06-18-2007, 11:44 AM
To Truth and Sherrand:
BRAVO
Eloquently and concisely put!!!!!!!!!! To Lur-Kist and other newbees: I had probably already blown the pop stand long before you guys even came on board. I'm sure your experiences are very different from mine and many of the old timers for many reasons.
The first batch of us who left were full of piss and vinegar. Some of us, like myself, left at WP's peak, when there were over 900 stores and climbing. We were swimming against the tide at that time. The half-crazed natives were filled with enthusiasm, waving pom poms and bashing anybody in the head who rained on their parade. Some, like myself, could see a tsunami on the horizon and ran kicking and screaming in utter terror to higher ground while others gleefully played in the surf, said we were crazy, "non-trusting, faithless, imagining things, naysayers, trolls, paid eBay informants, lazy, must sell crap, stupid", etc. Eventually many were swept away when the waves reached shore -- heads spinning so fast they didn't realize what was happening. That next group came to TT breathless and in shock.
Newcomers to WP hear of sandy beaches and swaying palms and upon arrival see nothing but a debris field and a bunch of soggy long-haulers still clinging to an uprooted tree trying to convince themselves they've found paradise as they sit and wait the arrival of the phoenix. The new Poppers look around and say "WTF". Something definitely wrong with this picture. Naysayers and trolls couldn't possibly be responsible for the extent of destruction they see. They ask the villagers at TT what's happened and they hear of the great tsunami that was created by earthquake Ray. This isn't the first quake and it won't be the last. They simply pick up their beach towels and sunscreen and head off to stabler ground.
Sherrand, Truth, Sweet and the rest will always be around to share their experiences. They are not abandoning this thread, just letting the newcomers do their job in warning others contemplating WP of the destruction they saw, the sagas reported and to help the long-haulers still clinging to hope to take a good look around them and face reality. The experience was so traumatic that revisiting the scene brings flashbacks for those of us who survived the wave. We've licked our wounds, rebuilt our self-esteem, regained our dignity, and are moving on with our lives. Newcomers, it's up to you to finish off what we've started. Those still clinging to stumps of hope might even be more receptive to your encouragement and persuasion, as they still look upon us old timers with fear and disdain.
This thread will go wherever the posters take it. The fact that is has become more chatty and off-topic is simply a reflection of the status of WP itself. When the outcome is obvious and inevitable, there's very little left to talk about. Many of us who lived through it all are simply content to sit back and watch the show, as the Grand Deception breaks up and dissolves like an iceberg floating toward tropical waters. (where is that eat popcorn smiley?)
BRAVO
Eloquently and concisely put!!!!!!!!!! To Lur-Kist and other newbees: I had probably already blown the pop stand long before you guys even came on board. I'm sure your experiences are very different from mine and many of the old timers for many reasons.
The first batch of us who left were full of piss and vinegar. Some of us, like myself, left at WP's peak, when there were over 900 stores and climbing. We were swimming against the tide at that time. The half-crazed natives were filled with enthusiasm, waving pom poms and bashing anybody in the head who rained on their parade. Some, like myself, could see a tsunami on the horizon and ran kicking and screaming in utter terror to higher ground while others gleefully played in the surf, said we were crazy, "non-trusting, faithless, imagining things, naysayers, trolls, paid eBay informants, lazy, must sell crap, stupid", etc. Eventually many were swept away when the waves reached shore -- heads spinning so fast they didn't realize what was happening. That next group came to TT breathless and in shock.
Newcomers to WP hear of sandy beaches and swaying palms and upon arrival see nothing but a debris field and a bunch of soggy long-haulers still clinging to an uprooted tree trying to convince themselves they've found paradise as they sit and wait the arrival of the phoenix. The new Poppers look around and say "WTF". Something definitely wrong with this picture. Naysayers and trolls couldn't possibly be responsible for the extent of destruction they see. They ask the villagers at TT what's happened and they hear of the great tsunami that was created by earthquake Ray. This isn't the first quake and it won't be the last. They simply pick up their beach towels and sunscreen and head off to stabler ground.
Sherrand, Truth, Sweet and the rest will always be around to share their experiences. They are not abandoning this thread, just letting the newcomers do their job in warning others contemplating WP of the destruction they saw, the sagas reported and to help the long-haulers still clinging to hope to take a good look around them and face reality. The experience was so traumatic that revisiting the scene brings flashbacks for those of us who survived the wave. We've licked our wounds, rebuilt our self-esteem, regained our dignity, and are moving on with our lives. Newcomers, it's up to you to finish off what we've started. Those still clinging to stumps of hope might even be more receptive to your encouragement and persuasion, as they still look upon us old timers with fear and disdain.
This thread will go wherever the posters take it. The fact that is has become more chatty and off-topic is simply a reflection of the status of WP itself. When the outcome is obvious and inevitable, there's very little left to talk about. Many of us who lived through it all are simply content to sit back and watch the show, as the Grand Deception breaks up and dissolves like an iceberg floating toward tropical waters. (where is that eat popcorn smiley?)