As this thread was posted in my honor, I feel that it is only right that I respond.
The reason that I stopped posting on this forum is because some of you can be quite nasty and mean-spirited. Not everyone, but enough to make me want to move on.
Fully understand why you left. I applaud your response to this thread.
I am very surprised that anyone here would say that I was arrogant or rude. Quite the contrary, I was polite and thankful to everyone that helped me.
While you may feel you were polite and thankful to all, I'm also surprised it surprises you that some thought otherwise. I think they expressed displeasure with some of your responses at the time. While it's easy to blame those here who you feel were rude, don't totally ignore how some might have perceived you. I would say many of those you felt were nasty and mean spirited didn't intend their posts to be so. Actually, as I think back I believe you were somewhat defensive and that did increase the discord. I'm just suggesting that in placing blame on others it's always best any of us look at ourselves as well. Communication isn't how things are intended. It's how they are perceived.
I'm disappointed that so many go along with the "pack" reminds me of grade-school, were everyone gangs up on one kid. Have an opinion of your own.
I take it by the way you're expressing that you're here only to defend yourself but not to reestablish any relationship. Just above you said you were surprised you were perceived as rude. Would it surprise you that the comment you just made might be perceived by some as rude?
For the record, the 5k reward was to bring boats to light that I otherwise would not have known about. It did work. There were many boats brought to my attention that I had not seen and if I had bought one of them, I would have gladly paid the reward.
The approach from the beginning was at the least very unorthodox. I don't think it's surprising that was better received at the other board than here. I do think however that due to the boat type you've purchased you could greatly benefit from what is here. There are two aspects. One dreaming and it's great to have all those praising the pursuit of your dream. However, there are many practical aspects too and in that regard just having cheerleaders won't get one through. The need for constructive critical dialogue shouldn't be ignored. The very ones who have supported your courage might also be the ones who fail to keep you out of trouble.
It's funny how so many said that I would never pull the trigger. Guess you were wrong. Now some of you say that you wish me well, but really I think that you would love to see me fail miserably so that you can come here and say, "See I knew it. She should have listened."
I freely admit not thinking you would ever pull the trigger and as each failed to work out I felt that more so. I'm glad to have been proven wrong. Just because any of us might not have thought you'd pull the trigger doesn't mean anyone wants to see you fail. A doesn't necessarily lead to B. I personally hope you succeed. I don't want to see anyone fail at their attempt at boating.
Thank you to those who have been kind, helpful and supportive right from the beginning and thank you to those who disagreed, but did so in a respectful way. Glad that you have the balls to buck the trend.
