The ship’s pretty much beyond fixing. It’s now operating on a solar sail and the warp drives are detached and burned out orbiting Beta Centauri and fried to a crisp. Your observations are on the mark – the Zone never really recovered from the Tikiwiki. And worse, the crew is largely comfortable with the circumstances, somewhat like the castaways going back to Gilligan’s Island after being unhappy back in the real world.

But I appreciate your welcome and courtesy. You’ve always been a class act and tried to keep this place afloat. Perhaps you should have sought a career as a diplomat instead of a geologist.

Seriously, bowser, I’m sorry I remembered you as the villain. That’s my fault, and you’re no more obligated to leave than ER was.

I figure I have about a year left on my life.

I am one to easily forgive. I remember everything, though, so forgetting is another issue altogether. I can’t say if this is a good thing or not. I remember so far back, I am my own way back machine.

I thought everyone was like this until recently. People seem to live in time loops and repeat wash and rinse.

(I remember when I was three and waking up in my crib, screaming because I thought there were snakes on my floor. My grandmother came upstairs was very terse with me. She was afraid I would wake up my just born youngest brother.

I have said things to you Bowser that I regret, but you took in stride. I am relieved and humbled by your ability to shake off my orneriness.

I have enjoyed your posts as of late, because you are so calm and considerate. I love that.

Hang in there Bowz….even I am…and I am the only female here.

ER….you hot daddy Cuban….when you feel like it, I do believe you would be more welcome back than ever before. We are a family here.
It has felt good to see old posters here again. I have missed every one. Even RL, who has calmed down considerably. Eight years later wears well on you.

For the holidays, I propose we all meet at Podrock’s with marshmallows and chestnuts and an open fire. Let’s get this party started and let the past burn baby burn while we freeze our asses off.

I

And I agree re:Facebook. A can of social media worms is still a can of worms.

C’mon back. We need you as much as we need ER.

I wonder what all you would have done with it if it were mine.

Apparently you folks were judgmental to the point that when it turned out to be ER who was guilty of that particular post he has felt obligated to leave these Boards.

There are a couple of mine out there that certainly can be dug up which would be mortifying.

‘Nuff sed. I don’t think there is a good outcome possible here at all.

Upon further reflection, I have said things about TB as bad as or worse than anything ER has said. I’ll be back when he comes back.

For what it’s worth, I regard TB the person as a nice guy, someone I’d value as a neighbor and/or a member of any organization to which I belong. I’m positive he is a good husband, father and friend. He is a very strong asset here.

I don’t appreciate his political views. I’m continually surprised and frustrated by those and while that has gotten the best of me from time to time, and I have blurred the distinction between his character and worldview, I was wrong to do so.

And I admire the equanimity with which he has borne my improvident posts. I could learn a lot from him.

And you know, it just occurred to me that maybe the reason so many of us remembered the insult with a little emotional charge is a case of there but for the grace of god go I. Hypothetical guilt. We play the game close to the edge sometimes, and couldn’t any of us slip and lose control of the blade?

Sobering.