I joined TPL within the first 30 days of it starting up. That was during the month of May. At the time, there was one person who was apparently full time in charge of the forum. I think she was one of the driving forces behind it. By August she had been promoted and replaced . By January she was replaced and the guy who took over stayed with it until he was moved up in the food chain and Stokkebye was given the forum. I can't remember his name. (EDIT: It was Leonard.)
This was back when the FDA first released the deeming regulations and prohibited give aways and promotions. I think when that happened, STG lost interest and just kept shuffling the administration of the forum around.
For your consideration: There are many members of this blog that NEVER make a comment or make any visible contributions to the site, but do check in quite often and check out the different threads posted here. For example, while at the Las Vegas pipe show last year, I decided to wear my little ham radio tag (KA9FFJ) on my shirt. It's small, about 3/4" x 2 1/2". In one afternoon, as I was strolling by all the tables, I had 5 people come up to me and ask if I was the one who posted on TPL. After I got past the initial shock of anyone recognizing my posts, I asked each one if I should know them through TPL. EVERYONE said no, they never post, but enjoy checking in and reading some of the threads. One individual told me his pipe club checks out TPL, but that they too do not post. I said all that to say this; those encounters gave me a different perspective on TPL. I would say that for the first time I realized TPL isn't made up of just the few who contribute, but also the countless guys that check in from time to time. Bottom line: For those of us who are actively participating, keep it up knowing there are many on the sidelines enjoying TPL. And for those brothers on the sidelines, if/when you feel the urge, please, please know that your input, no matter how great or small you may think, is of value to this great hobby and all TPL members...
Sorry for the long absence. As many of you know my wife had a stroke a while back and I've become her primary caregiver. As you can imagine it takes up considerable time. I'm not only her caregiver - but I've become a housewife as well. But as time has progressed - so has she. She continues to get better with each passing month. So I'm happy about that.
But then two months ago I was having some problems - and discovered its Stage 4 prostate cancer. It spread to a few surrounding lymph nodes and the bones in my pelvic region. Tomorrow I'm scheduled to get a second opinion at the University Of Chicago which might help me to avoid chemo. The Radiologist feels he can do everything I need with radiation and some medication. If the other doctor agrees I can by-pass chemo altogether. Something I'd sure be happy about. Bald, puking, mouth sores, and shitting on myself is not the way I want to go out. It's bad enough my wiener doesn't work. That's embarrassing enough.
Funny - I'm not really afraid of what comes next for me - my main concern is for my wife, and making sure she's well taken care of should the worse happen.
I'm in a lot of pain - but don't feel like I'm on my last leg - or something like that. I'm in good spirits and thankfully quite busy, so I don't have time to mope around and get all moody. I was pretty concerned when I discovered the cancer had traveled into my pelvis bone (where all the real intense pain is coming from) but found out my cousin has the same thing - and he's been coping with it for 9 years. Hell if I can make it that long I'll be in my 80s. And I can die from any number of things before then.
I haven't been able to smoke around the house much is why I haven't been on the site. I feel I have nothing to add. No new tobacco or pipe purchases. But I think I'll make a consorted effort to come around more often for the camaraderie.
Here's something to think about. They currently have me on a testosterone blocker - claim it helps in the treatment of cancer. I was informed one of the side effects is Hot Flashes! Great, I don't just have cancer - but now I'm going through menopause as well. It's only a matter of time before I start watching Hallmark Channel movies and crying at the drop of a hat. .
@ghostsofpompeii Glad to hear from you, good to hear your wife is getting better. Not happy to hear about your illness, but it seems like you’re not letting it get you too far down. Keep up the good attitude, it’s gotta help. I wanted to HaHa your post, but not all of it. Just the last paragraph. Laughter is called the best medicine right.👍🏻
There are moments when wellness escapes us, moments when pain and suffering are not dim possibilities but all too agonizing realities.
Much we can do for ourselves; and what we can do we must do -- healing, no less than illness, is participatory. But even when we do all we can do, there is, often, still much left to be done. And so we turn as well to our healers seeking their skill to aid in our struggle for wellness. But even when they do all they can do there is, often, still much left to be done. And so we turn to God, to the Holy One of Being, Who animates the universe as the ocean animates the waves.
May the Power of Healing that blessed our ancestors be opened to our brother @ghostsofpompeii that he, too, might know healing.
May it come to pass that he be restored to health.
May God grant him wellness of body, spirit and mind.
And may all who are stricken and afflicted find peace.
@RockyMountainBriar Yep. I live in Slidell. We had about an hour of heavy rain but the worse of the weather passed northwest of us. Basically we caught the tail end of the bands that moved into Mississippi. Thanks for asking.
I had to give my friend in Moscow, TN a call…he had oodles of rain for about 8 hours straight. He estimated ~5”. Luckily, he said his reworked drainage served it’s purpose.👍🏻
Comments
I think you're right but also this site has run stagnant and very old school forum style.
I joined TPL within the first 30 days of it starting up. That was during the month of May. At the time, there was one person who was apparently full time in charge of the forum. I think she was one of the driving forces behind it. By August she had been promoted and replaced . By January she was replaced and the guy who took over stayed with it until he was moved up in the food chain and Stokkebye was given the forum. I can't remember his name. (EDIT: It was Leonard.)
This was back when the FDA first released the deeming regulations and prohibited give aways and promotions. I think when that happened, STG lost interest and just kept shuffling the administration of the forum around.
Good to know the history. I'm not optimistic about the future of TPL.
There are many members of this blog that NEVER make a comment or make any visible contributions to the site, but do check in quite often and check out the different threads posted here.
For example, while at the Las Vegas pipe show last year, I decided to wear my little ham radio tag (KA9FFJ) on my shirt. It's small, about 3/4" x 2 1/2".
In one afternoon, as I was strolling by all the tables, I had 5 people come up to me and ask if I was the one who posted on TPL.
After I got past the initial shock of anyone recognizing my posts, I asked each one if I should know them through TPL. EVERYONE said no, they never post, but enjoy checking in and reading some of the threads.
One individual told me his pipe club checks out TPL, but that they too do not post.
I said all that to say this; those encounters gave me a different perspective on TPL.
I would say that for the first time I realized TPL isn't made up of just the few who contribute, but also the countless guys that check in from time to time.
Bottom line: For those of us who are actively participating, keep it up knowing there are many on the sidelines enjoying TPL.
And for those brothers on the sidelines, if/when you feel the urge, please, please know that your input, no matter how great or small you may think, is of value to this great hobby and all TPL members...
That's amazing and really good to know. Great observation and thanks for sharing that.
https://theoatmeal.com/comics/150_characters?from_email=1
Glad to hear from you, good to hear your wife is getting better. Not happy to hear about your illness, but it seems like you’re not letting it get you too far down. Keep up the good attitude, it’s gotta help. I wanted to HaHa your post, but not all of it. Just the last paragraph. Laughter is called the best medicine right.👍🏻
Please know that you are on my daily prayer list, and I will also say a prayer(s) throughout the day(s) as I think of you...
A Plea for Healing
There are moments when wellness escapes us, moments when pain and suffering are not dim possibilities but all too agonizing realities.
Much we can do for ourselves; and what we can do we must do -- healing, no less than illness, is participatory. But even when we do all we can do, there is, often, still much left to be done. And so we turn as well to our healers seeking their skill to aid in our struggle for wellness. But even when they do all they can do there is, often, still much left to be done. And so we turn to God, to the Holy One of Being, Who animates the universe as the ocean animates the waves.
May the Power of Healing that blessed our ancestors be opened to our brother @ghostsofpompeii that he, too, might know healing.
May it come to pass that he be restored to health.
May God grant him wellness of body, spirit and mind.
And may all who are stricken and afflicted find peace.
I'm really sorry for all you are going through at this time. Hopefully both you and your wife will get better.
Yep. I live in Slidell.
We had about an hour of heavy rain but the worse of the weather passed northwest of us. Basically we caught the tail end of the bands that moved into Mississippi.
Thanks for asking.
Glad to hear it.
I had to give my friend in Moscow, TN a call…he had oodles of rain for about 8 hours straight. He estimated ~5”. Luckily, he said his reworked drainage served it’s purpose.👍🏻
Looking for you sir, just checking up. I see you have not been on since 3/14. I hope everything is ok there.