Goodbye to the VX Board

[kpaske]

...but I'm being overcome by a raging dose of pococurantism !

Funny, I was just overcome by a raging urge to consult a dictionary!

...But I'll Just Do My Own Thing...

Like you do with your capitalization?

Look, I'm not sure what you're so frustrated about, but your claim that the people on this forum are apathetic is just simply not true. In two days you got four pages / 46 responses telling you that you're wrong.

As with all forums, there are deadbeats and spammers and trolls and everything else, but in my experience, this forum in particular caters to a more mature crowd than most. If you aren't getting anything out of it, you're welcome to go elsewhere. Nobody is going to beg you to stay. But when you need an answer to a question about your VX, where else are you going to go? To your local dealer?!?

[thebear54]

Like you said Micheal....I'll probably be back

AS FOR THE "CRY BABY" COMMENT...Doesn't even deserve a reply. I think being on this board as long as I have been, I can say what's on my mind

[Choonks]

Ok guys. I’ve been tuning into this forum for almost two years now and I can certainly say that I too respect all the useful information that’s been traded amongst each other the entire time. You’ll also notice that I haven’t posted much of anything because like someone else mentioned earlier, by the time they get around to asking, the question has already been asked/answered by someone else. Furthermore, usually when there’s a disagreement between some of you, it’s usually resolved by agreeing to disagree. But I have to give my $.02 in this case: ‘thebear54’ might have come across wrong to some of you – actually to a whole lot of you from what I read, but that’s no reason to attack him is it?? Some of you have mentioned that this forum, as opposed to other forums you’ve frequented, has a lot of mature and respectable members. So why are we demonstrating otherwise with the assault to our fellow member’s (be it former or otherwise) character?? We don’t know why he feels the way he does – no one bothered to inquire about that. Anyone bothered to send him a PM and ask if everything was ok? Or even to let him know that you’re there to lend an ear if he ever feels like venting?? Instead, it was just an automatic lashing out at him because he said something you didn’t like?? C’mon! We call ourselves family on this board – don’t we? And we’re talking about someone that’s been a member since 2004!! Well, I agree with him when he said he’s been a member long enough and he should be able to speak his mind – he’s right – he should…without being ostracized by the same people that has in the past taken his advice on VX related issues as well as agreed with him on other positive things! Now y’all can bash me too if you like – I’ll still come back time after time after time and read up on things and enjoy the hilarious comments I read and LOL to myself. Please, please lets stop with the hating on this man and show him some famous VX.info comradery (sp?) and concern. And just for the record…no, I’m not saying what I said because I told him I was gonna buy a couple magazines from him and didn’t get around to it – not the reason in the least. The reason is because I have always looked up to this forum and the brilliant-minded people here; and what I’ve been reading on this thread is unlike the character of the individuals I’ve looked up to and respected for almost 2 years – and I just don’t want the image that I have of you guys to be shattered by the words that are coming off the tip of your fingers. Now there’s an issue to “rethink”!

Ursula

[Bimati]

He speaks his mind, we speak ours.....to each his own, and God bless freedom of speech and thought.

Group feelings and character change over time, Ursula. I respect your opinion and your input as I am sure we all do. Thanks for the post.

Bear's original post insulted many of us on this board and some people react, and some people don't. I can't change the fact that I was insulted simply from your post. I happen to think that gross generalizations directed at a group are infantile and unwarranted.

Therefore, I react with mature and dignified words like A$$pickle....now if you'll excuse me, I need to call my mom.

Bim

[ZEUS]

Ursula,


I understand what you are saying - you put it eloquently. However, please understand I have to defend myself as I feel I have had a part in how this man has decided to go about things. I don't feel any regret for what I have said about him concerning our unresolved transaction. For me, it is just that, a unresolved transaction made on this forum. His own private feelings about this forum, the VehiCROSS, and his collection of memorabilia, all have no ill effect on me. He chose a strange and somewhat insulting way to say goodbye to all these people he claims to have befriended. I don't know the truth behind his actions, but I am suspicious, I admit it. Perhaps I would have sent him a concerned PM regarding his decision to leave the site had he answered my first two PM's... And maybe this is all a "Three's Company" misunderstanding; I don't know. Time will tell. He has finally contacted me about our transaction, so hopefully he and I will get everything resolved. You are right in saying he has the right to express his dissatisfaction and opinion but I believe anyone who was insulted by him also has the right to express the same (and there are many). Just as you have expressed you own dissatisfaction to us - it's fair. It is sad this has come about for whatever reason, no doubt.

So, John (bear54), are you ok? Is there some way you would like to defend yourself? Anything to report? Is your comment about being buried in you VX a hint of health problems or something? If not, just know leaving the forum will only aid in alienating yourself from the few who understand passion for the VX, whether you see it in them/us or not.

Justin

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

This is an awkward situation for me to post comment on; because, I've met John personally last summer in Vermont during a meet he set up: "VX-Plore Vermont" and have nothing but good things to say about him.
I remember him taking the time to ask first if there was sufficient interest in having a meet and then setting it up. I was pumped because it was my first meet and by the posts it sounded like we were going to have about 9 VX'ers show up. Plus, John's vision for a meet included alot of different activities to keep things fun & interesting (such as renting a Land Rover at the nearby off-road school and learning various off-road techniques!). The meet wound up being just the 3 of us and the one VX'er couldn't stay more than a couple of hours. So basically John & I hung out for an afternoon; and I want to thank John again for making the best of it. I for one was disappointed it didn't turn out like I thought but I'm still glad I got to meet John...see some of Vermont for the first time, check out his expansive VX collection, and climb & descend Mt. Equinox in my VX!
Personally, I feel as though all of the successful meets that were not too far away for me to attend happened before I joined this great site.
I realize that with everyone's busy schedules it's nearly impossible to get everyone interested on the same page.
I guess in some ways I was bummed out too this year because everytime I had some time off I didn't see any meets happening. I don't know if I can ever make it to Moab...I'd love too for sure...but that would require about all of my yearly time off in one shot....still...it would probably be worth it!
I ask that you all try and take John's comments as not a personal attack on this site or its members...but, more of his disappointment in what he sees as a decline in interest of us WANTING to get together, meeting up, spending a day or two engaging in amusing/fun-filled activities.

[JHarris1385]

Choonks are you a pre-school teacher?

[Raque Thomas]

Guys, I don't know John nor the reason for his comments - but I can tell those of you who ordered from him, I think he will make it good. I sent him a Pay Pal for one of the VX toys that someone beat me to and he immediately refunded my money, even though it cost him on Pay Pal to do so. My impression of him because of that was that he was a stand-up guy. Sure would like to hear a better explanation though of the reasons he feels as he does.

[Jim Hanzak]

I may not be on here that much, nor have I attended a meet yet. But, I am Mr. Enthusiastic with my VX. I hug it, I squeeze it, and Im gonna love it forever.

[BBVX]

Zeus, I'm pretty sure you had nothing to do with John's decision to leave or reason for posting.

I also have met John on several occasions and can personally understand wher he is coming from. If I had to guess, I would say it has nothing to to with posting on the board at all. Obviously we are all very attached to our vehicles and none of us enjoy hearing negative things about them or ourselves, but I don't think that's what John was doing.

Check out my past posts and my gallery and you'll see that shortly after I bought my VX, I started arranging meets. If you follow the photos, you'll see that year after year, there are less and less people in attendance. I'm pretty sure that's all John was getting at. I obviously noticed the same thing, and as a result, I don't even think I did a casino meet last year. People are just busy, that's all. Geez, I have two bands, play poker, go offroading with the club, and this spring I started my own business! If anything, John is probably more upset with me than anyone.

If John is guilty of anything, it's that he expects others to be as passionate about their VXs (and their VX family) as he is. And I'm sure that most of us are, but we don't get out and share it with each other as much as we could.

Sorry John, hope to see you around,
Brian

PS and if there is a paypal or money issue, John will make it right.

[k4tmc]

One thing I have not seen mentioned (or, I missed it) that may be impacting the numbers showing up at meets, is the cost of gasoline. It has more than doubled in the last few years! So, maybe everyone is saving-up for that super-meet in Moab. Another thought is that as your VX is getting older, you may be less inclined to make that extra trip that shortens its life.

Reading some of the comments from past postings about the fuel mileage some of you are getting, means that it costs a lot to drive a distance to a VX gathering. In my other major hobby, ham radio, there are numerous gatherings (hamfests) around the country every year, even dozens right here in the NC/VA/SC area. My attendance at those events has significantly decreased due to the same reasons that others have already mentioned above. However, the real clincher, is when I look in my wallet on Friday evening or Saturday morning and realize what it is going to cost to attend an event for a few hours, I have second thoughts. That has not dampened my enthusiasm for the hobby. I am still active in various other forms - e-mail reflectors, part-time business, on-the-air competitions, etc.

So, instead of attending meets, you may get to see me when I am in your area on a business trip. Such was a recent occasion when I was in Austin, TX, and had dinner with some local VXers. I'll post a note on the board when I am heading out and see if anyone would like to have lunch/dinner and show me their VX.

[rowhard]

about 14 hours ago, maybe page one, I was going to comment. Had it typed, then in the end I didn't post it, but what the hell. Being a new VX'er, was keen to meet other VX owners in the Pacific Northwest and suggested a get together back in October. With the exception of Kpaske, no one was interested. Could this be what The Bear was hinting at?

[VX4EJR]

I have decided to not pay anymore bills. When they come in the mail, I'm simply not going to pay for them. In fact, I'm just not going to work anymore either. Just don't feel like it. Well, I'm headin over to Chachki's for a coffee. Bye.

[CrnCnn]

mmm yeeaah

[PHO2GR4]

about 14 hours ago, maybe page one, I was going to comment. Had it typed, then in the end I didn't post it, but what the hell. Being a new VX'er, was keen to meet other VX owners in the Pacific Northwest and suggested a get together back in October. With the exception of Kpaske, no one was interested. Could this be what The Bear was hinting at?

Wait! Wait! Don't give up!

I just GOT my VX, and it needs a little work. Once it's running, I'll meet anytime, anywhere.

Honest.

I've already been to one meet! They're fun! Heck, Tone drove all the way from Texas to Seattle for that meet. I think there were more than 11 or 12 of us.

Cooooooooooool.