Are you a good guest??

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ed4copies

ed4copies

Local Chapter Manager
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
24,641
Location
Racine, WI, USA.
It's been a while (maybe two years) since we have had a thread reflecting on the IAP.

Let's try to step back for a moment and understand what this little community actually looks like.

We have all been invited here. We asked for "membership" and our host, Jeff, granted us that membership. He invited us to HIS party.

The first thread like this that I read, the analogy was a "get-together" in Jeff's home. We all are welcomed at the door and, as the party progresses, we form into small groups that become more friendly with each other.

There is no alcohol or drugs present, so we all keep a civil and decent conversation. You can leave and come back as you please. Only rules, "respect" each other.

So before you write diatribes about the way you have been treated by someone else's written words, bear in mind your comments reflect on your host. He has a friend who is appointed to "keep the peace" and attempts to do so.

Now look in the mirror:

How good a guest have YOU been? Did you bring chips, or just a chip on your shoulder?

Have you offered to help "wash the dishes" or do you just throw plates at other visitors?

Everyone brightens a room---some when they enter, others when they leave!! Which kind of person have you been?

Just food for thought.

Thanks Jeff!!!
and thanks to Curtis.

A grateful friend to both,
Ed
 
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Ed,
Sometimes, I keep myself under restraint, and am a "good" guest.
As witnessed by the moderators, sometimes, I am also a pain .

Depending on who the other person, I have definitely lit up the room upon leaving, maybe more often than not, but I typically do not go way out of my way to just be plain obnoxious (it has happened once or twice though, but not by my initiation.

I will say, even though we disagree sometimes (maybe more than sometimes) Curtis does usually try to do as good a job as he can, Neil does a good job of keeping his areas clean (and me from being banned), Ed and Dawn have helped out tremendously. Charlie and Alton are really good friends (as evidenced by my phone bill if I had to pay for it)
There are a few others that I would thank as well, but I am limiting myself here

And Lastly, but by no means least

THANKS JEFF
 
Ed

Nicely put, I know I don't chime in much and that is because I am still learning the "pen scene," so I am not sure how much weight this will carry. With that being said I am greatly appreciative of all the things on this forum that I have been able to learn. One thing that I have noticed is that I continually see the same few members comment on just about every post and I think that is great. One thing that I have learned over the years of managing people is that most people are good and its always one or two that spoil it for everyone else. So I would like to offer my appreciation for the "main members" on this public forum. I hope this comes across the correct way as I have no intentions of making anyone else upset, just showing my gratitude. I hope that I can continue to learn and be inspired to turn great things as posted on this site.

Jeremy
 
Thanks for posting this Ed. Some of the stuff I have been reading lately is troublesome. Sometimes I read a post and can't help but wonder if the poster would have stood up in the middle of a national gathering of IAP members and broadcast his/her opinion to the crowded room. Every time we post that is sort of what we are doing. Curtis is, I believe, as fair and tolerant as a man in his position can be (much more tolerant than I would be). Thanks to Jeff and all the members who have taught me so much and who have made spending time here so enjoyable.
 
Gee, Ed, I always pictured the little angel hovering over my right shoulder, encouraging me to be nice, do the right thing, and make good decisions, would be a lot better looking than your ugly mug..... but what the heck, hearing the right thing is much more important than hearing the wrong thing from a pretty package. Thanks for the timely content, and the courage to consistently be a voice of reason.
 
Sometimes we are too sensitive..
Sometimes we are too selfish...
and Sometimes we just don't think.

If we could eliminate #3 then the first two would not be a problem.

I think we should all stop and think about Ed's words and lets get back to the business of IAP, the sharing of ideas and opinions in a civil way. As Mike said, thanks to Jeff and all who have made my time here so educational and enjoyable.
 
For those who may wonder, no, Jeff Brown and I are NOT related.

Can you IMAGINE there is more than ONE "Brown"---yeah, I couldn't either!!

No thanks required, Jeff. I enjoy (nearly) every minute here.
 
I'm new here so don't feel qualified to address any one particular person. However I have been involved in the IT industry, (DP for you older folks), back to the days when it was called 'bitnet'. Unlike Al Gore, I don't take credit for inventing the internet but have been around since the beginning:biggrin:

Several things come to mind. Some people seem to have 'keyboard courage'. As Mike said, would they stand up in a room full of people and say the same thing. Another problem is it's impossible, (at least very hard), to show inflections with the typed word. Sometimes things don't always come across as intended.

In the old days we used to advise responders, if you're replying to a post that has stirred your blood a little simply pause. Type your reply but don't post it. Wait a day and reread it. Then if you still feel strongly post away.

Can help prevent some bad feelings down the road.

All that aside, I commend everyone involved in the ogranization and operation of this site. One of the best I've belonged to.

We're not all always going to agree but we must treat everyone with respect and civility.


Just one newbie's opinion.

Thanks
Carl
 
mbroberg said:
Thanks for posting this Ed. Some of the stuff I have been reading lately is troublesome. Sometimes I read a post and can't help but wonder if the poster would have stood up in the middle of a national gathering of IAP members and broadcast his/her opinion to the crowded room. Every time we post that is sort of what we are doing.
Click to expand...

No I believe the offenders would rather hide behind a keyboard. In real life they are probably little angels!:eek:

The GOLDEN rule!?!?!?
 
I, like some others, don't post very often. I am the type of person that can get along with just about everyone. Sometimes it takes more courage to keep some things to yourself than open your mouth or keyboard and and show your intelligence.

I have learned nearly all that I know about turning pens and other things from reading this forum and trial and error. I too am grateful for the experience and advice that others are willing to share. My favorite remark is "there are many ways to do whatever, but this is what works for me."

Thank you Jeff, Curtis and all the others who keep adding to my knowledge and abilities.
 
Hi, I am a newbie. I can not address anyone in particular, because they probably know me. But, i wanted to thank Jeff fro starting such a site for us to learn and share knowledge. I do find some members that they are very easy to go off the handle and type away or rehash old pains, but over all I have learned so much and still learning. I have been welcomed and almost like I am in the same room with some of the great members here, and indeed it feels that you are standing in the same room. I am brought up differently than most American because I am a migrant, but learned that your respect every one irregardless of their belief and give them their space. I recently was introduced to Curtis by other local members and have enjoyed his friendship and willingness to help others. Be honest, sometimes I even wonder how he can do it all. Overall it's been a great experience for me here.
 
I respect this forum, almost as much as I respect my own home. I try to always be a good guest. On, at least, one occassion, I was not. Even that time there was NO malice, and once my error was pointed out I corrected it and vowed to "think" before making future posts.

I love this place and I think Jeff does a good job as "party host" and I never envy Curtis's job of being the party's bouncer.
 
Now look in the mirror:

OK, I'm ugly........... But we already knew that. :biggrin:

How good a guest have YOU been? Did you bring chips, or just a chip on your shoulder?

Used to bring chips but now I just bring a chip. :rolleyes:

Have you offered to help "wash the dishes" or do you just throw plates at other visitors?

I've offered; even did wash some. Now I find it more funner to throw plates but try as I might I haven't hit you with one yet. :wink:

Everyone brightens a room---some when they enter, others when they leave!! Which kind of person have you been?

I think the room gets brighter when I leave because I'm fat so I block a lot of light. The room did not get brighter when you came in Mr. (elder) Brown but you have never left so we cannot answer the question on your behalf.:eek:



Now to be serious:

For me, this place has been a source that is well worth the money that I DONATE every year. I've had disagreements with many here and many have become heated disagreements but that happens everywhere we go. I'm the vice president of our neighborhood association and some of the persons that you encounter can really make you wonder. I'm quite sore many of you have wondered about me as I have wondered about many of you. I may not always agree with Jeff & Curtis but I have a lot of respect for them (OK, I have a lot of respect for Jeff; You don't want to know of the conversations that Curtis and I have had. Ain't that right Deputy?)

My penturning has grown by leaps and bounds since I joined under another name when this place was less than 6 months old. I left some time ago and became a lurker but even then I still supported the IAP because it has been so valuable to me. Although I Have not shown any of my creations since I came back I have tried to give back some of the knowledge that I have learned from the good folks here and some of what I have learned on my own. Some will agree and others will disagree but isn't that what this place is all about? Helping one another in the ways that we can?
 
When I really think of it it seems crazy to me how people can get offended on a forum about pen making. And is someone feels like being confrontational, there is no reason to read the post. Just click and go one. This is one of the greatest forums around and one time I got upset with some things being said and I went away for about 6 months. Who got hurt? Me! I missed a lot of good stuff. Now I read what I want and try to stay away form unrelated stuff. Thanks to all that make this a great place.
 
I have really learned a lot here, being new to pen turning. I've witnessed professional answers to my questions. It can be entertaining and I do love the old farts on here, cause I am one, too!
 
I try and be a good guest, but I am unfortunately a human, and as such sometimes I get froggy and jump in. Sometimes I just let stuff slide by, and I like nearly every member of this forum, there is only one person I have blocked, When I can I help with the dishes and I try and bring a full bag of chips. in fact, I feel badly about not contributing to Jeff Powell's new contest, but I got busy and it slipped my feeble mind. I think it's the first event I haven't participated in since I joined the IAP
I try and lighten up the room, when I come in, I realize there are folks who are glad when I leave, but I ain't that thrilled when they show up either.
This is truly a WORLD CLASS forum, and you can get some of the most incredible advice from some of the best pen turners and Pen Makers in the world right here for free. I really think that flaming and making comments such as the ones made the other night are best reserved for somewhere else, THIS ISN'T THE PLACE!! Jeff Brown has done a fantastic job, and the Moderators could be participating in this thing called a life, but they give freely of themselves and usually are right.
I hate to see any one leave the forum for any reason such as the garbage that happened recently, there are far more serious issues for people to get upset about, I want to say Thank you to Jeff, Curtis, Cav and everyone else that helps keep a lid on all of us.
Thanks Guys.
 
As I ponder weather I should have a second helping of veal Parmesan, ziti and marinara sauce it dawns on me we here are all members of one big melting pot of different taste,thoughts and sometimes these will clash but in the long run most work it out. I thank Jeff,Curtis and yes even the other Brown for keeping things rolling...thats my 2 pimp crystals worth....
 
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bitshird said:
I try and be a good guest, but I am unfortunately a human, and as such sometimes I get froggy and jump in. Sometimes I just let stuff slide by, and I like nearly every member of this forum, there is only one person I have blocked, When I can I help with the dishes and I try and bring a full bag of chips. in fact, I feel badly about not contributing to Jeff Powell's new contest, but I got busy and it slipped my feeble mind. I think it's the first event I haven't participated in since I joined the IAP
I try and lighten up the room, when I come in, I realize there are folks who are glad when I leave, but I ain't that thrilled when they show up either.
This is truly a WORLD CLASS forum, and you can get some of the most incredible advice from some of the best pen turners and Pen Makers in the world right here for free. I really think that flaming and making comments such as the ones made the other night are best reserved for somewhere else, THIS ISN'T THE PLACE!! Jeff Brown has done a fantastic job, and the Moderators could be participating in this thing called a life, but they give freely of themselves and usually are right.
I hate to see any one leave the forum for any reason such as the garbage that happened recently, there are far more serious issues for people to get upset about, I want to say Thank you to Jeff, Curtis, Cav and everyone else that helps keep a lid on all of us.
Thanks Guys.
Click to expand...
op cit
 
OKLAHOMAN said:
As I ponder weather I should have a second helping of veal Parmesan, ziti and marinara sauce it dawns on me we here are all members of one big melting pot of different taste,thoughts and sometimes these will clash but in the long run most work it out. I thank Jeff,Curtis and yes even the other Brown for keeping things rolling...thats my 2 pimp crystals worth....
Click to expand...
I think I would cut my portions in half.
 
I thought it was BYOB? Bring Your Own Bad-attitude? Shoot, I guess I'd better put that away...

I wandered over here from Woodnet when my woodworking devolved into making something that is a soon-to-be-dead technology... Scribblers! (Well, that and I got tired of taking flak for staining end-grain...) Most of the folks I know personally haven't even used a pen in years except to sign a contract.

The only reason I've been able to make this a self-supporting hobby (barely!) is because of the amazing community here. I've learned much, been encouraged to explore and experiment, and genuinely like most of you! (I'm not naming names though...)
 
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