Ill have to look at the pit. I rarely read there. Dirty fingers not my forte.
I think it is pathetic that some people take a MESSAGE BOARD so seriously that it affects their lives.
I agree with UncleBeer (Hi sweety ;)) that if you are so emotionally involved that you feel that you must leave, then maybe you should, if only for your own mental health. The day I let a message board affect me in the real world, will be the day I shove myself away from the keyboard.
Having said that, anyone want to create a betting pool to see how long the MIAs can stay away?
Pardon me while I burst into flames.
Hey, Diane’s here. How are you, love of my life? It’s time now to divert this thread for some outrageous flirting.
I’ve been naughty; I should be spanked.
I thought they were already back. (See the various posts by “Me1in” and “Melin Sympathizer.”)
:rolleyes:
Taking bets on when disgruntled posters will return just makes it that much harder for them to do so. Give it a rest.
Ten bucks says they’ll be back by Easter.
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.” — Han Solo
NothingMan - Satan’s been distracted by getting engaged and related mushy shit unbecoming of a Prince of Darkness. :rolleyes:
Speaking of which,
To each her own, Diane, but I hope you can see that that’s not everyone’s best course of action. 
I disagree. I think that this is as valid a way to connect with friends as hanging out anywhere else…online OR in real life. I just don’t see the major distinction that you do, I guess, in how you communicate with other people. To me whether you’re talking face to face, over the phone, via letters, via email, via chat, via a message board… it’s all pretty much the same. And if you say that some people take personal interaction so seriously that it affects their lives, then I think you are very strange indeed.
–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
I disagree. I think that this is as valid a way to connect with friends as hanging out anywhere else…online OR in real life. I just don’t see the major distinction that you do, I guess, in how you communicate with other people. To me whether you’re talking face to face, over the phone, via letters, via email, via chat, via a message board… it’s all pretty much the same. And if you say that some people take personal interaction so seriously that it affects their lives, then I think you are very strange indeed.
–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
I disagree. I think that this is as valid a way to connect with friends as hanging out anywhere else…online OR in real life. I just don’t see the major distinction that you do, I guess, in how you communicate with other people. To me whether you’re talking face to face, over the phone, via letters, via email, via chat, via a message board… it’s all pretty much the same. And if you say that some people take personal interaction so seriously that it affects their lives, then I think you are very strange indeed.
–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
I disagree. I think that this is as valid a way to connect with friends as hanging out anywhere else…online OR in real life. I just don’t see the major distinction that you do, I guess, in how you communicate with other people. To me whether you’re talking face to face, over the phone, via letters, via email, via chat, via a message board… it’s all pretty much the same. And if you say that some people take personal interaction so seriously that it affects their lives, then I think you are very strange indeed.
–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
I disagree. I think that this is as valid a way to connect with friends as hanging out anywhere else…online OR in real life. I just don’t see the major distinction that you do, I guess, in how you communicate with other people. To me whether you’re talking face to face, over the phone, via letters, via email, via chat, via a message board… it’s all pretty much the same. And if you say that some people take personal interaction so seriously that it affects their lives, then I think you are very strange indeed.
–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
I disagree. I think that this is as valid a way to connect with friends as hanging out anywhere else…online OR in real life. I just don’t see the major distinction that you do, I guess, in how you communicate with other people. To me whether you’re talking face to face, over the phone, via letters, via email, via chat, via a message board… it’s all pretty much the same. And if you say that some people take personal interaction so seriously that it affects their lives, then I think you are very strange indeed.
–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
I disagree. I think that this is as valid a way to connect with friends as hanging out anywhere else…online OR in real life. I just don’t see the major distinction that you do, I guess, in how you communicate with other people. To me whether you’re talking face to face, over the phone, via letters, via email, via chat, via a message board… it’s all pretty much the same. And if you say that some people take personal interaction so seriously that it affects their lives, then I think you are very strange indeed.
–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
I disagree. I think that this is as valid a way to connect with friends as hanging out anywhere else…online OR in real life. I just don’t see the major distinction that you do, I guess, in how you communicate with other people. To me whether you’re talking face to face, over the phone, via letters, via email, via chat, via a message board… it’s all pretty much the same. And if you say that some people take personal interaction so seriously that it affects their lives, then I think you are very strange indeed.
–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
I disagree. I think that this is as valid a way to connect with friends as hanging out anywhere else…online OR in real life. I just don’t see the major distinction that you do, I guess, in how you communicate with other people. To me whether you’re talking face to face, over the phone, via letters, via email, via chat, via a message board… it’s all pretty much the same. And if you say that some people take personal interaction so seriously that it affects their lives, then I think you are very strange indeed.
–
From an actual catalog: “Disco balls create an enchanting, dazzling effect of light shafts, adding movement and glamour to any occasion”
the Abrams’ bris was certainly memorable
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
Quote by Diane:
Hey! I have a good idea, Diane. Why don’t you hold your breath and wait. No cheating!
::
:::
I agree with Opal’s stance but ended up at a different conclusion. The friendships here are real but I can’t recall an IRL, spitting, bitch slapping brawl like this since high school.
Make that grade school.
If folks can’t tolerate the presence of others because of old grudges and disagreements then maybe it’s best if they leave for a while. Maybe with time they’ll just be able to avoid or ignore the people they don’t like.
I’m just sorry that bystanders may have left because they got disgusted and bored by this brouhaha bogarting the board.
Veb
Opal - Damn girl, you must really disagree with me. 
I know my words sounded harsh so let me clarify them a little bit better.
I understand just as well as anyone the value of online friendships.
I just buried one of my best friends today - someone I met on a local message board more than 5 years ago.
The board was created to debate religion. As you can imagine, living in Utah, the board got extremely heated at times. My friend Don was a very religious man but he was always very respectful toward us “heathens” as we were toward him. Within a very short time, we met and began a long and wonderful friendship. Even though we had vast differences, I have never had more fun than the times spent with him and I have had very few friends whom I have loved as much.
I have other online friendships that have gone into the real world as well as deep friendships that will forever remain online. I don’t value them any less than those in the real world (I hate that term. If anyone can come up with something better than “real world”, please tell me. It sounds like the people online are in some kind of altered state.)
I understand that behind every post, there is a real person with real feelings. There is a very real possibility to go beyond just a screen name and create a deep friendship, if not fall madly in love.
I am not cold-hearted, nor am I blind to the fact that very real people are on the other end of a keyboard. Trust me, the friend I buried today became much more than words on my screen.
Having said that, I think that sometimes we need to put things into perspective. There are too many things in our day to day lives that upset or hurt us or cause us stress.
Important things.
I am sorry Melin was banned. She is my friend and I will miss her dearly. But I feel sad for those of you who are allowing yourselves to be so emotionally trashed by this situation. I don’t say this to belittle any friendships here, I know they are real, but as I said, this is only a message board.
I don’t pay my monthly Internet provider for the opportunity to come online and be hurt or angered. I come here for the interaction and because I enjoy myself.
I come here because it is a nice escape from the trials of life. Don’t we already have to deal with enough stress? You know, things like:
Burying one of your best friends?
Trying to deal with the anniversary of your little brother’s death?
Talking a friend (an online friend) through a sad divorce, even at all hours of the night?
Feeling helpess with the everyday contact with the mentally and physically disabled and not being able to “fix” them?
Missing your dad who lives on the other side of the world?
Raising kids as a single parent?
Bills?
Traffic?
Teenagers?
The loneliness that creeps upon single people even though we are surrounded by friends and family and even dates?
Watching someone you love waste away from cancer?
The overwhelming sadness I feel when I need to call the only person who really understood me, only she is 6 feet under?
The exhaustion I sometimes feel from life in general?
All I am asking, is can’t some of you try to put things into perspective?
Oh, and UncleBeer . . . . :::smooches:::
Pardon me while I burst into flames.
I’m here. I’ve never been part of a soap opera before. I keep waiting to see if I’ll turn out to be transgendered or meet my long lost ( Evil, natch.) twin.
Cecil said it. I believe it. That settles it.