Post #254192 by karmalaundry on Wed, Sep 13, 2006 4:04 PM

On 2006-09-13 14:11, Humuhumu wrote:
It took three hours to sell out, and everyone who was there at 8 a.m. when the "line" opened got a mug, so it's not exactly like a busload of non-TCers came in and swept them all up. I only count 6 people who have never posted before Tiki Central before this thread, which is frankly less than I thought we'd see. And really, what makes someone a TCer -- is someone who has posted 15 times in the past month less or more of a TCer than someone who has posted 5 times over 4 years?

Well, as someone who found his way here only days before this sale, having joined so that I could post in the thread about Robert opening what will probably be the best tiki bar in the northwest, let alone Portland, I did kind of feel both lucky -and- a little guilty about getting in on the mug. Does that make me less worthy somehow? Maybe in someone's eyes. Did I join because there was a mug sale? Nope. Just good timing on my part.

For what it's worth, I've been in love with all things Hawai'ian since the first trip (that I can remember) in the fourth grade, and the sixteen times since. The culture, the food, the weather, everything. And while the Tiki aspect of it is just a piece of it, to me, it's just as important as the other stuff.

Does it matter that I -just- found this forum? I hope not. Does it matter that won't have a lot to contribute because I can't afford to go out tiki bar hopping/mug collecting/bar building due to the house I just bought or the fact that I quit my job to go back to school for a second bachelor's degree? I hope not. Because I'm here for the atmosphere and camaraderie, not to be viewed as an interloper in what appears to be a very special event.

My collection starts here, with one of the coolest mugs/bowls that I've ever seen. And for that, I'm grateful.