Pinecam picnic

Yeah, as usual I was practicing my crappy time management skills trying to do too much and ended up 40min late. But I found a beautiful couch and loveseat at Kacey Fine Furniture's closeout sale AND still made it in time to eat and chat with everyone! I was hoping pine and Freebird would show up late so my tardiness wouldn't be so noticeable.

Looking forward to the next lunch - this was lots of fun! The food and service definitely have kinks to work out but I would absolutely give them my business again - looks like a fun place to watch football!

CinnamonGirl wrote: SC no one would ever delete or moderate your posts. You write some great stuff.

Thanks CG, but I know if I wrote it in such a way that sounded condescending or arrogant, then no one would bother reading my posts or listening to what I had to say! They'd think I was an elitist, out-of-touch, snooty, know-it-all b!*#h and either not read my stuff at all, or make personal attacks instead of debating the issues brought up. I don't want people to believe me just because I'm a former scientist; I want them to critically read what I write and decide if it makes sense or not, ask me questions, and debate me on what they think I have wrong or have misrepresented - it's how I learn too and I LOVE the back-and-forth.

Something that The Viking said yesterday after lunch has been bothering me a little so I wanted to make sure my previous comments hadn't been misunderstood. He said his first thought when reading my statement that I've never had my posts modified or deleted was that I was trying to make him feel bad. That wasn't my intention at all. Nor is it to sound like I'm better than everyone else, as I'm now guessing some may have taken it. I was trying to make the point that it is possible for anyone to discuss controversial topics, be passionate about them, and do so in such a manner as to not offend those who differ in their opinion. Most of us who regularly post are doing so with an intention of persuading others to see and understand our point of view, maybe even change their minds! This cannot be accomplished with name-calling, sweeping generalizations, demeaning attitudes toward others, or without being backed up by independent, credible data (in some cases) and this is where I saw a lot of the modification coming in on Pinecam. I've seen much improvement in the posts of some who used to just outright dismiss me, and others, and/or my/their views, but I see room for more improvement too. My goal was a subtle attempt to get y'all to be a little more like me in your postings - without them being as long as mine cuz I hate reading that much! Then we can really have some fun!

Viking, seriously, you hung out til 9:30? That coffee must have been d@*n good! It was great getting to know you better; looking forward to more chats in the future! And it was awesome hanging out with everyone else too - it did feel like a group of old friends and the future looks bright! Lunch next week?!