20 years ago I was in an apartment share in Brooklyn when I had the idea of a new household feature, the "Art of the Week". Each week, one of us would create something that could broadly be considered "art". It would be on display in our common hall until the next week. I did my best to keep my contributions lighthearted and spontaneous. They say art is in the eye of the beholder, as is beauty, as is so much of life.
I was just inspired to write something in that same vein, by my son calling from the next room. The first line is what he just said to me.
Daddy, I just entered his world!
Anyone who knows me, knows that I hated high school
the first time.
Sure, I could have enjoyed it
If I had a better attitude back then.
At least now when it feels like high school
I can close my eyes
Turn off the computer
and come back to the real world.
There's the buzzer of the laundry now.
Ode to a Troll
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Diane
Hi John,
When I first came to this site, I had never been on an internet discussion forum, and the only troll I knew of was a green ugly creature that waited under a bridge for the three billy goats gruff. Now, of course, I know different. Ah well, all of life is here, and, as you say, all you got to do is turn off the computer. Let's just dilute 'em, huh
?
Good wishes,
Diane
When I first came to this site, I had never been on an internet discussion forum, and the only troll I knew of was a green ugly creature that waited under a bridge for the three billy goats gruff. Now, of course, I know different. Ah well, all of life is here, and, as you say, all you got to do is turn off the computer. Let's just dilute 'em, huh
?Good wishes,
Diane
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mickey_one
- Posts: 1533
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:11 pm
- Location: Hello Lovely Flowers, Hello Lovely Trees
I'm afraid, Diane, that a troll includes Geoffrey (Snow) pretending to be a newcomer called "Jeremy" , an identity he has created for the purpose of attacking Lizzy. He fooled a couple of people who thought his words were only kind, but thye were "subtly" hurtful and, his hallmark, stirring up trouble.
Also he couldn't change his style of writing sufficiently to fool some of us old-timers. His ego showed through too obviously. You can read his failure on the "everything else" forum. You will also notice that he has deployed Ann to rescue him far too early on that thread to be convincing.
Also he couldn't change his style of writing sufficiently to fool some of us old-timers. His ego showed through too obviously. You can read his failure on the "everything else" forum. You will also notice that he has deployed Ann to rescue him far too early on that thread to be convincing.
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Diane
Hi Michael,
If a child starts misbehaving in a supermarket because it is bored and not getting any attention, it is glad to get the ensuing smacks and harsh words from its parents, because some attention is better than none at all. The nastier of the trolls are simply those children, grown, convinced that no one will give them attention in a healthy way. The first way to help them change is to stop responding to their bad behaviour. This is easy for me to say because no one has yet 'trolled' me nastily, of course. That could turn out to be a really stupid thing to have said, I know.
Lizzy is lovely, I think, and so, evidently, do many others. Some do not. That's fine, you will never have a world where everybody likes you. It is not necessary or helpful to attack troll-like activity directed against her or anyone else. That's what I think. And I simply don't like being involved in nastiness. I've been amongst so much of it in the past.
I don't even feel particularly hostile towards these trolls, I feel more sad for them. I mean, all people who are constantly critical carry a lot of pain inside. They never got much love for who they truly are.
I come on here because it is often fun and interesting, and I already feel I have some good friends, and may make yet more. I love that. I prefer to concentrate on the positive energy that's around.
?
Good wishes,
Diane
Oh? Yes, I believe snow has already tried to wind me up a couple of times. But it is not my style to respond to posts that are unkind or deliberately inflammatory, as responding only adds fuel to the fire, and anyway it's just not interesting. If people 'fall' for the trolls manipulations then yes it is hurful and annoying, but, then, it's only an internet discussion board, and there are far more terrible things one could concern oneself with.I'm afraid, Diane, that a troll includes Geoffrey (Snow) pretending to be a newcomer called "Jeremy" , an identity he has created for the purpose of attacking Lizzy. He fooled a couple of people who thought his words were only kind, but thye were "subtly" hurtful and, his hallmark, stirring up trouble.
If a child starts misbehaving in a supermarket because it is bored and not getting any attention, it is glad to get the ensuing smacks and harsh words from its parents, because some attention is better than none at all. The nastier of the trolls are simply those children, grown, convinced that no one will give them attention in a healthy way. The first way to help them change is to stop responding to their bad behaviour. This is easy for me to say because no one has yet 'trolled' me nastily, of course. That could turn out to be a really stupid thing to have said, I know.
Lizzy is lovely, I think, and so, evidently, do many others. Some do not. That's fine, you will never have a world where everybody likes you. It is not necessary or helpful to attack troll-like activity directed against her or anyone else. That's what I think. And I simply don't like being involved in nastiness. I've been amongst so much of it in the past.
I don't even feel particularly hostile towards these trolls, I feel more sad for them. I mean, all people who are constantly critical carry a lot of pain inside. They never got much love for who they truly are.
I come on here because it is often fun and interesting, and I already feel I have some good friends, and may make yet more. I love that. I prefer to concentrate on the positive energy that's around.
Why do I get the impression that you two have an ongoing personal vendettaAlso he couldn't change his style of writing sufficiently to fool some of us old-timers. His ego showed through too obviously. You can read his failure on the "everything else" forum. You will also notice that he has deployed Ann to rescue him far too early on that thread to be convincing.
?Good wishes,
Diane
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mickey_one
- Posts: 1533
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:11 pm
- Location: Hello Lovely Flowers, Hello Lovely Trees
a few years ago he stole my tuxedo and then he had the nerve to wear it for his Gallery photo.Diane wrote: Why do I get the impression that you two have an ongoing personal vendetta
Good wishes,
Diane
it's bad enough for Geoffrey Wren to troll as "Jeremy" but he still hasn't returned my Dinner Jacket and I wanted to wear it in Berlin at next year's Event.
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Diane
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mickey_one
- Posts: 1533
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:11 pm
- Location: Hello Lovely Flowers, Hello Lovely Trees
Geoffrey can be a fine fellow, his remarks about Joy's poem were sincere and without artifice. Sadly, he is not a courageous man and is not able now to apologise to Lizzy.Diane wrote:Hey, you should take it as a compliment. If he is wearing your clothes it is proof that he just can't bear not being you. Bless his heart.
Diane
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Diane
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linda_lakeside
- Posts: 3857
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:08 pm
- Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea..
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mickey_one
- Posts: 1533
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:11 pm
- Location: Hello Lovely Flowers, Hello Lovely Trees
Linda , I am, as you know, a teetotaller.But if I am in company I will always get a round. Why you raise the hurtful suggestion that I don't pay my fair share is a mystery. If, however, you are hinting that I do not really go on these mentioned holidays I shall return in mid Jan with photos of me eating Koala Bears etc.linda_lakeside wrote:Hi Diane,
I think you'll find that Michael is on holiday quite a bit, but unlike myself, he does still manage to get around.
Linda.
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linda_lakeside
- Posts: 3857
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:08 pm
- Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea..
Koala Bears with Roos on the side? Wonderful. Enjoy your time away. Oh, how I envy you!
I sincerely apologize if my remark hurt or offended you in any way. If we could only bridge the gap between us, tears of joy would fall from my eyes, and the sun will shine once more.
With my warmest regards,
Linda.
I sincerely apologize if my remark hurt or offended you in any way. If we could only bridge the gap between us, tears of joy would fall from my eyes, and the sun will shine once more.
With my warmest regards,
Linda.
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Diane
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linda_lakeside
- Posts: 3857
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:08 pm
- Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea..
Hi Diane,
Aha! No. The remark about Tchoco's 'butterfly' wings, came about in a post she made concerning 'global warming' or even the 'Tsunami' thread, I'm not sure. While she was explaining her position on the subject she made a comparison/analogy of sorts, using the delicate and beautiful butterfly wings as part of her colourful imagery. Sorry, but I can't remember the thread, but you may stumble upon it one day. It was remarked upon by several people in the thread, as the wording was pretty special. If you're truly 'dying' to know, you can check the posts in her file, as it wasn't that long ago. But, it takes a while to search posts. When I brought it up, I was pretty sure that Tchoco might have known which line I was speaking of.
As for Michael, it was just a bit of 'jest' or 'nonsense', as he's been around for a while, and is known to be a pretty funny guy. My message wasn't 'cryptic' as such, one just has to be around for a while to catch all the silly jokes. And that's it. Voila!
See you later,
Linda.
Aha! No. The remark about Tchoco's 'butterfly' wings, came about in a post she made concerning 'global warming' or even the 'Tsunami' thread, I'm not sure. While she was explaining her position on the subject she made a comparison/analogy of sorts, using the delicate and beautiful butterfly wings as part of her colourful imagery. Sorry, but I can't remember the thread, but you may stumble upon it one day. It was remarked upon by several people in the thread, as the wording was pretty special. If you're truly 'dying' to know, you can check the posts in her file, as it wasn't that long ago. But, it takes a while to search posts. When I brought it up, I was pretty sure that Tchoco might have known which line I was speaking of.
As for Michael, it was just a bit of 'jest' or 'nonsense', as he's been around for a while, and is known to be a pretty funny guy. My message wasn't 'cryptic' as such, one just has to be around for a while to catch all the silly jokes. And that's it. Voila!
See you later,
Linda.
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Diane
Hi Linda,
Oh, thanks for explaining. I have little patience for searching for things, but I may indeed stumble upon it some time, and now at least I know what I am looking for. As a rule I just stumble blindly.
See you later,
Diane
PS I need advice about something. Is it normal to develop a facial twitch like this: when one has been on the forum for a while ? Does this mean I am starting to turn into one of you already 
?
Oh, thanks for explaining. I have little patience for searching for things, but I may indeed stumble upon it some time, and now at least I know what I am looking for. As a rule I just stumble blindly.
Right. One never knows what to read into things sometimes, when has only been around for a very short time.As for Michael, it was just a bit of 'jest' or 'nonsense', as he's been around for a while, and is known to be a pretty funny guy. My message wasn't 'cryptic' as such, one just has to be around for a while to catch all the silly jokes. And that's it. Voila!
See you later,
Diane
PS I need advice about something. Is it normal to develop a facial twitch
like this: when one has been on the forum for a while ? Does this mean I am starting to turn into one of you already ?-
linda_lakeside
- Posts: 3857
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:08 pm
- Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea..
Hi Diane,
Ha! That's funny. Actually, it depends on the person. If you're an emoticony person, then fine. If not, you can drop them a little at a time. I find, that on the internet, it's very easy to misread a post. Without facial and vocal expression, a hurried post can take on a different meaning if read quickly (as many of us seem to do at some time). So, the odd emoticon is helpful in portraying what one 'really' means. For example, if they are just 'kidding' or if their words are intended to have more 'bite'.
But, it's entirely up to you. Usually, the more 'serious' posts, are less 'emoticony', and the more playful have emoticons to suggest that they're not to be taken 'too' seriously. Again, though, it depends on the person. In the end: Ya do what ya gotta do. All that winking will give you crow's feet, though.
Linda.
Ha! That's funny. Actually, it depends on the person. If you're an emoticony person, then fine. If not, you can drop them a little at a time. I find, that on the internet, it's very easy to misread a post. Without facial and vocal expression, a hurried post can take on a different meaning if read quickly (as many of us seem to do at some time). So, the odd emoticon is helpful in portraying what one 'really' means. For example, if they are just 'kidding' or if their words are intended to have more 'bite'.
But, it's entirely up to you. Usually, the more 'serious' posts, are less 'emoticony', and the more playful have emoticons to suggest that they're not to be taken 'too' seriously. Again, though, it depends on the person. In the end: Ya do what ya gotta do.
All that winking will give you crow's feet, though. Linda.