The MF Folios

[egoldste@xxxxxx (Eric Goldstein)]

Just a note to say that I'm back on the list with some semblance of
normalcy in my life... both Camilla and I are now in Boston; she is feeling
much better though still under a doctor's care, and my mother's health is
much improved... Many thanks to all who extended their personal good wishes
during this difficult time; it was really appreciated...

I do need to briefly address a matter which I believe has been a bit
misrepresented on this list... the matter of my having "dropped out of
site" and of holding the folios hostage. My reputation is extremely
important to me, and it seems that many of the facts regarding the
situation were not impartially or accurately conveyed to you...

I think it is important for you to know that before I ever accepted folio
5, I candidly communicated to Greg just how difficult my personal and
professional life was becomming and how tough it would be for me to
critique it in a timely manner. I suggested that the folio pass me by for
this reason and because I had had no time to shoot anything to contribute
to it. Greg responded by asking me as a favour to accept the folio anyway;
he felt that my input had some value and that a delay of a few weeks was no
problem.

Shortly thereafter, events in my life changed far more dramatically than I
anticipated. During the subsequent months I was in contact with Greg via
email for most of the time I had the folio, telling him that I had received
it and giving him updates on my personal situation. Then came a two-three
months period when I had to surrended all email contact because of severe
illness in my family (including some hospital time for myself) and a very
substantial professional obligation I was involved with.

Greg rang me up by telephone, and when I immediately returned his call, it
became clear from his conversation that he somehow felt that the safety of
the materials in the folios was in jeopardy. (BTW I still don't know how I
wound up with two folios). As soon as I realized this, I immediately
responded by shipping the two folios out and again phoned him to verify
this. I feel that I had very clearly and redundantly communicated my
circumstances and the safety of the folios to Greg numerous times; his
concerns came as a complete surprise to me.

It is not my purpose here to be critical of anyone regarding how this
situation was handled, but neither do I want to be held responsible or
villified for what I believe to be a substantial misrepresentation of my
actions, and a failure to properly and completely pass my communications
along to everyone involved.

I do want to extend my apologies to all of you who may have been concerned
for the safety of your materials and for the inconvenience you suffered due
to my circumstances. If a further explanation or discussion regarding this
matter would benefit anyone of you, I am open to it.

Best wishes for a good summer and a good NSA...


Eric Goldstein