Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo Hi guys I know that Dave is still mulling over taking a break but I could not let his 5 year day go unnoticed. He had to change his screen name from is to was because of log in problems and before that lurked from the start of LP (we did not have regullar axcess to the net back then) I know that Dave has made some great friends here which is why I joined up as well. I hope you will join me in congratulating him.
Originally Posted By u k fan Congratulations Dave on your 5th Anniversary. You've made such a difference here, especially in the DLP section. I know I'm more knowledgable because of you! And don't forget to respect your LP elders! (I mean me)!!!
Originally Posted By Labuda And here I thought I was discovering that your wedding anniversary was the day before mine! lol Happy 5th anniversary on LP, my friend! I certainly hope that you stick around - you're a great guy, and a good friend, and I love reading your posts!
Originally Posted By EdisYoda Anniversary Happy to you... Anniversary Happy to you... Anniversary Happy Dear Dave... Anniversary Happy to you!
Originally Posted By LuLu Congrats Dave! And thank YOU for spending time here, helping make LP a great community.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling I'm sorry your 5th anniversary is bittersweet. As you "mull", I hope you remember all the good things about LP and how much we all really do care about you guys. Happy Anniversary to a great LPer.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hi folks, As I have considered the options, and received an overwhelming number of e-mails - thank you folks - I will not be going away entirely. Please let me just say that there is a lot going on in our lives at the mo, and LP used to be my escape. Some of the craziness of the real world snuck in to our community. I have read some things on here that were very surprising, and I felt I needed a break. 24 hours? I know, sad break. I don't want to appear like a spoilt child, throwing a tantrum, and then saying sorry. So I want to share some of the reasons why I can't stay away from LP. Some of you may have read this before. I came to LP 5 years ago. I finally had access to the internet for the first time since leaving University, and found LP by chance. Having considered myself an all around Disney historian, I loved the multifaced approach to reporting Disney news. It was the one site that seemed truly global. I also found friends from around the globe. A lot of American expatriats that were Disney fans, people who felt they didn't wholly fit in where they lived or in the states anymore. For 20 years, I feel like I don't belong anywhere - expect a Disney resort (and later my wife's arms!). In Lp I seemed to find a home. One of my fondest memories was when our kids were born. I returned from the hospital the first night of their birth, I couldn't sleep. I came on the boards and announced the arrival of the baloo babies and stayed on. There were so many wonderful messages that I printed them out and took them to Sarah in the hospital. I still have them in a box with all the congrats cards. When we last went to DL in 2002 (man, I miss home sometimes), a real highlight was meeting Dave (isn't he wonderful???!!!), Doobie, Rebecca, Indigo, Staceypooh, and Jim in Pasadena (at the time). It was wonderful. And at DLP, when I wear my LP pin, I get stopped by the European fan community and we talk. I have introduced a number of people (lurkers) to the boards from across the globe - why, because I love our community so much. The UK fan posse are amazing. These are amongst my very best friends in the world. Many have become true extensions of our family. When someone on the boards are in trouble, I want to take their pain away. I want to make them happy. And if I were nearby, I want to give them a hug - I am bad about hugs (I freaked my boss out once by hugging him when I won an award!), hence how I got my nickname!!!! How can I leave them behind? Am I happy with the events that have been unfolding in life and the boards lately? Not really. But as many have said to me, families go through the good and bad together. I'm sorry if I have lost credibility in some of your eyes, or if some of my comments have been somewhat abrasive. I am so used to keeping calm at work or when the kids do something, I use LP as an outlet sometimes. I try to be cool, but coming from an Italian/Irish background, coupled with being a Scorpio, I suppose I have a temper in there. Let's start afresh huh? Sno Cone anyone?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo BTW - there are so many on here I think are amazing people, and I have grown to not only like, but love a great many of you. Thank you for all your warm comments and gestures. You are sweet spirits, and for your friendship, I am truly grateful.
