First off PAWS UP to Skye1 for his thorough analysis of the varing degrees of F-T events. Maybe add that to the "DO" definition in the glossery.

Since this is a retirement thread, I have to disagree with some posters who say you can attend an event with someone who you don't like simply by disappearing into the crowd and hang with those who you do. This is another reason (and perhaps the number ONE reason) why I "retired" from the Mega DO organizing and decided NO MORE Catman DO's.

If I do another big event and it is posted according to the F-T rules ALL Flyertalkers have to be allowed to attend. But what if someone decides to come who I don't get along with, whose attacked me or made fun of me at other FT events in the past? Trust me, I have evidence of this from several well respected Flyertalkers - London DO anyone? (another reason why I am selective on what I organize and what I attend.)

How can I enjoy the event *I* organized when:

1. I'm uncomfortable and fear a scene.
2. People who are friends who I hope can attend can't and won't because someone else is there.
3. The host can't just disappear to avoid drama because there will be someone who seek that person out to make a statement "oh, Catman shook my hand... all is well."

It happened with CMD3. There was too much drama and several fights and several friendships that almost got destroyed because of who came and who didn't come and who was talking to who and who I even shook hands with.

I rather just skip events and avoid any stress or strain. Call me a child, call me inmature a chicken but I have had enough stress in my 41 years of existance.

As I said, the smaller events... the gatherings and if they past 12 FT-ers the "standard DOS" I have no problem putting together. Keep it simple.

I'll see some of you at the San Diego 1K's Soup DOs or some sooner.