Freedom!!

[4th gen Suthen']

The stargate was Malky's baby not gj.

Well it was my idea and I created it. I thought it would be a place where GJ could practice his black arts, and as it was hidden, posts there would not annoy those who didn't like GJ's style of prose. Unfortunately it created a "them and us" situation

I still think it was worth a try

Malky

It was worth a try Malky, there was nothing wrong with the Stargate (prize for whoever thought up the name!).....anywone could be in it, hardly anything controversial was said in it, for long periods NOTHING was said in it, it was only a problem for those who wanted it to be a problem.

But it was a problem and it was spoiling the forum and it is now in the past......pity the interesting and stimulating GJ and Sweltered are not here anymore but that is just the way it has turned out.

There is still plenty good stuff going on.

[Ship called Dignity]

4th Gen,

I'll vouch for the fact there was no controversial stuff in The Stargate but it did create a "them" and "us" culture. I quite openly disagreed with it as I knew what would happen but I can't fault Malky for giving it a try in the first place.

Even one of the posts on here highlights the ones who are still not part of the gang!

Now not directing at 4th Gen

There have been a huge number of changes recently so the forum will take time to develop but there are far more people posting than before. Perhaps less posts but more people posting which is a good start.

Being honest I don't for a second miss coming home each night and reading through the one sentence paragraphs. I miss some of the humour in a few of the posts but on the whole I felt in contributed little to the objectives of why the forum was started in the first place.

I also think it is unfair to post regarding a former member who can't post a reply in any defence he may feel fit.

If people aren't enjoying the forum or think it is quiet they have a choice - leave or contribute. As members we can all play a role in the future of the forum. Sadly for some members the forum will never be the same now that some members have been banned but there isn't anythng we can do about that and if you want you can play a vital part in its future.

It's nice being a normal member of the forum now.

[Malky]

.... the Stargate (prize for whoever thought up the name!

What's my prize then? I'm not claiming it till I know, as knowing you it will be a half-burned rafter from your shed or something

Malky

[4th gen Suthen']

Right, that's it, yeezara' gangin' up on me..... I'm in the huffananoo!

[daftdog]

Right, that's it, yeezara' gangin' up on me..... I'm in the huffananoo!

That hat is enough reason to gang up or rip the urine oot ye, no need to say a word..

[4th gen Suthen']

You watch it Doag, that hat has served me well for 5 summers now, it has developed its own character and.....ehhh shape! any more derogatory remarks and I will set my sparrowhawk on yi!

[EMDEE]

A hat can become an extension of our own character!

If you want to get ahead get a hat!

I think 4th gen's hat has great character.

By the way, 4th gen, I didn't realise it was a sparrowhawk you were holding. I thought it looked like you were holding a fiddle, and I was wondering why. Typical of me to think that!

[EMDEE]

I've always likened the forum to a Pub therefore it'll have it's ups and downs, quiet periods and busy periods - we are all merely passers-by in it's long an distinguished existence.

I've come in here at half past twelve on a Saturday night, and since I was last on at approx 6 pm there was only one new post. It is like going in to an empty pub with not even a barman to talk to.

I can see the analogy, as much of the discussion on here is similar to what would go on in a pub, but it is definitely going through a very quiet period. Hopefully it will pick up. You can't force people to come in for a bit of banter.

One thing that appears to be missing is the controversy, particularly on political threads, but I can't see any reason why that should not return. Differences of opinion generate posts.

[EMDEE]

Just an afterthought. Maybe everybody is in the real pubs!

[Bobbie En Tejas]

As I said to someone today, I can't wait until we all get back to world politics.. its a lot easier than forum politics

Some of my favorite threads on here is us solving world problems... unfortunately, the world hasn't listened.

[EMDEE]

The world never listens to the ramblings of ordinary people. Maybe if world leaders listened a bit more to the people who elected them (or not) we would have a better world.

[A Horse called Juan Face]

By the way, 4th gen, I didn't realise it was a sparrowhawk you were holding. I thought it looked like you were holding a fiddle, and I was wondering why. Typical of me to think that!

I didnt even realise it was a picture of the man himself. Thought it was an old painting of some old Southend patriarch. Was right, just it wasnt a painting.

[4th gen Suthen']

By the way, 4th gen, I didn't realise it was a sparrowhawk you were holding. I thought it looked like you were holding a fiddle, and I was wondering why. Typical of me to think that!

I didnt even realise it was a picture of the man himself. Thought it was an old painting of some old Southend patriarch. Was right, just it wasnt a painting.

Old patriach indeed!!!

Emmdee is absolutely right about the hat....I just love it!!
It is no fiddle though.......and here are 2 pics to prove it........the sparrowhawk was too fast for the camera as I released it but look closer, you can see its shadow

Now you are thinking, "how on earth did he catch a sparrowhawk"

[jdcarra]

Thats a fine looking bird 4th gen, I'll need to come and see it it action some day, might have a camera fast enough to catch it in flight .

[Beachcomber]

Now you are thinking, "how on earth did he catch a sparrowhawk"

That's a beauty, John. So what's the story behind it?

I was driving through Skipness a couple of weeks ago when a cloud of birds erupted from one of the roadside trees, hotly pursued by a Sparrowhawk. Fantastic sight to see.