FMluvswater
05-22-2003, 06:38 PM
I took exception to the notion expressed in several threads that being here means you don't have a life and that smiling at someone is a waste of space. I have some thoughts. You can read them. You can also choose not to.
I happen to like message boards in general but I love coming to this message board in particular. It is my favorite place on the net. I've made some really good friends here, I've laughed, I've celebrated with people; I've even learned that a V8 engine has 8 cylinders and that Bayliners are not fast boats. wink I've seen pictures of places I may never have the occasion to visit. (Sigh. Havasu is really beautiful BTW). I've been exposed to music that is new to me, which IMO is ****in' EH! I love finding new music to gorge on!
I'll never know for certain but it is quite possible that I have been smiled at more here than in real life even. Smiles are good! I like 'em! I generously give 'em away and I love getting 'em!
Every visit here is like a small social get together that I don't have to spend an hour getting ready to go to. I don't even have to leave my home. I don't have to deal with traffic. I don't have to wonder if refreshments will be served. I don't have to dread the host's choice in party music. I don't have to worry about offending the host if I show up late or leave early or don't show up at all or sit reading in a corner the whole time or stay for a really long time. The party feels like it's in my home and yet I don't have to feed anyone or clean up any messes. I can socialise or not and nobody gets upset about my choice either way. On an average social day here I probably spend time talking with a half dozen people sometimes more sometimes less. It feels like visiting. I am not about to go visit 6 people a day IRL. It's impractical. Especially not for so short a visit as what most of my conversations here amount to. Often there are lengthy pauses in conversations on the board that pick right up where they left off when they do resume. Can you imagine a phonecall like that oh hey buddy can you hang on the line and I'll answer you in like 3 hours?
When was the last time you wrote a note on a piece of paper and dropped it off at your friends place who wasn't home and all the note says is hey I was here hope you're having a great day see you when I see you? Most people would be pleased to get such a simple note ... means somebody was thinking good thoughts about them. I see those kind of notes all over most message boards. This board is sure no exception.
Life is very hectic for most people these days. It's not so much a matter of time- there really are still just 24 hours in a day. It's a matter of priorities and trying to juggle expectations for ourselves and from others. We all need contact with other people; a chance to laugh or rant or celebrate or relate or share news or simply to be reminded that we are not alone. We all have lives. Apparently we choose to include in our lives this message board and the other people who also choose to be here.
Would I choose to be on a message board instead of going to a real life get together? No. I'd happily spend an hour getting ready and all of that other stuff but ... for my everyday need to socialise, and talk to people and be smiled at message boards are the shiznit! :D I don't have a problem with lurkers or people of few words. They're here. Good enough. If and when they decide to post and socialise is their choice and I respect that. I want my choice respected as well. I'm a little puzzled over the constant mention of posts being off-topic if they aren't boating related ... the description under the forum heading plainly calls The Sandbar The off-topic social lounge. I don't post my fluffy social fun stuff in any of the other Hot Boat forums. I believe I'm not breaking any rules if my posts on this forum are not boating related. Maybe the description under the forum heading needs rewording if I actually am breaking any rules (just never mind Sir Mr. Mod Sir put the sirens away! Hoser. :p :D ).
As to the controversial or drama threads; I don't have a problem with those personally.
Do I lurk in them yeah I do sometimes. I don't choose to participate usually is all. Some people need those kind of threads it's a different kind of connection. Ranting isn't evil. The people who participate in those threads are adults. They know what they are doing. They can take some name calling and bantering and shit disturbance or they wouldn't participate. It's harmless and it is just text on a screen. I don't understand why those types of threads are discouraged. It's just venting. I do think the name-calling should be limited to those who are choosing to participate so that they have fair chance to dish back. Other than that, I'm baffled as to why non-participants can't just let them have their drama threads.
This whole board is like a big party and all the threads are lil groups of people standing around talking. Some of the conversations are just sharing of information, some are about serious issues, some are getting to know you better, some are ice-breakers, some are party games, some are just for laughs, some are friends catching up, some are friends ribbing eachother good-naturedly, some are flirtatious and laced with sexual innuendo, some are educational and some are just purely brain candy entertainment. I say join whatever apeals to you. Eavesdrop. Interject. Stick with just a few types of talks or make your rounds. I simply do not understand :confused: what the point is, of trying to ruin someone else's enjoyment if they choose to participate in a thread that you would not choose to participate in yourself. If only it could be simplified to:
1.get along with who you want to get along with,
2.ignore those you can't stand and
3.have knock-down drag out text/smilie fights with whoever is willing
Those are just some thoughts I was thinking. I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to have those here. wink
Take care everyone. I really mean it. :)
Oh and one more thing ...
HOT BOAT THE SANDBAR FORUM ... ROCKS!
I love visiting this board. :D
I happen to like message boards in general but I love coming to this message board in particular. It is my favorite place on the net. I've made some really good friends here, I've laughed, I've celebrated with people; I've even learned that a V8 engine has 8 cylinders and that Bayliners are not fast boats. wink I've seen pictures of places I may never have the occasion to visit. (Sigh. Havasu is really beautiful BTW). I've been exposed to music that is new to me, which IMO is ****in' EH! I love finding new music to gorge on!
I'll never know for certain but it is quite possible that I have been smiled at more here than in real life even. Smiles are good! I like 'em! I generously give 'em away and I love getting 'em!
Every visit here is like a small social get together that I don't have to spend an hour getting ready to go to. I don't even have to leave my home. I don't have to deal with traffic. I don't have to wonder if refreshments will be served. I don't have to dread the host's choice in party music. I don't have to worry about offending the host if I show up late or leave early or don't show up at all or sit reading in a corner the whole time or stay for a really long time. The party feels like it's in my home and yet I don't have to feed anyone or clean up any messes. I can socialise or not and nobody gets upset about my choice either way. On an average social day here I probably spend time talking with a half dozen people sometimes more sometimes less. It feels like visiting. I am not about to go visit 6 people a day IRL. It's impractical. Especially not for so short a visit as what most of my conversations here amount to. Often there are lengthy pauses in conversations on the board that pick right up where they left off when they do resume. Can you imagine a phonecall like that oh hey buddy can you hang on the line and I'll answer you in like 3 hours?
When was the last time you wrote a note on a piece of paper and dropped it off at your friends place who wasn't home and all the note says is hey I was here hope you're having a great day see you when I see you? Most people would be pleased to get such a simple note ... means somebody was thinking good thoughts about them. I see those kind of notes all over most message boards. This board is sure no exception.
Life is very hectic for most people these days. It's not so much a matter of time- there really are still just 24 hours in a day. It's a matter of priorities and trying to juggle expectations for ourselves and from others. We all need contact with other people; a chance to laugh or rant or celebrate or relate or share news or simply to be reminded that we are not alone. We all have lives. Apparently we choose to include in our lives this message board and the other people who also choose to be here.
Would I choose to be on a message board instead of going to a real life get together? No. I'd happily spend an hour getting ready and all of that other stuff but ... for my everyday need to socialise, and talk to people and be smiled at message boards are the shiznit! :D I don't have a problem with lurkers or people of few words. They're here. Good enough. If and when they decide to post and socialise is their choice and I respect that. I want my choice respected as well. I'm a little puzzled over the constant mention of posts being off-topic if they aren't boating related ... the description under the forum heading plainly calls The Sandbar The off-topic social lounge. I don't post my fluffy social fun stuff in any of the other Hot Boat forums. I believe I'm not breaking any rules if my posts on this forum are not boating related. Maybe the description under the forum heading needs rewording if I actually am breaking any rules (just never mind Sir Mr. Mod Sir put the sirens away! Hoser. :p :D ).
As to the controversial or drama threads; I don't have a problem with those personally.
Do I lurk in them yeah I do sometimes. I don't choose to participate usually is all. Some people need those kind of threads it's a different kind of connection. Ranting isn't evil. The people who participate in those threads are adults. They know what they are doing. They can take some name calling and bantering and shit disturbance or they wouldn't participate. It's harmless and it is just text on a screen. I don't understand why those types of threads are discouraged. It's just venting. I do think the name-calling should be limited to those who are choosing to participate so that they have fair chance to dish back. Other than that, I'm baffled as to why non-participants can't just let them have their drama threads.
This whole board is like a big party and all the threads are lil groups of people standing around talking. Some of the conversations are just sharing of information, some are about serious issues, some are getting to know you better, some are ice-breakers, some are party games, some are just for laughs, some are friends catching up, some are friends ribbing eachother good-naturedly, some are flirtatious and laced with sexual innuendo, some are educational and some are just purely brain candy entertainment. I say join whatever apeals to you. Eavesdrop. Interject. Stick with just a few types of talks or make your rounds. I simply do not understand :confused: what the point is, of trying to ruin someone else's enjoyment if they choose to participate in a thread that you would not choose to participate in yourself. If only it could be simplified to:
1.get along with who you want to get along with,
2.ignore those you can't stand and
3.have knock-down drag out text/smilie fights with whoever is willing
Those are just some thoughts I was thinking. I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to have those here. wink
Take care everyone. I really mean it. :)
Oh and one more thing ...
HOT BOAT THE SANDBAR FORUM ... ROCKS!
I love visiting this board. :D