During the 24 hours or so at the height conflict when there were a number of enforced and voluntary plankings I was so distraught I kept
Cindy and
Jools (yes members of the infamous "Sisterhood") up half the night holding my hand. In denial about how important FF was to me I, at the time, blamed my extreme emotional responses on my current illness, with which I still struggle. NOT the whole picture.
I can't recall exactly where but I read one pirates comment to the effect that some of us "should get a life". I have also read posts implying that the "cliques" formed on FF are somehow suspect or inappropriate. For the information of these posters and others who have posted similar ideas and for you let me tell you the following:
1) FF is a Rorschach Test. A piece of moving abstract art. It is what it is, to
you. Anothers may, and probably do have different takes and/or attachments to FF.
2) Spending a lot of time on FF, in and of itself is
not a sign of having no life. It is for many of us a
part of our lives and I think ~IMHO~ a much more meaningful thing to do in one's free time than watching WWF or cars zooming around an oval track. I have learned a great deal on this board and that is a good thing, especially in these uncertain times.
3)
Of course people form bonds, unions, couplings, "cliques" and the like on FF. We do it in the "real" world. We do it online. It is a human thing you know. Human beings form alliances. Period. It is natural. If, as these bonds on FF are, without malice towards others and supportive of one another it is no threat to anyone. PS: Anyone can "join"
4) To the plankers: I was hurt and puzzled by the seeming overreaction, especially to Dot. I was greatly relived when
Linn (Linnea) "unplanked" those individuals but it was to late to avoid the anger, confusion and pain that followed. I was especially hurt because I had viewed Linn to be a wise, calm voice on FF. She had been very supportive when I got my HAM license and I considered her an ally. Glad she took a shuttle for bit of shore leave to shake off some stress (hope she went to Risa!).
5) To those who have self planked: I nearly jumped overboard myself. That was the cause of all the hand holding by the ever strong and wise,
Cindy and
Jools during the wee hours. I was ready to bolt. As I said, I blamed everything I had at my disposal but in the end, after several days of reflection it came down to this: The emotional pain I felt was rooted in the upheaval hear on FF.
5)
Scott, I miss you. Of all the posters on FF, you have caused me to reassess my points of view more than any other. While I am glad we have the option to keep in touch outside FF, those who have not read your witty, insightful posts are missing something very special.
PS:
DesertOfTheSea wrote:
We can be peaceful pirates......
Peaceful? Within reason, I agree.
Quiet? Never.