DELETED
- Robin in NC
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:19 pm
- Location: Kernersville, NC
"Best" Forum
This is "by far" the "best" forum!!
It is quite ironic that Jorge has brought this subject up at this time.
I recently had a "quite odd & unsettling" experience on one of the "other" forums.
As many of you know, I enjoy writing trip reports upon our return from the ilons. Recently, my husband & I traveled to Tortola for a short stay. Prior to the trip, we frequented another forum & were truly given some great tips & suggestions.
Upon our return - we did our usual trip report with photos which we posted on both forums.
As usual - you all were very gracious & kind and posted your thanks for sharing.
On the "other" forum - I did get many wonderful responses - but, also received a "private message" that kind of made me stop in my tracks.
A little set up here: When I write my trip reports, I take great license with the use of quotation marks. My intent is to - quote-unquote - highlight certain words that - if I were talking or conversing in person - I would use more inflection with. I am sure you all know what I am trying to say - such as the "best" beach, etc.
Anyway, here I was - fairly happy with the "finished" project - - - then I get this private message that starts off by saying something like they were glad that we had a great time - but, that I might be interested in the attached information. Here ya go - the attached information was a link to a "grammar site" explaining the proper usage of quotation marks.
Truthfully, I was stunned & a little hurt. After I calmed down a little, I did respond & admitted my intentional improper use & tried to explain my writing style. (I neglected to tell him that I am a college graduate & had more than one professor tell me that I should have majored in English instead of Accounting.)
He responded that it was just the "journalism professor" in him coming out. Whatever - it kind of left a nasty feeling in my gut.
Anyway, since that event - I have been in no hurry to frequent that forum again.
Didn't mean to whine or complain - just thought I would "share" (oops - there I go, again) my personal example of why "this" forum is way better than the rest. - We truly are a big family, cause I don't know if I would share this story with total strangers!!
It is quite ironic that Jorge has brought this subject up at this time.
I recently had a "quite odd & unsettling" experience on one of the "other" forums.
As many of you know, I enjoy writing trip reports upon our return from the ilons. Recently, my husband & I traveled to Tortola for a short stay. Prior to the trip, we frequented another forum & were truly given some great tips & suggestions.
Upon our return - we did our usual trip report with photos which we posted on both forums.
As usual - you all were very gracious & kind and posted your thanks for sharing.
On the "other" forum - I did get many wonderful responses - but, also received a "private message" that kind of made me stop in my tracks.
A little set up here: When I write my trip reports, I take great license with the use of quotation marks. My intent is to - quote-unquote - highlight certain words that - if I were talking or conversing in person - I would use more inflection with. I am sure you all know what I am trying to say - such as the "best" beach, etc.
Anyway, here I was - fairly happy with the "finished" project - - - then I get this private message that starts off by saying something like they were glad that we had a great time - but, that I might be interested in the attached information. Here ya go - the attached information was a link to a "grammar site" explaining the proper usage of quotation marks.
Truthfully, I was stunned & a little hurt. After I calmed down a little, I did respond & admitted my intentional improper use & tried to explain my writing style. (I neglected to tell him that I am a college graduate & had more than one professor tell me that I should have majored in English instead of Accounting.)
He responded that it was just the "journalism professor" in him coming out. Whatever - it kind of left a nasty feeling in my gut.
Anyway, since that event - I have been in no hurry to frequent that forum again.
Didn't mean to whine or complain - just thought I would "share" (oops - there I go, again) my personal example of why "this" forum is way better than the rest. - We truly are a big family, cause I don't know if I would share this story with total strangers!!
Sue,
I thoroughly enjoyed your trip report; it was made all the more interesing, thanks in large part to your writing "style".
Two words come to mind regarding your critic...."pompous ass" (should "ass" be capitalized?)
....mia
I thoroughly enjoyed your trip report; it was made all the more interesing, thanks in large part to your writing "style".
Two words come to mind regarding your critic...."pompous ass" (should "ass" be capitalized?)


It takes both the sun and the rain to make a beautiful rainbow. --Unknown
All I can say is that this forum is cheaper than therapy. Thanks for the love and I too am grateful to make such great connections with people who share the same interests.
In a day and age when many of us don't even talk to our neighbors, it's nice to have a sense of "family" that defies geography, race, gender, religion, and economics.
A previous poster was right, this forum truly reflects the STJ spirit. How many other places offer the same kind of diversity of accomodations to attract a whole range of visitors? You can camp on STJ or stay in a villa that is arguably a palace. With everything in between.
One of the things that shocked me on my first visit to the VI was that no one was interested in what I did for a living. You'd go to a bar and see a guy in a suit conversing happily with a construction worker. Here in the DC area we are consumed with "what do you do, who do you know, how much money do you make etc."
When we go to STJ, none of that matters.
I for one try to take a little of that home every time I return from STJ. I try to look people in the eye, smile and give people the benefit of the doubt.
Inevitably though my STJ battery runs low if I am away too long and I get sucked into all the negativity of the world.
Thanks to all of you on this forum for keeping that battery charged and reminding me about the acceptance that only STJ and those who visit it can understand and appreciate.
In a day and age when many of us don't even talk to our neighbors, it's nice to have a sense of "family" that defies geography, race, gender, religion, and economics.
A previous poster was right, this forum truly reflects the STJ spirit. How many other places offer the same kind of diversity of accomodations to attract a whole range of visitors? You can camp on STJ or stay in a villa that is arguably a palace. With everything in between.
One of the things that shocked me on my first visit to the VI was that no one was interested in what I did for a living. You'd go to a bar and see a guy in a suit conversing happily with a construction worker. Here in the DC area we are consumed with "what do you do, who do you know, how much money do you make etc."
When we go to STJ, none of that matters.
I for one try to take a little of that home every time I return from STJ. I try to look people in the eye, smile and give people the benefit of the doubt.
Inevitably though my STJ battery runs low if I am away too long and I get sucked into all the negativity of the world.
Thanks to all of you on this forum for keeping that battery charged and reminding me about the acceptance that only STJ and those who visit it can understand and appreciate.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
Gromit wrote:
One of the things that shocked me on my first visit to the VI was that no one was interested in what I did for a living. You'd go to a bar and see a guy in a suit conversing happily with a construction worker. Here in the DC area we are consumed with "what do you do, who do you know, how much money do you make etc."
When we go to STJ, none of that matters.
We all know STJ outside beauty but the inside soul and heart of STJ is also beautiful!
I believe you give out good karma and good comes back to you ten fold... and Visa Versa.
One of the things that shocked me on my first visit to the VI was that no one was interested in what I did for a living. You'd go to a bar and see a guy in a suit conversing happily with a construction worker. Here in the DC area we are consumed with "what do you do, who do you know, how much money do you make etc."
When we go to STJ, none of that matters.
We all know STJ outside beauty but the inside soul and heart of STJ is also beautiful!
I believe you give out good karma and good comes back to you ten fold... and Visa Versa.
Peace,
bj
bj
- cypressgirl
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
- Location: houston
Pappajim.......u crak me up!!!
I had an experience on "the other" forum. (I like to use quotes to or is it too) who gives a rip!
I replied to a guys post about a trip he took on a particular boat to The Baths. He complained about how horrible the weather was, how everyone was scared for their lives, and basically it was one of the worst days of his life and he thought the boat only went out for the $$$.
I chimed in on how I agreed with him. Well, I get this e-mail from a certain person who lives on STT and he called me every word in the book and dropped the "F" bomb several times and told me to never come back to the ilons. I was in tears. How silly of me, since I know he's just a gerk with a short complex. Come to find out, he is big budds with the owner of this boat. I also can't stand to hear people sell (in discreet ways) their jewelry or time shares.
I forwarded his e-mail to the forum moderator.
I got a nice apology from him, but never from the jerk.
Oh well, water under the bridge. Now I just harass you guys.
(Sorry for any mistakes in grammer or spelling.)
I had an experience on "the other" forum. (I like to use quotes to or is it too) who gives a rip!
I replied to a guys post about a trip he took on a particular boat to The Baths. He complained about how horrible the weather was, how everyone was scared for their lives, and basically it was one of the worst days of his life and he thought the boat only went out for the $$$.
I chimed in on how I agreed with him. Well, I get this e-mail from a certain person who lives on STT and he called me every word in the book and dropped the "F" bomb several times and told me to never come back to the ilons. I was in tears. How silly of me, since I know he's just a gerk with a short complex. Come to find out, he is big budds with the owner of this boat. I also can't stand to hear people sell (in discreet ways) their jewelry or time shares.
I forwarded his e-mail to the forum moderator.
I got a nice apology from him, but never from the jerk.
Oh well, water under the bridge. Now I just harass you guys.
(Sorry for any mistakes in grammer or spelling.)
Sue,
What the heck? My Bachelor's in journalism and that is crazy. The fact that someone would take the time to organize, write and share a trip report is something to celebrate! There are so many different "styles" or "rules" out there regarding writing (oh, look I just used quotes). I'm a much better writer when I let it flow. (My big thing is using"---" for pauses or change of thought). Let's celebrate our own "styles"!
What the heck? My Bachelor's in journalism and that is crazy. The fact that someone would take the time to organize, write and share a trip report is something to celebrate! There are so many different "styles" or "rules" out there regarding writing (oh, look I just used quotes). I'm a much better writer when I let it flow. (My big thing is using"---" for pauses or change of thought). Let's celebrate our own "styles"!
I know what you mean I posted my trip report on the other board too. It was hard for me to write with tears in my eyes and the fact that I think faster then I type. But some over there brought up my spelling and sentance structure. I'll still post over there if some one needs help but won't interact with them any more.
Tom
Tom
- chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
I started looking at forums (this and the *other* one) simply to find information to help me plan some trips. I have been pleasantly surprised at the amount of helpful information I've gotten. But I have also been a bit blown away at the whole virtual community that has grown here! It's kind of amazing to see, and pretty wonderful too!

I agree with Robin in NC, this board does reflect the STJ attitude, including Grommit's observation that in STJ it doesn't matter who you know, what you do... I bet if a profile (jobs, financial status, politics, religion,...) of all of us were done, we'd all be quite surprised at the vast cross-section of people we not only get along with, but genuinely enjoy.
Drinking the Koolaid!
We talk about the forum characters frequently at home. Dinner conversation sounds like "Oh my God, did you see what Jorge wrote? Hey, Cypressgirl's daughter wrote a trip report. Anthony poste something new on his Florence blog... Xislandgirl is down a size. Ron_L posted food porn!!!"
It's funny, but we talk about the people more than we talk about STJ.
It's good therapy for me.
Cheers, RickG
We talk about the forum characters frequently at home. Dinner conversation sounds like "Oh my God, did you see what Jorge wrote? Hey, Cypressgirl's daughter wrote a trip report. Anthony poste something new on his Florence blog... Xislandgirl is down a size. Ron_L posted food porn!!!"
It's funny, but we talk about the people more than we talk about STJ.
It's good therapy for me.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI