Re: [Killietalk] 1st Conventioneer's

[BigJohnW at webtv_net (John Wubbolt)]

Robert

Im glad you enjoyed your first convention.  My first convention was 10
years ago in Milwaukee.
Fortunately for me, i had been a member of my killie club, UNYKA, for
just almost a year (joined the group right after the '95 Buffalo
Convention) and had a good group of ppl i could hang around with while
out there in Milwaukee...   But like most situations at a convention,
everyone has their own agendas and i ended up walking around and
socializing on my own for good parts of the day, while friends were at a
talk, pet shop hunting or off getting fish from other ppl.   Having been
in the fish hobby for about 6 years at that point i didnt quite feel too
out of place and was brave enough to walk up to groups and join in
conversations where i felt comfortable, nicest part was no one that year
made me feel uncomfortable as a fairly new killie keeper and only came
across one rude person, who no longer is with us...  But i had a good
time listening, which is what i did the most that weekend..
Hospitality rooms late at night after a few beers and some food ease the
uncomfortable feeling of not knowing alot of ppl. This is were i started
to make friends and really learn more about things i didnt know about.
By my third convention, i pretty much knew who was who in the killie
hobby and if i had an interest in a particular species, i could tell who
i needed to talk to find out info i might need or info on how they were
doing things differently then myself and see which way i could improve
my techniques...    I found being brave and asking questions, even if i
thought they were beginner type questions, got me honest answers and i
didnt really find anyone who looked down on me because i was a newbie.
If you're ever in that situation where you come across someone who
thinks too much of themselves to answer beginner questions, go on to the
next person, there are alot of ppl in the AKA that will gladly talk fish
with you.

I wasnt able to attend this years convention for a few reasons, but i
will make sure i will be able to attend next years in Milwaukee..   Hope
to see you there as its probably mid country for both of us!!   

John Wubbolt
Tupper Lake, NY

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