trip

[John Sneed]

I'am going on a trip next week. I'am going to Michigan.New Jersy, Washington D.C. on to Tennasee.
I've given some thought to stopping and seeing some of the people I've been reading and listening to on the Gauge,like Catt in Michigan, Mrgooch,Gromit Gary H Pfeil all in N.J.
It would be nice to see their layout and talk trains to them,but Idon't think I will. Poeple always are different than what you picture them as being by just listening to them, or in this case, reading them.I think I like to think of them as letters crawing across my computer screen,not as old or bald or worse yet,looks like me.Now everyone one is young even though I know that some have the same poblems of age that I have. But that don't come out when reading their jokes,comments,puns, or sort of left of center thoughts. So you all will remain letters and words I read. This way I nor you will be disappointed in one another.John

 

[rockislandmike]

Fair enough, I can appreciate your point of view (not that I would've been on the route anyways). Me, on the other hand, I think it would be kind of neat to see some of the people on here, get the entire view of their layout instead of little snapshots, maybe even run trains for a short spell and talk trains.

 

[kettlestack]

John, I share your views. In this forum we see the best of the members. It's because we have a common interest and generally good feelings about the hobby and each other. The words we use and how we say them creates an image in our mind of who is saying them. That is the magic of this form of communication.
I feel it is quite possible that during any visit (between any members) the conversation could change. Either by a remark or a radio or tv statement being overheard that would bring out strong, deeply felt ideologies which could be opposite to our own. In that case, the sparkle would dissapear from what is otherwise a mutual respect for each other.
I prefer to simply read the threads, respond or not depending on what I feel. That way we stay on a friendly basis which is the purpose of the forum.

just my 1.42 cents worth .....

Errol

 

[YakkoWarner]

And thus begins the age of seperatism predicted by the enemies of technology, wherein noone will physically interact because each can stay at home and see what they want.

I think this brings up an interesting delimma, it is one we have touched on breifly here before. With the advent of computer modeling and the advances in imaging, real-time reactions, rendering and virtual reality the next generation of modelers has the option of modeling only in vertua. Imagine a world where each model can be shared by all from any computer in any location. Your dream railroad is yours and takes up no space in the spare room. Is that truely modeling?

Is our wonderful message board true interaction? We trade information, jokes and small boasts. We enjoy the fruits of each other's labor vicariously and communicate our dreams and stories to the others who lift us up and point to the faults while praising our efforts and helping us create something a little bit better than we would have or perhaps could have on our own.

I cherish the hours I spend here every week, but I think I would forgo those hours for a few minutes spent where I could shake a hand or lend one.

 

[Woodie]

Originally posted by YakkoWarner
.................. but I think I would forgo those hours for a few minutes spent where I could shake a hand or lend one.

There is another internet forum I contribute to (that I've mentioned here before). The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), Government funded broadcaster, which, they say, cost each taxpayer 8c a day! It is science based, where all sorts of science questions can be asked, discussed, and answered by a panel of experts that freely give their time to contribute. click here and take a look, even if only to lurk for a while. It is much busier than here, with more than 20,000 posts in the last few weeks. I have met more than (at least) 50 of the contributors to that forum personally. The week before Easter I had a gathering of contributors at my place at which about 40 turned up! Some from interstate came to Sydney especially for the gathering. Ages ranged from 16 to 65 (and more), both men and women.

Have a look at this thread and here to check peoples apprehension, regret (at not coming along) and joy at attending.

The apprehension and reassurance some people needed to attend was quite significant, however there was one thing in common. The Forum. There are also sister forums "Tech Talk" forum (computer related questions), "Scrbbly Gum" (for nature related questions, bird trees animals etc). Complete strangers from all walks of life, put together to meet. (romance has blossomed often, on that forum!!)
Anyway, I ask you all, "What colour is an orange in the dark?" Scientific answers only please, and proof, verifiability required.

 

[Gary Pfeil]

I can understand the reluctance to meet someone thru a forum like this, but really the worst that is likely to happen is you leave disappointed. That is the gamble you take in the hope of meeting someone you really like. When you meet someone you really like, you may know each other for life. If you dislike who you meet, you never need meet again. What is the big deal? It's real likely you'll meet people who believe in different values than you. You can either have a valid discussion of the issue, with neither having to change their stand, but with respect for the others view, or you agree to disagree and simply don't go there. Trains are what we have in common. I wouldn't be so worried about what the person I was going to see would be like as if we didn't hit it off, I could excuse myself and leave. Probably much to the relief of the host. But what if the guy has great ideas and a nice layout and he offers you a beer and you leave several hours later happy as a pig in shit? Seems worth the effort to me. But I'm real shy so I can see where it would be rough to go visiting. Just my thoughts.

Gary

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Woody the color of the orange in the dark is the same as the sound a tree makes when it falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it. I'm with Gary and you. There isn't is much to lose by visiting as there is by not visiting.

 

[Sir_Prize]

Off Topic:-
Are we saying that the tree that falls is not heard by anything or just not a human. After all there is always something living that can understand a sound wave. I put that up in a college class. Everybody kinda sat there for a bit. Got a C in that class. Me and Prof's views conflicted. I thought if they fell in the woods nobodied care.

On Topic:- Varity makes the world interesting. Use the PC as a TOOL (like it is meant to be). People of a particular thing gather exchange ideas. It is the very fact they are each different that we ask for opinions of work, thoughts, etc.


OK.... Next on the soapbox. I'm done with my speech.

YA'LL WELCOME WAY, WAY DOWN SOUTHDOWN!! Just call first.

 

[roryglasgow]

When I lived in Houston in the late 80s, I frequented several dial-up bulletin boards (this was before the Net). One of my favorites was The Gavel, which was run by a lawyer. He used the GT BBS software and participated in several Echo conferences (which allowed people who dialed into local BBSs elsewhere to communicate with people all over the world). Anyway, I made a lot of online friends, and a few times we would all get together for one reason or another.

My wife participates on a board that is composed of mothers who had kids around the same time my son was born. They've gotten together a few times, too. They do little projects from time to time, like someone will collect photos of all the kids and make something with it, or they'll exchange birthday presents between the kids, or they'll ship coupons to one another.

I view boards like The Gauge as a sort of club. The only difference is that we're not physically present in the same place.
But that's great because otherwise we wouldn't be able to do this! I'm certainly not opposed to meeting any of you face-to-face, but that's not a requirement. Plus, it's nice to get up at 4 in the morning and type messages to other people while still dressed in your under...uh...night clothes. I don't think I'd show up a gathering dressed like this...

-Rory

 

[Woodie]

Originally posted by roryglasgow

.................. Plus, it's nice to get up at 4 in the morning and type messages to other people while still dressed in your under...uh...night clothes. I don't think I'd show up a gathering dressed like this...

-Rory

The thought of grown men, sittin' round in their undies, yabbering on the net...... The mind boggles! What on earth would have our mothers thought!!

 

[shamus]

Woodie, loved the "lumberjack song!!!"
http://www.badger-creek.co.uk

 

[RI541]

If a man is walking through the woods and says something and no woman is around to hear him is he still wrong?

Anyways I dont think I could go knocking on someones door.I'm actualy pretty shy and stay locked up in my hubble. I've lived here for four years and don't know the neighbor acroos the street except for the quick nod or "Hi" in passing. My wife thinks that I am very unsocial. But if someone can have an intelligent conversation then I'm all ears. I cant stand it when people know nothing of what thier talking about but think thier an profressor.

Besides I have more virtural freinds here then I do in the "real" world. But I wouldn't slam the door in anyones face if they did want to see my lay-out.

 

[Woodie]

you lot never know!!!

**WARNING WARNING** DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!

You lot never know!! I've got 250,000 frequent flyer points (enough for twice round the world) just sitting there waiting to be used!! So you never know who might pass your way! But I'd ask nicely first of course!

Getting off the plane in L.A. or Heathrow and yelling "YOO HOO, I'm here", might not be heard! Perhaps I'll just "TOOT" very loudly.

 

[Bob Collins]

Very interesting conversation here. I tend to go along with Woodie and Gary, as I think if I were invited I would really enjoy seeing and talking face to face with some folks on here. I say some, not to be snobbish at all, but I think we all feel that even though we respond to anyone who directs something our way, at the same time we have learned over time that we have developed special connections with some, but maybe not all here on the Gauge.

That may be based on topic as much as anything. Maybe you have developed a special feeling for others modeling the same scale or the same railroad (there seem to be enough RILers for a conventions!) But whatever the reason I think we all feel a kinship to some and maybe not others.

Woodie is going to be really surprised when I show up in Sydney in about 13 months and call him from the Central Railroad stations wheich is only two stops from where he gets on the train, right Woodie.

I hope that someday I'll have a chance to stop and see John Sneed since I drive through his home town from time to time. We probably have mutual friends in Columbia John!

Anyway, you are welcome to visit here anytime. Just let me know when you plan to arrive

Bob

 

[alkcnw]

All I have to say, if it matters ( and and I hope it does ) is that for the short time I have been on this forum any one of you gentlemen can visit me next time your passing though Wisconsin. I would consider it a honor and a privilage to shake your hands and talk trains.

 

[kettlestack]

Tyson, I've been pondering over all the responses in here and you know what? ... you're right! To pass up the opportunity to possibly make a friend is not conducive to happiness and I think I stated in another post that happiness is really all that matters in life. I socialise more in this forum than I do in real life, it's like sitting talking turky with you guys over a beer (= happiness) .

So, Woodie, Heathrow is 450 miles short! When you get to Edinburgh, just say "Wha hey man, will ye no be openin the door fur me and have a wee dram ready?" Not that my pike is anything to travel for, but a good natter and a good switching problem would make it worth your while (will it be a "Glen Morangie" malt you'll be havin?)

Bob, it has indeed been an intersting thread.

Errol

 

[sumpter250]

There isn't anyone on this forum I wouldn't welcome into my home,,,,, ONCE. I suspect there wouldn't be any I wouldn't welcome back. Just two warnings. If you don't tell me what you like to drink, I may not have it when you arrive, and expect to see a LOT of unfinished projects.
Pete

 

[roryglasgow]

Well, I'll throw my hat in the ring... So, if any of you happen to be passing through Huntsville, you're invited to come by and see my modest layout!

I might take you up on your offer, Bob, next time we go visit my mom. Kristi wants to go to Hannibal to see the Mark Twain stuff. Maybe we could swing by Rolla on the way up there from Ava...

-Rory