I was an early subscriber to Randy’s monthly (printed & mailed) publication and even met up with him for the first time when we were both in London at his office in that city in those early years before FT online. However, while I lurked for a year or so, finally signed onto this place in 1999 during the takeover/merger of AC and CP up here. I’ve made some great friendships among members here and it’s great to see some early members (mjm who took me to my first authentic ramen shed in Tokyo, dhammer and his magical mystery tour of Brooklyn) here.

Dorian, Catman and I (after an afternoon of travel talk in a Toronto brewpub) created a very crude companion bulletin board for posting recommendations of restaurants and must-see sites in various cities where FTers and others could share such information. After a few months we offered it to Randy (gratis) and it became the basis of a new set of fora where such advice could be posted.

However, haven’t a clue what number I am…never even knew that such a thing existed!He also published an annual directory showing details of all airline, hotel, car rental and credit card programs.