33 Threads Off Topic....

“Actually Geo, prowler made that observation already:

"
I started 34.....fock
Prowler
10:08:29 AM"”

“I know the Viol man wuzz being ironic... I just wanted to do some middle aged chest thumping. Less here it fer grown-ups!”

“Since when is it up to us to keep you "entertained"? Wade through the stuff you don't want and post on the threads that interest to you. Seems simple to me....”

“Easy everyone, maybe no one ever told poor Prowler what all those icns to left of each thread stood for.

Prowler, here's a clue, it's right at the bottom of the main page.

P.S. If you're not happy then don't let the door hit you in the behind as you're leaving.”

“I thought tt was like sitting around a virtual campfire. All subjects open and not just confined to bping. Around the campfire a myriad of subjects come up some are short lived and some take longer to be discussed. It seems to me that the most interesting subjects last longer then the less interesting ones.

Just my $.02”

“all in all this board was not like this when I started posting 1 1/2 yr. ago. spelling, i could give a rats @ss about spelling on these threads.

id be embarased to wake up and post on a thread that says, "why do women go to the bathroom in pairs".

+i dont proofread to post here, like Im freakin worried about it.”

“Why don't you just all take a hike and then write some good trip reports? I'm working hard on one, but covering 75 days in a manner that will be pleasing to most of you is a big chore.

And how can so many strings be off-topic? There are 6 or 8 different catagories, including chatter and general. Ease up or you'll probably die young from the build-up of stress.

One reason for the change is that there are fewer trips now and it will be that way throughout the winter. Springtime will bring a lot more trips with planning and reports. Until then give the computer a break for a few hours each day and work on your gear. Were you not planning to clean your bp, your , your first-aid kit, and a few other things? Maybe the tent could use some waterproofing applied. All caught up! Take your wife/girlfriend to a movie. Or take you complaints to theprosecuter on the "other site."

Have a good evening.”

“Sometimes the board gets a little full of an esoteric bunch of friends and acquaintances dropping one-liners and "in" jokes that many others don't have a clue about. I do understand that, but to complain about an occasional off-topic subject is a predictable response from several who post here regularly. From someone who enjoys this board but doesn't know anyone or hike with anyone but my wife, reading the put downs, the crudeness, and all the other really tedious kinds of things that sometimes go on and on, off topic subjects add items of interest.

If you don't like off-topic subjects, don't read them.

Sharing stories about not being able to crap in the woods, the in-your-face-attitudes of certain posters, and the smugness of certain folks doesn't promote an endearing look at many. Sorry for being such a grinch, but there is some good stuff on this board, but frequently a whole lot of chaparral has to be bushwhacked before getting to the peak...if you know what I mean.”

“In the past 24 hours I've participated in discussions on hypothermia, seam sealing tent flies, and light for backpacking.

Over the time I have been posting on TT I have discussed many trips, food, equipment, maps, gear, places, ecology, and techniques.

I've learned about such things as dehydrating food, performance clothing, lightweight packing, Pepsi can stoves, and news trails I want to try (just off the top of my head).

And I have met a lot of new friends and found others I hope to meet in the near future.

When an old dog can learn new tricks, meet new friends, and share hard-won knowledge, TT must be doing something right.

As for the sidebar discussions, it is a slice of life. As Tango aptly pointed out, it's not unlike sitting around a campfire sharing stories, jokes, and issues.

Even around a campfire, I don't always get into every discussion that takes place. Even there I pick and choose the topics I want to discuss. But if I am not into a movie or TV show being discussed, I don't stamp my feet and throw a tantrum, or walk off into the night. I might get up to find more firewood, or get something to eat. I might look up and watch the sky for a moment, or go check the food bag. I might visit a tree. But I come back to the campfire and wait til the discussion gets onto a topic I care to discuss.

And we do spend time around a campfire telling jokes, getting silly, spinning fantastic fantasies, or teasing one another.

We do discuss politics, and political discussions by nature can get heated.

The only things that I will not participate in are discussions or jokes about bigotry. I don't think there are many people on this board who harbor any doubts about that.

There are topics on this board that I choose not to discuss. I don't necessarily read all trip reports. I also open threads to read but not post on.

It is, when all is said and done, a free world. You make of it what you will. Happiness is a personal issue, not someone else's responsibility.

And we are always free to choose a topic and start a discussion. I have noticed that topics I start often to not draw much participation. Others get lots of posts. No rhyme, no reason, ... it's just what people want to discuss at that moment in time. But I don't feel like I am at the mercy of the rest of the board, unable to raise an issue or formulate my own thoughts.”

“Prowler, this board has always been like this! C'mon, guy loosen up.
I suppose your "free dog" thread early on, could have been synonymous with a gear give away? Chill out...we all have lives here.

I can actually appreciate a gear endorsement more when it comes from someone who shares some similar philosophy or lifestyle or fill-in-the-blank as me. Like, some people are lightweight nazis, while others favor creature comforts...this will influence how they rate their gear.

There are plenty of "strictly gear" sites out there. Go get 'em, tiger!”

“Geeeeaaaarrrr, ... DOH!

Spent the hotdog money already!”

“AmyG, Hello sweetie, you precious pearl
what`s shakin` love and how`s my girl
no longer my girl, now someone`s wife
hello there love, how`s married life”

“hiya footsie :)

Married life is great! Dare's "creature comforts" philospohy has really helped me lighten up my backpack weight. ;)

Nice to see you!”

“I, too, pick and choose the topics I want to post in. There are a bunch of threads here that I find are just "time waster's", and that's fine. I don't post on it, but I'll read it. I find that sometimes, (as someone famous once said....) "less is more". And sometimes, "none at all" is even better. I don't know one person on this board from the other. Perhaps one day I may take nakedape's advice, and attend a large hike, and meet some of you. Until then, I'll just continue reading and posting my thoughts occasionally.

It's easy enough to just ignore the crap here. I do it all the time. But it's just as easy to learn about gear, trails, and people, too. Taking everything "with a grain of salt" is the only way to get thru life. Remember that.”

“I`m glad you found happiness sweet one, Dare seems mighty nice. I`m happy you found each-other:)”

“I thought tt was like sitting around a virtual campfire. All subjects open and not just confined to bping. Around the campfire a myriad of subjects come up some are short lived and some take longer to be discussed. It seems to me that the most interesting subjects last longer then the less interesting ones.

Just my $.02"
tango
05:34:24 PM
11/15/02

That's the MOST ACCURATE description of TT I've ever read. Right on TAngo!”