[batman911]

Russ,

I quote the late, great John Wayne:

"Don't let the B***ards get you down"

If you quit, they win by default.

Maybe some peoples keyboards should have a 30 second delay installed. Engage the head before the fingers.

[chuckcantrell]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

After over 4 years on TOTV the time has come to leave. Things have just gotten too personal lately. I'm sure that I'm partly to blame but that is my nature I guess.

I really appreciate the dozens of friends I've made through this site over the years. I will see you all for golf and pickleball real soon (coming down late August). And Linda and I will be there full time beginning in January hopefully. You know how to reach me (facebook, e-mail etc.)

No need to respond to this thread - I just wanted to say good bye so you didn't wonder why I'm not posting any longer.

Regards,
Russ

I have enjoyed it here so far. But after so many forum posts. I hate to watch you go.

[chuckcantrell]

Originally Posted by mgm4444

How do you create an Ignore List?

I very much agree. That is a great Idea.

[chuckcantrell]

Originally Posted by villages07

Sorry to see it come to this, Russ, but I fully understand your decision.

In my 4.5 yrs on this forum, I've observed several cycles of nasty and contentious behavior. People come, people go. Life goes on. TOTV is a great source of information and advice and a place to exchange opinions but I've seen people write nasty things here that I have never heard in person. The anonymity of the keyboard, I suppose. Just look at the posting history of some members and all you see are negative and critical thoughts. Most folks are upbeat or more balanced but it only takes a few to sour the mood.

I still get a kick out of reading uplifting stories of people who have discovered The Villages, sold houses, found their little piece of paradise here, and eagerly embrace a new and exciting chapter in their lives. Keep your eyes on the prize.
Yes that seems to be a norm on any forum.. I guess you have to take the good with the bad.
So, Russ, good luck to you and your wife on selling and relocating and we'll see you in real life on the pickleball courts, golf courses, and squares (and Facebook, of course).

allright

[chuckcantrell]

Originally Posted by angiefox10

Someone quotes them??? Really??

There's not an ignore list? Sweet!!!

.

[mac9]

Russ, Sorry to see you go. I've rather enjoyed our differences. Also, Mr. Mac9 is a retired RN (over 40 years in different hospital settings). Thought that you two might have something to talk about.

[ssmith]

So Sorry to see you go Russ ...do come back...maybe use that ignore thing. I understand why since there has been some unusually mean spirited posts lately but the vast majority LOVE you and your posts....of course you would not know that ...cause not enough of us have expressed it.

[ricthemic]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I don't like this departure.

This is why I think we should have our identities as "screen names only", without posters' personal info and picture shown.

If a person has a well-stated, courteous complaint or opinion to post, why should it matter "who" says it??

Rancor about a post or disagreement does not need to be personalized and used against a particular poster, nor to gang up on him/her and then shun that person.....which in turn can make it look to newbies as if there is an "inner circle" or censoring group that gets to approve, disapprove, or have the last word on and silence somebody else's suggestion or complaint.

Too often, the response is "attack the messenger", but when it's the "messenger's" real name and picture on the line, it's far more wounding....wounding in a way that scares off others who want to join in on the discussion. Many of the quietest, non-confrontational people I know are the ones who often come out with the most profound, succinct statements I've ever heard! But they won't venture into a discussion where they're going to be publicly ridiculed and made to look stupid.

Besides "screen names only", I think there's no need for this "friend" stuff on TOTV, inviting particular people into your circle of friends, which again, can look like there are definite "insiders" and "outsiders".

Inviting people to be your "friend" is what Facebook is for....to be able control privacy and access to your personal information, photos, wall posts by others, etc.

And as I said in another post, many of us are not retired and are working or looking for a job (in a tough, tough job market). I don't know why any of us would want our arguments and sometimes immature banter or ardent political stances to be seen and read by a person who's considering hiring us.

cause I on my third corona light and the sox are up 7 to 3 bottom of the 7th against the bronx bombers. Will be all over the place with this post so I sort of apologize in advance. I hv no idea who the above post is from but TOTALLY agree with every line including but not limited to his first one regarding your departure Russ. We also love the villages. Bought used two years ago sold it this summer and building new in the best village (see i can say that cause i am not including my picture) St James. Damn the yanks just scored and my new friend and st james neighbor with the yankee grill cover is happy. Sorry I digress.
Regarding FL retirement, we checked out south, east, west, suncity(forget that place) no question IMO TV is the best choice and we thank god for the one person who told us to come here way way before we ever heard of TOTV. As a matter of fact that person who rented here for many years never heard of TOTV. So here we are eight months a yr and wishing we were there now. We are responsible for three more people moving here as I assume most of you are too. All of those and more I tell/insist they check out this website even though I also go many weeks now without it (why? read the above post I copied). This website is extreamly important, not only for prospective villagers but existing too i.e. I found the best handyman, rug cleaner, restaurant advice, clubs etc etc etc on this website. Bottom line, in my life I have never ever been in a friendlier place that TV. So back to the purpose of this original post. Russ, I don't blame you for quitting and ya (as we say in bean town) know you always answered the newbies with an good answer rather than say as many other long time totv posters tell them ..."been asked before, just search it". Also I must remind you, you can't quit now, although I don't agree with you all the time remember I posted.. Congrats, You now have a dog in the fight"
Suggestion to TOTV, add spell check.
One more thing> How good is this, August 6th Red Sox Yankees tied for first with the best records in BB. I love the RedSox but God Bless all the Yankee fans and others who lost someone in 9/11.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

cause I on my third corona light and the sox are up 7 to 3 bottom of the 7th against the bronx bombers. Will be all over the place with this post so I sort of apologize in advance. I hv no idea who the above post is from but TOTALLY agree with every line including but not limited to his first one regarding your departure Russ. We also love the villages. Bought used two years ago sold it this summer and building new in the best village (see i can say that cause i am not including my picture) St James. Damn the yanks just scored and my new friend and st james neighbor with the yankee grill cover is happy. Sorry I digress.
Regarding FL retirement, we checked out south, east, west, suncity(forget that place) no question IMO TV is the best choice and we thank god for the one person who told us to come here way way before we ever heard of TOTV. As a matter of fact that person who rented here for many years never heard of TOTV. So here we are eight months a yr and wishing we were there now. We are responsible for three more people moving here as I assume most of you are too. All of those and more I tell/insist they check out this website even though I also go many weeks now without it (why? read the above post I copied). This website is extreamly important, not only for prospective villagers but existing too i.e. I found the best handyman, rug cleaner, restaurant advice, clubs etc etc etc on this website. Bottom line, in my life I have never ever been in a friendlier place that TV. So back to the purpose of this original post. Russ, I don't blame you for quitting and ya (as we say in bean town) know you always answered the newbies with an good answer rather than say as many other long time totv posters tell them ..."been asked before, just search it". Also I must remind you, you can't quit now, although I don't agree with you all the time remember I posted.. Congrats, You now have a dog in the fight"
Suggestion to TOTV, add spell check.
One more thing> How good is this, August 6th Red Sox Yankees tied for first with the best records in BB. I love the RedSox but God Bless all the Yankee fans and others who lost someone in 9/11.

This regional flavor is what I like about TVers. But most of us like GOOD beer.

[villagegolfer]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

cause I on my third corona light and the sox are up 7 to 3 bottom of the 7th against the bronx bombers. Will be all over the place with this post so I sort of apologize in advance. I hv no idea who the above post is from but TOTALLY agree with every line including but not limited to his first one regarding your departure Russ. We also love the villages. Bought used two years ago sold it this summer and building new in the best village (see i can say that cause i am not including my picture) St James. Damn the yanks just scored and my new friend and st james neighbor with the yankee grill cover is happy. Sorry I digress.
Regarding FL retirement, we checked out south, east, west, suncity(forget that place) no question IMO TV is the best choice and we thank god for the one person who told us to come here way way before we ever heard of TOTV. As a matter of fact that person who rented here for many years never heard of TOTV. So here we are eight months a yr and wishing we were there now. We are responsible for three more people moving here as I assume most of you are too. All of those and more I tell/insist they check out this website even though I also go many weeks now without it (why? read the above post I copied). This website is extreamly important, not only for prospective villagers but existing too i.e. I found the best handyman, rug cleaner, restaurant advice, clubs etc etc etc on this website. Bottom line, in my life I have never ever been in a friendlier place that TV. So back to the purpose of this original post. Russ, I don't blame you for quitting and ya (as we say in bean town) know you always answered the newbies with an good answer rather than say as many other long time totv posters tell them ..."been asked before, just search it". Also I must remind you, you can't quit now, although I don't agree with you all the time remember I posted.. Congrats, You now have a dog in the fight"
Suggestion to TOTV, add spell check.
One more thing> How good is this, August 6th Red Sox Yankees tied for first with the best records in BB. I love the RedSox but God Bless all the Yankee fans and others who lost someone in 9/11.

Your only on your third beer? ROTFLMAO

Good for you, buddy. Go Sox!!!!!!

[G&P SSSKI]

Here's your sign

[Pturner]

Dear Russ,
I always look forward to your posts. You are a fabulous contributor. Of course TOTV will go on, but it will be a poorer community without you.

Those of us who value your contributions are the ones who feel a loss.

[runnermi]

Here is the thing about posts, texts and email....

You cannot see facial expression and you cannot hear tone of voice. Sometimes someone is making a joke but it falls flat.

I have had managers preview my email before I send it just to ensure I am not invoking something in the tone of my replies that I had not intended. I tend to say it like it is and in office politics it isn't always the best way to handle a situation. Tact isn't always my strong suit. It is a constant battle for me, I am better than I used to be but will work at it continually until the day I die.

Sometimes we write something that comes off not as we meant and since the person is not right in front of us, we cannot explain ourselves.

Any board I have been on over the years, be it quilting, running, sewing, knitting, etc., it is just a matter of time before someone gets upset and the war of words begin. Think quilters and sewers cannot get nasty and down in the mud? Think again.

Similar to road rage, sometimes the best way to avoid it is not to engage with the person. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just ignore a snotty post. Have a fantasy dialog in your head and dang, I have some doozes! Type out your response but don't post it. Wait 24 hours and read it again. Do you really want to post that? What do you hope to accomplish with the post?

I don't believe that everything in life has to be sprinkled with pixie dust to be of benefit. I have seen some pretty heated discussions out of which a lot of good came. If we all thought alike and were alike, the world would be terribly boring.

[angiefox10]

I have a lot of friends of whom I don't know their name or what they look like... and that's OK... But I would like to say that I find that when someone puts their name and picture out there... they tend to be a lot more careful of what they say!

Now... before all of you who don't have your name or picture out there get upset let me say that I understand reasons for not doing so and I agree there are times that you shouldn't.

For the most part, when I see someone posting mean spirited comments it's generally by someone who has not posted their name, picture or where they live.

With my name, picture and city... comes honesty and accountability.

Putting my 2 cents in yet again!

BTW... now that everyone knows how to ignore people I think I might get a lot less responses to my posts!

[FMF Doc]

Originally Posted by angiefox10

BTW... now that everyone knows how to ignore people I think I might get a lot less responses to my posts!

Some of us didn't get any responses to begin with !!!