PLMN gets the award for best travel post.
This year has seen a new crop of nasty trolls. In previous years when I stop by I read amusing ones who did not insult but entertained us.
People who are generous of spirit and money do not advertise but go quietly on their way giving.
I don't mind diversion posts when things are slow.
I like so many posters whom you know that have kind hearts and need no coronets, and never post putdowns or sarcasms.
May we all go gently into the new year.

Hey, why are so many of you sounding so nasty? Perhaps it would be useful if you clarified the goals of this website
(in a productive way) instead of sounding so pseudo-superior. Were you never "newbies"?

Sheesh, bellastar, you are sounding a lot like r_b..
It isn't like some people ( me) post these things to get on your nerves!
I see that I am outweighed by the humbugs this year, I cannot seem to get grumpy enough, so I will try not rile you up so much in 2005, how's that?

Scarlett
I fear the same family of trolls are just coming up with new names
not sure how they can do that without changing email addresses, but then they've got too much time on their paws to think about it

The protest about posting topics that aren't strictly travel-related, but that are useful and well-intentioned (such as cheescake recipes) mystifies me a bit--there aren't that many of them, and they can always just be skipped over or ignored, just like the tv programs that some people find offensive

Ladies and gentlemen, can we PLEASE get back to the humbug attitude that I am sure bardo intended for this thread?

In that spirit, would you all PLEASE stop using those annoying smiley faces all the time?!?!

Oh yeah, thanks.

OK then, humbug to you, Iregeo. How's this face?

AAAAAAARRRGGGGGHHHHHH.......

OK, no more smiley faces..no more smiling..gotta practice looking p*ssed off all the time....Bah Humbug

Now, that's more like it...EXCEPT THE FACE.

ahh come on now lads - where's the christmas spirit here? everyone is a starter in something. why do sites such as this not have a 'junior arena' where nubbies can gen up on all that has gone before on their particular interest and ask questions after that? site operators take note. but in the meantime - it's christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!! forget the bahh humbug and emrace your dumbass fellow travellers! jesus, next thing i'll be wearing sandals and eating lentils ..............

To Scarlett, and her message:

"Posting more on the Other Topics boards is a good idea. I will try to remember that.."

That is great news, and what an excellent idea! I'm so glad you see the wisdom in Grasshopper's suggestion.

And after all, the "other topics" forum is only a click away, so everyone who wants to can easily find your threads and others with a personal theme. It's a win-win solution!!

Happy New Year!

OaktownTraveler,

I was with you until...
"I want Fodor's to start a food and drink thread for travellers"

Isn't that what travel is for??!!!

BTW,
The darkness is lifting - I'm starting to plan/decide my 2005 trips!!

>...the same family of trolls are just coming up with new names
not sure how they can do that without changing email addresses,...<

It is so easy to have multiple addresses. Just sign up at www.yahoo.com or www.hotmail.com whenever you want a couple of new ones.

hey I'd love to see Other Topics take off. Seems like it could be such a good branch, but desperately needs participants to make it so! In fact it is the only time I've ever had a post of mine pulled by Fodors, when I wondered aloud why it was so (well OK I called it) "lame" -LOL but no smiley face*!* feliz ano nuevo mi amigos.