Stupid Post.

I didn't even know there was a Pine Needle Craft forum!! I've been interested in that for a LONG time!!!! Jan

what is the BAF board?

Black American Forum It's a kick!

I have an answer for you. Incomplete answer, to be sure, but an answer nonetheless. It's not restricted to the MO. I have been on other message boards where there were subcategories that were often crossed by non-members, such as agnostics posting stuff at Christians and vice versa! I'm a black and white kind of person who doesn't feel entitled to anything unless it's in the rules, and I also noticed newbies posting here. What bothered me a bit more, though, was the fact that they were reading the posts here. I have no idea why, but it wouldn't occur to me to even visit the men's board. I'm not a man, so why should I? I don't visit the sex board, either. Draw your own conclusions! On the other hand, I live in Florida and have visited (and posted) on the Wisconsin board! Go figure! I've answered newbies on this board, but maybe I shouldn't anymore. I have also thought about redirecting them in a nice way, but I don't recall ever actually doing that. Jan

The Athiest vs Christian (isn't it interesting it's rarely any other religion) is well observed. I don't frequent either because its a "Preaching to the Chorus" situation, pretty boring. The usual transgressers are not interested in learning, rather they are trolling (Note, I am an Ogre, not a troll ). I understand and can define all the shades of gray there are, but I do so firmly ensconced in black or white. I don't visit the sex board. I'm married, so whats the point? We have to accept that there are people reading the boards. We know they are out there, they know they are out there, but we pretend, and they are quiet, so we have the illusion. But the illusion is destroyed when a non-whatever posts on the whatever board. Maybe that is why I notice... my carefully crafted illusion is damaged Tek

I am going to take a stab at this one...with the caveat that my theory is available for argument, most of which I may choose to ignore because I have been named WLS Maven by both Jay and Kiki, so don't even try to steal my crown... I wonder if the rule breaking attitude has more to do with the new need for acceptance wherever and whenever vs. a past life of "please God don't let them notice me" ? In other words, so many MO have spent most of their lives hoping that nobody would notice that they were fat, or present, or whatever at the risk of being ridiculed. BTW, I have been an attention seeking vibrant personality (hence my high score in the congeniality contest of WLS Maven) all of my life, but at the same time really played it up so as to hide my obesity. Funny thing is after losing huge amounts of weight people often commented that they never noticed how fat I was (crafty gal, eh?). So, to restate my theory: there is a personal need for acceptance, and because life among and within a community is new the rules and regulations and adherence therein will hopefully be refined with time. In the meantime, life marches on. Karen

Good theory... it even makes sense. Being "accepted" is almost... oh whats the word... Pathological here on OH. To the point that disagreeing with someone is unsupportive and/or a flame. I bow to your Mavenhoodnessishness. Tek

First, let me bow to your maveness LOL So how would you classify those of us (like me ) who's first instinct is to swim upstream against the tide (mixing metaphors, such FUN!)? I mean are we rebels without a clue; trying to gain acceptance by being combative in a non-combative way; sadly misguided or ??? Just curious what place you'd stick me or people like me in... I sometimes find myself starting to disagree simply for the sake of disagreeing and have to STOP myself and see IF I TRULY disagree or am just so used to be in the opposition for so many things, that I am on auto-pilot. Ok, I'm strange - no need to psychoanalyze me - that's why my Doc makes the big bucks - wish he was more successful at it though Oh and to clarify, I'm not a rule breaker - not even by nature. I buckle my seatbelt (even though I'm offended to be MADE to) and drive within the speed limits - I follow my nuts and surgeon's plans for me 99% of the time, etc. soo....

I resist the "argue urge" quite a bit. Scary, huh? Tek

I have yet another theory to offer regarding your and Tek's posts (same rules apply as posted earlier: blanket certification to ignore your challenges as WLS royalty)... the argue auto-pilot/rebels without a clue thing is about gaining awareness of your inner strength (no not a religious reference) and learning that you can take control and responsibility for your outcomes. In other words, there is not a person, or food, or with Tooter the renegade, LAW that is going to keep you from getting the things you want, believe in, and deserve. This theory may have many holes, but I have found that I need to be both strategic and thoughtful when it comes to positioning my "arguments" otherwise I am likely to verbally annhilate my "opponent." When I was MO, I was all about customer service and aiming to please...now I work hard to quell my inner "aim to kill." I have become (or maybe just in touch with) a very fierce and competitive nature, which I have not shared with you nice people. Did I mention that I WON the WLS Maven of the year? No...not showing my competitive side. Tooter, I would put you in a hybrid category of WLS guru/friend to many crossed with Give me a frickin' break/What are you people smokin'? Tek, mostly you are in the Give me a frickin' break/What are you people smokin'? category. Karen