...kinda sucks. Bill Akeman's show at AZ Charlie's was the first chip show that I ever went to four years ago. Don Anthony and I arranged to meet at AZ Charlie's shortly after he got into Vegas (I was staying at the Stardust that weekend.) He was the first chipper that I met in person. He was bushed from his travel from the east coast, but wanted to talk chips, trade chips, and encourage this rookie collector to find out how much fun the hobby can be, so we went up to his room at Charlie's and did just those things. ...precious minutes spent with a guy who quickly became a dear friend.

The smaller shows can and do connect people in ways that nobody knows.

I was flying to Vegas for Superbowl weekend before I knew about chip collecting, already have my plane tickets for 2001, but it won't be the same without a serious gathering of chip collectors.

Bob