Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Puppet masters is a perfect phrase<<< Hence why we should be who we are, no more, no less. I hope that those that know me know I will say in real life what I do on the boards, and also bear no grudges. Can't say the same for other folks. But if more people just say what they think at the time, it would be a whole lot better. Don't hide who you are, that is always what I was taught. I too have received some horrid messages over time. Bottom line is this. I am glad the people that like me do, and the feeling is pretty mutual. And for those that don't, well that's just the way it is. But the sniping, an in/out crowds and all the rest, well there is already enough drama in life. I stopped posting anywhere near as much as I used to either due to time contraints, fatigue from bashing, and/or few threads ever being picked up on. I always thought it was because I was in the out crowd. However, in real life, every single meet I have participated in has been a huge amount of fun, and unforgetable. Whether that is a PotC meet with the Rain Forest Cafe in London; or a celebration of DL's 50th and UKFAN's mom's birthday in Milton Keynes with a phone call with Labuda, Ursula, Dug et al in DCA; or giving some LPers a tour in depth of DLP when using the old MSUSA phone, the cell rings and it is Labuda; or the time we were in Orlando, and meeting with Doobekah, -Em, the Kennesaws, and the UKFAN posse was quite honestly the very biggest highlight of the trip for me. I will never of course forget the first American LPer we met, being given a badge by Dave back in 2002. Or the fact that when I wear an LP badge in DLP, cast members always get excited because they lurk here. Then of course it was a real joy to show "old" LP friends around DLP, an unforgetable day to be sure. And I will never forget our last trip to California, where we were there to decide on the future fate of where to raise our children, and indeed knowing that with the costs rising for school age kids, it may be our last trip home for a while. The wonderful LP meet in San Francisco with so many amazing friends, both old and new. The huge gathering in DL where we had what was probably the best Disneyland trip (perhaps best Disney trip other than my honeymoon) of my life. And that was down to LPers. I know this, when my children were born, after telling the grandparents, this is the first place I wanted to share our news. When times have been hard, in the past, this is where I wanted to be. LP became my cyber home. One of the things I always loved about this place is it was a forum with a real mix of people from different backgrounds and indeed many very experienced and mature visitors. A board that transcended the "what's your fav ride" mentality that seems to live on other sites. A site that although people could ask for travel advice and or write trip reports, it didn't revolve around that like others. LP was a site where you could have conversations and debate pros and cons of Disney, life, the universe and everything. It was a community. Sadly, between the hate mail I received a few years ago (for speaking my opinion). And the nature of the posts, I have been very close to disappearing. I know many may like that, but it is 10 years of being part of such a wonderful community that has made me want to work at being a part of it. I will admit, I used FB a lot to update things that I used to post here. But after getting some horrid mail when I was made redundant and people judging me for going to DLP when it was already paid for, and how I probably deserved to lose my job. I am afraid I decided there were some things I would selectively put in different areas. I can cope with debates and difference of opinion, but for crying out loud, be sure to be brave and keep it in the open.
Originally Posted By u k fan Dave I agree with pretty much everything you've said regarding your feelings towards LP. Heck, I know we've had disagreements in the past on LP, but it's important to move on from that. Only once has somebody written something about me that I was so upset about I couldn't switch it off once I'd left LP and that says as much about me as them. For the record it was years ago and was written by a poster who is now long gone. I know I could be more vocal here. In the past I have been slow to offer up opinions or answers to questions as I figured someone else would be along soon who knew more than me anyway. Despite hearing some pretty awful things about what goes on behind the scenes sometimes this topic has been surprisingly positive and also spoken about so much of the good that LP does for us!!!
Originally Posted By EdisYoda <<Where are the sno cones and the snack cart??>> <---Rolls his drink, snack and snow cone cart through the thread.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes >>>And Facebook is the latest, trendy fad and lots of folks want to be a part of it<<< Holy crap. People thought this was rude and were insulted by this comment? You don't know iamsally. She would not make a satement like this to be "smarky". You have misunderstood her and if you knew her like I do, you would understand that she was saying that people just want to keep up with what is new - period. I'm sorry it was phrased in a way that made facebook users (I'm one too) feel like they are fad chasers. That's why I'm very concerned about the meets. The meets are where we truely get to know one another, and if you knew iamsally as well as I do (we've become friends and her and Mr. iamsally have met a few times away from LP meets) you would never have thought she was insulting facebook users.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Exactly Schmitty, iamsally was just stating an opinion. Seems a difficult thing to get away with.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I am sorry that iamsally was hurt to the point of crying by my response to her comments. Her comment (and others over the years) DID sound condescending. I'm not asking her or others to walk on eggshells, but maybe understand when you post stuff like that people get insulted. You can have an opinion, absolutely. But try not to sound like you think that the opinions and interests of others have no merit because they aren't your opinions and interests. As Sara Tonin said, you really need to have the skin of an elephant if you are going to post on and Internet discussion board. Advice we all should take I think. In an earlier post I asked people to look in the mirror before pointing fingers. I am sad to see, no one is doing that and taking personal responsibility for the way these boards have been the last year and a half.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes >>>As Sara Tonin said, you really need to have the skin of an elephant if you are going to post on and Internet discussion board. Advice we all should take I think.<<< Amen.
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight I don't have an elephants skin but I do wear my bear suit sometimes just for funsies. Ohh and I always have to apply alot of lotion or I get aligator skin. Ya know, kinda dry and rough around the edges and all... that count? Ya know come to think of it I think I have a few elephants skins in my closet...lemme go look........ Nope. My bad, those are just my clothes. Same size and all.. easy mistake. ;-)
Originally Posted By u k fan <<<In an earlier post I asked people to look in the mirror before pointing fingers. I am sad to see, no one is doing that and taking personal responsibility for the way these boards have been the last year and a half.>>> You see, in a post about being condescending I find this statement to be very much so. And so it goes...!!!
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb So we're all going to sit here and act like it's the other person's fault. Nice.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb For the record I wasn't aiming my comment at anyone in particular. But until we ask ourselves "What have I done to contribute to the current atmosphere, and what can I change about my online presence here to improve things" nothing will get better. So go ahead and take my statement the wrong way, seemingly on purpose just to get a ding on me because you didn't like my post.
Originally Posted By Ursula I promise to not leave my phone charger at work next time. I think we need more emoticons.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes Last night was just like the last two. I was asleep on the sofa before I even knew it, but I'm enjoying my job for a change, so that makes up for it. Here we go: First, I tried to be very careful with my wording in post #1. I want to make it clear that I said that I find facebook to be cliquish, not facebook users. One dictionary I looked at equated cliques with snobbery and I was dread to use the word, but other dictionaries leaned toward "exclusive" and that was my intent with the use of that word. I think there is a sense of exclusivity in facebook. That's not necessarily a bad thing. As it has been said, there are things one would post on facebook that one would not post on LP or any other board that is there for all to see. I hope I didn't offend anyone by my wording. Another thing about facebook is that I can completely understand that if one took twenty or thirty pictures of one's meeting with friends or one's trip or whatever, one would not want to post twenty or thirty pictures on LP Live. It is a lot easier to place those onto facebook. I still have a problem with the fact that things placed on facebook can be 'buried' very quickly if you aren't looking at facebook frequently. Next, I didn't intend this to become a "What's wrong with LaughingPlace" thread. It sort of has become that, and I'm sorry. It got to be such that lemisfan, who I've met several times and admire greatly, started another topic with "with a certain topic that has brought up some of the negativity and how lp has lost that magic touch I decided to come up with a feel good post." Ouch. I didn't mean for that to happen. Next, I was horrified to read 999Haunts and Murfsmom's posts about their experiences. That ain't right. Next, there has been some sniping in this topic. Holy crap!! Stop it! And it is all because some people made a post using wording that others were offended by. I'm a grandparent, and when I read iamsally's post I knew exactly what she meant by the words she used. Iamsally has been twenty-nine for a few years now, and she uses expressions that I understand, but I think it might be generational, and the same words might have a different connotation to others. I'm going to use another example, and I hope this won't be taken wrong. First let me say, Autopia Deb, I really think the world of you and I've enjoyed meeting you and I've always had a good time when you are around, so PLEASE don't take offense because I'm using your post to make a point. Here's what was posted: >>>I am sad to see, no one is doing that and taking personal responsibility for the way these boards have been….<<< I get exactly what she meant. But wait! She said NO ONE! That includes ME! She just called me IRRESPONSIBLE! Why that $#@!$!!#@!#!!#!! Next time I see her I'm going to give her a piece of my mind! I'll beat her to death with a churro! Heck, why wait until I see her, I'm going to launch a salvo against her right now on these boards! Hold it. See how easy it is to take offense? And just because of how something was worded? I get what she said. We need to be responsible and respectful of others with our posts. We might need to think a bit before we click on that "post" button. At least I know I do. Do I think it was a poor choice of words and that she should take it back and rewrite her words? Not at all. She said what was on her mind and I get it. Again, sorry Deb, I didn't mean to single you out, please don't take offense, I just wanted to make a point about what can happen if you spin too much about someone's wording. And let me wrap up this part of my tome with what was posted quite a ways back: The bad guys tend to weed themselves out. Here is all I wanted out of the OP. Let's try it from a different angle. To misquote Will Rogers: I've never met an Lper I didn't like. I'm being honest here. Some (a very few) appeared a little freaky, but I told myself not to judge, so I introduced myself to them (well, some of them anyway) and found out they weren't so freaky after all. And that's hard for me too. I think shyness is a common trait around here, and I've often had my shyness mistaken for snobbery. Not that I can't be snobbish. I certainly am, but I'm working on that. Back on point, I've enjoyed meeting each and every Lper, and I'm lucky not to have had the bad experiences others have had. You see, posting on LP is one thing, but meeting people, seeing them face to face, finding out who "MickyDonaldGoofyFan1776" is (Whoa! I thought it was a dude! It's a lady!) makes a heck of a difference. It really adds good stuff to ones life and enhances the time spent on the boards. I think meets are the best part of LP, and I think it's funny that meets are almost never an 'official' part of LP. So I was just concerned about how the July meets seemed to me to be under reported. I want the newcomers to attend these things so that we can really get to know each other. Then when "MickyDonaldGoofyFan1776" posts, I know where she's coming from. I'll be a lot more respectful of her posts (as I should be anyway, but we're only human after all). But if there is an under reporting of what a great time everyone had, what's to motivate the newcomers to attend? It's been said many times and it was my experience too, it's almost terrifying to attend one's first meet. It takes quite a bit of motivation, and if it appears as though few people really enjoyed themselves, where's the motivation? That's all I was trying to get across. Finally, Thanks to everyone who did post their photos, whether here or on facebook, and thanks to those who posted a link here on LP to their posts on facebook. And thanks for the trip reports. If you think LP has lost some of it's magic, then let's all work on that together. Circumstance caused me to lose much of my sense of humor of late, but it's coming back gradually, so I hope I can be of use in making this a happier place. Thanks for noticing me.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb For my part, no offense taken. All I am trying to do, is improve the state of this once great community. I've seen posts from others that indicate the same. I'm not trying to piss people off or pick fights. But if we are going to fix what's wrong, and I'm starting to doubt we can, being blind to the problem and our own part in it will only serve as a barrier to that goal. I was really hoping that this topic would serve as a forum for airing things out, getting them in the open. I did say I was sorry for hurting iamsally's feelings. But did anyway see or acknowledge that part of the post? Nope, my plea for personal responsibility was thrown back in my face as condescending instead, by someone who I had always found to be reasonable. So what can I say, other than I will use facebook to communicate with my friends, post the occasional LP Live photo and participate in this community best I can.
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight Ok, so as far as me saying " The bad seeds tend to weed themselves out." I mean that if you don't feed into negativity you starve it to death. People who enjoy bickering are indeed on LP as well as people who like to "stir the pot". But if you ignore thier posts and bite your tongue and sometimes that is soooo insanely hard to do but can be done, you kill it befor it grows. Sometimes silence speaks the loudest. I really enjoy reading everyones posts on there as I find it pretty darn enlightening how we each view things. I truely Love LP!
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight I myself am majorly guilty of losing my cool a while back and posting harshly. I didn't like how that made me feel and I disappointed myself for not being able to control getting upset. The fact of the matter is that you can't have alot of people constantly in contact with one another on a daily basis and not have somthing to say about them from time to time or never have anyone geton your nerves for whatever it is they are getitng on your nerves about.(i.e, me and my Slinky Dog or me always saying lame things) We all have a gripe about another LP'er that we vent to our friends. Gossip, yes. We All need to vent and get it out. But as AD said, we should ALL take a good hard look in the mirror at ourselves.
