Volkswagon has this great ad that says, "On the road of life there are passengers and there are drivers". You might argue that it doesn't make too much difference which you are because in the end, both drivers and passengers end up at the same destination. I would like to argue however, that drivers have more fun. They get to decide when to start and when to stop, where to go and which turns to take along the way.

Flyertalk is a lot like that as well. READERS may enjoy, but it is the posters who decide when to start and when to stop, where to go and what turns to take along the way. I submit that the posters have a lot more fun a reap the most benefits along the way.

Here's a good example. What if rhw88 hadn't made his post under "Who We All Are 2" stating that he used to own Ironlight? Well, Punki wouldn't have seen it or made the connection or stored him in her memory bank and they would never have become friends. And they will someday meet and become friends. Trust me, I know these things.

What if those of us who are going to PIP hadn't pitched in and said, "I'll go!" I don't even want to think about all the fun we would miss out on.

So, don't be afraid. JUST POST SOMETHING. If you are too shy to use your psuedo name, make up a fake psuedo name and give it a try. Or you could just put your name in backwards and nobody would ever know who you are.

In case you haven't noticed, every post on the boards is not a great literary achievement. It is ok to just agree with a previous post or even say something whacky. Like:

"I used to have a girlfriend at Palm Beach High School in the late 1950s. Her name was Cheryl Dolcini. I miss her and can't find her. If anybody knows of her whereabouts, please have her e-mail me. I will use my FREQUENT FLYER miles to go see her wherever she is." (Nice segue, donchathink?)

What's the worst that could happen. Catman can reprimand you for not staying 100% on topic and people might think you are a little odd, but what the heck. On the other hand somebody might know your friend and you would have a happy ending (using your FREQUENT FLYER miles to go see her).

Not that we should make posts that are totally random and not related to FREQUENT FLYER MILES in any way, but the point is, Jump In. It's just a lot more fun when you contribute.

(p.s. I am not responsible for any craziness posted to these boards, other than my own!!)

Now that I think it over a little more, I may not even be responsible for my own.


[This message has been edited by iknuP (edited 07-06-1999).]

Gee, that line about putting your name in backwards is really neat, Punki...

All of us from the great NW are sharp, aren't we??

[This message has been edited by shadow (edited 07-05-1999).]

The Shadow Knows.

arturo kno de shedow knot kno es much es arturo. sumbudy put en arturos nam bassackards, butt et knot arturo. arturo awlweighs luukin et thes posts ef he hav tim and consuelo knot want arturo to go shopin wif her. arturo knot lik thet.

iknup, mebe yu jus post wif yur reel nam. arturo lik et beter.

(oldies might remember last Halloween here on the board).

I'd always thought that multiple personalities were quite rare indeed- until noting the schizophrenic nature of FT's!

Cheryl Dolcini?? She lives right down the street from me!! ... Nah! Just kiddin'.
Djlawman

Yes Rudi, suffice to say that there isn't a good Flyertalk idea that you haven't already tried......

Thanks for the tip IDUR. The Halloween posts entertained me during my first cup of morning coffee.

Arturo, none of us who know you and love you would ever be tricked by those "bassaackards" imposters. (We serious shoppers can tell by the way they type that they don't have enough dinero or generosidad to keep Consuelo contenta).

iknuP just wanted to encourage everybody to try posting so they could have more fun on FlyerTalk.

(Schizo.....what already???)

Hey! There's nothing wrong with lurking (I don't really like that term, but what's better - "reading the posts but not participating actively?")
But you really do get more if you participate.

I too, must speak up for the lurkers. While it's true that posting is a lot of fun, there is nothing wrong with our (very large) silent audience.

Once in a while a lurker sends an e-mail to me, and I enjoy my brush with the invisible...

Baobab...look out your window. Please don't call the police. That's just me "lurking!"

Couldn't agree philforest and baobab more. I lurked for months before I attempted my first faltering and inept posts, and I enjoyed every minute of the lurking.

I am just having a lot MORE fun posting. The older I get the more I realize how important it is to have the most fun possible (without hurting anybody else) while you are here.

While I have a long list of "woulda, shoulda, coulda done its" in my past, I can't think of a single instance where I regret that I just had Way Too Much Fun!



[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 07-06-1999).]

I have to confess I would have still have been a LURKER to this day if I didn't go against my personality (I AM VERY VERY SHY!)
and made a post. I felt the question was stupid and I was not savy as you all.

But someone from FlyerTalk made me feel welcome. Then Rudi and Baobab and Sir Merry and PremEx and Matt Wald and company started writing nice and fun e-mails.

And now I have found a "HOME."

It's a personal choice to Lurk or to post. If you just want to read the boards and get a tip or two, that's fine.

OMNI: I have a very good friend who also reads the boards (she is NOT a FrequentFLyer) only to maek sure everyone is NICE to the CAT!


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MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!!!

Catman,

I am so glad you decided to take the risk and become a megaposter.

FlyerTalk wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun without you!