Adios, Sayonara, Adieu, Auf wiedensehen, Shalom, Caio, and sadly, good-bye.

(For those of you whose language is not represented, my apologies)

I posted yesterday on another forum that I feel like I'm in a time warp and have traveled back to high school. I realize on contemplation that this perception is based not only on how other people are behaving, but more recently on how I'm behaving.

I came to FT as a professional adult with the objectives of determining how I could gain any benefit and maximize my experience in the 125k/yr miles I have to fly for business. I have realized that objective in spades! And I thank you all for that.

I have also benefited personally from the many wonderful people I've met here. As many of you know, traveling a lot takes its toll on being able to maintain personal relationships. I've had a real sense of community with many of you, and I've been grateful for it in lonely hotel rooms.

But the time has come for me to put this space in its proper perspective and that's in the background of my life, not the foreground. Getting involved in negative personal issues with people I've never even met is a misplaced and warped sense of involvement. It's a seductive trap, and I believe my spirit is best served by not participating.

I need to focus on growing my company and the relationships that feed my soul: my family and dear friends who are the real support structure of my life. AND, I need to be in a consistently positive mental and emotional space to do these things well.

So I'm removing myself to the background as an occasional "lurker". You'll always be a great resource for information, and I'll always enjoy the trip reports - except for Gaucho's - they cause me to struggle with several of the deadly sins - Envy, Avarice, and Gluttony

Again, it's been a pleasure. I wish you all the best



[This message has been edited by svpii (edited 11-07-2000).]