The time is up and I continue my merry way in search of new horizons. I leave here with a little less ignorance than when I came in (or at least so I think). I have met some interesting ideas and people that will carry with me for a long time. Thanks to all of you for the good things and my apologies for the bad ones.
I am sorry I have to say goodbye in this way, but I am sure that my “Should I cut the red wire or the blue one? (need answers fast)” thread would have been locked in an instant and gotten me banned, preventing me from ever returning if I ever feel the need.
For all the bitching I have done recently, I leave here with no ill feelings towards TPTB. I think they are, on the whole, doing a good job. The fact that I spent time picking nits is just a sign that there was nothing bigger to pick.
This is a great community and I wish you all a great ride.
Thanks to the well wishers. There is no real reason to leave. It is just that there is no real reason to stay. I am not leaving in a huff and I am not ruling out a return. I just have other things that I find more deserving of my limited attention right now.
To be bluntly honest, I got here by accident (plane on a treadmill link from elsewhere!), and decided that I liked GD to discuss the bigger things in life. It turns out that my first impression of it was wildly wrong. GD is dead as it is. I stuck around for the rest of the stuff, and considered it good entertainment. The thing is, I can discuss recipes, reality TV and general outrage in meatspace (and Formula One in a specialized forum I frequent). What I needed was a place for the bigger issues, and this is not it.
Money is not an issue at all. If I can afford to stay at home for a year to enjoy my daughter, you can guess that I can afford $15 for this. I spend a lot more than that on lesser whims. It is just that, believe it or not, I try to minimize my computer time and this is a bit of a time black hole, as many of you might know.
I like the majority of people here (including and particularly the ones with whom I have fought the most). It is just that I prefer to save the time for the people in my most immediate environment. I am a simple guy that way.
So please, nobody get to the wrong conclusions about my departure. And don’t be surprised to see me return come September when my daughter starts school, depending on what I choose to do with my time then.
There is no spoon.
Truly Sapo, despite your recent travails, I will be sorry to see you go. May your pastures be greener on the other side of the fence and know that some of us Dopers would be thrilled if you return. Take care.
I’ve been wanting to get into your threads and call you names and make you look bad with scurrilous lies about you. And now all I have to do is wait until your status turns to guest and . . . . bonanza!!
Thanks for the warning so I can ramp up.
You’re not going to be tempted to correct any of the scurrilous lies, are you?*
*I hope you are because that would be the whole point.