Post A Picture Of Yourself!

[Stryder1978]

*blushes*

I'll trade ALL my wildlife/travel adventures for your opportunities to seeing Zep back in the 70's ANYTIME!!! Anyone can still fly to Africa, Indonesia or Brazil and assist with wildlife conservation.....getting to see the mighty Zep in all their glory back in the day? PRICELESS!!!

[Deborah J]

*blushes*

I'll trade ALL my wildlife/travel adventures for your opportunities to seeing Zep back in the 70's ANYTIME!!! Anyone can still fly to Africa, Indonesia or Brazil and assist with wildlife conservation.....getting to see the mighty Zep in all their glory back in the day? PRICELESS!!!

PRICELESS: getting to do both. What you are doing IMHO is noble and you can carry that with you throughout your life.

[Stryder1978]

"THANK YOU"......so very kind of you to say!

I was going to the Ahmet clebration in 2010 no matter what! That was the best chance I would ever have to see Zep live and I would not let cost stand in my way! I was fortunate enough to get a standing ticket, and as you said, the experience was "priceless!" I didn't get to see John with them, but "The DNA Remains the Same" and I thought Jason was remarkable that night! A dream come true for me as I was too young and living too remote to have seen them back in the day!

However, getting to see them in........hell, anytime from 69-80.....like you did?? You were truly blessed!

I can only hope that the little contributions I made will actually help some of those endangered species for future generations to enjoy!

[fsmith9095]

Frank - Believe me, the DRC IS a "hell on earth". Millions have been killed there over the last 15 years - but it doesn't make the news. The only rule of law is who has a bigger gun and more bullets - or the sharpest machete!

Deborah - I try to do my part for helpless endangered species. Here's a shot of me in Zimbabwe. The rhino is NOT dead! We tranquilized it and I helped de-horn them so the poachers wouldn't shoot them for their horns. He is blind folded to keep him calm and the wet stuff is water to cool him down while we wroked on him.

Stryder,

Its just incredible to believe that places like Zimbabwe,Somalia and other failed states still exist in the 21st century. The inhumanity is the same or worse than it was in pre-historic times. Most likely even worse now that advanced weapons are so accessible.

Also, I've never been a person to be envious of anyone. However,I do envy the satisfaction you must enjoy while doing this wonderful work for the animals.

Its encouraging to know that folks such as yourself and your colleagues do what you do.

[Stryder1978]

fsmith9095,

Wow, what kind words from you folks! And I thought you guys were great because you were fellow Zep-Heads! THANK YOU!

What I found truly amazing was during the mass genocide in Rwanda in the mid-90's, an estimated 1.2 million people were slaughtered. We thought the mountian gorilla population (which are only found in three countries in Africa) were doomed. Yet not one mountain gorilla was killed during that time! They valued the gorillas more than their fellow human beings. Man....kind?????

It is satisfying, but having AK-47's pointed at your face, wrestling machete's away from thugs and being thrown in a Zaire prison take their toll on a person - especially when they are just there on a vacation!

Oh, and if you are interested in seeing the gorillas, today Rwanda proposed raising the permit fee to see them to $750.00 US. So go soon while it's still only $500.00!!!!

[fsmith9095]

Thank Goodness the genocide in Rwanda spared the mountain gorillas....for once.

I would love to go to anywhere in Africa to see the animals in their natural habitat ...at any price.

You must have quite a few stories to tell,Stryder. From the few anecdotes you've mentioned above,I can assume there's enough material to write a book about your travels to help these endangered species. Start writing,sir!

To follow your earlier comment,I too was fortunate enough to see Zep live in London at the O2. We had rehearsal, backstage and after-party passes too,believe it or not. It all was like a crazy dream.

But I digress......that story is posted on another thread on this forum.

[Stryder1978]

fsmith9095

Talk about envy! I read all the O2 stories and I remember yours well! Yours was nothing less than every Zephead's ultimate fantasy - short of Jimy inviting you to join them on stage! Although I'll never forget my experience at the O2, yours is the stuff of legend - and well written I might add. Last minute tickets to the show, VIP passes - even a comped hotel stay? Unbelievable!

Friends have suggested a book as well, but I've met people that have put my adventures to shame. Besides, there have been incidents that I'd be uncomfortable sharing - things my family don't even know about. And I wouldn't feel comfortable profiting from other people's misery.

We have something else in common I believe. My alma mater recently joined your conference and when both programs rebuild to their former stature, it should be quite a rivalry! Go Bickeyes and Huskers!

[fsmith9095]

Stryder,

Thank you for the kind words. The experience at the O2 certainly was the epitome of every Zep fan's dream. I was extremely fortunate and was the recipient of the generosity of a well-connected Zep friend on FBO.

The whole time there was like a dream...it went too fast...in a blur. I'm really glad you enjoyed reading the account of the O2 show!

I can imagine that writing a book may raise some uncomfortable issues. So I understand why you wouldn't want to write about your ventures. Perhaps some of your colleagues could write a book to benefit the cause they're working for. Just a thought.

My alma mater is Temple University in Philadelphia. I'm not too familiar with college sports but I hope the rivalry you speak of is rejuvenated for the fans!

[Stryder1978]

fsmith9095,

My bad...I saw the "oldbuckeye" addy at the bottom of your post and thought you were an OSU fan.

The O2 trip went fast for me too, and I love reading other people's tales of their trip - it brings memories of mine flooding back!

[fsmith9095]

stryder,

No worries. Its an easy assumption to make. Actually,the Buckeye reference is by Bruce Deerhake,the ownder of Buckeye's long-standing Zep page. ( He's a long time Zep friend on FBO).

The O2 went by in a blur,didn't it? Now there would be a good topic for a book: a collection of stories from fans who were fortunate enough to attend the show....for the enjoyment of other fans who may or may not have attended.

[Stryder1978]

That's a GREAT idea! I know a lot of people have posted their story on this forum. Some like yours could be fleshed out to be a chapter unto itself!

[fsmith9095]

Thank you. I know I would buy it! And any proceeds could go to Ahmet's charity or ABC.

Coincidently,I know of a member here who happens to run a publishing house. I spoke with her a while ago when discussing an idea for a coffee table book of all the venues,studios,hotels and other landmarks Zep made famous.

So there certainly is ground work in place to publish a book. My guess is that it would be a great seller too.

The trend today seems to be ePublishing. Perhaps that may be a way to go....with a downloadable PDF method to purchasing any new Zep book.

[LivingLovingHeartbreaker]

I dreaded putting my pic up, but for those that may be curious...

Edited February 3, 2012 by LivingLovingHeartbreaker

[The_Minxter]

^ It's always nice to put a face to a name

[Honeybrown1976]

I dreaded putting my pic up, but for those that may be curious...

Get it, girl!! Nice seeing you. I'm a few pages back!

[fishhead]

I dreaded putting my pic up, but for those that may be curious...

you've got nothing to dread about LLH...cheers Richard aka FishHead

[LivingLovingHeartbreaker]

The Minxter & honeybrown you both look lovely! it's nice being able to see you.

[LivingLovingHeartbreaker]

you've got nothing to dread about LLH...cheers Richard aka FishHead

Thanks Richard!

[Honeybrown1976]

The Minxter & honeybrown you both look lovely! it's nice being able to see you.

The Minxter & honeybrown you both look lovely! it's nice being able to see you.

I know, right? It's so great to match your face to your words!!

Minxter's a red-head! I love it!

[why-att]

Ok, before I change my mind... here I'am.

[MINI_Zoso]

We're glad you didn't change your mind why-att!

Once again, as said before, it's great to see who we are talking too.

[Honeybrown1976]

Another photo! My hair's a lot longer now.

Edited February 5, 2012 by Honeybrown1976

[why-att]

We're glad you didn't change your mind why-att!

Once again, as said before, it's great to see who we are talking too.

"It's great too see who we are talking too."

That's true and I'm glad if you glad.

[The_Minxter]

I know, right? It's so great to match your face to your words!!

Minxter's a red-head! I love it!

Thanks

[ledzepfvr]

Last April, waiting for Band of Joy at the Greek.