A heavy hearted Greg Fleming released the following statement on March 25:
"Not so long ago, in a city not very far away, lived a short, cute little 41 year blond guy with Alzheimer’s.
Karen and I have a free week from our timeshare that we have to use up by the end of June this year or we will lose it. Between the two of us with work, hockey playoffs, Vegas trips, and yes, FTBO there were only a limited amount of weeks we could go. I made it clear to Karen two months ago when this process started that I could not go certain weeks and she was aware of what those weeks were. Over the last two months our options kept dwindling as to where we could go and when (you don’t have as many options when it is a free week of course). On Monday night, Karen told me there was a free one bedroom available at the Marriott for the week of May 28th. Everyone knows how much we enjoy Aruba so before even thinking I told her to book it. The next day she booked our flights. It was then that I saw we would not be returning until June 6th. That’s when the light bulb finally lit up over my head. FTBO!! I called her right away to see if we could get out of it. She said if we did we would lose the week and she had already booked the flights and they are non-refundable. I feel sick. I have been looking forward to this years FTBO since I missed last year. I am well aware I will get razzed and ridiculed and rightfully so, but it won’t matter to me because I can not possibly feel any worse or feel like more of an idiot than I already do. Please take my deposit and buy a few rounds of drinks for the boys at the Barcelona (great bar in Scottsdale).
I would at this time like to volunteer to organize the 2011 FTBO. This may be the only way I can remember when it is." - Greg Fleming