What do you like about GWAPA and why?

[krisw]

I like GWAPA for the opportunities it provides to:

- Meet new people, make new friends

- Share my nerdy hobby with others

- Learn from others' experiences (both advanced and beginner ones)

- Find plants I'd otherwise have a hard time finding

- Get exposure to other related hobbies (carnivorous plants, tissue culture, gardening, ponds, photography, etc...)

- Save money on group orders, local stores, etc...

I'm sure I'm forgetting something. As everyone else mentioned, it's the people. Thanks everyone for making this a great club!

[DelawareJim]

I like GWAPA because if I buy certain plants from Aaron, I can be the third person in the country to own that plant! BWAHAHAHA!

Actually, I have to agree with all that's been said before. I first started attending after reading about GWAPA in a Washington Post article about the workshop they gave in October 2003, (The Fish are Fine, But the Plants are Fabulous) written buy some obscure Post writer named Sherry Mitchell. I think they had like 12-15 members back then. After the rise and fall of the "Dupla movement" and Dutch style aquariums in the US, it was wonderful to learn that I wasn't alone in the woods with my strange hobby.

The camaraderie has been great!

Cheers.
Jim

[FrannyB]

I like gwapa because there are a lot of cute guys.

But seriously, there is lot to be said for the amount of knowledge, plants, and friendships gained from belonging to gwapa.

Going to members' homes to see their scapes and getting plants without paying shipping is a plus.

[dSerk]

I like gwapa because there are a lot of cute guys.

Aw, shucks, ma'am.

I think Kris covered all the points. Even with all the forums available on the internet, all that reading doesn't compare with a 5 minute discussion in front of some else's actual tank. I mostly joined to see what could be learned directly from club members. I think seeing the articles about the collecting trips are what really made the decision for me. Then, I saw the Tissue Culture Seminar and knew I was in way over my head

[chris_todd]

I joined to gain more knowledge, because knowledge is Power, and because Power leads to world domination... through planted aquaria! (Thanks, Sean, for clarifying GWAPA's mission statement! )

Dude, we need to send you back to evil laugh class because I'm just not feeling it here.

Dang, you mean I wasted all that money I spent on the Dr. Horrible "World domination for dummies" correspondence course? Grrr....

[Rick Dotson]

Sean if you are Dr. Evil does that make Chris Mini-Me?

[SCMurphy]

Sean if you are Dr. Evil does that make Chris Mini-Me?

No, I think Dave and you are vying for that position, however, since my daughter is my young padawan and Sarcasm is the Force, I am not really looking for a mini-me.

What do I like about GWAPA, the people, captive audiences are such fun.

[chris_todd]

Sean if you are Dr. Evil does that make Chris Mini-Me?

No, I think Dave and you are vying for that position, however, since my daughter is my young padawan and Sarcasm is the Force, I am not really looking for a mini-me.

Phew, I was getting worried about where this thread was going - I don't know Sean anywhere near well enough to "complete him".

[ingg]

Hey, my sarcasm is purely my own, and not afunction of being around Sean! He does inspire, however.

[jcali10]

I am like a cub scout, still working on my planted tanks, a boy scout would be the next step up, emersed plants maybe, and eagle scout would be the tissue culture club.

I am progressing in the hobby though, and GWAPA has certainly helped me a great deal.

Much thanks to all members.