Interest on the Wane.

30 May 2006

Quote by couple_ne2000
I think a lot of people are having similar thoughts and are slowly coming back into the fold.
It can only be a good thing.... the community is becoming less fragmented.

I agree 100& and was very sorry to see the way you were treated 'elsewhere' recently :cry:
Ditto! I think quite a few were.
Absolutely.
redface

I only just realised who Essex34m is.
I also agree, but please don't shoot me down in flames, but can we please please please keep the politics off the forum, it doesn't create a very nice atmosphere bolt

Les x
I wasn't aiming to bring any politics over here. I'm not back here because of that incident anyway, I'm back because I miss some of my friends, it's not as bad here as I thought it would be and basically because I want to come back!
Apologies if I brought politics with me (not my intention at all, I don't think I even mentioned it!) but also thanks to those who've shown their support, it is appreciated.

30 May 2006

I think we all have to realise if we post on a forum we may get responses we dont like - many a newbie gets shot down in flames and I personally know some responses to my posts have not always been 'friendly' even when there have been smilies afterwards lol.
But I think taking things tongue in cheek is better than taking it seriously! Work and life is far too serious to take swinging forums seriously!!!!!!!! Turn the other cheek and then turn again lol.
Seriously I hope lots of people return to this site and things settle down. I want the old mods back personally as I miss them and I miss Missy, Jags, Jas, Ice Pie and Bilko posting here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I liked the banter and the stupid fallings out all on one site - not on 3 or 4 lol. I hate the fact people I know have been banned and I dont understand why - they have amnesties for knives and guns - hopefully maybe we could have this for SH banned members at some stage ??????????????????? (now thats controversial :shock: :shock: )
Corrie xx

30 May 2006

Quote by corriefem
I
Seriously I hope lots of people return to this site and things settle down. I want the old mods back personally as I miss them and I miss Missy, Jags, Jas, Ice Pie and Bilko posting here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I liked the banter and the stupid fallings out all on one site - not on 3 or 4 lol. I hate the fact people I know have been banned and I dont understand why - they have amnesties for knives and guns - hopefully maybe we could have this for SH banned members at some stage ??????????????????? (now thats controversial :shock: :shock: )
Corrie xx

Hi Corrie xxx
Missy, Jags, Jas and Bulko are still here. Ice is a real miss, might just text him now cos you brought him to mind, but it's the choices some make. I miss a lot more people and wish that some engagement could be made via this site. Some I still keep in contact with outside of this site and I value that contact enormously. Now Corrie, when am I going to see you again??? Once is never enough.
kiss

:kiss:

30 May 2006

When we joined SH, about a couple of years ago now, we were amazed at the friendlyness and community spirit. We've been to Munches and Socials arranged from here. Also we have done a fair bit of posting on here, so here is our twopenith, for what its worth.
Way back in Dec when the changes happened, we said that it would not be as bad as people thought, nor as good as the new owners said it would be!!
Its still a great site, but we think that it has gone down just a little due to losing some of the "stars" to other sites. Also there are others, who still come here, and enjoy it, but are also members of other sites, because there is the great uncertainty of what will happen this Dec.
It has been six months since the takeover, therefore only six months until, potentially, all existing members will have to pay. Probably most would not pay, after all there are sites very similar to this which say they will never charge.
So at this point in time why should people but heart and soul into arranging things when in six months all the "old timers / regulars / stars" may be saying adios anyway.
Perhaps a statement sooner rather than later on the situation in Dec from the owners would solve this?
John & Shel

30 May 2006

Quote by corriefem
I miss Missy, Jags, Jas, Ice Pie and Bilko posting here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh never mind Missy Jags Jas Ice and Bilko!! :jagsatwork: Where the bluddy ell have you been eh??? poke

Love seeing you popping in Corrie, always cheers me up kiss

Jags, can you send a big hug to Ice from me too please? :happy: :kiss: Still wanna keep hugging you tho, cos missed you on Saturday lol

31 May 2006

Quote by neilinleeds
dammy, yeah, i have to admit there's a fair amount of humble pie to choke down here too.

tbh - I don't think there is a great deal of pie to be eaten.
Many of use gave our opinions and feelings of what we believed to be the case, and what we believed would happen. In some cases some of us were right, some of us were wrong. About some of it.

Quote by NiL also
i won't pretend i like some things, cos i dislike some things on principle, but no, things ain't nearly so bad as some of us feared, and can be remedied pretty easily if the willingness is there to do it! ;)
neil x x x ;)

I absolutely agree :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Politics ?
My feelings about site - in fact, most - "politics" border on hatred.
But I do feel there is a time and place for them. And sometimesthat place isright here. In the forum. In the open.
Saving face ?
Well; that's just human nature. How many times in their life, does a stubborn person "cut off their nose, to spite their face" - I know I have. Many times. It's something I've learned to actively tryto avoid doing. Quite ironically, this lifestyle we choose has helped me with that a great deal.
And I'm not suggesting for one minute, that saving face would be the only, or even the main, reason some people will not return.

Quote by Corrie
I liked the banter and the stupid fallings out all on one site - not on 3 or 4 lol. I hate the fact people I know have been banned and I dont understand why - they have amnesties for knives and guns - hopefully maybe we could have this for SH banned members at some stage ???????????????????

:thumbup: - Particularly those banned for what could be seen as "political" reasons.
And finally, Esther ...............

Quote by Geordiecpl2001
So at this point in time why should people but heart and soul into arranging things when in six months all the "old timers / regulars / stars " may be saying adios anyway.

I'll still be here :thumbup:
If they'll have me redface

1 Jun 2006

Quote by well_busty_babe
in all honesty, the thing that stops me wanting to organise a munch for this site is the uncertainty!
we do not yet know what is going to happen in december with regards to membership fees etc.
if i was organising a munch, it would probably be for early next year, this means that in theory you could spend loads of time and money before december getting it organised, to find that once december comes it all falls appart!
personally i would rather wait till i know where i stand - and am sure a lot of others feel the same way.

I agree with this to an extent. I'm probably doing what a lot are, which is keeping a foot in both camps so if SH does decide to impose a charge I'll just clear off "over the road". Harsh I know, but I can see a lot of folks doing the same.
TBH it doesn't seem as "stuffy" over the road, so I probably post more over there at the mo, than I do here. I'm not saying that it's better, or worse, I've been around forums for a few years and I know that they always have an eb and flow and it does go quiet from time to time so I'm sure that SH will pick up again (for me anyway), unless the admin introduce subscription fees (but that's another point that I'm sure we'll get into when the announcement comes).
I also think that a part of the problem is that a lot of the old faces don't show to SH Munches anymore (or on this forum either), which must make it very difficult for those organising Munches as for the old regulars attending it makes themfeel a little out of place. I know that's how we felt and for a while we played around with the idea of not comming to another Munch on either site, but we went to the Notts bash and one "over the road" and enjoyed ourselves immensely, so sorry guys but you're stuck with us for a while longer.
I'm sure there were other points I wanted to make, but I can't for the life of me remember them, so I'll just say......
to be continued. wink

1 Jun 2006

Quote by easy
so sorry guys but you're stuck with us for a while longer.

Bugger it

Easy

1 Jun 2006

Quote by Easy
you're stuck with us for a while longer

Sarah rushes off to sticky herself to Easy with Countess the other side
:giggle:
kiss

1 Jun 2006

Quote by Dawn_Mids
so sorry guys but you're stuck with us for a while longer.

Bugger it

Easy
I ain't been buggering anything. Honest. :uhoh:

Quote by Sarah
Sarah rushes off to sticky herself to Easy with Countess the other side
:giggle:
:kiss:

:twisted: :twisted:

2 Jun 2006

I pretty much agree with everything that's been said. I have a foot in both camps, sometimes I'm more at home over there sometimes I'm more at home here it's swings and roundabouts (no pun intended). There are aspects I love about the new site, and aspects I love about the "other" site. I refuse to choose one LOL.
I don't think humble pie does need eating with regards to how the changes have gone on ... our opinions, thoughts and discussions kept the site pretty much in a similar vein, without any of that the site would have changed completely. And it's down to those people that SH remains a great community.
I'd have loved to organise something for when Morbius graduates, at the same time we'll have the all clear for our daughter for her leukaemia. We've had an amazing amount of support from peolpe on here, both from friends and from people who find out what a real struggle it has been, and a munch would be a lovely way of thanking people, it means a lot to us to say thanks to people but it's turned into a minefield.
I can't advertise it as a Munch on either site due to the rules, so a few people would miss out sad

, I have a venue suitable for 250+ that meets hotels, transport and price ranges, so it would need organising along the lines of a munch in order for it to work. I know one person has already booked a venue for their own do in Jan (which they were willing to share but we don't feel right to hijack someone elses do) and so I can't do my party the same weekend and the weekend before and after are out as they are too close together, so that leaves me with one weekend in Jan (too close to new year) and 2 weeks in Feb, neither of which are near pay day (to be fair to people wanting to travel/stay etc). If it's organised as a social then it has to be open to anyone, which tbh whilst I have nothing against newbies, some of them won't know me or Morbius, understand the "reason" for the thank you etc ..... somthing very simple suddenly gets very complicated!
Cx

2 Jun 2006

why does it have to be open to everyone if its a social, why for that matter do parties need these labels, its your party invite who the hell you want and bugger the consequenses!
staggy

2 Jun 2006

couldnt agree more

2 Jun 2006

Quote by wild rose and the stag
why does it have to be open to everyone if its a social, why for that matter do parties need these labels, its your party invite who the hell you want and bugger the consequenses!
staggy

Exactly!!
Well said Staggy
I have read this post with interest and really wanted to write some well thought out, in depth and heart felt reply but you know what....................
.................I can't be arsed!!!
People had the choice to stay here, go elsewhere or frankly do whatever the f**k they wanted to. They still have that freedom (well those who haven't been banned all over the shop!! for what its worth I reckon that an amnesty is a pretty good idea with the obvious exception of a few who went out of their way to cause personal harm to individuals)
I'd much rather see people getting back to enjoying themselves.
Personally, I would love it if we got back to the kind of posts and banter we had 12 months ago. Less of the " look at me" type threads and more of the inane shite that Davej was soooooooo very good at wink

among others obviously.
Friday nights were a scream on here and there is no reason they cant be again, if WE all play a little part (that after all is all I have confused

)
Anyway, good to see some many "regulars" in the one post, kinda feels like the old days.
Party on folks!
the Laird

2 Jun 2006

Calista, if it's a social then you have final say over who walks through the doors, as you are effectively running it as a private event and not one affiliated to anywhere.
It's all your responsibiilty then lol

:lol: :lol: :lol: I'm sure you could cope with that though passionkiss

Jas
XXX

2 Jun 2006

During the last 6 months there have been numerous threads about 'the change'.
What I have also noticed is, that during this time, I have not seen a discussion being held by people who have arrived from another site or club with their own legacy. Surely some kind of noticeable merger should have occurred?
Did they also not have a nice cosy site where all was swinging admirably well. And would they also not be a bit agrieved about 'the change'. It seems not, as no one appears to have come forward to make a similar plaintive cry.
Are they just too dumb to know what happened? Or is it that they never actually existed?
So assuming that there were no other legacies to merge and undergo 'the change', surely the core of this site has always been pretty much there, albeit now short of various personalities?

2 Jun 2006

Quote by duncanlondon
During the last 6 months there have been numerous threads about 'the change'.
What I have also noticed is, that during this time, I have not seen a discussion being held by people who have arrived from another site or club with their own legacy. Surely some kind of noticeable merger should have occurred?
Did they also not have a nice cosy site where all was swinging admirably well. And would they also not be a bit agrieved about 'the change'. It seems not, as no one appears to have come forward to make a similar plaintive cry.
Are they just too dumb to know what happened? Or is it that they never actually existed?
So assuming that there were no other legacies to merge and undergo 'the change', surely the core of this site has always been pretty much there, albeit now short of various personalities?

For another core group to arrive with their own "legacy" there would have had to be a migration from another site for some reason. There hasn't been one that I'm aware of.
The site didn't change because it was merged with another, it changed because it was bought and became a commercially owned site.
Jas
XXX

2 Jun 2006

I am so pleased everyone has said that if you organise a social you can decide who goes because that has to be right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have lost the plot on the rules for munches now and I am not sure that matters.
What I do know is that I gate crashed a social and caused trouble - yes moi lol lol well I will know in future and will never never do that again lol

3 Jun 2006

you are officially ordered by i, "Staggy the stag" and her , "Rose the wild" to gatecrash any social we hold !
you may be flogged for it but only if you ask!
wrats
xx

3 Jun 2006

Quote by duncanlondon
What I have also noticed is, that during this time, I have not seen a discussion being held by people who have arrived from another site or club with their own legacy. Surely some kind of noticeable merger should have occurred?
Did they also not have a nice cosy site where all was swinging admirably well. And would they also not be a bit agrieved about 'the change'. It seems not, as no one appears to have come forward to make a similar plaintive cry.
Are they just too dumb to know what happened? Or is it that they never actually existed?
So assuming that there were no other legacies to merge and undergo 'the change', surely the core of this site has always been pretty much there, albeit now short of various personalities?

There hasn't been a merger of two sites. The only merge that happened was the ads section (which used to be on a completely different server) has merged with the rest of the site - hence the unified login now.
Yep, I agree, the core of the forums (wouldn't say the whole site cos it's more of a county with villages dotted about) is still here - it's just a bit more hidden these days, under the layers of casual visitors.

3 Jun 2006

Quote by Missy
What I have also noticed is, that during this time, I have not seen a discussion being held by people who have arrived from another site or club with their own legacy. Surely some kind of noticeable merger should have occurred?
Did they also not have a nice cosy site where all was swinging admirably well. And would they also not be a bit agrieved about 'the change'. It seems not, as no one appears to have come forward to make a similar plaintive cry.
Are they just too dumb to know what happened? Or is it that they never actually existed?
So assuming that there were no other legacies to merge and undergo 'the change', surely the core of this site has always been pretty much there, albeit now short of various personalities?

There hasn't been a merger of two sites. The only merge that happened was the ads section (which used to be on a completely different server) has merged with the rest of the site - hence the unified login now.
Yep, I agree, the core of the forums (wouldn't say the whole site cos it's more of a county with villages dotted about) is still here - it's just a bit more hidden these days, under the layers of casual visitors.
I think the main impact has been the loss of the personalities who led the banter and arranged the munches. People like that give direction and focus to any social group. Its now a case of too many indians and not enough chiefs.
The only thing I can suggest now is that people who organise munches and socials think in terms of what they can achieve within their own means and then build up from there. So perhaps a temporary return to small scale, affordable and more easily arranged venues. I know it takes a lot to arrange and manage any kind of event.

4 Jun 2006

Quote by duncanlondon
I think the main impact has been the loss of the personalities who led the banter and arranged the munches. People like that give direction and focus to any social group. Its now a case of too many indians and not enough chiefs.

This isnt aimed at you Duncan, but a general overall comment picking up from what you've just said.
I think we are forgetting, or at least not giving credit, to (a) the personailities who still do lead the banter & organise Munches/ socials for everyone, those who didnt jump ship, those who stayed and persevered, impromptue-policed and banged on and on about our 'community' in the hope that it didnt dissolve completely and (b) the newer personalities who too stick with it, with 'us' and our nostalgia, and have joined into the 'community' but in way (and sometimes it does come across this way IMO) are kinda looked on as pehaps being inferior to those who have moved on from here. I too am sorry that many of the 'old regulars' have gone - but there are 'new regulars' - if we'd just let them in a bit, ya know?

4 Jun 2006

Quote by the_Laird
why does it have to be open to everyone if its a social, why for that matter do parties need these labels, its your party invite who the hell you want and bugger the consequenses!
staggy

Exactly!! I agree - if I ever decide to organise something I'll invite who the f**k I want and the t**ts and moaners can go whistle. This isn't about popularity points for me and never has been.
Well said Staggy
I have read this post with interest and really wanted to write some well thought out, in depth and heart felt reply but you know what....................
.................I can't be arsed!!! I think you just did.... below wink

People had the choice to stay here, go elsewhere or frankly do whatever the f**k they wanted to. They still have that freedom (well those who haven't been banned all over the shop!! for what its worth I reckon that an amnesty is a pretty good idea with the obvious exception of a few who went out of their way to cause personal harm to individuals) Good idea:thumbup:
I'd much rather see people getting back to enjoying themselves. Bring it on baby redface

Personally, I would love it if we got back to the kind of posts and banter we had 12 months ago. Less of the " look at me" type threads and more of the inane shite that Davej was soooooooo very good at :wink: among others obviously. Thank God somebody said it - this has been driving me nutty of late rolleyes

There have been some very legitimate posts of this nature on here and then there have also been others that have just followed suit... if it's that personal FFS, keep it that way! There are some members that seem to be continually baying for attention, moaning or pulling apart new members' threads and always having a pop at them at them - very sad and I wish it would stop sad

Friday nights were a scream on here and there is no reason they cant be again, if WE all play a little part (that after all is all I have confused

)
Anyway, good to see some many "regulars" in the one post, kinda feels like the old days.
Party on folks! Watch this space lol

the Laird

4 Jun 2006

Quote by Darkfire

I think the main impact has been the loss of the personalities who led the banter and arranged the munches. People like that give direction and focus to any social group. Its now a case of too many indians and not enough chiefs.

This isnt aimed at you Duncan, but a general overall comment picking up from what you've just said.
I think we are forgetting, or at least not giving credit, to (a) the personailities who still do lead the banter & organise Munches/ socials for everyone, those who didnt jump ship, those who stayed and persevered, impromptue-policed and banged on and on about our 'community' in the hope that it didnt dissolve completely and (b) the newer personalities who too stick with it, with 'us' and our nostalgia, and have joined into the 'community' but in way (and sometimes it does come across this way IMO) are kinda looked on as pehaps being inferior to those who have moved on from here. I too am sorry that many of the 'old regulars' have gone - but there are 'new regulars' - if we'd just let them in a bit, ya know?
DarkFire we think so alike it scares me sometimes!!
I agree totally with what you say especially the last sentence. We were all new here once and yes although I agree some of the 'first' posts do leave alot to be desired IMO rolleyes

and some cover topics whichhave been done before,(many times) I do wish some of the regular posters would give people a chance to find their feet, before sweeping their feet from under them.
Think I'm still hungover dunno

Alleyson xxx

4 Jun 2006

Quote by Darkfire
I too am sorry that many of the 'old regulars' have gone - but there are 'new regulars' - if we'd just let them in a bit, ya know?

Well said Dark kiss

I too miss many of the old posters and I miss the dynamic that the site used to have. But that was the old SH this is thenew SH. It will never be what it was, but the site is what wethemembers make it. I for one think we should stop trying to turn the clock back and focus on the future of the site. Let's cut the new members a bit more slack and who knows it could be better than it was ?
Minx x x

4 Jun 2006

Quote by BiWelshMinx
Well said Dark
I too miss many of the old posters and I miss the dynamic that the site used to have. But that was the old SH this is the new SH. It will never be what it was, but the site is what we the members make it. I for one think we should stop trying to turn the clock back and focus on the future of the site. Let's cut the new members a bit more slack and who knows it could be better than it was ?
Minx x x

I do agree that we have to move forward, but as some of you may have noticed, I've bumped a few of the old favourites recently.
This isn't just a bit of nostalgia. Although that's partly it:
When new people come to The Cafe, they'll join in and post along with the current genre. So if the longer standing members are just posting "Post count bump" threads and other woolly stuff then that's what they'll join in with.
I wanted to show some of the newer members just what's possible on the forum and offer some inspiration. Who knows, there may be an up and coming Davej or NeilinLeeds out there dunno

4 Jun 2006

omg :shock: another neilinleeds , that would explain so much, i knew just one wasnt capable of the mayhem Neil causes...................

4 Jun 2006

Quote by HornyLittleBlonde
I wanted to show some of the newer members just what's possible on the forum and offer some inspiration. Who knows, there may be an up and coming Davej or NeilinLeeds out there

That's a cool idea HLB - I'm off to find some 'old' threads :P

4 Jun 2006

Quote by wild rose and the stag
omg :shock: another neilinleeds , that would explain so much, i knew just one wasnt capable of the mayhem Neil causes...................

:shock:
Another Neil?????
ooooo! :rascal: :twisted:
When found can I trade in the old model for a test drive with the new one!??? ;) redface

4 Jun 2006

Just to show what SH was like pre-takeover I have cut and posted one of the longest running threads on the site. Maybe those in doubt about the "Good Old Days" would like to browse some of the threads made. >>>>>>>>

Links to previous GFZ weekends:
GFZ - Opening Weekend
GFZ - Graduation Weekend
GFZ - England win by 19 points
GFZ - DJohn: "OK Blue, do your worst!"
GFZ - Confessions of a Stag Night
GFZ - That Ralgex Moment
GFZ - 1320, Leather Kilts, and a VERY Shiny Red Helmet
GFZ - The Kate and Mel show
GFZ - Cartoon Fun
GFZ - Anything BUT Girlie Free rolleyes

GFZ - Sgt Bilko Captures the Record
GFZ - Will gets his 10 out, which turns out to be 7 really!
GFZ - Gretchen, Chocolate Sauce, and a VERY loaded Shotgun :eeek:
GFZ - Kate Calls Jag's bluff
GFZ - Sarge, Hughies and Ralphs
GFZ - Bedrock Bedlam
GFZ - Mr FC gives his missus one - and keeps one for himself
GFZ - Sarge Cleans Up
GFZ - Of Nipples, Munches and Two Men Mowing a Meadow
GFZ -
GFZ - The Red Mist Descends
GFZ - Manchester United 0 - Liverpool 1
GFZ - Kit Rules
GFZ - The Lost Boys GFZ.
GFZ - The shortest ever, only because the Lost boys got lost! :roll:
GFZ - Sarge Opens Up
GFZ â€“ Easy gets locked in
I have just looked at todays posts and from First post Friday to present time only 15 people have posted.
Its not all new blood we need. It is new commitment and input from our newer friends on the site, (I hate the word newbies) as well as that of our Long term friends (very diplomatic lol).
Please, please please our new friends, take a bit of time to read a few of the posts above just to find out were we have come from
Phredd says = Thank you for your time.