Post by simplycurious on Dec 8, 2004 16:09:49 GMT -5
I can't believe this is my 2,000th post! 
In many respects that number isn't significantly large. IdahoBoy® has nearly 10,000; Gorf has almost to 8,000; GatorVball is close to 5,000 and who knows how many (R)uffda! really has with his various incarnations (just to name a few posters). No, what I find hard to believe is that I've have enough to 'say' for 2,000 posts! Now I know that some of my posts have been quick responses and might not 'count'. However, for every one of those, there are ten that I don't post simply because I don't think it's important enough to type or that it won't add to or further the discussion at hand.
I think what it really comes down to is that the Volley Talk community is a bit different than other boards. There is more tolerance here; meaning people are less likely to 'fly off the handle' for no apparent reason or simply because they want to 'start a fight'. Now don't get me wrong, like a dysfunctional family, those situations do exist (ie. - Wolfgang and his various incarnations; GatorVball and IdahoBoy® feuding); however it's not as prevalent as it is on other boards. Besides, most of the time, after said arguments and disagreements, the community pulls back together and actually becomes tighter. Here people are free...nay, encouraged to speak their mind and share their views. Most of the time that is respected by others and because of that insightful debates or discussions often arise.
Now don't get me wrong, continuing with the dysfunctional family theme, there are 'pranksters' and 'comedians' amongst this bunch (Gorf and (R)uffda! come immediately to mind and have had some good exchanges). Plus, topics tend to get 'hijacked' or threads get sidetracked and go 'off-topic', yet many times humor or insight stem from these (mis)adventures.
I have made many friendships here, yet have never once met someone from this board in real life. I find that both intriguing and refreshing...
Intriguing in that people, for the most part, are who they say they are here and those that pretend usually surface as they continue to post. As in real life, people constantly make first-impressions; some live up to them while others try and find ways to re-invent themselves after making a poor one.
Refreshing in that there are so many who are willing to help each other out, yet most have never met and only share the love of this sport as their bond. You see it manifested in many ways, whether it's simply providing information or by making/sending copies of match tapes, etc.
It is in this respect that this board is like a microcosm of the world I wish we lived in today. Tolerance with understanding, conflict with peaceful resolution, lively debates and insightful conversations, humor which tempers sadness and lasting friendships; all wrapped in the love for a sport that has touched each one of us so deeply that we actively seek ways to 'give back' to it. And that, I guess, is what I'm really driving at - that this is a unique community, which I truly appreciate.
So for that, I want to thank all of you on the board who have been a part of this. I hope that our community continues to thrive and grow as the future unfolds!
In many respects that number isn't significantly large. IdahoBoy® has nearly 10,000; Gorf has almost to 8,000; GatorVball is close to 5,000 and who knows how many (R)uffda! really has with his various incarnations (just to name a few posters). No, what I find hard to believe is that I've have enough to 'say' for 2,000 posts! Now I know that some of my posts have been quick responses and might not 'count'. However, for every one of those, there are ten that I don't post simply because I don't think it's important enough to type or that it won't add to or further the discussion at hand.
I think what it really comes down to is that the Volley Talk community is a bit different than other boards. There is more tolerance here; meaning people are less likely to 'fly off the handle' for no apparent reason or simply because they want to 'start a fight'. Now don't get me wrong, like a dysfunctional family, those situations do exist (ie. - Wolfgang and his various incarnations; GatorVball and IdahoBoy® feuding); however it's not as prevalent as it is on other boards. Besides, most of the time, after said arguments and disagreements, the community pulls back together and actually becomes tighter. Here people are free...nay, encouraged to speak their mind and share their views. Most of the time that is respected by others and because of that insightful debates or discussions often arise.
Now don't get me wrong, continuing with the dysfunctional family theme, there are 'pranksters' and 'comedians' amongst this bunch (Gorf and (R)uffda! come immediately to mind and have had some good exchanges). Plus, topics tend to get 'hijacked' or threads get sidetracked and go 'off-topic', yet many times humor or insight stem from these (mis)adventures.
I have made many friendships here, yet have never once met someone from this board in real life. I find that both intriguing and refreshing...
Intriguing in that people, for the most part, are who they say they are here and those that pretend usually surface as they continue to post. As in real life, people constantly make first-impressions; some live up to them while others try and find ways to re-invent themselves after making a poor one.
Refreshing in that there are so many who are willing to help each other out, yet most have never met and only share the love of this sport as their bond. You see it manifested in many ways, whether it's simply providing information or by making/sending copies of match tapes, etc.
It is in this respect that this board is like a microcosm of the world I wish we lived in today. Tolerance with understanding, conflict with peaceful resolution, lively debates and insightful conversations, humor which tempers sadness and lasting friendships; all wrapped in the love for a sport that has touched each one of us so deeply that we actively seek ways to 'give back' to it. And that, I guess, is what I'm really driving at - that this is a unique community, which I truly appreciate.
So for that, I want to thank all of you on the board who have been a part of this. I hope that our community continues to thrive and grow as the future unfolds!
I was touched (I won't say where)! 
We're a family!! Yay! 
[glow=red,2,300]simplycurious[/b][/color][/glow], you are just simplypersonwithnolife! LOL Just kidding. ;D 
