Thread Drift

Actually, an English major is quite recommended for law school, as it teaches you to think and analyze. I had an English minor (12 credits as an undergrad and then 6 more post masters). That's kinda how I wormed my way around the state regs and got certified as a middle school English teacher. That wouldn't happen today! Plus, I did my national boards for prof. teaching standards certification in English. Of all of the things I've done, including both of my masters and my one year in the PhD program, that was the hardest and most stressful thing! I had to do a portfolio, which included videotaping myself teaching (ugh). I remember, in the middle of one, of course, I got paged on the intercom; "Mrs. M, can you send so and so to the office?" The kids laughed, but I did not stop the tape. And, I had to take a test that was the hardest fricking test I've taken, including my master's comps.
I agree with the silver cloud thing. We've done a lot of things because we didn't have to pay for DS #2's college education. Although I barely could accept him enlisting, he is very well situated now. And, at a very selective liberal arts college, on a full scholarship, in addition to his military benefits. Between his prior service, being in the reserves for 4 years, and being an Army officer when he graduates, he will be able to retire when he is 40... only 9 years away. I don't know if he will ever use his economics/math degree, but I suspect he will become a math teacher, which is what he has been destined for. His ability to teach was evident when he was a toddler! He has the gene.

I visit this site often, but I am not usually logged in unless I want to post a comment-- like now. My computer empties the cookies frequently for security reasons on my end, so I would have to log in a lot. It is just easier to lurk. I'll try to post more in the future. Just like someone else noted in a thread last week, that unless someone is "familiar" here, they are more likely to get ignored.

I am always logged in. On the other hand, I don't frequent any other forums, so this whole thing is a bit unsettling to me. I do know a couple of people who stopped posting because they didn't like the tone of others, so they quit. I think that's short sighted. One of the negatives of being in my profession, is that people's "stuff," often screams to me through their writing. More here, than on Facebook. Sometimes I am thinking, "Go get some help," or "It must be nice to be so perfect," but those are just my thoughts. I am not going to get upset over other's writing. I really value the opinions here.

I've been reading this thread with some interest. Since I can no longer ride I've been hesitant about posting on the cycling threads, though I will if I think I can add something. I have noticed that new posters don't get the responses they once may have, bit it is also true there are fewer active members than at one time. Personally I've met personal friends through this forum and I really don't frequent others outside of a knitting site.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

I know we talk about how dead this forum is, and the lack of new members, but right now, there are six active members logged in. I remember when there were always at least 3 rows of members online at any time. I see the regulars come by and fail to post because there is little going on, but how can there be anything going on when almost no one bothers? :( It's getting depressing to come by.

Just ranting.

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Isn't that just the nature of online forums? People come and go, discussions flare up and die down. Forums are kind of like an ongoing party where people come and go, see if their friends are there, and wander in and out of conversations as they like. Except that you can't actually see if they're there or not. At least not without checking the visitor list.

People have been complaining from time to time, especially in autumn, that the forum is slow, or that they miss "the good old days" ever since I joined ten years or so back. At some point momentum builds up and there's a new group of regulars.

Why is "quitting" short-sighted, Crankin? If I didn't feel welcome here I'd just wander off and do something else too.

I don't think, in any way, the people who quit didn't feel welcome. In fact, I know they didn't. Both sent me PMs telling me they quit because of the personal opinions of one or another specific people. The only time I remember someone saying she didn't feel welcome, was someone who said it was because she was a conservative Republican.... and she put it right out there and left.

It may depend on the season too for some of us, depending where we live and what keeps us busy.

In the Fall, it is my busiest season. I like the coolness. We are camping right now (our last outing of season for this). Going for cyclo cross ride in a few moments. Then when back we need to walk the dogs, have a quick dinner, pack up motorhome and head home. Unpack what needs to be out tonight and the rest will go week nights, if not raining. Then the weeks go by so fast. Work during day, training as I get home (after taking care of pets), dinner, pets again need to be walked or "played" with. Then bath and bedtime by 9pm. Weekends are reserved to closing the yard, motorhome, getting ready for winter. My time is so limited that internet is what has to drop. I don't watch much tv...no time either.

Can't wait to retire in 5 or so years...just to have "some" time to do things without rushing. hihi

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Both sent me PMs telling me they quit because of the personal opinions of one or another specific people. The only time I remember someone saying she didn't feel welcome, was someone who said it was because she was a conservative Republican.... and she put it right out there and left.

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It's not realistic unless someone has said something that truly attacks your personal values...over and over, to quit on a friendly online community. I'm over also at a guy-cyclist dominated forums for the last few years. I still visit even though some of the active (guy) members like to talk about their guns and sneer at gun control. (Did I upset someone here???) I find it ridiculous when they occasionally list the type of guns they own. But overall they are ok.

Actually I don't mind reading about people's trips, etc. and observations as they bike along. Maybe long time cyclists like us, don't have many questions anymore or things that we perceive as interesting anymore on nutrition, gear, apparel, etc.

Yet, there's a whole cadre young women..in their teens and twenties who probably need some encouragement. Maybe it's Facebook as a tool for them? I don't mind sharing occasional photos of myself cycling, but honest, it would get tiring if I did it often here.

I'm here, because cycling is still part of daily life, I just don't track my mileage. But cycling is only one of several personal interests I pursue.

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Originally Posted by lph

If I didn't feel welcome here I'd just wander off and do something else too.

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one nice feature of this site, especially if it's just one or two people who bother you, is the ignore function which makes the posts of whoever you put on it not show. I have two people on mine and it makes for a more pleasant forum to read for me.

i use this site to feel positive about my bicycling and interactions with others. it's one of only 2 internet sites i post to at the moment and the one i post the most to ..there are some wonderful women here to interact with and i enjoy that interaction....and i have no need for negative drama here or elsewhere

I guess you could put people on ignore, but I tend to read everyone's posts. As I said, I don't do other forums, but from what I've heard, many are kind of nasty. While this forum is obviously, mainly about cycling, it is hard to not talk about other parts of our lives. And the best part of TE has been meeting so many of you in person, as well as when my DH says, "How did you know that?" and I answer, "I learned it from someone on TE."

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Originally Posted by Crankin

I guess you could put people on ignore, but I tend to read everyone's posts. As I said, I don't do other forums, but from what I've heard, many are kind of nasty. While this forum is obviously, mainly about cycling, it is hard to not talk about other parts of our lives. And the best part of TE has been meeting so many of you in person, as well as when my DH says, "How did you know that?" and I answer, "I learned it from someone on TE."

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I don't ignore/close off anyone on this forum. This is reality: a forum is like meeting people face to face: people you like and those you don't want to listen...but sometimes have to. Unless the person is threatening abuse, I might as well get a well-rounded view of (female) humanity....here.

I cannot learn unless someone challenges me. And people have here. At the same time, if I REALLY expressed with my heart on the line, what I thought, it probably surprise some folks here. So I will pussyfoot and temper my passion on certain matters. :)

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

I don't ignore/close off anyone on this forum. This is reality: a forum is like meeting people face to face: people you like and those you don't want to listen...but sometimes have to. Unless the person is threatening abuse, I might as well get a well-rounded view of (female) humanity....here.

I cannot learn unless someone challenges me. And people have here. At the same time, if I REALLY expressed with my heart on the line, what I thought, it probably surprise some folks here. So I will pussyfoot and tamper my passion on certain matters. :)

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there are more than enough members here who give me a well rounded view, share positive info with and give me good learning experiences without the two on my ignore list....each of us can have our own way of dealing with others here. That's also a good thing in my mind!!!

and i don't see value in pussyfooting or tampering my passion on important matters here or elsewhere :)

Rebecca, just want you to know how much I admire your passion, you are an inspiring young woman.

I frequent a couple of other forums too. The other two forums are male-dominated, and sometimes I will see threads that I would have replied to but the tone of one of the posters is too gratingly misogynistic or the banter is just a little too testosterone-fueled. Instead of gritting my teeth and posting anyway, or wading in ready for a fight, I just - don't post. My point is really that it isn't a big deal one way or the other. A forum is comprised of whoever happens to be there at the moment. I don't have any more or less right to be there than someone else. And if I don't appreciate their tone, or they don't appreciate mine, then we just don't post on the same thread a lot.

I appreciate it when I see someone posting interesting questions and making an effort, but I don't feel obliged to do the same. When I have something to say or ask I'll say it, and if by then there's no-one around to answer, so be it. :-)

Quick! Everyone view Thread Drift. We're about 9,500 views away from 2,000,000 views! Long live TE. Long live TD.