Why is this place so bitter?

Subject: Why is this place so bitter?
From: GUEST,JJ
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:22 PM

I've lurked here for a while, and I've seen lots of people post stuff about how wonderful the community is here.

Personally, I don't see that. I see a lot of bullying, snideness, oneupmanship etc.

For me, the saddest thing is that I'll be slated for posting as a dreaded 'guest'

A bit of love and friendship would help here, I think

Love and peace to you all

JJ

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:35 PM

Just like Life really, eh? Well, what a surprise...

Sorry, but for the "I'll be slated for posting as a dreaded 'guest'" you might have fooled me, but no, sorry.

Try again tomorrow, eh?

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:35 PM

"Why is this place so bitter?"

Donno... I've never licked it to find out how it tastes...

.-)

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:36 PM

BUGGER! HTML crime AGAIN

Oh well...must mean its bedtime

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: GUEST,McGRath at Harlow
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:39 PM

No need to worry JJ. Noone is going to slate you "for posting as a dreaded guest". Putting JJ at the end indicates that you are posting as yourself, rather than someone else playing games and trolling.

Noone at any time, that I have seen, has made any criticism of people for posting as GUESTS as such - as against the ones who, by leaving off any kind of handle, seem make it clear they aren't interested in any kind of two-way communication. Anonymity just isn't a problem, because most Mudcatters are in fact anonymous, in the sense that they do not post under their actual name.

As for friendliness and its reverse, nothing's perfect, but by and large this is a pretty friendly place, compared to any alternatives I've come across. Maybe you can help us can buck the trend by getting better instead of worse.

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: michaelr
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:44 PM

Hi JJ - I'm relatively new here and don't know anyone personally, but from the posts I read the Mudcat looks like a representative cross-section of humankind: it takes all kinds.
If you check out threads like "Get well, Aine", you'll find lots of love and friendship expressed. And what you may be calling "bullying, snideness" etc. mostly seems to me like sarcastic banter between witty people. (Though there seems to be an unreasonable degree of Neil Young-loathing around here...)
Lastly, what little genuinely rude flaming I see here seems mostly perpetrated by Guests.
I like it here; there are lots of very intelligent, knowledgeable, and opinionated people around here... with the added bonus that a bunch of them are musicians! Folk musicians, even!
Stick around, you seem like a nice person.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:54 PM

To avoid bitterness, stay out of the non-music threads. Works for me.

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:02 PM

Bitterness? I guess it's all in the ear of the beholder. Sarcasm, yeah, crudeness, yeah but I can't say I've read much that I'd call bitter. "cept for some of the Guest flamers. I didn't really take your post as incendiary.. Hey, but maybe I'm just to slow to get easily offended..
Jerry

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:02 PM

JJ,
Sorry if you've happened to log on to the relatively few threads that are full of garbage. Most threads--especially the ones even remotely connected to music--are pretty civilized (though sometimes 'catters who know each other trade barbs in a good-natured manner that might not be understood as such by a "newby.")

I've rarely seen a "guest" attacked for being such, except when an anonymous"guest" posts very provocative opinions ("flaming").

There are a few feisty pets that we keep around for entertainment (you know who you are) who like to swat your leg as you walk by, the way my cat sometimes does. But they're really harmless, and if you're really down, they may even sit on your lap and purr.

Also, being a public forum, idiots are allowed to post, too, and they sometimes do. But on the whole, I've found--over the past 7 months, posting always as "Guest: Sonja"--that Mudcatters treat me, and others, very nicely.

If your experience is different, please keep visiting the Café, and I'm sure you'll find it a friendly place.

Sonja §:-)

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Rollo
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:05 PM

THEY LOATH NEIL YOUNG AROUND HERE???

OH NO!!!! WHY DIDN´T YOU TELL ME BEFORE??? HELP!!!

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:12 PM

I'm a relatively recent poster my self although I was a lurker and occaisional Guest w/name poster for a year and a half. I understand what you are asking and it takes a little while to learn who is who. The anonymous guests who say snotty things are hiding behind a cloak of no identity. There are also professional grumps with names. Those people can be contacted by the personal message system and have some accountability. Then there are single issue people. And then there are the those for whom the only thing is getting the lyrics into the Digital Tradition and they get grumpy about the story tellers (hence the BS designation) and they get grumpy about what they consider to be "the Rules" (an inevitable reaction of the literary scholar mind). So yeah, this isn't exactly an early christian love feast. Except that within a few weeks you figure out who is one of the flamers, who is one of the grumps, ignore those, and interact with the majority--and they're a pretty good group. And lots of them really know stuff. Don't be put off by literary jousting and the fact some of them have certain dislikes and narrownesses. Don't take it 'personal'.

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: ddw
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:33 PM

GuestJJ,

If your question stems from some of the comments in 53's D chord thread, you should know there's history here.

Since 53 joined the forum a few months ago he has posted so incessantly and started so many inane threads, discussions with any substance often get pushed off the queue very quickly. Quite a few of us — including Catspaw49, one of the gentlest, most tolerant souls I know, and myself, who would probably never be called either gentle or tolerant — find it very annoying.

Since the powers here are pretty laid-back about what goes on the threads, they seem to be powerless or unwilling to do anything to curb the inanities. Those of us who like it here understand that, but we do lose patience sometimes.

Sorry your first tastes of the local catfish isn't to your liking.

cheers,

david

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:56 PM

I think it's counterproductive to name names around here. {"You're worse than I am!" "No, I'm not." "Look at that thread!" "Well, how about your thread last week?" "That was needed!" "No, it was not! That was STUPID!" "Ha! You're the one that's stupid!") Can you tell I grew up in a large, argumentative family? LOL

Eb

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 10:14 PM

David, I think it's worth mentioning that 53BOB has also made some worthwhile comments and begun/contributed to some interesting discussions. He made a comment on Mrrzy's thread about string noise on the guitar which I thought was utterly poetic, saying something to the effect that the noise made by fingers sliding over the strings on an acoustic guitar was "the soul of the song, letting you know it's alive." I'd much rather have extra posts from someone who loves listening to and playing music, though he may be more talkative than most, than from many others who simply love to make people feel bad.

I agree with JJ, though, that there does seem to be more nastiness and rancor on the 'Cat than there was, say, a year ago. People seem to be quicker to take offense, to pick fights, and to make snide comments. In my opinion, some of this (maybe much of it) is due to the discomfort and unhappiness felt by many people since September 11 and the resultant economic woes and general jitteriness. I'm completely serious about that. It's amazing how far and how deep the ripples have spread. (The economy here in Hawaii is a case in point.)

Those 'Catters and guests who are unhappy and bitter will no doubt leak some of that into the 'Cat, as they do into the rest of their lives. And those of us who have the inclination to rise above it will no doubt continue to try to do so. "And life goes on within you and without you."

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: kendall
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 10:18 PM

A gentle old Mainer was sitting on his Piazza, rocking and smoking his pipe. His new neighbor came to the old man and asked "What's it like around here"? Old man says, "Well, what was it like where you came from?" New neighbor says "Nice town, friendly people, good place to live." Old man says "Well, you'll find it's just like that around here too."

A few days later, another new neighbor came to the old man and said, "What kind of place is this town anyway."? Old man says, "What was it like where you came from?" This new neighbor says, "It really sucked, town full of no good bastards, I hated it."! Old guy says, "Well, I'm afraid you'll find it just the same here."

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 10:24 PM

wow ddw, like proflific posting and inane threads hasn't been a feature of Mudcat for some time before that?

Maybe I'm wrong but the way I am reading it is that Bob 53 loves folk music but has a few problems at the moment (I seem to remember him mentioning meds in one post for example). I'm not pretending I enjoy the inane threads but in this instance, there may be more reason for it than some of the other stuff I consider to be equally inane.

I also seem to see a situation developing where people are laying into someone who doesn't seem to have the skills to answer back in well written English and someone who seems to be getting driven to a lower and lower point as a result.

I'm afraid I have to ask myself again whether Mudcat is really the caring community it seems to pride itself on being. Is any effeort made to understand those who don't seem to be fitting with the central group? I ask: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?

Jon

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 10:28 PM

I found BOB53's inanities more amusing than annoying.

I didn't like it when he strayed over the boundaries of good taste and made a couple of postings which verged on obscenity, but having read his postings on the "Sliding into depression" thread, I would venture to suggest that compassion rather than censure is merited in his case.

Murray

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Tweed
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 10:42 PM

Nicely put Jon Freeman. I agree on all points. I happen to enjoy reading "inane" threads as they seem to reflect a more human side of a person rather than knowledge gleaned and pasted from search engines. I'm hoping 53 will feel differently in the light of morning and not disappear from this place as it seemed clear to me that he got great enjoyment (on other nites) from being able to rub shoulders with other guitar players. I feel bad that a few here have jumped on him while he was down. A little understanding and patience will go a long way, and is a benefit to all parties concerned. So saith Tweed, the inane and unschooled.

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Bobert
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 10:55 PM

Refer to comments under BOB53's, "If nominated, I will not run... If elected, I will not serve" or whatever it's called post. Peace. Bobert

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 11:06 PM

Bleh. Well, since I was someone who 'jumped on him while he was down,' I guess I haven't helped 53/Bob much. For the record, I wasn't aware that he was "down" until the day after I'd already made some unfortunate comments (comments that actually would have been inappropriate in any situation...) that ended up sounding more personal than I had intended...

So, JJ, if that's some of the bitterness you're talking about, know that I feel like a dick, that I've apologised privately to the offended party (no response), and that I'm not always such a jerk. So, like, don't let me put you off Mudcat.

:P

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: michaelr
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 11:11 PM

ddw - spaw is going to hate being outed like that.

kendall - PERFECT!

It comes down to the same question that prompted the Homeland Security Act or whatever the damn thing is called: Do you want Big Brother to look out for you at the expense of free speech and personal privacy? I, for one, relish the fact that there is no censorship on the forum, even if I have to put up with a few idiots' rantings.

Michael

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 11:35 PM

Kendall - You are my HERO OF THE WEEK!!! It's been a while since I gave the award - but you got it Brother.

I've been here for about a year or so and it is much less bitter than when I first arrived. But I've gotten to know a few folks and am learning to keep my mouth shut when the brain isn't working or my emotions are running the show.

I try fairly hard not to name names and that some of you have burns my tail a bit. I've said something on the thread you all are mentioning but those involved can't seem to come up with an apoplogy for their behavior. You don't like it then PM about it has worked quite well for me. I've made some very good friends as a result!

Steve

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Amergin
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 11:38 PM

I find it odd that some one who is on the outside can be jumped on for his "inanities"...but when some one on the "inside" does the same bloody things (for example LH and his why did the cat come back or his bloody shatner threads)...no one says a thing?

This place does disgust me at times.

Have any of you thought that maybe BOB has trouble expressing himself verbally? Have you thought that maybe because of his depression he might have a touch of anxiety, and so is not quite comfortable?

Gotta love the compassion of this place.

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 11:46 PM

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back in.

If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.

If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around.

After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.

Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.

It don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.

The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.

Don't squat with your spurs on.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else.

There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.

Thought this fit the thread - *G*

Steve

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Devilmaster
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 11:46 PM

Ya know, just thinking out loud, we should all really strive to meet each other this year in what I like to call 'Cattermeets'.

Cattermeets can just be concerts, house gigs, bars, whatever.....

Only cause all of us would have a better understanding of the others that post here.

So i don't know what it would take, perhaps a permathread(if there already isn't one) on planned meets for catters.

Don't know if it was previously tried, but I'm willing to meet anyone once.......... Except ClintonHammond! :) Once was WAY too many!

Steve

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Clifton53
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 11:50 PM

Spot on Amergin! 53's postings are sometimes hard to understand, and the motives may seem dubious to hardened web vets, but the man loves to play guitar and openly discuss it, and that should be enough for us! Can't count how many times I've heard the phrase;" if you don't like it, don't read it". Well???

Clifton

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 12:05 AM

I'd be honored to meet Clinton Hammond...

And remember that this type of thread comes up EVERY couple of months - usually either a newer person pointing out the short-comings, or a long-timer pointing out how the MuDcat has changed. Eventually someone mentions that these threads have been cropping up on a regular basis as long as they've been a member (I've been one for 3 1/2 years) and that it's likely that nothing has really changed much.

Chock it up to humans discussing everything on every subject possible (When was the last time anyone who has been here over a year saw a completely new thread subject - and new flashes don't count. Talking about something new happening in N. Ireland or the Middle East is still discussing things that have many earlier threads).

ON THE OTHER HAND >>>>

I live in Downtown Orlando, Florida. I hang out at a nice English pub half a block from my home. ANYONE at Mudcat who is visiting the World's #1 tourist destination, feel free to private message me and arrainge a meet. I'll buy the first pint. And if you're really nice, I may let you take one of the tours I lead (Historical and Ghost Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Orlando). By the way, it's 85 deg(F) today. pax yall

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 01:05 AM

Kendall,

When you tell those tales here, I can hear your grand delivery as if you were standing in front of us doin' it. You, sir, are the best !!!

And I guess I do sound bitter here on occasion. It's probably because life has a way of hitting us up side the head pretty hard sometimes---and as a result, we expostulate with more negative emphasis than is warranted or that we ever intended. It happens because we are, possibly, hurting.No excuse but, as others have said, that's life.

All the best to you all,

Art

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 01:06 AM

Blackcatter....Thanks for the summation. That's exactly how these go everytime and if someone hadn't PM'ed me, I wouldn't have opened this or the Farewell thing either. I quit posting to thisstuff last year for the most part and when I see one of these titles, I skip it.

As far as being "outted".........If it was any secret to BOB that I found a lot of his threads ridiculous it would surprise me. Take a look at the others on a lot of his threads (not the unnamed Guests) and you'll see I wasn't alone. Yes, he has started some good threads and yes, he has made good comments too, but I made no secret of the ones I felt were screwy. I didn't post to a lot of them and I think I even asked BOB if he ever had any unexpressed thoughts. In the main, I have answered his questions when I had some knowledge and tried to use some humor to diffuse some of the hostility he encountered or to express my ideas toward his posting. I had no idea what today's D chord thread was about so I gave it a pass.

What I'd also mention is that I treated Hawk no differently on all those sillyass Shatner threads......but Hawk is Hawk and BOB is BOB. How they take it is up to them.

Where does all this "bitterness" crap come from anyway? Read Kendall's post......Perfect. Perfect. Defines most situations exactly. Talk about inane threads? Well, there's this one.........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Devilmaster
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 01:08 AM

Well then Blackcatter, I'll tell Clinton we should become Snowbirds, and head down to Florida before Windsor gets its 'One Big Snowfall'. :)

Geez, I only wish. Maybe down the road. And it was a balmy 40 degrees here today. And of course all are welcome to come to Windsor and meet me, Clinton, ddw and whoever else lives in this area.

If Clinton reads this, who was the catter who came to Ann Arbor on a work contract with the big 3? I just remember he was from England and had this wonderful steel guitar.

Steve

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: ddw
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 01:13 AM

Devilment,

That was Grab. He's headed back, but it looks like he may be too busy to get over this time.

david

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Devilmaster
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 01:16 AM

Ta dave, Thanks mate.

Steve

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Deckman
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 01:28 AM

I rarely read ANY thread posted by a guest, but I guess I'm bored tonight. A couple of comments: Mark, I couldn't agree with you more. I feel there is a lot of agnst in the country since 9/11. I was just talking with Bride Judy about this tonight. And I also feel that it's starting to diminish. And for Kendall, there's a wonderful song that Tom Paxton wrote years ago. Here's chorus

This world goes round and round,what goes up must come down
Just like the spinning wheel, it all comes back to you
You find whatever you feel, you lose whatever you steal
Just like the spinning wheel, it all comes back to you
CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Cappuccino
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 02:44 AM

Kendall, that post was brilliant. I'm printing it out as a reminder.

- Ian B

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: mooman
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 05:23 AM

Dear JJ,

Stick around...you can easily spot and just simply ignore the noxious stuff and there is a lot of wonderful advice and knowledge on this forum.

All the best

mooman

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:00 AM

Well my favourite tipple is BITTER (the english draught beer). There are lots of "smooth" beers around at the moment, but I tend to prefer something with a bit of body and flavour rather than something bland and easy to swallow. I liked Kendall's posting - basically a person tends to apply their own outlook to what others say. Christ, if we all agreed on everything, there'd be nothing to remind us that we're still alive!

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: GUEST,Jaze
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:43 AM

Aloha, Mark. I agree with you. As usual , your ideas were thoughtful and wisely stated.Mudcat does seem to have changed over the past year. Some people seem to have disappeared, but I imagine it's probably been that way from the beginning. Always changing with the melting pot that it is. It keeps it interesting. When negativity(not good-natured fun)starts, I just move on. The problem usually is people who feel compelled to take issue with everything and keeps those threads going and going. There's much to learn here and a lot of wisdom in the non-music threads, but you have to learn when to leave it and move on.

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Tone d' F
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:50 AM

Life is what you make it, if you want to go around looking at the bleak side of things that's what you will find.

I find the 'cat freindly and informative they even sometimes talk to little me, what more do you want

----------------------------------------------------------- An optimist is a pessimist without experience

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 07:45 AM

I reckon BOB is a good guy and people should be nice to him.john

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 07:59 AM

But then I'm sure people have said that about Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Ben Laden .......

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 08:00 AM

I'll rephrase that, as I've a bit more to add. I agree with Mark, Jon and Murray, from what I understand BOB is new to the internet and is using his wifes computer, he is off work at the minute on sick, he posts a lot but so do a lot of other people, I am certain he is not trying to annoy people, I have noticed that some of the insults directed towards him have been from regular mudcat members .On the "what do you like about Mudcat" thread Bob says "I like the friends I have made here, and the community".Lets give BOB a chance it would be a real shame if after finding this site, he was driven away becuase a few people made him feel not welcome.I sort of know how he might feel because when I first came here a few people took the piss out of my spelling, and I was going to leave but then I thought " ok, my spelling is not very good, so what!" If BOB does leave I wish him well with his diet and his depression and any other problems he is having.john

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 08:05 AM

Dave Bryant-I have just seen your message and that is exactly the kind of crap I am talking about.I don't know why you are trying to make trouble, if you have got nothing nice or useful to say you should keep quiet.john

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 08:32 AM

Thanks to all of you who got something out of my post. There are many ways of saying the same thing, "What goes around, comes around" etc. There is a piece of eastern philosophy that sticks in my head, "Your opinion of me is none of my business." No one can MAKE you feel sad, glad, mad or whatever. YOU make that decision. If someone disrespects you, it says more about them than about you, but, how you feel about it is strictly up to you. You can either laugh in his/her face, weep bitterly or clock the bastard. As Shakespere said "Nothing is good or bad, thinking makes them so." I like to think that we all know how to be decent caring people, but, sometimes our own "stuff" gets in the way and we react with our reptilian brain. I lit into my doctor the other day when he complained that he and his staff had worked on my problem all day! I told him I had worked on it for almost a year! His time is valuable to him, my voice is valuable to me. Simple.

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: M.Ted
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 08:50 AM

JJ,have you seen any of the other Internet discussion forums, or, especially, the Usenet groups? This place is a veritable Sunday School compared to many, if not most of them (maybe not a Baptist Sunday School, but..)--

As for you, Kendall, I never saw anyone get so much mileage out of an old joke in my life!

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Dani
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 08:50 AM

Yeah, Kendall, only, there's one problem. Since when do they got PIAZZAS in MAINE!!

We got PO-ACHES in NC, not that I'm bitter...

Dani

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 09:51 AM

John_from_Hull,
You have also just illustrated what I was saying in my posting before last. Why do people have to be so serious all the while and read malice into every posting ?

I agree that 53BOB seems to have a lot of problems, but if you look though his postings, many of them are much more caustic than mine was.

The beginning of this thread didn't specifically refer to BOB - his "Retirement" is the subject of another thread, but this one now seems to have been hijacked. My last posting was meant to be light-hearted (rather like "as the bishop said to the actress") - your reaction was much more "bitter". Perhaps it would help BOB if people sent him private messages, rather than just discuss him openly - I'd be surprised if he's not having a peek at the site - it would only be human nature after all.

Anyway, if anyone was offended (BOB ?) - I render abject apologies. Perhaps we should have a thread designation for "This thread contains sarcasm, bad humour etc. and is not suitable for people of a touchy or over-serious disposition" !

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 10:01 AM

Incidently, If you think that posting was out-of-order, have a look at some of the things I've said about Breezy and McGrath !

(That keep the two of them busy for a while - searching for all my remarks about them)

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Kim C
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 10:01 AM

On the Civil War list, we call it Cranky Season... the time of year between about November and about February or March, when there aren't too many events to go to. People get bored and antsy and start jumping down each other's throats for the silliest things.

Also known as Cabin Fever, I reckon.

Sure, sometimes people aren't so nice to each other. But that's what happens when you get several hundred people from all over the world together.

It ain't nothin but a thang.

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 11:04 AM

Very true I think, Kim

Subject: RE: Why is this place so bitter?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 11:33 AM

Kendall: I love it, I love it, I love it! Along the same lines, someone once said (maybe it was even me)"You get the life you perceive." Maybe it was our friend Gordon Bok. Whoever said it, I just said it. I like your telling better, though.
Jerry