Well, I don't have much York experience. Last year I went to the October meet, and of course this October meet. Ironically, at work today one of the nice office ladies(like my aunt) was asking how my vacation was. I said it was fantastic and proceeded to explain how I talked to a bunch of great people. I had also said that York was different from others shows(I didn't mention Greenberg's to her, but that is what I was talking about). I had said that any other show I have been at isn't the same as York.
I mentioned at the other shows I've been at that I really only know at least two(maybe four) people at the other shows. That being my local train dealer as he is usually there, and one of the members of the TCA I met via EBay. I usually chat with them for a bit at those shows but I don't want to occupy too much of their times either.
One thing I need to do at those shows is try and chat with some of the layout/club folks while I'm there. It just always seems I'm racing the clock at those shows even though its local(to me).
Anyway, back to York. I really enjoyed this time around much better than last year. I would say a few reasons for that are I was very new to the forum last year, and hadn't really posted or chatted with many people. I did talk a bunch last year(and I can talk a lot, lol), but I even said today to my coworkers, that I talked probably four times as much as last year.
Heck, sitting outside the Red Hall(I believe) taking a quick break, I got involved in a conversation with two gentlemen probably 20 years or so older than me. The conversations wasn't all about trains, or even the meet itself, sort of a general conversation you could have with anyone at anytime whether they be your family, friends or neighbors that you haven't seen or talked to in sometime. Shouldn't that be how anything is?
In my limited lifetime of 47 years, I've met some pretty amazing people. One person comes to mind who was someone who folks in the service would have called their old war or service buddy or something like that. My late brother-in-laws Uncle Frank. He was in the navy after WWI and could talk to anyone. Talking to Frank was like talking to a brother or kindred spirit. I really view that as such.
As for spending at York, well, I am happy to say this time around money did get spent in the member halls, specifically the Silver Hall as I bought three buildings. I usually buy what I feel, which may or may not be on my list(which is probably typical for anyone really), it just has to strike me. I had told my friends back home Thursday that I had spent more money on food than trains. Of course that changed Friday and Saturday. I did wish I had about another $500 or so, but was not meant to be this time either.
Regardless it was close to $1,000 I spent on this York. However much I give myself to spend, I will usually spend about all of it. This is true for York, other shows I may not spend a dime.
Anyway, I had a blast, I just have to start talking, lol.
