[PerryinCA]

Hey Guys,

I see a couple familiar faces here.

I just started using my pic album as a screensaver, and a shot of a couple of my old gigantea's got me thinking about Reef tanks. Don't know why but thought I would check in and see how the Reefland world was going. The website said I hadn't logged since 2004. I was actually kinda surprised to see that I still had an account and knew the pw (scary, means I need to change it or make it more complex... been using the same 10 pw's since, well, forever)

Anyway, not in the hobby anymore, haven't had a tank since my 240 in-wall that was setup in my Washington home before I moved back to CA.

Miss it sometimes, but after working in the industry for a solid few years and losing sight of the 'hobby' part, I really like the time I have now for other life-consuming hobbies. Really, most of my free time is spent studying. Went back to school, finishing a degree in Bio-Tech, and am hoping to start Medical School in 2009 aiming for a PhD/MD at the ripe old age of 28.

So, to all I have never met before, hello, and to those that I have Ninong, Zhenya, Scott Z, Scott P (still riding?) and the rest of the old-school RL folks (sorry for people I missed, been a long, long time. lol)



Regards,

Perry

[SPasse]

Perry,

Good to hear from you! J

phD at 28, pretty sweet…

I gave up on my motorcycles a few months ago. I had too many adrenalin rushes/near death experiences on Interstate 635. I live about 30 miles from my work and I have a 4 year old that I want to be around to see grow up. This is coming from someone with 30+ years of riding experience.

Maybe when the kids get older and I have time to ride/tour for fun again.

Again, good hearing from you…

Regards,

Scott

[PerryinCA]

Originally Posted by SPasse

Perry,

Good to hear from you! J

phD at 28, pretty sweet…

I gave up on my motorcycles a few months ago. I had too many adrenalin rushes/near death experiences on Interstate 635. I live about 30 miles from my work and I have a 4 year old that I want to be around to see grow up. This is coming from someone with 30+ years of riding experience.

Maybe when the kids get older and I have time to ride/tour for fun again.

Again, good hearing from you…

Regards,

Scott

Hey Scott!

I can definitely see what you mean with the kids. I sold my sportbike about 3 years ago (R1), and really miss it now that I am living in CA again. However, for the same reason as you, I have decided not to get another one any time soon. I laid down the first bike I had (R6) in the hills around the bay Area on a fun windy road that decided it would make a fresh pothole in a bad spot. That was a little scary, but I was fine (always rode with leathers). I forgot about that experience till recently thinking about buying again. I was never afraid of anything, especially dying, but having my little girl has changed things a lot - it's humbled me and given me a reason to think about staying alive. Being a Dad is the best thing in the world, and I don't want to miss out on it because I need a rush now and then. Though, I would really like to get a nice turbo installed on my car to give me some G's when I really need it.

As far as school.... I think I misled, I am 26 (27 this summer) and will be STARTING grad school at the old age of 28 (I know... not that old, but non-traditional as far as grad students go). Depending on whether or not I decide to focus on academic medicine/research, or go for a surgical practice, I won't actually be done with school, residency and fellowship till I am about 38-39.

Such a long road, but I am more than ready for it. Took me a long time to figure out what to do with myself, had to try a few different things I thought I would be interested in before deciding I had to follow the heart and go for what I really wanted to be satisfied. I feel fortunate to have found my 'calling' at all; some of the most amazing people I have met have been much older than me and never figured out what they want to do in life. I am lucky to have a supportive spouse who will deal with my stressful all-nighters and be the breadwinner for a while (I promised her early retirement lol).

Anyway, nice to hear things are going good!

-Perry

[zhenya]

Hi Perry,

So nice of you to stop by and say hello.

Originally Posted by PerryinCA

I was never afraid of anything, especially dying, but having my little girl has changed things a lot - it's humbled me and given me a reason to think about staying alive. Being a Dad is the best thing in the world, and I don't want to miss out on it because I need a rush now and then.

Being a dad, and now granddad three times, I can relate to what you said.

Good luck with your studies, and trust me, 38-39 is not all that old to have residency and fellowship all done.

[SPasse]

Perry,

OK, Let's trade kid pictures:

Rachael:



Regards,

Scott

[Reefland]

Hey Perry, nice to hear that you are doing well my friend!

Scott P., it would take Michelle and I 3 pages of posts to get all our kids and grandkids posted.

[Papa Doug]

Hi Perry, For sure its been awile. Always wondered where you went. Conrats on finishing your degree and good luck in medical school.

[Aragorn]

Heya Perry! In Folsom, eh? I've since moved to Pine Grove, not but 35 mins away from Folsom since I've last been here.

[kevinpo]

Hi Perry,
Good luck with your school!

Best regards,
Kevin

[Reefland]

Hey Aragorn, long time no talk! Hope you are doing well.

[Aragorn]

Heya Scott. I am doin well, thanks. A lot has happened over the past years, My son is now serving in the US Military (very proud of my boy). He's currently a 3rd Class Petty Officer and will be deploying to Guam soon. I'm remarried to a wonderful woman I met online who helped publish Bob Fenner's book "The Natural Marine Aquarium". We both have been out of the hobby as of late but will be jumping back in shortly. How has you and everyone else here been holding up?

[Reefland]

Very well, thanks for asking.

[scubadude]

OMG! you guys are all still alive...nice kick-up on this thread Perry!
I was wandering about you the other day glad you are moving right along (not surprised )

Scott
Rachel is as cute as a button....yer gonna be busy in about 10 years bro!

Its very cool to see everyone is still hanging out here.....wait a sec. this is starting to make me feel old

[Elmo18]

Hey Perry! Wow, I haven't been back here for awhile, too

I have just been working since graduating from college, although I still find some time for the hobby. It's not about the corals you have, the fish you have, but the friends along the way.

Such a great hobby. Nice to see you are doing well Perry.

Best,
Ilham