Had a very interesting visit with a local Snarkpit member.

The visit only lasted a bit less than three hours but was fun. Was a real shame I was so pressed for time.
You would think with my job that it would be no trouble setting up a meeting but except at either end of my routes, time is almost always short.
Took us years but the ducks finally lined up.

Thanx for the visit and looking forward to the next.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Is it a mystery for now who you met?

Anyway, meeting someone in real life is always fun when you've only talked to them on forums etc for a long time.

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Its not a secret or anything but he wanted to post something too so I was waiting. He'll be here in a day or two.

Was a really nice visit. Can't believe time passed so fast.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Ok no problem!

Good to hear it was fun, yes, time tends to fly by when you're talking to someone you've been wanting to see for some time.

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

. Yup. Believe it or not, we didn't talk about HL, Snarkpit, or anything game related........ whistles tunelessly

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The best things in life, aren't things.

That's very cool. I had some long haul friends that I used to play lineage 2 with. Whenever they were in the area we used to have lan parties. It was a ton of fun.
So whenever you get to the Chicago area and have some time look me up. I'll pm all my info.

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Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.

With this company, I have only been to Windy once in almost two years. But, I will be sure to give you a holler.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Yeah make sure to look me up the next time your in the El Paso Region Orph, I am sure we can have a very interesting conversation.

Ok, I've been waiting until I've had time and my SD card with me to make a post about this, but surprise surprise, it was I Orph met up with. We talked for a little while, which ended up working out fine in my schedule. It was the beginning of a new quarter, so I didn't have something due the next day. and no obligation that afternoon, so after 4 years of attempting to meet up (I would travel to opposite ends of the state Orph would be driving down) so it felt like it would never work out.

But lo and behold, it did!

Either way, we took a photo and I plan to upload it soon for all the world to see.

It was a real pleasure Orph. I'm glad it worked out and I too look forward to next meeting.

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

Haha awesome! I really didn't know.

It's a shame I live on the other side of the world but perhaps sometime in the future. Not to mention that for my next school, I have to go abroad at least once to have a temporary job for about 10 weeks. That'll be in 1 to 4 years from now. No idea where I'll be going though.

But to stay on topic, can't wait for the picture (Or can I? :S)

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Of course you can see the picture Nib. All you're gonna see is a tired old man and a kid trying to get away from his grasp.

I was so freaking tired but it was a great visit. I'd really wish I had more time.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Hahaha that will only make it even funnier.

By the way, awesome sig

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

At last, ok I've got a little time to spend:

Behold, The Orpheus and The Riven meet-up in Ruston, Louisiana, USA: That makes for what, two or three actual meet-ups of SnarkPit members? (who didn't already know one another before SnarkPit)

It's hard trying to make time for that sort of thing. I just can't wait to get my life back once school is over. I may loose sleep to both games AND architecture, but at least games don't make me age any faster.

And if I remember right, this makes for the 5th picture of myself ever posted to the internet AFAIK. Am I more social now?

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

Man I look so tired.
Can't wait till the next visit though.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Cargo pants? What is this, 1998?

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Hah cool picture.

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Hah cool, nice picture

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Aaron's Stuff

Great Picture, its awesome you got the chance to finally meet.

Orpheus looks just like I had imagined him, Riven looks nerdy

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Just Kidding

Just Kidding

That doesn't sound so friendly Unless your signature is part of your post

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Niborius said:
That doesn't sound so friendly Unless your signature is part of your post

There was nothing wrong with what he said. Its the general mindset of the current Snarkpit that isn't friendly.

Has it really reached the point around here where people HAVE to take offense to every tiny slight? I noticed the other day that you HAD to point out that you weren't taking sides in a debate. That is extremely saddening to me. IMO, you're comments were so benign, that a clarification of your position was totally unnecessary.

Yes, I am an old, dumpy looking guy. Since I had no trouble with his comment, YOU should have no trouble with his comment.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

"Orpheus" said:
There was nothing wrong with what he said. Its the general mindset of the current Snarkpit that isn't friendly.

This is what happens to me every time this week, when someone misunderstands me in a chat message (or forum, in this case).

I only meant it as a joke , I am not offended, I am not troubled by his post, and I'm sure no one is.

Sometimes I may write things a little different than I should because English is not my native language.

And yes I just pointed that out because it was true. I was one of the few who had a laugh at your post, and now I seem to be the one that is blamed.

Really, I couldn't care less what people think about me here, but if they're going to hate or "dislike" me for something that I didn't mean, I think that's unnecessary.

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

No blame is given or received. Those viewpoints are in the eye of the beholder.
All I am doing is pointing out that of late, it has gotten very unfriendly around here. People are NOW having to consider if certain people will be upset about this or that. This habit is bull crap and needs to stop!

There is absolutely no reason for this to be necessary. If a post is upsetting, THE POST will speak for itself. Nobody here needs to point to it. Very, VERY few posts in the history of Snarkpit has been earth shatteringly distressful.

There was no need, nor requirement that you post your position in that topic. Your being a non native speaker of english doesn't preclude this. It does however clarify why you may misunderstand us at times but it is not a driving force behind clarifying that you were not taking sides in a discussion.

As for you making a joke... Seems that I am NOT the only one with a strange sense of humor. NOBODY gets my jokes, ever.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I do understand what you're trying to say though. I've seen it happen a lot around here as well. One person says something completely normal, and the other gets all "angry" about how he doesn't believe what the other one just posted, while there was nothing wrong with it. And that's when the discussion starts and the thread becomes off-topic.

As for you making a joke... Seems that I am NOT the only one with a strange sense of humor. NOBODY gets my jokes, ever.

Sometimes it's not just the jokes that I don't get

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

One of my very best friends online lives in the Netherregions too. He finally understood my posts. You will too. Some day.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Some day.

Nah I understand you most of the time, but sometimes I can really notice the difference between our culture, especially because of the difference in age (Don't take that the wrong way :p)

Then again it would be easier if it were in my own language, but I just see it as a way to improve my English.

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Age is a definite issue here for more reasons than you might imagine. And don't worry about me taking stuff wrong. No one is ever in doubt when I do. thankfully it is way less often than everyone seems to think. I pick on my age way more than anyone here... Except the REALLY annoying members who know who they are and shall remain nameless. (Until they open their mouths and remove ALL doubt)

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Orpheus said:
Age is a definite issue here for more reasons than you might imagine. And don't worry about me taking stuff wrong. No one is ever in doubt when I do. thankfully it is way less often than everyone seems to think. I pick on my age way more than anyone here... Except the REALLY annoying members who know who they are and shall remain nameless. (Until they open their mouths and remove ALL doubt)

Haha yes I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't mind, but I still thought I should mention it

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Why not instead of enforcing and defining issues that plague the boards you help eliminate them by discontinuing their stigma?

I really haven't seen any other members talking about age as a barrier in this community before. Makes you wonder where it's actually coming from, if it's not a clearly noticeable trend in the community.

Language barriers are much more common here, of course. But I don't think anyone's ever gotten put off by something you've said, Niborius. Usually if people know English isn't someone's first language, they become very lenient on how things come across, benefit of the doubt sort of deal. (Although, to be honest, you're from one of the countries that puts out more proficient English as second language speakers.)

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Crono said:
Why not instead of enforcing and defining issues that plague the boards you help eliminate them by discontinuing their stigma?

Dood.. When I am talking about age, I mean AGE. You prolly dunno what its like to constantly worry that some parent some place may notice that a child of theirs is talking to a very old man.

THAT stigma is not something I have any control over but it is a VERY real concern.

It was one of the first things Riven and I discussed when we met. I was still sorta worried that he was a kid pretending to be of legal age. You never know these things in advance.

If you want to help REMOVE any stigmas here at Snarkpit, how about you broaden your horizons beyond what YOU feel is important and think about someone elses viewpoint for a change. You automatically assumed I was picking on the old people/young pup thing when all along it was something MUCH more important.

You are back to the pot calling the kettle black again, and I for one don't like it one bit.

[edit] Feel free to ask Riven if we didn't discuss the age issue. He concurred that it would be a very nerve wracking thing to constantly worry about it.
I was so glad he wasn't a kid..

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I know exactly what you mean ther Orph. My job requires me to be around high school and grade school aged kids all day. Nowdays you have to be SOO careful in what you do or say, it's nerve wracking at times.
As an adult you're under the microscope around anyone under 18 anymore. The wrong touch, gesture, word or comment can cause all sorts of trouble.
Being 57 years old with 6 grandkids and a wonderful wife the last thing I need are some goofs thinking I did something wrong with their children. I'd GIVE my life to protect any child.
It's unfortunate though that people really can't trust others around their kids, and not at all comfortable when you have to be in that postion.

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Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.

Although I admit that it is a bit harder for someone to be inappropriate in a forum than it is in a face to face situation but now days it is so easy for someone to say "He touched my not-not spot" and it is an accusation that can follow you around for the rest of your life.

I agree that it has never happened here at Snarkpit, for which I am sooo thankful, however, it has never been absent from my mind. I hear of people all the time who got turned in for this or that and had the cops beating on their doors because they supposedly did something. Yes, I know that it really happens. Some perv is being bad to kids but it has really gotten out of hand.

Anywho's, because I want to meet with members here while I travel, it only adds to the thinking and because I want to meet, it seems that it is a price I have to contend with. Its a shame. You would think that after over a decade and the pictures that have been posted here of my visits that I could relax but.... I cannot.

Anywho.. THAT was the age thing when I said "More reasons than you might imagine"

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The best things in life, aren't things.

ORPH TOUCHED MY NO NO SPOT! HA HA HA!

I can only read the words on the page, Orpheus. Your comment didn't exactly scream "I'm afraid of being arrested for misconstrued pedophilia". It sounded more like ageism happening on the boards.

And I wasn't accusing you of anything, just to be clear. I was pointing out that community atmosphere is what people make. Based on the comment I had no real way of knowing you meant unwarranted personal accusations as opposed to ageism on the boards. Your comments tend be very ambiguous, and you don't qualify any of them, it's almost impossible to know what exactly you're commenting on as a result.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

1st off, this whole thread is about two people meeting so THAT could be a clue?
2nd its damned if you do and damned if you don't. If someone post ALL the possible directions a thought might encompass, the post would be pages long. If you post a short post, someone invariably assumes the wrong thing MUCH LIKE YOU HAVE.

All anyone can do is post THEIR thoughts and hope for the best.

It seems that the only people who read ageism in comments are those who SEE ageism, excluding of course blatant and undeniable slurs about age. Which, there hasn't been any to my knowledge in a very long time around here.

I have posted at least a 100 times over the years that my biggest concern about meeting members is age. Yeah, its a pretty much given that I am telling the truth about my age but you never know. I could still be lying. The same holds true about others.

I have been talking to Riven on the phone for a very long time. Even if he was 14 or less when he came to Snarkpit, he would almost have to be of legal age by now but still I had a nagging worry. We met in a Walmart parking lot, due to my truck size I needed the space. I was still thinking "Is this public enough?" or "Will someone think its strange enough to call for the cops?"

These are not unfounded worries.

I talk to MazeMaster (Nick Alger) on the phone all the time. He also HAS to be old enough now too but, and don't laugh, he has a voice of a 12 year old. You just cannot tell age by talking to someone. Riven, might have been a minor.

But still, both of the assuredly have to be legal because its simply been to long since they came here.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

sgtfly said:
That's very cool. I had some long haul friends that I used to play lineage 2 with. Whenever they were in the area we used to have lan parties. It was a ton of fun.
So whenever you get to the Chicago area and have some time look me up. I'll pm all my info.

BTW, before I forget. Last week I delivered to Mundelein and picked up in Niles. I was even broke down in Niles for 1/2 a day. I had no way to contact you to visit. I had plenty of time though.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

That's ok, maybe next time. We can sit and down a couple beers and a barbeque then. If you do get up this way bring the family too, I got talked into putting a pool in the back yard for the grandkids.
It better get a lot of use.

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Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.

Orpheus said:
its damned if you do and damned if you don't. If someone post ALL the possible directions a thought might encompass, the post would be pages long. If you post a short post, someone invariably assumes the wrong thing MUCH LIKE YOU HAVE.

Not really. I misunderstood your comment (which I said), but your initial response was barely clarification it was mostly accusation. And somehow I'm an asshole because I read what was on the page and linked it to something you talk about the most often. You haven't talked about concerns of legal ages in a very long time, even if that's your main concern, it hasn't been regularly expressed here for years.

It seems like you're getting offended at something that wasn't meant to be offensive, at all. If you're mad I didn't know exactly what you were talking about immediately, then I'm sorry, but this reaction is entirely unwarranted.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

To use your tired expression (which has really gotten old) "Just to be clear"

I am not offended, just clarifying that even YOU can make a mistake. Also, just to be clear, my expressing my fears about this topic, is no more recent, nor old than the ageism topic, yet you chose the worser of the two to express concern over.

I find that informative. Disturbing but informative. I am NOT calling you a liar because ageism is a topic that has rared its ugly head from time to time. It just enforces my belief that it is getting very unfriendly around here. Perhaps it is time each of us examine our thoughts and ask "Why?"

Had you not brought up the ageism, would this topic have died soundlessly? It at least didn't flare into full flames and that is... Unexpected.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

sgtfly said:
If you do get up this way bring the family too, I got talked into putting a pool in the back yard for the grandkids.
It better get a lot of use.

My son's are grown. Brenda and I live by ourselves and we have a plethora of animals to tend. We have to make special arrangements to feed them for just one day away. Consequently, we do not travel far now. My hopes are that all our animals die, before Brenda and I do so we can travel again like we did when the boys lived at home. Sadly, my wife does not share this wish since all the animals are hers. Contrary to what you may think, its not her desire to be away from me, more that she has this soft spot for every hurt animal in the world. Drives me nuts, but I just cannot say no. She knows I like animals too.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Oh btw sgtfly, if you don't mind me asking, were you succesful with that other copy of Gothic 1 you ordered?

Reading this again I don't think this topic can get more off-topic than it already is oops

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Having a thread go off topic is a Snarkpit tradition that I hope NEVER changes. Mostly, because I am the one who leads them astray but I am not the only one so its fun still.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Hahaha that is so true.

Another reason why I like the Pit, is that an admin doesn't warn you about a ban whenever you go off-topic for just one small thingy.

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

As you have noticed, you can screw the pooch often and vigorously and remain.

On a serious note, we have only banned less than half a dozen accounts and if I recall, 3 of them were the same person. (Rugal)

Snarkpit doesn't ban lightly.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Orpheus said:
As you have noticed, you can screw the pooch often and vigorously and remain.

This is what I meant with me not understanding because of my lack of English, I know you're joking, but I don't even get most of the Dutch sayings yet.

Anyway, I am sure they ban a person if it's absolutely necessary, but at least the pit considers second chances.

One of the other things I hate about other forums, is that your topic gets locked before you even had a chance to reply, because they thought the issue was solved.

What's the point of locking a topic anyway? So that it won't get revived a few years later? Does that really matter?

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Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames

Snarkpit has rules/guidelines that were at one time, set in stone. Sometime recently, some of them have been chipped at to the point where they aren't even there anymore.

The basic premise here is freedom of speech. You can pretty much talk about anything short of a direct attack upon someone. (Somehow though, the definition of "Direct attack" has become fuzzy)
If banning were common here, we'd have few left INCLUDING the admin. Many of them have had infractions that would have gotten them banned from other sites. (Yes, myself included)
Thankfully, the only recent activity that didn't used to be common was the locking of topics. Times were, we had so many of them locked that there were several on each page a day. Now however, none are... Although I am sure the ability still exists, it is not used to excess anymore.

Also, the light blue text signifies humor.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

The pit seems to consider 100th chances, recently.

The reason for modern inconsistencies is two fold, both the ownership and control of the site has changed and the user base has drastically changed. It only makes sense that governing tactics would be different ... and for a long time after that transition, there was only one administration person, so not everything was even seen as it happened.

In terms of flexibility in rules ... well, if there's not as many people, you don't have to keep things as straight and clean cut, you can kind of let things happen organically. Going off topic, isn't usually an issue depending on what kind of thread it's in.

If someone starts steering an editing question down the path of a console war argument, that's entirely unacceptable, likewise if archived threads massively derail like the Bugs thread or something. But if someone's "personal" thread shifts discussion ... eh, so what?

I've been thinking a long time how to easily model this kind of behavior in a forum so it still stays organized, but allows people to talk almost free form.

If Orpheus' comment was his second not so subtle jab in my direction: no I have never been under threat of banning from any community, including this one. But if that idea helps you feel better about yourself ... fine, whatever.

The root thing we'll take issue with currently is belittling, bullying, and more complex ideas than purely "insults". An insult is usually just the manifestation of these behaviors, and they have no place here. It's a trend of behavior that is more concerning for the atmosphere of a community. Again, something else I've been thinking about how to track in a model for awhile.

By model, I mean Software Model. As in a way to represent some set of data in a usable manner. So there's no confusion: JUST TO BE CLEAR.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Crono said:
If Orpheus' comment was his second not so subtle jab in my direction: no I have never been under threat of banning from any community, including this one. But if that idea helps you feel better about yourself ... fine, whatever.

I dunno how you came to the conclusion you just said (assuming I am reading it right) But you might wanna check as to whom nominated you to the position you currently have.

NO, I am not taking credit. I am saying I think it is a great idea.
You have gotten strange of late though.. Be that as it may, I didn't bring up the banning thing.. I only posted that we almost never do it here which is a good thing.

It might help if you weren't so ambiguous?

As for admin doing things that could have gotten them banned.. Or more precisely, Admin that could have been banned for bad behavior:
1)We have had an admin who used to get drunk every week and cause all kinds of hell here. Then he would sober up and apologize for a week and the next weekend it would happen again.
2)We had an admin who used to erase post content to make it sound worse than it was or totally rewrite a post to make it bad.
3)We had an admin who would lock topics in an attempt at censorship.
4)We had an admin (me) who used to unlock said topics. It was one of the worst times here. I came -->this close<-- to being banned because of it.

Whether you guys were here or not to see these thing I dunno but the point is, we don't ban people easily. It takes a shitload of bad if these acts are any guide.

Snarkpit has had many good and bad things.

My advice to you Adam (IF I READ YOUR WORDS CORRECTLY) is stop reading more into my posts than they words contained therein. You should know me well enough by now that if I want you to know, I will be perfectly clear.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

That did clarify what you were saying, thank you.

The problem is you're talking about stuff that literally happened 6 years ago without explicitly saying that this happened several years ago. It's just impossible to tell what exactly you're addressing, because normally if someone says something it's about things happening NOW. This makes it incredibly confusing to understand what you're actually saying.

Do what you did above more often. It's not as if some previous Snarkpit Elder-God will come and smite you down for talking shit about poor management.

It only stands to reason that we can form new understandings on how to more ... stabilize the community through issues that have happened before. Because I've entirely forgotten the admin drunken rampages. Too much has happened since then for me.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Ah.. I hear ya, she's a good soul for tending to them. After awhile they get to be like family and it's hard not to become attached. Caring for anmals is full time job I'm sure and finding people to do that for you so you can get away for a bit has to be tough.
Well it was a thought, but feel free to stop by any time.
We get out west but it's usually just flying over or when driving way north or south of you, plus catching you there is probably real hit or miss I bet.

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Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.