Do you ever just quit caring?
 

I have been checking out these forums for a while now and notice how some of you are seemingly tireless in your responses.

I commmend you, after reading through some of these questions I just want to shout 'who cares!'. Do you ever get to that point or am I just too impatient?

I haven't traveled outside the country that much so I really have nothing to add here but maybe that will change after my trip.

Keep up the good work Fodorites!

We're barely 48 hours away from whatthe mental health community calls "the most depressing day of the year".

Let us know if we can help you.

Best wishes,

Rex

peeky, you obviously underestimate the power of boredom.

And who can resist a catfight once in a while? :-)

I was going to respond to your post, but then I thought about and decided I don't care to.

That is funny Patrick!
I am not depressed, Rex.
Oh boredom is the key!

peeky, perhaps some of the seemingly diligents, devote their waking hours to posting, for it's what they have as life, and more power to them if the keyboard is where it's at for them. But I'm with you.

Rex, you've piqued my interest. May I ask what is so special about 48 hours from now/ago? I thought the shortest day of the year was back in December, and tax day isn't for a while yet...

And I heard the 24th was the most depressing day..I thought it was over with already and I could get on with it!Now I have to be in another bad mood..all in 1 week!

I think Rex is referring to 48 hours ago. 1/24 is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year because holiday bills from December are arriving, it's a Monday, there's usually bad weather in a lot of the Northern hemisphere, it's cold without a lot of hours of sunlight.

As to if I just quit caring, "no", I don't!

BC

I dunno... I just read it on Yahoo...

Maybe it's a post-Christmas thing, and it would be typically be colder, grayer and "wintrier" than it is on the solstice, even if the day is longer. If sunlight is the only factor, then maybe there is a certain latency period for brain monoamine neurotransmitters to go through depletion - - and even a period after that for it to take a clinical grip?

And thanks for the kind words, SergioL...

May your life provide you with the opportunity to indulge your principal hobby as much as you want, someday.

Also most folks have just reached the point where the're abandoning their New Year's resolutions.

BC

Sorry, I consider today the most depressing day of the year. One year ago I lost my beloved dog, and I'm still not over it!

Yep, Peeky, I do get there. And that's when I know it's time to walk away for awhile! Also, when I want to take potshots at some posters who seem just too above everyone else or are so negative and cruel. But I can't make them walk away, so I do.

I am there with you, Peeky! But... it gets boring here. I pull the old posts up for fun.

Just quit caring? No way! Addicts don't just quit, we'd need a recovery program
:-) :-) :-)

Rex, I was commending the Fodorites who have the patience to respond every day.

If you look at it as a hobby good for you altho I am sure that even stamp collectors throw their stamps up in the air once in a while or stamp on them if they get stuck together.

Good idea about walking away when that happens.

I care.
Even when posters take potshots at me or newbies or someone who just asked the wrong question on the wrong day .
There are people continually coming on here for the first time and everything they ask is for the first time.
And I sort of like the idea that someone out there, did something because I recommended it or told them how to get there or advised them in some way and they enjoyed it.
So that keeps me caring .

For me it is not a hobby. It's a serious addiction. I'm considering psychotherapy.

Scarlett, I'm always worried someone won't enjoy what I recommend! That's why I try to include lots of details and qualifiers.

I'm adicted too - but it only takes a few minutes to scan for threads you think you might have something to add to. A very small price to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms. :)

And SergioL - I don't see how you could possibly know one way or the other whether some "devote their waking hours to posting, for it's what they have as life," since you registered and posted for the first time today.

You can't be tired of the whole thing YET can you - in just a few hours?

Unless SergioL is the new name for LaughingTravels or blacktie or whatever he wants to call himself this week.

I care about posters who have children who post alot instead of spending that time with children.

I declare") I always learn something new just reading Fodor's posts..
Never knew that the 24th was the most depressing day of the year..
"Is never too late to learn" this is my favourite's motto..

Damn, now I'm depressed because I missed the most depressing day of the year!

peeky, yes, but I get over it.
(111op, my sentiments exactly!)

Patrick -
Get over it! Get a grip! Make an itinerary! Make a martini!
:-)

You are right Patrick, we missed a big day! I would have been so justified in staying in bed all day , being depressed, eating bonbons and drinking something alchoholic ( I am blank right now as to what would go well with Bonbons)
We will just have to have a delayed Day of Depression!
There, that cheers me right up!

Scarlett,
LBV Port, lol!
M

Oh, mike honey, I should have known you would know the answer to that LOL
Mmmm, sounds good! We have Wares here, will that do in a pinch?

Ooooh, Cigalechanta, talk about initiating a catfight!

As a stay at home parent of older children, however, I can say it is a nice outlet and antidote to isolation.

Personally, it's my "avoidance" crutch. Dishes in the sink? Paperwork to file? Bills to pay? ... Hmmm, wonder what's happening at Fodors?

But I have to say, I enjoy sharing my experiences and knowledge of my local area. I love when someone is looking for something I found, and hope it's just the right thing for them!

Patrick. Psychotherapy does not work. I have tried it. Save your money for more travel.

Mimi - We just ship the kiddies off to Boston to see if they can survive a major snowstorm! Her plane landed at Logan Saturday at 5pm just as it was starting and it's snowing again.

As my sister always says "Everyone needs to be therapped".

This thread is really depressing....

Here's a link to the most depressing day of the year article:

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6847012/

Rehabilitation is only 12 little steps away... :-D

I sometimes think that I start repeating myself when I am giving out my "sage" information. I think that the person reading it will yell back at me...who cares! I skip replying to alot of posts because of this.

So, I have thought of it but in the different direction.

Nope peeky, I never quit caring. Part of Fodors is definitely an addiction. Sometimes it stems from boredom. But there are several parts of the world I love dearly and am thrilled to help new folks discover with insider tips. A few times I've even gotten help here myself!

The only time I have to make myself PUT the mouse down and WALK AWAY from the keyboard is when I can't make myself stop arguing a silly point on a pointless thread.

And I will *never* tire of answering questions about packing or first trips to Europe, much to the chagrin of some regular posters.

Well look at that! SergioL or should we still call him Blacktie/TravelsLaughter is here again!
And so full of sage advice and CARE!

Hi Kay, I was referring to High school and below kids. Your daughter is in University and very adult all she needs now is a pair of UGGS, the only boot that's warm enough for this cold weather here.

I seriously doubt anyone is addicted enough to Fodors to ignore their kids. Gambling, alcohol, carousing... definitely. But Fodors?

High school kids don't need much more than a parent to make them a nice dinner and share it with them and a pat on the back to go do their homework, and a reminder to send their SAT scores to the colleges of their choice. They're in school from 8-6, at least mine are, so daytime is not their concern.
To answer the question, there are days when I read a question that has been posed a thousand times and I just can't bear to deal with it again. And there are days when my mood is more generous and I do answer, even if it's something I've already answered dozens and dozens of times, It depends on a lot of factors - my mood, the weather, what's going on at work, etc. But what I don't do is give a negative answer to something just because I'm tired and the question has been posed a lot of times before. I just pass. That's not to say I won't get into it with some posters about certain issues. I think healthy debate is just that - healthy.
But if I sign on and my sense is that I'm going to be really impatient with most of the posts, I tend to sign off and go do something else - read, garden, catch up on work, spend time with the kids, whatever. With newbies, I don't think it's ever worth the time to get into a fracas. With trolls, I rarely am interested. With regulars, I'm up for a spar if it's a topic that genuinely interests me (witness the Driving in the Dordogne thread currently underway), but I try to be honest and direct when I'm opposed to someone's point of view. It's tempting sometimes to be sarcastic or down-putting, and sometimes the temptation is simply too great to avoid that, but in the long run, that doesn't work to anyone's advantage.
So yeah, I do care. And if I'm feeling too impatient or put-upon or whatever, I just sign off and go do something else. When I go on vacation, I don't even sign on to Fodor's normally. If I do, it's once in two weeks or something. I think I'd consider myself seriously addicted if I went on vacation and felt compelled to sign onto Fodor's and answer travel questions while I myself was traveling.