Open Letter To The Forum

[BigBallz]

Well, off to a bit of a rough start this year. Musicians can be very passionate....not only about their gear...as some here are religious about theirs...but also about other things in this world. I am about no B.S.. As I have used this forum and gotten to know some of you, there has been friction. I speak my mind, and make NO excuses when I am wrong. I have pm'ed some of you for opinions, such as Figjam, whom I got off a bad start with, but through some communication on BOTH parties, he helped me make a decision. Now, I have been told I come accross as a "know it all"....actualy I see myself as "Jack of all trades, master of none". Done alot in my 49 years...hope to do alot more, so it's difficult when I am called names, mocked by a broken record, and now mocked in a members signature when I am trying to give some advice or personal experience to a forum member. Seems like some of you come out of the woodwork to be nasty. Turnabout is fair play...I was even chided for making fun of myself. Most of the members here seem to interact with me and each other quite well. I can be arrogant and opinionated, and that's my "personality", so I will tone this down.

Now, one member has gone as far as saying he was leaving the forum, in part, because of me. That's unfortunate as he needs all the support he can get right now....I have sent him multipal pm's due to his family's illness that he is dealing with. I have offered SINCERE feelings and advice toward him, now he mocks me.

If that helps him, so be it. My main concern is that his father makes a speedy recovery. My secondary concern is that I don't get a bunch of mocking replys to this letter.

I will try and be less aggressive in my post's from now on and also try to "read" the original posters meaning before I reply.

To the Forum members, administrators and monitors, my SINCERE appologies for offending ANYONE. It was never my intent, nor do I sit here and enjoy bickering with people.

 

[Golem]

Dear Ballz,
[begin straight talk mode]
I apparently have somehow never read the threads that must be the more serious friction, so I am surprised. In all my "encounters" with your online persona, the friction has been, shall we say 'sporting', or even lighthearted. Do be aware that a text message environment has pitfalls when it comes to nuanced communication. I know that you *know* that fact. I'm just saying to keep it hovering in front of you when online.

As I say, I haven't seen the real *problem* threads, so I am not pointing any finger here, just offering a sort of generic reminder, as I've not had a real problem with you, wasn't aware anyone else did, and would miss your contributions [well most of them ....] if you left.
[close straight talk mode]

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

BigBallz..you have Ballz. Let's say we all make up and continue with buisness as usual

 

[roballanson]

Well dude clean slate time and lets move on.

 

[Big Poppa]

Big Ballz



Just sit back and let things calm down.....please.

 

[radiotrib]

I still don't understand what all the fuss is about. Sometimes people disagree, sometimes they rant, sometimes they make fun of eachother ... but during the year(ish) that I've been a member I've seen little on the public part of this board which even warrants a raised eyebrow. Mebbe a few examples of bad manners, or a little lack of mutual respect, but isn't that part of that "life" thing people talk about ??

One of the great thinga about web boards in general is that they're great levellers. Grumpy old farts grump .. kids rant .. smartasses pontificate .. and they all do it from the 4 corners of the planet. Welcome to the global village .. neighbours aren't always best friends .. but they're there when neede.

2c

K4

 

[Bigby]

As a new member to this group, I have to say I haven't seen that much bickering, that's one big reason why I've enjoyed every thus far. Before finding this forum, I participated in another forum that seemed to be all about attitude, ego's and competition. Everyone here was very welcoming to me and supportive...so I hope that my first impression of this forum remains unchanged.

 

[Mahlon]

I've been on computer bulletin boards since 1986 (we called 'em BBS's back then). This is the nicest group of people I've interacted with online.

Hey, we all like the same thing!

 

[JB1]

Good on ya BB.

I agree with Golem, when someone can't see your face or hear your voice, just the words doesn't always convey it. But I'm sure that's a given nowadays....

I also agree with Sterling. Let's just chill on this one for a bit.

Shall we just try to enjoy each others cyber company, wit, experiences and enthusiasm for our instruments?

TBH, I get a little peeved with some of the posts I see here from time to time and have responded sometimes when the best thing to do would be to ignore it (nice tip from Bassmonkee there).

Best wishes to you all. Unless you do a job you truly love (and if you do I envy you), don't foget how short the weekend is - enjoy!

 

[Aussie Mark]

Dear Ballz,
[begin straight talk mode]
I apparently have somehow never read the threads that must be the more serious friction, so I am surprised. As I say, I haven't seen the real *problem* threads

+1

I steer clear of any of the 10 page threads like the Trace Elliott thread or the one about Beth's car, so I've got no idea what went down here.

 

[Colin]

Isn't the forum for EB related topics and some fun interaction? Private Messaging should be for all the apologies etc. I hope those threads get deleted.

Colin

 

[UKFIN]

missed it too

 

[Rayan]

"Music (Ladies & Gentle)Man(s)

~
Hey BigBallz,
Including Yourself, Ernie Ball Forumites, especially recently,
- have all challenged me to search and find the best I have within myself, and
- to expect of myself a higher standard of effort, and
- involvement with this 'family'

Along the 'Iway', I've no doubt
- bounced off a few 'guardrails' and
- done a few 'donuts'

As I reach for higher levels of musicianship, and 'interaction' with others, when I offer 'Thanx' for the patience, (understanding), and support I've found here,
- that Thanx goes out for everybody, including yourself,
- for deflecting my 'bad notes' and
- rising above the sometimes 'rough' and 'edgy' remarks I may have made
- in 'all the excitement' of finding a 'place' to call 'home'

Memory comes of a line from an 'Animals' tune;
"Oh Lord, Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"

Now that I understand a bit more about your 'passion', I'll do my best to respect your 'sensitivities', and be careful with my 'playful' remarks;
- all the while I'll be listening for 'tales' of your 'Ampegventures'
~

I hope you all realize what a
- Special Group You *really* Are, and
- what a Big Job BP has done to deliver us
- this once-in-a-lifetime 'opportunity'

This 'note of appreciation' also goes out to some of our less visible
- 'International' friends for whom
- 'english' is not their first language
- Thank You !
~
/R

 

[BigBallz]

Thank you all for your constructive replys to this thread. I appreciate them.