Regarding the board,THIS forum & FLUFF

[NightOwl]

Someone recently asked:: "Do you think it's an accident that less and less people are posting here, including Nightowl and Suzy Q and a few others that used to be regulars? "  Ha, ha--all my old friends here who REALLY KNOW ME know that FLUFF is where it's at as far as I'm concerned.

Toni was right when she said I was gone on a  long automobile trip (Tucson, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Ann Arbor) and that I was having computer troubles.  And life has been hectic since I returned.  And then there was the change of boards--Sheesh--then when I tried to log back in here, it was a true comedy of errors and I kept  making one goofy mistake after another and was down to my last "login" before  "IT" was going to make me sit in the corner for 15 minutes before I could try again.

It is good to be back, and while  I do think that we need to consider just how "fluffy" we ought to make our fluffiness, I also cannot imagine this board without Birol  or  Angelsmom or some of the others who habitually come here to reach out for someone to communicate with.  If their posts are lightherated or even, in some people's eyes,  sometimes totally inconsequential, I dont mind and I  wish them pleasure in communicating with each other and  enjoying the board.

This seems like a good time to remark that those  who object to OT posts in forums like the General and MrFixit and the like, have my complete agreement and sympathy.  And there is rarely--if ever-- an excuse for hi-jacking any of those threads.

But, let's remember, THE CAMPFIRE FORUM was expressly created  for all kinds of silly, pointless, non-camping related, (sometimes poignant)  remarks.  I believe it was Dave who , upon creating The Campfire (or was it Steve?)  made the following  wise and  unforgettable statement: "MAKE FLUFF, NOT WAR!"  I think I also saw a  sign that said: "NO BUCKET DUMPING HERE"

Like many of you, my motives in coming to this board have changed over time.  At first, I had much to learn about the new generations of popups and of camping in them.   Although an experienced camper, as a backpacker, a tenter, and  a popup user,  I had never used a popup which had "HOOK UPS"   Our old Skamper didnt mess with such new fangled stuff.  And so I was full of questions.

Then, as time wore on and my questions were answered, I became drawn to the sense of community created at PUT.  Goodness, the list of people I considered dear friends and inspirations here  was practically endless.  We prayed for each other and we laughed and cried together, we told silly stories, and we agonized with each other over which popup to get and how to get dealers to honor their  sales pitches, and a bunch of us even got Birol and his kids into ACTUALLY CAMPING!   Life was good.

The Campfire Forum allowed those of us with griefs  over jobs lost or health matters or other worries to reach out for an "emotional helping  hand", someone to take our minds off our problems, someone to let us know that out there in cyberspace beats another heart in time with our own, someone who cares and understands that sometimes we are afraid of the dark.  I've always felt that some of the people who have come here and done the most "fluffing" have special needs which they  cant just come right out and admit, so  when I feel I might grow weary of  some of their posts, I just  read parts of them or pass them by and fiigure I'll catch up with them another time.

My main concern about the  controversy in some recent  threads is that perhaps some of the newer members might misjudge us or misunderatnd and feel we will attack them if they dont say something profound or ask some Boffo Question.  They may receive the (wrong) impression that we are a squabbling bunch of hyper-crititical old grouches, a closed corporation of  stiff-necked types who spend our time censoring what members say.  Nothing could be further from the truth, despite some of our heated disagreements.

Several people have (rightfully, I think) referred to what I have for quite awhile considered an on-going problem with this new (pay) board.  And that is the lack of new blood asking questions.  They kept the old board very active and  I remember very fondly all the newbies wanting advice over which PU to buy, which dealer to trust--and then would follow the thread "WE JUST BROUGHT OUR NEW BABY HOME", followed quickly  by dozens of questions which came under the heading: "Now We've Got It, What The Hell Do We Do With It?."   We no longer have very much of this.  And most of us old timers no longer need this kind of  info either.  So what is left?  Mainly socializing and trading silly remarks and arranging rallies and camp-outs.

Perhaps, Dave is mulling over whether HE  actually wants to continue this board.   If I were he, I might well  be wondering if it is worth the time and effort and money to keep the thing afloat after March or April, and would be considering if the board, as it now exists, serves its original purpose of being a "feeder-site" for funneling new subscribers to the magazine.  Perhaps, this is no longer an important function in Dave's eyes or perhaps his motive for providing it has changed, just as  the focus of the site has changed.  Only time will tell.

Imperfect as the place is,  while it exists, I will come here now and then when I have some spare time because there are people here I LOVE!  Our living rooms are miles apart, I dont know the color of their skin or how many square feet their houses have, how old their car is,  the cost of their rig,  whether their collar is blue or white or plaid; but none of these things are important.  

 If you have a kind heart and a love of God's great outdoors, then it is a privilege to be your friend and visit with you here..     .

[B-flat]

I am so glad you came back to visit and I do hope you will be back a lot more.  We need you here.  Yes, things have changed quite a bit but there are still plenty of friends here and more friends to be made and more camping to do.

[wiininkwe]

:W
 
Hello, Niidji, so good to see you here again after so long.
  I think you have gotten right to the heart of the matter with the things you've said in this post, and agree with you completely.   I have promised to (try to) stay away from any more mudslinging, but this thread is certainly not critical or confrontational to any one.   We need to remember what is is that brought us all together in the first place, and why we all felt it was so important to become members of this community.   Maybe we are all suffering from stress of the times, or something, that is making us reach out and slap (figuratively) one another lately.   Let's try to take a deep breath after reading something that upsets us, and examine the reason that it upsets us.  Then, we can be more objective about our responses.   And, if our response turns out to be 'fluffy', well.......
T

[birol]

Well said .......

Welcome back to the board, and stick around will you ? After all you want to know when we initiate the Porta Potti, don't you ?  

[NightOwl]

Well said .......

Welcome back to the board, and stick around will you ? After all you want to know when we initiate the Porta Potti, don't you ?  

Birol, fond as I am of you and Babette and the Baby Birols, I am not exactly sure I really want to know ANY details of  the Porta Potti initiation.  However, I will say,  that  I am extremely particular who I would send such a gift to (especially across international borders--hmm, I wonder if UPS got it to you over The Friendship Bridge?) and so  I am truly delighted that you-all have it now and have agreed to give it a good home.

[B-flat]

When that package I sent to you gets there birol, please don't wait for the potti initiation.

[NightOwl]

When that package I sent to you gets there birol, please don't wait for the potti initiation.

Dang, Nancy!  Are you trying to hi-jack this here thread?

Would someone please explain to me how I can get some of them there smiley thangs to appear in my messages.  I am in a realy smiley mood today and want to make a post using them.

[birol]

When that package I sent to you gets there birol, please don't wait for the potti initiation.

Got them Thanks a bunch, after reading them I will pass them on if anyone is interested  :W

[birol]

Dang, Nancy!  Are you trying to hi-jack this here thread?

Would someone please explain to me how I can get some of them there smiley thangs to appear in my messages.  I am in a realy smiley mood today and want to make a post using them.

Use the guided mode to answer stuff, adn you will see the icons to the left of where you type the answer ......

[NightOwl]

Use the guided mode to answer stuff, adn you will see the icons to the left of where you type the answer ......

that makes good sense, Birol, but what the heck is "guided mode" and where do I find it?  Is is lurking under a rock or behind a tree here at the PUT Campground?  I WANT to be able to wave and smile like the rest of you--I feel put upon and left out and  mistreated because I cant do this.  A wave is a terrible thing to lose.

It is my personal opinion based on careful analysis that one simply cannot post worthwhile  Fluff if one cannot wave and smile properly while posting  the aforementioned Fluff (isnt "aforementioned" a wonderful word--it sounds so profound, but Fluffy at the same time, (although not overly Fluffy, is it?)

[wiininkwe]

:J

 
I would try to tell you how I figured out how to do this, but I stumbled on it by accident and am just computer stoopid enough not to be able to remember how it happened.    Good thing Birol knows about this stuff, we would all be lost, other wise.
T

[MPTDAT]

Back to the original subject of this thread!!  LOL  I haven't wanted to say anything about it before because I felt that I have not been around long enough for anyone to care what I thought.

If anyone here has had a tight knit group of friends either now or in the past, that you hang around with, do things with etc. This group is not unlike that.

We are there to help, answering questions when someone gets a new pop up. (Believe me, come spring and our first camping trip in the new pop up, you will need to help me!!)

We are here to listen when someone has to vent about things that are just not fair. (Yes, I know, I like to vent too!!  LOL)

We are here to give a cyber hug and send our prayers when a loved one is sick, injured, or has passed away.

We are here to celebrate when something wonderful has happened or someone has a new pop up purchase.

We are here to congratulate when someone has done something wonderful be it a college degree or changing a tire on their pop up.

As in any group of friends, it is not always serious. There are times when joking or just plain old silliness is needed to let us escape from the every day doldrums.

I know that having all of that in your friends makes us well rounded individuals and all the "fluff" on this board usually gives me a big smile just when I need it the most. I want to thank you for that!!

-Debby

[NightOwl]

Back to the original subject of this thread!!  LOL  I haven't wanted to say anything about it before because I felt that I have not been around long enough for anyone to care what I thought.

If anyone here has had a tight knit group of friends either now or in the past, that you hang around with, do things with etc. This group is not unlike that.

We are there to help, answering questions when someone gets a new pop up. (Believe me, come spring and our first camping trip in the new pop up, you will need to help me!!)

We are here to listen when someone has to vent about things that are just not fair. (Yes, I know, I like to vent too!!  LOL)

We are here to give a cyber hug and send our prayers when a loved one is sick, injured, or has passed away.

We are here to celebrate when something wonderful has happened or someone has a new pop up purchase.

We are here to congratulate when someone has done something wonderful be it a college degree or changing a tire on their pop up.

As in any group of friends, it is not always serious. There are times when joking or just plain old silliness is needed to let us escape from the every day doldrums.

I know that having all of that in your friends makes us well rounded individuals and all the "fluff" on this board usually gives me a big smile just when I need it the most. I want to thank you for that!!

-Debby

Debby, I have never seen this expressed more simply or more clearly and your post is a perfect example of what

[NightOwl]

Back to the original subject of this thread!!  LOL  I haven't wanted to say anything about it before because I felt that I have not been around long enough for anyone to care what I thought.

If anyone here has had a tight knit group of friends either now or in the past, that you hang around with, do things with etc. This group is not unlike that.

We are there to help, answering questions when someone gets a new pop up. (Believe me, come spring and our first camping trip in the new pop up, you will need to help me!!)

We are here to listen when someone has to vent about things that are just not fair. (Yes, I know, I like to vent too!!  LOL)

We are here to give a cyber hug and send our prayers when a loved one is sick, injured, or has passed away.

We are here to celebrate when something wonderful has happened or someone has a new pop up purchase.

We are here to congratulate when someone has done something wonderful be it a college degree or changing a tire on their pop up.

As in any group of friends, it is not always serious. There are times when joking or just plain old silliness is needed to let us escape from the every day doldrums.

I know that having all of that in your friends makes us well rounded individuals and all the "fluff" on this board usually gives me a big smile just when I need it the most. I want to thank you for that!!

-Debby

Debby, I have never seen this thought expressed more simply or more clearly,  and your post is a perfect example of what is RIGHT with this board and what is lacking in some others. Thanks for the inspiration.

And yes, like you, I have come here numerous times when I needed a laugh and have often found it in posts like the ones Birol makes--for example, check out his thread on Snowing.  Somehow, he has managed to use a simple weather report as a method for finagling an invitation to come and swim in Cindy's new pool LOL

[Kelly]

Would someone please explain to me how I can get some of them there smiley thangs to appear in my messages. I am in a realy smiley mood today and want to make a post using them.

Nice to see you, NightOwl.  
 
This should help you get some smiley things in your posts  :J
Up at the top, click on User CP ... then choose Options .... scroll down until you come to the heading Other Options (you didn't know we had so many choices, did you? ) ... under Other Options click on the circle next to Show Enhanced Toolbar.  Makes it real easy to add smiley things and change fonts and other fancy stuff.
 
Don't forget to click Submit at the bottom!  (Gonna leave that one alone )
 
Hope this helps.