Robin's Daytona '08 Thoughts, Reflections and Pictures

[rabernet]

I sit back and reflect on the wonderful time that was Daytona 2008. This was my third consecutive year going to Daytona. My first year was strictly as a participant and was great fun - especially getting to know Adam of 8ballpythons (who was sorely missed this year) and others who I'd grown to know and love on the forums in my first year. I even brought home two girls from the show as well as a girl from Vaughn and my het pied and het hypo's from Adam. It's also the first time I got to meet "my" Kara!

Last year I got to see a glimpse of the "inside" of Daytona when Kara asked me to help NERD set up their table. It was really neat helping out and watching the vendors interact with each other and come to each other's tables to get sneak peeks at new animals and share the industry news/gossip of the day.

THIS year - ahhhhh....THIS year was special! This year I had the honorable distinction of being able to represent this great site, this site that is made up of all of YOU! Even those of you who couldn't go - I was so proud to be part of a community of YOU and to share you with people at the show!

The comments that we received from most of the vendors was favorable, to the point of being told quite definitively that BP.net was their FAVORITE online forum, even if they didn't post. Trust me guys - a lot of people are reading this fine forum, a lot of people who may never post, and they come back again and again - because of all of you, all of us! I can't tell you how many people said they considered BP.net their home forum - whether they posted or not. They are referring people to us, because we truly are the "Friendliest online community for all your herping needs". And people see that, and they appreciate this site for what it is. A place to share, a place to learn and yes, maybe even a place to fight now and then. But in the end, this is for me is a site to love!

So this year, Daytona 2008 was about the people - definitely about the people - more than the animals!

Here we go!

Thursday night at Legend's Bar in the Hilton. The wait staff was truly un-prepared for the volume of people - and woefully inept. BUT the company was great!!!!

Carrie and Ed


Judy and Christie


The "Ghetto Pixie" aka Kara, with Carrie and Ed


Karl and Christie - True Love Reunited!

[rabernet]

Kara giving Christie a head rub (that looked like it felt wonderful by the way!)



My favorite New Hampshirian/Texan!


Friday was all about setting up the show:















Taaaa Daaaa!!!

[rabernet]

Friday evening was a Staff Dinner for BP.net to thank our staff for all the hard work they do through the year. We went to Aunt Catfish On the River (thank you Shaun for the recommendation) - SOOOOOO good! And of course, we get seated by Brian and the Chew Crew and Sean and Celia and their crew! Fun times!


I don't know who this goofy fella is:


Laurie (Raul's wife), Raul and Judy


Deb and Christie hiding in the shadows


Emily


And wow - I didn't get many pictures there!

[ADEE]

GREAT post, GREAT pics, GREAT people... just great!!!

It was so nice to finally meet alot of the members here whom i consider "Friends" Daytona was a blast and i look forward to going next year!

whoops hope i dont mess up your post lol

[rabernet]

The big day rolls around and we are ready for business!!!

Raul and Nate


Nater Tater


Ed's Fan Club






Saturday evening was all about the fun and the silly! We were tired, we were exhausted, the thought of going out to eat somewhere wore us out, and we were punchy! So we all pitched in for some pizza at the Hilton and hung out until the last person left!

Oh my!!!!


Shaun and Jamie


Raul and Nate




Ed, Carrie and Shaun


Shaun and Ed get cozy


Rum Runner!!!!


Ed's just Chillin'


Ed's so cool - don't you think?


Brian Rockin' the BP.net shirt!!!


Tim's Shiner


Tim and Monica


Monica


And the Nate Montage:

[jknudson]

Haha! There is a new bucket man! Strong work Nate!

[ADEE]

lol... i was thinking the same thing. Boy it looked like Nate had one heck of a time LMAO

[rabernet]

And finally - the animals! Now don't laugh - there aren't many at all! LOL

Christie's gecko that everyone wanted to buy:


And the snake that made me want to cry - THIS is the next co-dom morph that gets me excited (I think it's co-dom - it may just be dominant).

But the Desert. Oh my! When I saw the Desert/Enchi aka Tiger - I was all in! LOL

It's a subtle morph, but I find myself pulled more and more to them:



Here's Albey's Desert (which I remembered he had when I got home).

http://www.albeysreptiles.com/desert07_1.htm

Here's the Desert/Ench aka Tiger
Adult






Baby




And thanks to Albey for pointing me to these exciting threads with Desert combos:

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1583128,1583128

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1583115,1583115

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1583112,1583112

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1583114,1583114

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1583089,1583089

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1583100,1583100

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1583103,1583103

[Spaniard]

Great Pics, looks like everyone had a fun time

[Beardedragon]

Nate is going to hate you so bad for posting those