I joined this site in January of 06 my first real Rally was the Northeast in September of 06. I had hosted a Rally here in NH before the NE and met a very few who made the trip. My next Rally was GA 07, I knew almost no one, I recognized some faces from the NE, and put some more to screen names. No one invited me into 'the inner sanctum' of BA.com, (supposing that there is one) I made myself available, and forced myself upon a bunch of unsuspecting “simple folk†In the almost 3 years since I asked my first stupid newby question, I have met some truly outstanding people who I am honored to have had the opportunity to meet and call my friends. I have been to 7 “patch-able†Rallies, and hosted 3 (not counting the 2 NH “winter Ralliesâ€) So impressed was I with the caliber of people I met, that I forced my wife (at a great logistical nightmare here) to go to GA this year, because there were certain people she HAD to meet. Never once did I feel that anyone was “rubbing elbows†nor that they were some inner, elitist sanctum. I do not wish to insult any of them so I will not give any examples of what I consider “simple folk†not because I think that they are somehow lesser people because they are “simple folk†quite the opposite in fact, but perhaps they might somehow feel like they were being judged by me because I think them to be “simple folk†(which I think myself to be) but there are plenty of simple folk I call my friends.
For you to post your personal insecurities in the NH rally thread, unprovoked and unsolicited, is insulting to both my wife and myself. You may not have been speaking of myself or her, but clearly you decided to not to go to NH because you felt you were not welcomed...well for future reference you're not! If your “poor me-I'm so unloved†post was directed not at myself or my wife, then I can only assume that it was directed at one of my friends, in which case you are just as big an a$shole and just as unwelcome.
We go out of our way to be sure that all feel welcome, however, I am not anyones mother or keeper and I will not babysit my guests or coddle them, nor will I personally insure that all are getting along and playing nice. They're all grownups and are capable of their own interpersonal relationships.
My job as host is to be sure that all are welcomed...but after that your own. If I have it and you need it it's yours, if I can help you I will, my house and doors are open to any who show up. I hope to keep it that way.
In every club or organization I have ever belonged to (and that is quite a few) there has always been a “core group†of members that seem untouchable, however it has never once proved to be true. I guess it's just easier for some to claim they are “shut outâ€. Those that you perceive as the “in†crowd are simply a bunch of people who have become very good friends who only see each other a few times a year, those few moments they get to spend with each other are beyond precious. Thats not to say that others are not welcomed in with open arms, they are, in fact, these some of the most welcoming, non-judgmental people I have met. But they are not (and should not) going to be interrupting the few valuable moments they have to hold your hand and make sure you get a warm and fuzzy feelings. If you want to get your ego stroked join a support group. No one ever asked me to “pay any dues†and no one held my hand, I wanted to get to know these people so I took the steps to do so.
Not everyone will get along with everyone, and some might even have stepped on a few toes, in one case, here on this site a new member stepped on more than a few...unintentionally...but still stepped on. Yet when they showed up at an event, they were welcomed and after they were even defended by some of those with the most toe damage...they were welcomed! They at least had the balls to show up and make themselves available and stand on their own merit. I hope to meet them someday and chew the fat, discuss bruised toes, and chuckle about it.
You chose to take a thread where people were reporting their good times and turn it into your own private pity party. Who do you think you are, do you think this endeared you to anyone, feeling the love now!
Most have chosen to ignore your sh!thead comments, Frank disputed your stand as kindly as he could. I was not going to even comment, but given that I took it very personally, I could not remain silent.
Perhaps there is a reason you feel un-welcomed. I know your insinuations regarding NH and those who attended have certainly made you so in my mind.
I may not always agree with many opinions posted here, and I'm certain I have ruffled more than a few feathers, most unintentionally. Those whom I have ruffled I would hope to meet and share a drink with, because although I may not agree with them, or they with me, there has always been a certain amount a decorum and I don't think (at least I certainly hope) I have never insulted, attacked, or infuriated anyone, the way you have just done. Until now!
I'm truly sorry that your GA rally experience left you feeling unwelcome. I'm further sorry that Kimmy felt it also. If I was in anyway responsible for that I apologize, it was certainly not intended. However your comments today were intentional and insulting, to me, my wife, and my friends, so I'm a little short on sorrow for you.
In short, take your “pity me†comments and stick them up your a$$!
