My first post on this board was on February 3, 2003. I was not really a collector then, but I was looking for a few chips as souvenirs of a trip I had taken in 1997. By 2005, and probably in 2004, I have had people offer or agree to look for a few chips for me at the convention. Every year, I have given a list of a few chips to as many as 15 chips to look for. I have never been to a convention and I have never ended up with a chip from a convention...until this year.

On June 1st, I received a very nice message from Bob Pardue, at the end of which he offered to look for some chips for me. I sent his scans of 6 chips I wanted on the same day. Most years, I make a list of mostly common/recent chips with a few I would really love hard to find chips thrown in. This year, I just gave him chips from the top of my most wanted list. I am sure I have been looking for each of these chips for at least 15 years and as many as 20 years. I have never seen any of them up for sale, but I thought, why not?

This year, the convention came and went and I just assumed Bob had no luck, just like every other year. On the 15th, though, I received a message saying he found one of my chips. He had, I found out, been asking specifically about the chips, even when he didn't find them. He asked Spinetti's and Anne Spinetti checked her Aruba binder at home and found one of the chips I wanted! She asked a reasonable price and Bob bought it, having faith I would want it. Of course, I did!

I am thrilled to add this chip to my collection and I really appreciate the extra effort put out by Bob and by Anne Spinetti which led to this great addition. As I said, I have never seen this chip for sale and I had never seen this chip in person before this one arrived in the mail.

People keep saying it, but it's true. This hobby has some of the best people who will really go out of their way to help.

So, a huge thank you to Bob Purdue, Anne Spinetti and Spinetti's for allowing me the opportunity to get this chip! I never thought I would own one of these, and I really appreciate it.

I also want to thank all of the people who in years past have looked for me. I really appreciate that, too. I would name them, but I am worried I might leave someone out.

What a great hobby!

Michael Siskin