My story and thanks (LONG)

[ekaz]

Where to start.....well, I'll just start typing, try to follow along.
Back in April of this year I decided that I was going to get an X5. So, like most people, I went to Google and typed in various strings of BMW X5 chat rooms, BMW X5 reviews, so on and so forth to read some reviews and find the ultimate resource for the ultimate driving machine. I came across bimmerfest, roadfly, bmwboard and a few others. They had some information but not quite what I was looking for. While reading a thread on one of those, X5world was mentioned and I decided to check it out. So, I type in x5world in my address bar, press ctrl+enter and voila!
I am immediately impressed by the amount of information on the front page and decide to dig deeper. The more I read, the more I realize this site is more like a group of friends that use this to chat than just another car site on the internet.
I decide I needed to register, post a few questions, get nothing but polite and encouraging answers. I'm REALLY liking it around here now, become addicted. My e-mail is the only thing I check before this in the morning. It's that bad. The girlfriend becomes confused and concerned that the laptop is going to follow me into bed and "the office"
Once I get my X5, the mod bug gets me and before long the resonator fell off and the stock subwoofer is collecting dust. Soon to follow is the stock DSP amp (but that's another story).
After a few month's of mostly lurking, posting here and there, not wanting to cause a stir among friends, I come across this thread..Anyone interested in an X5world meet? Interesting concept, too bad it's in SC and I don't know anybody I think to myself. Well, as I'm seeing the thread build I decide to consider this trek. I go back and forth all the way to the week before the great event. I finally made the hotel reservations and decide to go.
All the way down, me and Joanna wonder what to expect and all the usual stuff meeting people you don't know for the first time. I'm about 20 miles or so away from my hotel and the phone rings and a wierd 704 number shows up (sorry Juan, you still weren't in my phonebook). I answer the phone and it was Juan checking to see how I was doing and if I made it in yet. Definitely not what I was expecting. After chatting for a few minutes, we decide that we would chat on Friday as I was in need of some sleep.
While at lunch with Joanna, Juan calls again..."hey, what are you doing? What to run and get the food?" Sure, why not? I say. We ended up spending the entire afternoon just chatting, getting the quick tour of the city, and just having the great afternoon. (BTW...did she ever finish cleaning the house? )
Joanna and I left amazed at the friendliness and hospitality of somebody that we never even talked to prior to this event. Friday night we met up with a couple of other members (ncx and alpac) and same friendliness and hospitality. Then at the "main event" we met the rest of "the crew" and everyone is just awesome, for lack of better term.
I've never really done one of these meets before or been this active on a board either.
I know I missed the whole migration from the other boards to here but I feel like I didn't miss a thing. I was telling Joanna at the meet that if I didn't know we were SC, I'd think we were somewhere local to us getting to together with some friends.
Juan, I cannot thank you enough for getting this together. You say that the gift is too much and not warranted, but it is perfect because a good group of friends won't "steer" you wrong and will always keep you going in the right direction. OK,OK, it's corny but it's late and I can't sleep.
UCrew/Drex, what can I say? We are nothing without this site and the site is nothing without us.
Everyone else, thanks for making me feel welcome from the beginning and now for adding to my list of friends.
Well, I think I'm done rambling for now. I just needed to kind of tell my story of how I got here and thank everyone for being here. I will do my best to post my pics tomorrow.

[tijanaw]

Beautiful man, for lack of words, I exactly feel the same way. Thanks for for giving me the opportunity to meet both of you guys!

[Juanted]

Thanks, Eric...

Glad you had a good time. (And yes, our cleaning lady left the house -- literally - minutes before you, Alain, and Kevin showed up!)

Juan

[UCrewX5]

Eric,

That's a great story. And you hit the nail right on the head, in that this is not just a great site to find out anything you would ever want to know about the X5, but it is also a place where great friendships are made.

You and Joanna earned the distinction of driving the furthest to attend the meet (you beat me by about 60 miles), and I know I speak for everyone in saying that we sincerely appreciate that you took the leap of faith to come. Your 4.8is was a huge attraction for everyone, and you and Joanna are first class people. I'm so glad that we got to meet.

I hope you got some sleep!!

Jeff

[pepatrick]

I totally agree with you...X5world is the first thing I check out every morning. My wife is starting to call it crack world...for the addiction..thats because I call my blackberry a crackberry...I felt really comfortable with everyone...again...I regret having to leave so early. Juan and Liz are super super nice people...that goes for everyone else there too...it was very much worth the drive for me.

[Kaefer'sCEO]

Eric,

Thank you again for coming down . We enjoyed having you here and hope you come back soon. Don't know if Juan told you our normal cleaning lady Ruth had some major work being done to her house and could not come in at last minute. I work tons of hours could not do it myself so a friend of mine gave me Flora's number. She did a great job but if she stayed any longer I was affraid she might be moving in. Joanna is a very nice person, we are so glad the two of you made the long drive.

[ncx]

Well said Eric! It was a true pleasure meeting you and Joanna and thanks for making the loooong trip out here. You two typify the kind of classy folks that frequent this board. Although I would have loved to win your sweet X5, I am glad you didn't donate it as a prize It just fits you too well. Joanna is a great girl, after all, she puts up with you and us, and your mods!!
Next time I get to Chitown I'll give you a shout.
-K

[motordavid]

Eric, Great to meet you and Joanna! Glad you made it back to ChiTown in good stead.
I loved trying to keep up w/your 4.8 and listening to the exhausts Blat, as you were peeling off to end your eve!

Good Luck this winter up in the Windy!
BR,D&V