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Title: Thoughts......... Post by Racer1_NC on Sep 18th, 2004, 2:55am With all the activity of the last few days still fresh in my mind, tonight I sat and thought about OUCH, CH.com, and all the people I see here most everyday. I thought back to the first time I laid eyes on a fellow clusterhead at Deb's in January of this year and how much my life has changed because of that meeting. While I read CH.com most everyday before then, I didn't post much. Why? I guess I felt like I was not part of the "hugs and vibes" scene. Until January, I was pretty much alone in my fight with the beast. I felt that was the best way to fight. I thought that no one could offer me anything that I didn't already have. I've fought many different battles alone and won, why should CH be any different? After the Raleigh meet and greet, I did an about face. I wanted, no...NEEDED the company of people that suffered as I do and I wanted to DO SOMETHING about this hell from which we all suffer. It was from this "new beginning" that the idea of having OUCH on the race car was born. It wouldn't stop anyone one from getting hit, but it might attract people that suffered alone to OUCH, and expose others to our fight. While I certainly can not measure the results in a way that can be put to paper, at least those in my area now know what OUCH is. Attending NashCon in July made my desire to "do something" stronger. With out going into details, some ideas have born fruit, some are in the wait and see stage, and some have failed outright. What's the point of all this you may ask? Well I am getting there.....slowly. First.....I've read countless threads on CH.com and ch.org that made me smile, cry, laugh, happy, sad, mad, and any other emotion you can think of. I can't count the number of times I've started to reply....even gotten to the point of hitting the post button....and just clicked off the reply page without posting. Why? I TRY to follow one rule when posting to any forum. I ask myself will this reply add to the discussion in a positive way by offering an opinion or fact not yet considered? Will this post make a difference? I am not referring to the one liners we all post in support of someone, or a zinger made in fun. I'm referring to the longer posts I make when an important issue is discussed. Am I always successful in following this rule? No. I admit to posting words I wish I hadn't. But I try. For example, I try never to post in political threads on CH.com for a several reasons. It's not because I have no interest in politics. I follow politics closely. I have strong opinions concerning the issues our world faces today. So why don't I post? I will not get into a flame war with people I care about. Politics on a message forum breeds flame wars. If I want to talk politics, I go to a political forum full of people I do not know. I won't turn friends into enemies trying to change someone's opinion (which probably is just as strong and heartfelt as mine is). Flame wars breed flame wars. Just look at Ch.com during the last week. I've seen people lash out at others like never before. One post gets you pissed, then when something you'd just normally shrug off comes along, you unload with both barrels. I've been there and done that. It's not good. You live to regret it. Greatly. Just a suggestion that works for me.....before hitting "post", hit the preview button and read what you wrote....like you didn't write it. Does it say what you what to say? Will it say what you'll want to say tomorrow? What would you think if you were reading a thread and someone else had posted what exactly what you wrote? Do your words pass this test? Hit "post"....and hope you don't regret it. Second....We've seen an OUCH thread that lit up emotions like a match to gasoline. Complaints and insults thrown around like rain drops in a hurricane. And to what end? I've heard all my life "if you want something done, do it yourself". I won't wait for someone to tell me what to do.....I'll do something. If someone doesn't like it, I'll do it differently. Things may seem like they are moving at a snails pace, heck sometimes they are. Jumpstart YOUR ideas.....make something happen. Where the road ends, blaze a new trail. These aren't just words.....they are a mindset. Try it. It works. Batteries not included. ;;D Bill |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by Jonny on Sep 18th, 2004, 3:20am Excelent post Bill I hit that preview button every time I post As you know I type with two fingers so there are no long posts from me.......im in the zinger crowed and danm proud of it ;;D Go Hedgecock!!! .....................................jonny |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by Svenn on Sep 18th, 2004, 3:25am Sure hope everyone will read you post Racer1_NC. and read it CLOSELY to and hopefully learn something from it exellent post thank you Svenn |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by Superpain on Sep 18th, 2004, 4:00am Good advice. I opt for the "back button" over the post button sometimes too. |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by vig on Sep 18th, 2004, 8:42am Great thoughts Bill, I've never hesitated myself from hitting the remove button too. We're all brothers and sisters with a common cause. Let's all get there in one peace... |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by Jackie on Sep 18th, 2004, 10:38am And some great 'thoughts' they are, Racer... Some that we'd all be well served to heed.... Jacks 8) Oh.....got my letter and signed picture. Thank You!!!!! |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by saintslair on Sep 18th, 2004, 11:04am Great post Racer, PFNAD to all, Andy |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by Tim_Z on Sep 18th, 2004, 1:25pm Great post, it's hard for me to put something like that together and have it make sense. I've written many posts and decided not to send them, I would think they were too stupid or just plain rude. I think you are right though about meeting other CH'ers, only then will I feel like I belong or really know the people I am posting to. What you are doing for O.U.C.H. is great, getting the word out. This way we can help too, even if it's only a couple bucks here and there. Keep up the good work Bill. Tim |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by Kevin_M on Sep 18th, 2004, 2:21pm on 09/18/04 at 02:55:33, Racer1_NC wrote:
Kevin M: So what if I were to just say, Bob P is a boob. Racer: Now, was that something positive? Kevin M: Oh, I'm very positive he is, and that is my opinion, so I have offered a positive opinion. Racer: By positive, I meant perhaps less negative. Kevin M: Well, ok then, I misunderstood your words just a bit. But it is a fact that was not yet considered in this thread. Racer: Uh well, I hadn't considered yet today if Bob P was a boob for this thread yet. But is that a fact? Kevin M: Well ok, you got me there too, it may be one or two votes shy of unanimous. So I didn't quite get your message correct then, but I posted and I will probably regret it huh? Racer: Well, that depends. Here is another way to you may want to scrutinize your posts. Quote:
Kevin M: I really guess I didn't think Bill. Actually now that I look at it, my remark will not make any difference. Bob P will still be a boob, I didn't change anything. Racer: Let's just say your post made a difference, a difference of opinion. Kevin M: So you're saying my post DID make a difference, but there are negative differences and positive differences? Racer: Uh well, how 'bout this Kevin. How will you think tomorrow? Quote:
Kevin M: I was going to say that about Bob P tomorrow too, Bill. But now after talking to you, I will reconsider and probably regret saying my opinion because I am not so positive it is a fact that will make a difference tomorrow. Racer: So why did you say it anyway? Kevin M: Because Bob P is one of the people good enough to be an example here and be a good sport about it. Racer: So, really you were complimenting Bob, Kevin? Kevin M: Sure, how did you take it? What did you think I meant? Racer: Well........thanks for clearing that up for me. Kevin M: Thanks Bill for the your excellent efforts. Kevin M |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by Racer1_NC on Sep 18th, 2004, 4:58pm Best conversation I never had...... [smiley=laugh.gif] Good one Kevin.... Bill |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by Charlie on Sep 18th, 2004, 6:14pm It is a good post. No question about it and I thank the shiny headed power that be for the opportunity to preview my posts so I can be sure the right amount of vitriol is thrown. :o Seriously, it's saved me a lot grief and I've edited the bejeesus out of my stuff. I do it in wordpad now and then too....not that you'd ever know....... ::) Charlie |
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Title: Re: Thoughts......... Post by alleyoop on Sep 18th, 2004, 8:16pm Terrific Thread!!! Thanks Bill! Kevin, your wife must be a SAINT! ................................alley ;;D |
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