking up that Nomad you had on the table. It was super nice! Although, I'm glad to see that one of our fellow forum members snatched it up :thumbsup:.

I wish I could have met some more of you guys and gals that attended this year. I had limited time at the show both Friday and Saturday considering that my wife, my daughter and I had additional activities outside the show planned. Friday morning, I was all over the place and never really got on course. Things definitely calmed down on Saturday, but we wound up leaving early to get back on the road. Hopefully by next year I'll have a better plan in place for the show.

Thanks again Justen for everything and thank you all for posting up your Bladeshow acquisitions. As soon as I get some time to upload some photos, I'll do the same!

Sergio
 
Kal-El said:
Southern Gent Southern Gent - Justen, you my friend have to be one of the most hospitable guys on this planet! Thank you so very much for making this perviously unplanned and short trip to Bladeshow, a memorable one! In the two days I was there, you were a Broker, Chauffeur, Bartender, Tour Guide, Yelp Advisor and last, but certainly not least, a GOOD Friend! It was great hanging out with you and Odaon Odaon . Orion, it was a pleasure meeting you and hanging out for a bit at the show. I'm glad that you enjoyed your first trip to Bladeshow. Nice scores BTW!

Justen, please thank Kristi for giving us the late night tour of your beautiful home!

One of the great highlights of the weekend was seeing that giant smile of Madden's up close and in person. He is a special kid for sure and always fun to be around! Give him a fist bump for me. BTW, how many business cards and stickers did he wind up with? :)

Oh, and special thanks to Bruno and the photo of him you text me. My daughter is now an official Frenchie Fan Club member! If it wasn't for the fact that she'll be headed to college next year, we may have been looking into acquiring a new member for our family o_O:rolleyes:.

To Andy, Philip and Allen, it was great seeing you guys as always. You had some great blades on the tables this year! I missed out on a Fiddle that I had my eye on. By the time I made it back around the table on Saturday, she was gone :(. Allen, I also regret not picking up that Nomad you had on the table. It was super nice! Although, I'm glad to see that one of our fellow forum members snatched it up :thumbsup:.

I wish I could have met some more of you guys and gals that attended this year. I had limited time at the show both Friday and Saturday considering that my wife, my daughter and I had additional activities outside the show planned. Friday morning, I was all over the place and never really got on course. Things definitely calmed down on Saturday, but we wound up leaving early to get back on the road. Hopefully by next year I'll have a better plan in place for the show.

Thanks again Justen for everything and thank you all for posting up your Bladeshow acquisitions. As soon as I get some time to upload some photos, I'll do the same!

Sergio
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I believe Madden ended up with approximately 37 cards and 17 orders for new custom blades :) Tell your daughter "Fear Not!" Bruno now has his own IG account she can follow. Check out Bruno_thefrenchiehero. He's such a diva and wanted prove how he's really the most popular one in the family. I can't really argue with him though because his page has only been up 24 hours and he has 360 followers. Really glad you were able to make your big score at the show and BTW "DIBS!". Next year we'll plan out the weekend a little better, but between now and then you are gonna have to make time to join in on an adventure or two.
 
From the floor at Blade:

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These folks below offer a week-long training class to certify you in scroll work. Nice demo setup.

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For the record, Andy gave me full approval to take some pics and ‘post em up’ :)

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