Greetings from the Ether

[Virgil Showlion]

Hi YMAM,

It's been several years since I've posted here. I feel badly about not stopping in to at least touch base a few times. Time was always a factor, but mainly I've avoided touching base because of the "drive-by dynamic". That is: message boards, to me, carry the inherent expectation that if a person shows up, (s)he's supposed to stick around and chat for a while. It's a commitment of at least a few days, checking, reading, and replying. I haven't had time for this, and only have limited time now, but I figure at this point that a drive-by is better than never stopping to say 'hi' at all.

For those who've inquired in PMs, my family and I are doing well. We moved from Toronto to British Columbia (western Canada) some years back due to my work. I still follow Canadian, US, and world politics closely, although I no longer actively debate online. I post once in a blue moon on another political forum, but between time restrictions and a growing aversion to the disputatious, often hostile, and rarely productive "political social media environment" generally, I'm channeling my energies elsewhere.

In looking at the "users recently online" list I see a lot of familiar names, which is heartening. Of those I see listed currently, special greetings go out to the sage billisonboard, the ever-passionate djAdvocate (I do miss our Obama-era debates), the darkling ArchietheDragon, the zealous weltschmerz and thyme4change, the sprightly zibazinski, the insightful toomuchreality and NoNamePerson, my favourite public defender swamp, the lighthearted Miss Tequila, and too many others to individually list. And, of course, I cannot leave out moon/Laura.

I hope all of you are doing well. I'm sorry to see that mmhmm seems to have stopped posting (August 2020), and it looks as though ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ stopped posting this past June. Value Buy's last post is from August. I hope this is just them deciding to move on and not a sign that something has happened to them. I had expected them to still be here. I'm also dismayed to see that OldCoyote, Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger, Firebird, and several other "regulars" seem to have left in the last few years. But... nil interit.

Many other "last online" dates reflect the date that members changed their status to "don't show me as being online". For example, chiver78, AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP, deminmaine, tallguy, Tennesseer, BeenThere...DoneThat..., et al. are listed as having not logged in since 2013. So, to those of you who are privately still here, best wishes to you all too.

For those of you wondering about Rosemarie ("diamonds"), I have been keeping in contact with her, although our last correspondence was in July of this year. She stated at that time that she was being admitted to the hospital for some ongoing health problems. Since then, I haven't been able to reach her, which worries me. However, this may be because I recently changed my primary e-mail address, and she may be screening e-mails from my new account, which would be unfamiliar to her.

I suppose there's not too much more to say than this. I do miss a lot of the discussions and personalities here. I should also mention that over the years I have visited YMAM a few times (not logging in, for the reasons I mentioned above) just to see who's still around, what topics are being discussed, and to keep tabs on the community. So, although I'm not really a part of the community any longer, I do think back on you crazy lot fondly from time to time.

I'll be sticking around for 1-2 days more just to read replies, PMs, etc.  So... it won't be a complete drive-by.

Best Regards and Warmest Wishes to All,

Virgil S.

P.S. The "© 2016 moonbeam and the YMAM team" copyright notice is slightly in need of an update, admin.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

[billisonboard]

Hey, does anyone have a clue who this guy is? Seems to think he knows us.

[ken a.k.a OMK]

Thanks for stopping by and updating us. Glad you and the family are well. I do miss your insightful posts. Some of the members are on facebook. Rosemarie posts there daily.

[tallguy]

Best wishes to you too.  Was hoping all was well with you and your family.  Some of our discussions I miss.  Some I don't.  

Good to hear from you.  

[Virgil Showlion]

Nov 15, 2022 14:39:29 GMT -5 ken a.k.a OMK said:

Thanks for stopping by and updating us. Glad you and the family are well. I do miss your insightful posts. Some of the members are on facebook. Rosemarie posts there daily.

Really good to know she's OK. Thanks, Ken.

[toomuchreality]

Nov 15, 2022 14:15:44 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Hi YMAM,

It's been several years since I've posted here. I feel badly about not stopping in to at least touch base a few times. Time was always a factor, but mainly I've avoided touching base because of the "drive-by dynamic". That is: message boards, to me, carry the inherent expectation that if a person shows up, (s)he's supposed to stick around and chat for a while. It's a commitment of at least a few days, checking, reading, and replying. I haven't had time for this, and only have limited time now, but I figure at this point that a drive-by is better than never stopping to say 'hi' at all.

For those who've inquired in PMs, my family and I are doing well. We moved from Toronto to British Columbia (western Canada) some years back due to my work. I still follow Canadian, US, and world politics closely, although I no longer actively debate online. I post once in a blue moon on another political forum, but between time restrictions and a growing aversion to the disputatious, often hostile, and rarely productive "political social media environment" generally, I'm channeling my energies elsewhere.

In looking at the "users recently online" list I see a lot of familiar names, which is heartening. Of those I see listed currently, special greetings go out to the sage billisonboard, the ever-passionate djAdvocate (I do miss our Obama-era debates), the darkling ArchietheDragon, the zealous weltschmerz and thyme4change, the sprightly zibazinski, the insightful toomuchreality and NoNamePerson, my favourite public defender swamp, the lighthearted Miss Tequila, and too many others to individually list. And, of course, I cannot leave out moon/Laura.

I hope all of you are doing well. I'm sorry to see that mmhmm seems to have stopped posting (August 2020), and it looks as though ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ stopped posting this past June. Value Buy's last post is from August. I hope this is just them deciding to move on and not a sign that something has happened to them. I had expected them to still be here. I'm also dismayed to see that OldCoyote, Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger, Firebird, and several other "regulars" seem to have left in the last few years. But... nil interit.

Many other "last online" dates reflect the date that members changed their status to "don't show me as being online". For example, chiver78, AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP, deminmaine, tallguy, Tennesseer, BeenThere...DoneThat..., et al. are listed as having not logged in since 2013. So, to those of you who are privately still here, best wishes to you all too.

For those of you wondering about Rosemarie ("diamonds"), I have been keeping in contact with her, although our last correspondence was in July of this year. She stated at that time that she was being admitted to the hospital for some ongoing health problems. Since then, I haven't been able to reach her, which worries me. However, this may be because I recently changed my primary e-mail address, and she may be screening e-mails from my new account, which would be unfamiliar to her.

I suppose there's not too much more to say than this. I do miss a lot of the discussions and personalities here. I should also mention that over the years I have visited YMAM a few times (not logging in, for the reasons I mentioned above) just to see who's still around, what topics are being discussed, and to keep tabs on the community. So, although I'm not really a part of the community any longer, I do think back on you crazy lot fondly from time to time.

I'll be sticking around for 1-2 days more just to read replies, PMs, etc.  So... it won't be a complete drive-by.

Best Regards and Warmest Wishes to All,

Virgil S.

P.S. The "© 2016 moonbeam and the YMAM team" copyright notice is slightly in need of an update, admin.

Hey! It's great to see you again!
Thanks for the shout out!
I'm glad things are going well for you and that you stop by occasionally.

You didn't mention... any issues with Snow leopards in your new area?

I really am happy for you. I hope you continue doing well and are happy. That's what counts.

Stop by again, when you have time and the mental fortitude to do it.

As always, I enjoy your posts.
Thank you, ♡
TMR

[Tennesseer]

Still here, Virgil. All is well and glad to see the same with you.

[Tennesseer]

Scottish Lassie posts infrequently.

[busymom]

Good to hear from you Virgil Showlion !  Sounds like life is treating you well.  And, glad to hear Rosemarie is hanging in there.  Stop in again when time allows.


Have you met the EE mascot?  We took her in as a stray, and she's kinda grown on us:  

[chiver78]

good to hear from you, Virgil. I hope BC has been treating you well. I spent Labor Day weekend this year in Vancouver for my birthday, my first time out there. I had about a week downtown, with a rainy day road trip up to Whistler, and it was all beautiful. 

[NoNamePerson]

Sooooo good to hear from you Virgil Showlion . Someone spread the rumor that the Snow Leopards had won the battle! Oh and surely you have me confused with someone else when you referred to me as "insightful" or had tongue in cheek but I will hold that statement near and dear to my heart. And will make sure son sees it so I can tell him "I told you so"  But seriously wish you and yours the very best and thanks for the update. 

[Virgil Showlion]

Nov 15, 2022 18:06:14 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Sooooo good to hear from you Virgil Showlion . Someone spread the rumor that the Snow Leopards had won the battle! Oh and surely you have me confused with someone else when you referred to me as "insightful" or had tongue in cheek but I will hold that statement near and dear to my heart. And will make sure son sees it so I can tell him "I told you so"  But seriously wish you and yours the very best and thanks for the update. 

Of course I referred to you as insightful.

And really good to hear from you again too.

Speaking of "them who shall not be named", we have called a temporary truce.

[moon/Laura]

Well, well, well. Look what the snow leopard dragged in! Good to see you, Virgil, and to know all is right in your world.   There were people asking about you over on support, too. Can't remember if I messaged you about it or not. Glad you lurk once in a while. I'm still waiting on them to release v6 and I imagine there will be plugins that break.

[weltschmerz]

Good to hear from you, Virgil.   I'm jealous....I want to move to BC but I can't afford it.
Is it true you're a Daddy now?   I'm not on Facebook so I don't know.

[billisonboard]

Thanks for the update Virgil. Miss having you around. 

[Opti]

Thanks for the update and it would be nice to hear more about your family. 




Does this mean you are working for a new cabal of Microsoftian snow leopards? Just wondering.

[zibazinski]

Nov 15, 2022 14:15:44 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Hi YMAM,

It's been several years since I've posted here. I feel badly about not stopping in to at least touch base a few times. Time was always a factor, but mainly I've avoided touching base because of the "drive-by dynamic". That is: message boards, to me, carry the inherent expectation that if a person shows up, (s)he's supposed to stick around and chat for a while. It's a commitment of at least a few days, checking, reading, and replying. I haven't had time for this, and only have limited time now, but I figure at this point that a drive-by is better than never stopping to say 'hi' at all.

For those who've inquired in PMs, my family and I are doing well. We moved from Toronto to British Columbia (western Canada) some years back due to my work. I still follow Canadian, US, and world politics closely, although I no longer actively debate online. I post once in a blue moon on another political forum, but between time restrictions and a growing aversion to the disputatious, often hostile, and rarely productive "political social media environment" generally, I'm channeling my energies elsewhere.

In looking at the "users recently online" list I see a lot of familiar names, which is heartening. Of those I see listed currently, special greetings go out to the sage billisonboard, the ever-passionate djAdvocate (I do miss our Obama-era debates), the darkling ArchietheDragon, the zealous weltschmerz and thyme4change, the sprightly zibazinski, the insightful toomuchreality and NoNamePerson, my favourite public defender swamp, the lighthearted Miss Tequila, and too many others to individually list. And, of course, I cannot leave out moon/Laura.

I hope all of you are doing well. I'm sorry to see that mmhmm seems to have stopped posting (August 2020), and it looks as though ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ stopped posting this past June. Value Buy's last post is from August. I hope this is just them deciding to move on and not a sign that something has happened to them. I had expected them to still be here. I'm also dismayed to see that OldCoyote, Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger, Firebird, and several other "regulars" seem to have left in the last few years. But... nil interit.

Many other "last online" dates reflect the date that members changed their status to "don't show me as being online". For example, chiver78, AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP, deminmaine, tallguy, Tennesseer, BeenThere...DoneThat..., et al. are listed as having not logged in since 2013. So, to those of you who are privately still here, best wishes to you all too.

For those of you wondering about Rosemarie ("diamonds"), I have been keeping in contact with her, although our last correspondence was in July of this year. She stated at that time that she was being admitted to the hospital for some ongoing health problems. Since then, I haven't been able to reach her, which worries me. However, this may be because I recently changed my primary e-mail address, and she may be screening e-mails from my new account, which would be unfamiliar to her.

I suppose there's not too much more to say than this. I do miss a lot of the discussions and personalities here. I should also mention that over the years I have visited YMAM a few times (not logging in, for the reasons I mentioned above) just to see who's still around, what topics are being discussed, and to keep tabs on the community. So, although I'm not really a part of the community any longer, I do think back on you crazy lot fondly from time to time.

I'll be sticking around for 1-2 days more just to read replies, PMs, etc.  So... it won't be a complete drive-by.

Best Regards and Warmest Wishes to All,

Virgil S.

P.S. The "© 2016 moonbeam and the YMAM team" copyright notice is slightly in need of an update, admin.

Hi Virgil!

[toomuchreality]

Nov 15, 2022 23:08:27 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Nov 15, 2022 14:15:44 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Hi YMAM,

It's been several years since I've posted here. I feel badly about not stopping in to at least touch base a few times. Time was always a factor, but mainly I've avoided touching base because of the "drive-by dynamic". That is: message boards, to me, carry the inherent expectation that if a person shows up, (s)he's supposed to stick around and chat for a while. It's a commitment of at least a few days, checking, reading, and replying. I haven't had time for this, and only have limited time now, but I figure at this point that a drive-by is better than never stopping to say 'hi' at all.

For those who've inquired in PMs, my family and I are doing well. We moved from Toronto to British Columbia (western Canada) some years back due to my work. I still follow Canadian, US, and world politics closely, although I no longer actively debate online. I post once in a blue moon on another political forum, but between time restrictions and a growing aversion to the disputatious, often hostile, and rarely productive "political social media environment" generally, I'm channeling my energies elsewhere.

In looking at the "users recently online" list I see a lot of familiar names, which is heartening. Of those I see listed currently, special greetings go out to the sage billisonboard, the ever-passionate djAdvocate (I do miss our Obama-era debates), the darkling ArchietheDragon, the zealous weltschmerz and thyme4change, the sprightly zibazinski, the insightful toomuchreality and NoNamePerson, my favourite public defender swamp, the lighthearted Miss Tequila, and too many others to individually list. And, of course, I cannot leave out moon/Laura.

I hope all of you are doing well. I'm sorry to see that mmhmm seems to have stopped posting (August 2020), and it looks as though ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ stopped posting this past June. Value Buy's last post is from August. I hope this is just them deciding to move on and not a sign that something has happened to them. I had expected them to still be here. I'm also dismayed to see that OldCoyote, Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger, Firebird, and several other "regulars" seem to have left in the last few years. But... nil interit.

Many other "last online" dates reflect the date that members changed their status to "don't show me as being online". For example, chiver78, AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP, deminmaine, tallguy, Tennesseer, BeenThere...DoneThat..., et al. are listed as having not logged in since 2013. So, to those of you who are privately still here, best wishes to you all too.

For those of you wondering about Rosemarie ("diamonds"), I have been keeping in contact with her, although our last correspondence was in July of this year. She stated at that time that she was being admitted to the hospital for some ongoing health problems. Since then, I haven't been able to reach her, which worries me. However, this may be because I recently changed my primary e-mail address, and she may be screening e-mails from my new account, which would be unfamiliar to her.

I suppose there's not too much more to say than this. I do miss a lot of the discussions and personalities here. I should also mention that over the years I have visited YMAM a few times (not logging in, for the reasons I mentioned above) just to see who's still around, what topics are being discussed, and to keep tabs on the community. So, although I'm not really a part of the community any longer, I do think back on you crazy lot fondly from time to time.

I'll be sticking around for 1-2 days more just to read replies, PMs, etc.  So... it won't be a complete drive-by.

Best Regards and Warmest Wishes to All,

Virgil S.

P.S. The "© 2016 moonbeam and the YMAM team" copyright notice is slightly in need of an update, admin.

Hi Virgil!

Hi zib!

[Virgil Showlion]

Nov 15, 2022 19:26:44 GMT -5 moon/Laura said:

Well, well, well. Look what the snow leopard dragged in! Good to see you, Virgil, and to know all is right in your world.   There were people asking about you over on support, too. Can't remember if I messaged you about it or not. Glad you lurk once in a while. I'm still waiting on them to release v6 and I imagine there will be plugins that break.

Oh boy. Yeah, I suppose there's going to cranky people over at support for the various plugins. I wonder if I dare peek over there to see...

Nov 15, 2022 19:50:19 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Good to hear from you, Virgil.   I'm jealous....I want to move to BC but I can't afford it.
Is it true you're a Daddy now?   I'm not on Facebook so I don't know.

I am a dad now. One girl and one boy. Two of the reasons why those carefree days of online debate are behind me.

I'm not on Facebook either, and never have been. I've been stubbornly resistant to the whole social media experience (except for my time on YMAM, and I have a LinkedIn profile for work, since many employers expect it now). I won't say that social media is categorically bad, since I've seen it positively impact many people's lives. But the more time goes on, the more research seems to indicate that the Facebooks, Twitters, Tiktoks, Instagrams, etc. can create a lot of problems.

So, there you go. We're not asocial. We're following the science.

Nov 15, 2022 21:23:39 GMT -5 Opti said:

Thanks for the update and it would be nice to hear more about your family. 




Does this mean you are working for a new cabal of Microsoftian snow leopards? Just wondering.

Optimist!

How could I forget you in my list of shout-outs?

You must not have been logged in recently, or I missed your name on the list.

Thanks for asking after my family. Right now, it's my wife, my two kids, and myself. We're doing fine. The kids came down with "RSV" (all the kids here are getting it) but are over it now. I'm off to pick up my wife right now.

All the best!

[weltschmerz]

'Facebooks, Twitters, Tiktoks, Instagrams, etc. can create a lot of problems.'

I'm on none of those, either.  

[swamp]

Hi Virgil.  I don't know where you are in BC, but Red Mountain in Rossland has the best skiing ever.    Nelson is beautiful, and there are some hot springs near that, i have no idea where I was.  

[Virgil Showlion]

Nov 16, 2022 14:49:12 GMT -5 swamp said:

Hi Virgil.  I don't know where you are in BC, but Red Mountain in Rossland has the best skiing ever.    Nelson is beautiful, and there are some hot springs near that, i have no idea where I was.  

We have a timeshare at a resort called "Panorama" near Invermere. Nelson is quite far south, although I have some family around there. Currently, my family and I are in Coquitlam (Vancouver).

I prefer the prairies, but... ces't la vie.

[NancysSummerSip]

I got missed in the shout-outs. I'm sad.

But good to know all is well with you and the family.

[Opti]

Nov 16, 2022 12:02:44 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Nov 15, 2022 19:26:44 GMT -5 moon/Laura said:

Well, well, well. Look what the snow leopard dragged in! Good to see you, Virgil, and to know all is right in your world.   There were people asking about you over on support, too. Can't remember if I messaged you about it or not. Glad you lurk once in a while. I'm still waiting on them to release v6 and I imagine there will be plugins that break.

Oh boy. Yeah, I suppose there's going to cranky people over at support for the various plugins. I wonder if I dare peek over there to see...

Nov 15, 2022 19:50:19 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Good to hear from you, Virgil.   I'm jealous....I want to move to BC but I can't afford it.
Is it true you're a Daddy now?   I'm not on Facebook so I don't know.

I am a dad now. One girl and one boy. Two of the reasons why those carefree days of online debate are behind me.

I'm not on Facebook either, and never have been. I've been stubbornly resistant to the whole social media experience (except for my time on YMAM, and I have a LinkedIn profile for work, since many employers expect it now). I won't say that social media is categorically bad, since I've seen it positively impact many people's lives. But the more time goes on, the more research seems to indicate that the Facebooks, Twitters, Tiktoks, Instagrams, etc. can create a lot of problems.

So, there you go. We're not asocial. We're following the science.

Nov 15, 2022 21:23:39 GMT -5 Opti said:

Thanks for the update and it would be nice to hear more about your family. 




Does this mean you are working for a new cabal of Microsoftian snow leopards? Just wondering.

Optimist!

How could I forget you in my list of shout-outs?

You must not have been logged in recently, or I missed your name on the list.

Thanks for asking after my family. Right now, it's my wife, my two kids, and myself. We're doing fine. The kids came down with "RSV" (all the kids here are getting it) but are over it now. I'm off to pick up my wife right now.

All the best!

I'm glad the RSV wasn't too bad, and the kids are better now. Hope you decide to pop in a little more often even if you are busier.

[weltschmerz]

Nov 16, 2022 15:17:38 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Nov 16, 2022 14:49:12 GMT -5 swamp said:

Hi Virgil.  I don't know where you are in BC, but Red Mountain in Rossland has the best skiing ever.    Nelson is beautiful, and there are some hot springs near that, i have no idea where I was.  

We have a timeshare at a resort called "Panorama" near Invermere. Nelson is quite far south, although I have some family around there. Currently, my family and I are in Coquitlam (Vancouver).

I prefer the prairies, but... ces't la vie.

You prefer the prairies??   Where you can watch your dog running away for three days?

[NastyWoman]

Just in case you check in on this thread: Rosemary/diamonds posts regularly on Facebook. She seems to be mostly ok

[Artemis Windsong]

I'm one of those who?? is this. Although, I would like a descriptive word or phrase for myself from Snowlion.

I love our new mascot!

I'm a drop in. Usually with not much intelligence to add but supportive to those with issues.

I am glad Rosemary is mostly ok after everything she's been through.