As of late my path has taken a drastically different course. No details are necessary. Suffice it to say that I no longer have the time or desire to spend so much time in here. Nothing negative. No criticism.
I want to give a heartfelt thanks to Jeff Sherwood for creating this awewsome web-site. I'm glad I knew you Brother. You're a good man and a great example of how a person should apply themselves in life. I want you to know that our experience with Michael Tingue was an awakening for me and I've gone on to invest my time and effort in similar efforts. It has enriched my life beyond my wildest expectations and brought me into contact with some of the most amazing people I've ever met in my life.
I want to give a hearty " THANK YOU " to all the Mods and Admin's who have put up with my semi-psychotic bullshit. I assure you it was all in good fun. You guys allowed me to vent a side of my personality here that I otherwise would have had to suppress. I suppose you have been my "Therapists" to some degree. I wish you all the best.
Many of the things I have written over the years in here were true. Jimmy is real. My dog is real. My ghetto buildings are real. I am a trader in Chicago, etc etc. I would usually take a situation that was real in my life and just ad-lib some details into the stories to make them more interesting or humorous.
I have had some very very fun times in this forum. It is truly a unique place. I have NOTHING bad to say about this place. Not about OT or any of the other forums. I am nothing but thankfull that I have had the opportunity to post and play in here.
Before I go I want to share with you all a cause that has become very near and dear to my heart and one that I invest a tremendous amount of time and effort in. Several years ago a very unique man came into the OT and made a thread. He was a Soldier deployed in Iraq. He was a very sensitive soul and wanted to grow some flowers in the desert. He adopted many humanitarian causes there. Not the least of which was a drive to have people Stateside, ship school supplies and toys over to the Children of Iraq. Jeff Sherwood took Michael under his wing and a very succesfull movement was started. My participation in that venture led me down a path that brought me to this organization. Please take a few minutes to take a look at this. We are known as the "Patriot Guard Riders". We can be found at
www.patriotguard.org.
Some time ago a group of miscreents decided that God was killing Soldiers in Iraq because of the USA's tollerant stance toward homosexuals. They began to protest at Soldier's funerals, holding up disgracefull signs and further injuring the bereaved. The Patriot Guard formed to shield the mourning families from such atrocities through " Non-Violent" means. It has since grown into over 100,000 strong Nationwide. We do "welcome homes" for returning troops. We meet the Bodies of KIA's at military bases and escort them to the funeral homes. We create "honor guards at their funerals. We escort their funerals to the cemetary. We try and give the grieving families all the support that we possibly can, AND we shield them from those who wish them further emotional harm.
The group is getting many many invitations from troops and their Families to do these "missions" for them and their loved ones. We could use some more people. You don't have to be a Vet or a Biker. I urge you to take a look at this organization. Do what you will after you look, but know this. It could profoundly change your life. If you're too lazy, just watch this vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G10T_Ih222E
That's pretty much all I got guys. I truly wish you all the best. I wish this site all the best and believe me when I say, " It's been a hoot".
Farewell and God bless
Rob
