Reminiscing

Just thought I would wander down memory lane a bit, in response to the Admin’s “How Time Flies” article. So much has happened over the years on TBP, and some of it has been funny, some of it has been infuriating, some of it has been sad.

Some of my favorite memories are the fights the Admin and I have had. They started off, generally as a bit of fun, and escalated into full-blown nuclear wars. Perhaps the most memorable was over the OWS movement. Admin was a fan, and me, not so much. I considered them a bunch of lazy, thumb-wearing good for nothing pussies that would have no impact and opined that the movement would fade away quickly. Admin thought they were doing God’s work, and that it could be a defining moment. He has always been a grand dreamer (no sarcasm intended). Here is where I would say, if I were the gloating type, that time has proved me right (not like that would be any big surprise, I am sure), but I am not that type.

There have been a couple of times where I have sent him entirely over the edge, and times where I have stormed off the site (for a good hour or two) having vowed to myself never to return. Man, who would have thought a website could get a person revved up that much.

We TBPers have witnessed the police come for our beloved Stucky. I was a bit concerned for the old fella, as the police sometimes lack a sense of humor. We have seen Stuck go through some difficult times, and always bounce back on top of the heap. He too has stomped off in a fit a time or two, but the place is too addictive.

When AWD arrived, me and Smokey beat him without mercy for days on end. Eventually, he came to thrive, and is invaluable around here, at least in my opinion.

SSS has waged war against the legalize drugs mob for years, and has brutalized all and sundry re nuclear energy. Some of those fights dragged on for days. I tried to stay out of those, as any mis-step was truly punished. He is indeed one of the biggest of the dogs.

Muck and Kill Bill have been a joy to have around. Muck is wise in so many ways. He offers his financial wisdom to us, and his common sense is legend. Kill Bill and I have spent long periods talking about planes and such – amazing the skills people have that post around here.

We little see Reverse Engineer anymore, but the fights Admin, Smokey and I had with him were brutal and long. He eventually went over the deep end, and huffed off, perhaps with a bit of a shove. I am generally pleased to see him appear now and again. He has a truly unique perspective on things.

We have a rather small, but truly remarkable, set of ladies that post. Hope (please let us know how you are), Pirate Jo, Teresa, Mary Malone, Newsjunkie (where are you NJ?) are all incredible. I have seen them eviscerate the unwary, and provide great insight.

Then there is Avalon, Jim’s angel, who must have the patience of Job to put up with five years of this stuff. I can still remember the post I made with the pic of the little boy with the suitcase leaving home, in tribute to her son leaving for his first day at college. She said it made her cry. What a fine lady.

Then there are the youngsters – Punk (where the hell are you Punk?), Colma (same question), Jmarz, TPC, et all. They are an inspiration. They, to me, are one of the main sparks that keep TBP flame alive.

We have the posters that are scattered across the globe – our resident Alaskans AKAnon, and Indentured Servant – rugged, hardy souls full of sound common sense. Novista from Down Under, bringing in a perspective from his many years of travel and vast experience. One of my personal favorites is Eugend66 – from the land of Vlad the Impaler. How cool is that! There are many more, scattered around the globe, that come and go.

We have doctors (Hope, Howard, AWD spring to mind), students, folks struggling in the harsh modern realities, folks overcoming great adversity (efarmer, we do not forget you), business folk, ancient retirees (howdy Muck!), accountants (no site is perfect), salespeople, dentists, farmers and pilots and engineers, gun experts, and folks adept at prepping. We have a wealth of resources here – you only need but ask.

We have the ocassional idiot drop by to keep us amused (DP – are you out there? English Rose, where are you?). And newbies that wander into the lion’s den, puff out their chests, bray about how tough they are, get a good old TBP welcome, crap their pants, and are never seen again. The more hardy hang in there, fine tune their presentation skills, and turn into great contributors. They just have to get through the trial by fire first. So, to any lurkers, I say jump in and test your mettle. all are welcome, but not all have the spirit to last the distance.

I apologize to the many I have forgotten who have added to the overall experience – ron, CrazyIvan, Card, bb, et al – and thank each of you for having made these years memorable. There are so many and I have not forgotten you.

And I want to once again send out a special mention to the most incendiary poster every to grace a website anywhere – Smokey, I hope you are well. You made a (scorch) mark on TBP that cannot be erased.

And to the Admin, who has grown this magnificent tree from a tiny acorn – thanks so much. You should be proud. I know it has been at times exhausting, and things ebb and flow. But you have created something grand, and I think it will have a lasting effect on those that have been party to it.