gyppielou

Thanks everyone. It's good to laugh, be sarcastic, be caring, be helpful, and have a little fun. I am more than guilty as many know, to flying off the handle and getting in your face confrontational on this forum. We all forgive and forget those exchanges for the discussions they were left at. So let the games continue. I'm off to cook my Wild Alaskan Salmon and farmers market asparagus with imported Tuscan olive oil,that I bought with my plattinum card while tooling around town in my Saab convertible with my full bread showdog quality Viszla, while sporting my Tiffany diamond stud earings and flipflops.(generic) On that note I thought the Prada insert was hysterical Gotravel!!! I have been taken the wrong way a hundred times. Guilty!

Kal

Geez.
A family that fights, argues, makes fun of each other.

That's something new!

cigalechanta

oo-la-la, Dont let the posters get to you. I've been here long before registration and I get dumped on alot. This is a forum and so no one's opinion is writ in gold, whether they live in that country or not. I can't tell you what Boston Hotels are like, except maybe the bar or dining room as i live here. I do carry a Prada black nylon bag only for travel because of the compartments that are the best design for me. My luggage, on the other hand, I have had for 8 years cost $29.99 from the Christmas store, and we are still using them. they are so light-weight, yet sturdy. We tie a bright colored ribbon to find them in the sea of black on the luggage turnstile. I did try glow in the dark sytars from our Pearl crafts store but after a year, they fell off. Don't EVER let anyone intimidate you. If someone is unkind, ignore them and have fun and information.
mimi

Little_Man

Just remember, even if you get flamed, no one knows who you are, so who cares!!! I love this board!

Marilyn

How could I possibly stay off this thread?

Rosemary, if you read the egret thread you will see it is really about the varied wildlife in people's backyards. It gives a sense of what the natural environment is like in different parts of the U.S.

Elle, thanks for the laugh as always. Can I also be taller and thinner in cyperspace? Because the Prada will look better on me that way.

Gyppielou, can I come for dinner? (But please, your dog is surely pure BRED not BREAD? Otherwise it sounds like you're getting ready to fry him.)

I think this forum is fantastic. Sure, there are some jerks here, but where on earth are there NO jerks, I ask you? Some of us who have been on here a while have gotten to know others. (That doesn't necessarily mean that we communicate outside the forum.) Perhaps that makes it feel a little clubby if you're new, but if you stick around you will find yourself getting to know others as well, and one day you'll find yourself saying hello to a familiar name on someone else's thread.

As for the sarcasm, some of it is downright mean, and that usually gets slammed. Some of it is so over the top that it's hilarious, and obviously done at least partly for sheer effect.

But come on, incredibly valuable, up to date travel information, custom-designed for you, itineraries critiqued and revised, hotel and restaurant reviews from people who were there last week -- and all for FREE. How can you complain?

(Sorry to be so long winded ? I am passionate about the value of this forum.)

cigalechanta

Designer jeans mean nothing in the over-all picture, indie. Only because if you have a slim figure , any brand looks good, where someone like me with too much antipasto will spend more to look better in my jeans.

jbmonts

Marilyn
I agree that this forum is fantastic! You guys have really helped me plan my Ireland trip (leaving Tuesday)and I find the most invaluable (valuable) information in some of the strangest threads!

But......I'm always soooo concerned about the underdog, the one that keeps getting kicked, I can't help but want to save him. Its called empathy. (Have not been to Websters but I'm sure some of you will look) I haven't been bothered in the least by what anyone says to me, but I'm a cancer survivor (9 months but still surviving, for those of you who don't know)so maybe I'm just a wee bit sensitive still.

Please everyone, continue to give all the great advice you have and for the rest of the watchful eyes out there, share, most of us want to hear what you have to say!
Jeri

cigalechanta

I topped my 2001 post for you here.
On the europe forum, titled, "Where do you live." Maybe it will help you know some of us here.
All do not try to make this a chat room or clubby by directing at only one person. Most of us try to answer all who address us. Please hang in.

Marilyn

Jeri, more power to you! Congratulations on getting this far and all good thoughts your way.

Now as for the underdog who keeps getting kicked, who would that be? I have not noticed that there is anyone in particular who gets "picked on" consistently on this forum. There may be some history that you are unaware of, and you may think someone is an underdog who has, in fact, been guilty of extreme nastiness in the past.

Let's also not forget that among the jerks we must include some first time posters, who ask ridiculous questions like "Will I like London?" or "I'm going to Europe for a week. Where should I go and what should I see and where should I stay and where should I eat?" If you think I'm exaggerating, stick around and see how close to that some people get!

Have a fabulous time in Ireland!

jbmonts

I think sometimes people honestly don't know that they are asking a stupid question! Some of the smartest people I know say the darndest things! You all know people like that! Actually,I enjoy the gentle teasing banter and truly witty remarks you come up with and so quickly!

I'll post my Ireland TR when I get back in July on the euro thread if anyone is interested!

Jeri

Rosemary1

Marilyn, I see your point about the wildlife in people's backyards. Would I be flamed if I admitted I feed my squirrel friends on my large patio?

I'm serious about my little fury friends. They started eating the bird seed in the feeders and shreaded them, but I solved that problem by strategically placing the birdfeeders higher and giving the squirrels peanuts.

Get's a little expensive but they're out there every morning and sometimes one will hang out all day lying in the sun. Guess he or she feels at home.

I've named them affectionately Mr. and Mrs. PeanutHead, but think there's only 4 or 5 regulars posing as the first 2. Who knows?

Hey, it's all we've got here in Colorado, no bears in the neighborhood, no terribly interesting birds, I haven't figured out a way to get the raccoons to climb up 4 flights.

So the squirrels are my Critter Cafe customers at the time being and are getting very fat BTW.

It drives Schnoocums the cat nuts.

I guess I'll have to check out the Egrets thread.

Marilyn

Aargh, Rosemary, you have me in a pickle. I am an animal lover and I volunteer at a wildlife rehab hospital. I can tell you lots of reasons why you should not feed the squirrels (or any wildlife) but instead I will just tell you that if you do feed them, it is a commitment. You have to keep doing it, and make sure someone else does it when you are away. Email me directly if you want to discuss this further -- we've already hijacked this thread (not that it was so travel-related to begin with...)

jor

In an attempt to stay on the subject. My favorite bumper sticker is BACK OFF, I HAVE GAS.

Marilyn

Please, jor, this is a "family" thread. No f*rt jokes. (Will that really deceive the electronic censor? IS there really an electronic censor?)

cigalechanta

feed the squirrels will get you in big trouble if you have neighbors'trees or your own that rise to the roof. It is birthing time and I have spent days picking up the crap that they make on my roof for nesting.And they are not my trees! they dig up everything in my garden, have cost me many dollars for damage. and they have chewed wires. Not cute behavipor, but enjoy watching their antics. I place animals in homes so i'm not anti-animal.

Jayne11159

Look at what I missed while I was in Miami today!

I'll just go ahead and offer a blanket apology in case I'm ever snippy. Most likely it's my PMS talking--just be glad that you don't LIVE with me during those moments.

gyppielou--in some cases I think it seems like there are fewer posters than there really are. There are so many here that have a lot of regional knowledge by virtue of where they live, which just happens to be in or near very popular destinations so they patiently answer the same questions over and over.

This sight is my "travel Bible". I "met" a traveler on the Europe board who helped me with my European travel plans complete with maps. gyppielou--although our MV trips overlapped you made good on your promise to contact me as soon as you got home with your restaurant tips. My point is there are many other wonderful, helpful people here. I ignore mean people here and in real life. Generally they're mad at the world anyway and you're just the dog they're kicking at the moment!

My DH and I have an agreement when it comes to being snippy with each other. I ignore him and he ignores me! The most sage advice I've ever received was from a friend who has the perfect retort when her husband chastises her when he gets her Mastercard bills. She just smiles sweetly and says, uh-huh. So the next time someone here gets under your skin, just type that smiley face in response or ignore it altogether (that's how I broke my 2nd born of his temper tantrums so just imagine how it will work with adults!). I still wish I could figure out how to add those cute little smiley faces!

Scarlett

Jayne

http://www.fodors.com/forums/smileys/

jetset1

A few thoughts from the Alaskan~
I find this board to be many things, from helpful and insightful to laugh-out-loud funny.. when the "tipping the pilots" thread was on, it was worth it's weight in gold, better comedy than Vegas.
I have lived vicariously through others' tales, dream trips, etc.
Yes, some posts are stale, repetitive, or just not seemingly intelligent, but I tend to skip those, so it doesn't become an issue when checking the board.
I have the instinct that most regular posters are pretty travel savvy, have a great sense of humor, and darn, I wish I lived near more than a few, if for no other reason than to sample drinks, wine tasting, and the delicious southern recipes posted lately...(Bonnie, remember the molasses recipes).
Lastly, squirrels are a problem here as well. I used to think they were cute too, til we found them sneaking into our attic. Just yesterday, we watched the mama squirrel cart four babies off the roof.. funny thing was, she ran to the neighbors yard, who are letting their dandelions flourish this year, so I chose not to warn them,lol.
Keep posting everyone. The cream always rises to the top. J.