Well, being as I work all day with no internet access, I am alone with my thoughts and really felt I need to address some things.
The buttons.
Why I make the buttons. I make them to share in the excitement over this special event. I make them to give all the members of the Dis going an opportunity to get together easier than it would normally. I do have a small personal motivation in that I have a problem keeping names(doubt I'm alone in that one either), until I really work them in, and my hearing is not very good. Don't expect me to keep your name attached to seeing you right off for the first time, not going to happen.
Not why I make the buttons. I do not want or expect any kind of loyalty or friendship over the buttons themselves. I am not trying to 'buy' anyone with them, and do not expect any kind of compensation for them, money or gifts. No cash, and I will outright refuse any 'guilt' type gifts for them as well. Don't feel guilty, they are free, will continue to be free, no matter if you have any participation in this group or not. Take a good look at the button list. you'll see a lot of unfamiliar Dis names. And that's ok too. The buttons may help with these people getting together too. And it's everyone's personal choice what you do with them. Wear them to meet new people, put them away if you don't, means all the same to me. I personally will be wearing mine as much as possible. I look forward to meeting everyone.
The whole group thing.
I said it earlier in response to that guy who was kind of paranoid of being part of one. Don't be. I don't expect, and think others don't either, of this group staying together for every thing all the time. I accept all of you equally whether you want to do things with us or not. We are not clones, we are individuals and all different. It's going to be a natural thing from some to group off with people they already know, but that is not an exclusive thing for me, I welcome the newcomers right alongside the people who I have known since I began reading the Dis. If you're feeling left out of something stop us and ask. I am avoiding a certain word purposefully, for me that 'c' word doesn't exist. never did, never will. And I really have very short, maybe even cruel feelings for attempts to form one.
The website and leading the Dis meets.
Don't go looking to Mary or I to be a true 'leader' of this group. We do not want that dubious distinction. Mary and I do this whole meets with the website thing to just act as a point of reference for everyone to have. Someone has to step up and do it, and between the two of us we do our best to get it done. My personal opinion is there is no purpose or need for a 'leader'. We are a very wide group with a lot of differing interests and we are not going to agree on everything. It is that simple when you get right down to it.
How I view the cruise in general.
This will be a very exciting event with a lot going on for just 5 days. I look forward to all the events and time spent with other Disers. However, I work in a company with 110 employees who I interact with most of them all day, every day. For me a cruise represents relaxation and time for Mary and I to spend with each other. Doesn't mean I won't share that time with others too, but I do look forward to some alone time and the fact of being on vacation from work with all the stresses both mental and especially physical. Trips are a time for me to heal, and to strengthen that sometimes stressed bond with my wife.
My sometimes bluntness.
Sorry, I try to not mince words. If I feel strongly about something I am going to speak about it in the most direct way I can even if that sometimes is brutally honest. That is very much just me, usually of very few words but always words that mean exactly what they say, nothing more, nothing less. It puts off people sometimes as they think I am being short with them in anger or something, no, I am just normally very brief. Don't put hidden meaning in anything I write or say, it just isn't there.
to all of you!
and prayers for everyone that needs them. Big stress and small. We have a great group and we are all blessed to soon be meeting up and sailing together on the Member Cruise.
maybe!
Thanks Mary and Joanne! 
That is saving this trip for us!
Hopefully they will get here today.
