What is ASP "supposed" to be? {longish}
Kurt Slauson
In my short time with ASP, I have seen a number of flame-wars surrounding
the current state of the NG. It has been suggested that ASP is going to
hell in a handbasket, that it has fallen from its former glory, that it is
being invaded by low-life Grabow 'n' Erinmore smoking knuckleheads, and that
some nebulous "real" pipe community out there looks on our endeavours here
with condescension at best, contempt at worst. To me, the beauty of ASP
lies in the fact that a forum exists wherein anybody can write in and yap
about their experiences with pipe smoking (a huge boon to those of us who
live in areas where "pipe community" means looking at yourself in the mirror
with a briar in yr teeth): so, it's pretty simple stuff, right? When I read
long threads by seriously pissed-off folks, I am left to wonder if I'm
missing something....? Maybe it's just another flame-war, BFD, move on,
etc.
It doesn't take long to figure out that ASP does not really operate with any
specific agenda; it has no center, no hierarchy, few if any "rules" (outside
of basic netiquette), and requires nothing of its members--and this presents
a discursive model that can be unsettling, especially, I would think, to
those who would like to see ASP move in a specific direction, whatever that
may be. I personally enjoy the miscellaneous nature of a group like this,
and I don't see ASP functioning very well with a specific set of objectives
and directives; nor do I feel that a group with this level of diversity
would be served by trying to impose order on that which cannot be contained,
but that's just mho.
So my question is: what is ASP supposed to be? What should it be doing that
it is not? What does it need that it doesn't have? Who are the big-wigs
looking down on us and what don't they like? Do we not buy their pipes and
tobaccos, keep them in business, put food on their tables...? I don't wish
to invite any more of the bitterness that I see surfacing (almost) every
day, but I know that pigs will fly outta my ass before ASP goes
flame-free...!:)) Anyway, I hope to gain some understanding of the group's
history--and it's possible future.
Tia,
Kurt, Balkan Sasieni in an Ardor SH bash
Ian Rastall
wrote:
>So my question is: what is ASP supposed to be? What should it be doing that
>it is not? What does it need that it doesn't have? Who are the big-wigs
>looking down on us and what don't they like? Do we not buy their pipes and
>tobaccos, keep them in business, put food on their tables...? I don't wish
>to invite any more of the bitterness that I see surfacing (almost) every
>day, but I know that pigs will fly outta my ass before ASP goes
>flame-free...!:)) Anyway, I hope to gain some understanding of the group's
>history--and it's possible future.
This is my understanding of it, from my two years of being here . . .
ASP is a forum for the discussion of pipes and tobacco (hence the
name). For most of its history, that's all it was, and the regulars
got very comfortable with that. The readership was relatively small,
and mainly consisted of people who had a serious passion for talking
pipes.
Well over time people started coming in who were pipe smokers, but
wanted to chat. This increased considerably once Bear arrived in early
2001, because he has a strong personality, and made a conscious
attempt to liven the place up. I arrived a couple months after he did,
and while I had little effect on the place, I certainly was in his
"school of thought". Many, many, many others followed as well. As it
turned out, people were really turned on by the mixture of serious
pipe stuff and "chat" stuff. Thus the membership swelled.
Well the problem arose because the old guard wanted nothing to do with
the social club atmosphere. They were used to a group that stayed on
topic, and had a manageable number of posts every day. So every OT
post was more grating to their nerves than the last, and they became
very vocal about it. Hence the April Flame Fest of 2001. In fact,
every Spring (and, really, every April), at least that I've been here,
we've had a resurgence, with people leaving, flames galore, and more
and more pissed off feeling.
Personally, I would like to see less OT and more on-topic. I didn't
always feel this way, but I think it would be good to see a more
academic atmosphere.
That being said, I have to point out that all these flames come from
the "old guard", or just people in general pissed-off about the OT.
The OT people never start these flame wars because, obviously, they're
happy with the way things stand. Ironically, it's these very same
flame wars that make ASP so intolerable at times. In an attempt to
save the group, the same people are harming it.
It is my *firm* belief, which I've stated many times, that it isn't OT
posts or AD's, or whatever, that harm the newsgroup, but flame wars. I
think if we could drop the politics, and quit these endless
"meta-discussions", the group *would* be a great place to rest one's
feet. If we could also try and restrain our OT, and focus more on the
topic at hand . . . then the two together would make this (once again)
one of the jewels of Usenet.
Mark Shelor
>
> So my question is: what is ASP supposed to be? What should it be doing that
> it is not? What does it need that it doesn't have?
Hi Kurt,
Just a few observations from someone who seldom posts, yet who has been
reading this newsgroup off-and-on for many years.
During this time, I've seen many people come and go. Some of them were
highly knowledgeable pipe smokers with lots of interesting ideas to
contribute. Their initial posts were filled with enthusiasm, but over
time, you could sense their growing discouragement. Rather than
ignoring the negativities that invariably arise in an unmoderated
newsgroup, they chose to leave. The degree of their discouragement was
probably proportional to the amount of sincerity they devoted to their
posts. Tragic IMHO.
I think the lesson here is not to take ASP too seriously. It's a useful
venue for learning about the hobby, sharing information, and providing
moral support to fellow pipesters. People have done great things with
this group. However, people have also used it to "treat" others to
their opinions on wide-ranging and often divisive topics unrelated to
pipe smoking. They're certainly free to do so: this is an unmoderated
group. But, they should at least consider trying to get a life ;)
Personally, I find pipe clubs, pipe shows, pipe-smoking friends, and
periodicals such as "The Pipe Smokers Emphemeris" to be more engaging
sources of information and inspiration on pipe smoking. Undoubtedly,
though, ASP is unmatched for getting quick answers to problems, sharing
opinions on pipes and tobaccos, and tapping into some great commercial
offers.
So, when you ask "What is ASP supposed to be?", I don't think that any
one individual or group of individuals can answer that question. It's
an unmoderated group, so ASP will be what ASP does. I just hope that
the knowledgeable and sincere posters out there simply choose to ignore
the negativity so as not to become discouraged.
Regards, Mark
David Quisenberry
> It doesn't take long to figure out that ASP does not really operate with
any
> specific agenda; it has no center, no hierarchy, few if any "rules"
(outside
> of basic netiquette), and requires nothing of its members--and this
presents
> a discursive model that can be unsettling, especially, I would think, to
> those who would like to see ASP move in a specific direction, whatever
that
> may be. I personally enjoy the miscellaneous nature of a group like this,
> and I don't see ASP functioning very well with a specific set of
objectives
> and directives; nor do I feel that a group with this level of diversity
> would be served by trying to impose order on that which cannot be
contained,
> but that's just mho.
>
> So my question is: what is ASP supposed to be? What should it be doing
that
> it is not?
It is exactly what you described above as it well should be. It is
cyclical, just like other communities. Every cycle, a few regulars say they
are tired of the community and are leaving. They even post a few extra
msgs after they have 'officially left' to make their point. Some, after a
period of time, decided it wasnt so bad afterall, some never return. For
those that never return, others take their place. I have been a part of this
NG since msg count was about 10 per day. I have seen the same cycles repeat
themselves over and over. If you frequent other NGs you will find IMO that
is is probably the most civil and closest knit cyber community of its size.
Do I like everything that is posted and everyone who posts? Of course not.
However, I, like everyone else here am perfectly capable of reading what I
want, replying to what interests me (positively or negatively) and not
letting topics or people in this community affect my life to the degree that
the cyber community determines my emotions or general outlook on life.
buck12ga
on ASP.What would I do for pipe smoking companionship if it weren't for
ASP ? I live in kind of a rural area and *never* see anyone smoking a
pipe.I think ASP is doing just fine.I won't,however,contribute to
political threads even though I read them.
buck
In article <GOSna.511528$F1.72166@sccrnsc04>,
david.nospam...@attbi.com says...
Stephen E. Williamson
my pipe club. It is the place I can hang out with other smokers and
enjoy pipe and tobacco talk, jokes, kidding, and everything that is
pretty much absent in my real life (there is a big story there, but I
will not tell it here...it makes a certain person look very bad). I
have traded tobaccos and pipes, learned what is good, what is bad, what
I like, what I dislike. Although ASP is a cyber-hangout, you people are
all very real, I have come to enjoy the company, and I enjoy listening
to just about everything you all have to say or rant about or flame.
Steve
Stephen B.
"Mark Shelor" <smoke...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:wIOcnbDSZch...@comcast.com...
Marks comments here are evidence that there is still great wisdom to be
gleaned here! <g>
-Stephen B.
Stephen B.
readers who were aggravated by the OT to filter them out. It was also the
time it was agreed that to change a topic in mid thread, usually with
"puns", necessitated a new header. This has been mostly adhered to and a
valuable tool for those who do not wish to read the subtext. But the ones
who helped to come up with the [OT] filtering idea never really did filter
it, because you could see them responding to the OT threads, regularly. Now
2 of them have left in disgust. Those same 2 trumpeted civility for our
posts, and for the most part, we are an unusually civil group, considering
our diversities.
Topical threads are far more prevalent than [OT] threads, but variety is
truly a spice of tobacco! ASP has always evolved and will continue to do
so. Some join, some stay and some go...
-Stephen B.
"Kurt Slauson" <kurt....@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:_9Ona.4646$ja.2...@news2.calgary.shaw.ca...
buck12ga
close pipe smoking buddies were killed,not murdered but bad
nonetheless.One guy shot himself over a woman he loved,the other guy was
killed on a motorcycle that I encouraged him to buy.The plant where we
all worked closed, that was sad enough.I'm so glad I have ASP to come
to.This is why I hate it when good guys like Art leave us.
buck
In article <3EA004C3...@frontiernet.net>, stev...@frontiernet.net
says...
SilentCircle
across the street of a pipe shop, there is no more than a pipe-sighting per
month. This makes ASP my favourite and only pipe-gathering. There are so
many things to learn, so many nice people around, it makes me proud to be
part of it.
I am also new here, so I am taking ASP as it is, not knowing how it was.
I just go with the current. I find the "on topic" posts most interesting,
very stimulating and professional (as they come from craftsmen as Mark
Tinsky, Trever Talbert and so many others which will forgive me for not
mentioning them). They bring their expertise along giving us, the newbie's,
information other ways unavailable.
Then there are the "movers and the shakers" that make things happened,
as Bear and David Bull (and so many others which will forgive me for not
mentioning them). This is what gives ASP a very real presence. What can be
more real then being PIF-ed by Bear, or having your entrance-fee covered or
getting an extra pipe when you order one from Frenchy? Trust me, I've been
PIF-ed myself and I know what I'm talking about! It is as real as it gets!
So ASP is real and important for me, as a part of my life. And I have a
life!
Than there are the ingenious and eager ones, (as Sarge or Random and so
many others which will forgive me for not mentioning them) that are always
trying and experiencing. Some might think that a bittless pipe or the
enlargement of the stem-hole do not deserve to much attention. But for me
this things are interesting and they worth being shared.
Sometimes an OT comes along. I remember a post about the Middle Eastern
history that was better written and more accurate than many books I read on
the subject. Someone shared with ASP his hopes for a new job, someone
mourned his cat and others expressed their feelings about the war. Did that
bothered me? No. We are humans, so we bring in here all that is human in us.
And there are lots of things to be learned from this posts, too. As the
English I'm learning from Frenchy. We have so much fun around! But in here
the way that opinions, in or out of topic, are expressed is, in general, so
polite and classy. This I like a lot, too.
Do I want something changed in here? No! Some are bothered by a thing or
another, they should say it. The ones who want more of something should
start by doing it, and the rest will follow, no problem. You want less of
something else, just ignore, filter out or do not reply.
But even I feel sometimes that there is a need for more tolerance and
kindness. We are all humans, behaving as such. Nobody is happy to see
someone gone from ASP, so I guess we'll better stick together and accept
each other as we are.
I do not intent to lecture anybody, as I am not one that qualify for it.
This is only my point of view.
--
David
--
"Verus amicus est tamquam alter idem."
"A true friend is like another me."
--
"buck12ga" <buck...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1909d966d...@news.netpluscom.com...
Roger Herzler
I'm in the same boat. I've seen one pipe smoker around here in 4 months of
looking around. ASP is my pipe club.
Clear skies,
Roger
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
R o g e r H e r z l e r <><
"As for me and my house, we support our troops."
San Diego's rally for the troops: http://herzler.com/rally/
tony goldenberg
many many newsgroups that are abandoned or with no acitivity. Perhaps
those who want to have it as it was should find one of the unused and
very obscure newsgroups and squat. If they kept the location to
themselves than it could be theirs and the rest of us would be left
out. Thats what I would do. Don't know if it would work. tonyg
Stephen E. Williamson
Amen, David. You stated so eloquently what I could only mutter.
Thank you
G. L. Pease
are either surreal or psychotic, depending on which side of the thought
I'm on at the moment. Yeah, okay. It's one of those mornings. I had
terrible dreams, and was jarred awake in the midst of the worst one,
which always influences my brain in less than pleasant ways for a few
hours, or the rest of the day.
In reading the thread that used to be this one, before I hijacked it with
this post (I just had to make this one self-referential - oops, I did it
again), I was wondering if this was all part of my own imagination, a
creation of my own mind, a product of my nightmare induced temporary
irrationality. I left that notion behind pretty quickly, but another
thought hopped right on that one's heels. What if there was only one
other poster on ASP, posting under all these different names. People
participate in some odd folly on occasion. Why not that?
Ridiculous. No one could adopt THAT many personnae with clarity, without
losing track of who was whom. After a bit of adjustment, though, the
theory returned in a less universal form. What if Buck and Steve were the
same person? Neither of them has other pipe smokers in their vicinity to
corroborate their individual or collective existences. They both lament
not having a pipe smoker in their locale to talk with, to share ideas
with. So, one of them created the other as a sort of pipe smoking secret
friend, a briar puffing Harvey. With a few strokes of the keys, they gave
their halucination life. It started out innocently enough, but quickly
escalated. Now, one of them would have to kill the other off somehow to
be free of the multiple personality disorder.
And, what if it WAS more than one alter-ego? What if it was ten, 20, 100?
What if that single individual, with a need to surround himself with
secret friends, was responsible for 50% or more of the newsgroup's
traffic? It would become increasingly difficult for this poseur to
extract himself from the group. Of course, if any one personna became
burdonsome to him, he could simply engineer the character's exodus,
preferably after a carefully orchestrated flame-fest, and carry on. But,
if something were to happen to the mastermind behind so many characters,
*poof*! All at once, no more newsgroup.
After chewing on the fat of this for about 30 seconds, I realized it was
a silly notion, no more valid than a bathtub full of brightly coloured
power tools. Still, it entertained me, however briefly, and I figured I'd
share. If, in fact, it's really me. I may be a product of someone else's
imagination, after all...
Be seeing you.
Number Six
On Fri, 18 Apr 2003 7:45:11 -0700, buck12ga wrote
(in message <MPG.1909d966d...@news.netpluscom.com>):
--
Gregory Pease
Principal Tobacco Alchemist
G. L. Pease Tobaccos, Intl.
http://www.glpease.com
Stephen E. Williamson
"G. L. Pease" wrote:
>
> Ridiculous. No one could adopt THAT many personnae with clarity, without
> losing track of who was whom. After a bit of adjustment, though, the
> theory returned in a less universal form. What if Buck and Steve were the
> same person? Neither of them has other pipe smokers in their vicinity to
> corroborate their individual or collective existences. They both lament
> not having a pipe smoker in their locale to talk with, to share ideas
> with. So, one of them created the other as a sort of pipe smoking secret
> friend, a briar puffing Harvey.
Buck and Steve could be one in the same. Have you ever seen us
photographed together?
Steve, or is it Buck, or now I am confused. Martha, my nerve tonic,
please.
Daniel J. Morlan
> I think it was last April, that established the [OT] header to help the
> readers who were aggravated by the OT to filter them out. It was also the
> time it was agreed that to change a topic in mid thread, usually with
> "puns", necessitated a new header. This has been mostly adhered to and a
> valuable tool for those who do not wish to read the subtext. But the ones
> who helped to come up with the [OT] filtering idea never really did filter
> it, because you could see them responding to the OT threads, regularly. Now
> 2 of them have left in disgust. Those same 2 trumpeted civility for our
> posts, and for the most part, we are an unusually civil group, considering
> our diversities.
>
> Topical threads are far more prevalent than [OT] threads, but variety is
> truly a spice of tobacco! ASP has always evolved and will continue to do
> so. Some join, some stay and some go...
>
> -Stephen B.
I'm with you, Stephen. Due to this group, I've spent $500.00 on
Tobaccos, much of which was mailed to newbies so that they could try
it. I think ASP has helped build a community, and though it's not as
PURE with hardcore pipesters, it is legitimately a community of
pipesters, and while it's very VERY tragic that so many of the vets
have left, ASP will only contribute to the fine hobby of smoking
pipes. If you look at the end result, it's not really bad, is it? So
long as the community grows...
I hope they at least lurk, and will post from time to time. Their
knowlege is important to the hobby, and while it is sad that they have
decided to go, I think it is THEY who are missing out, still. I can't
help but wonder if ego is involved, but that is not my place to say.
I wish them well, and thank them heartily for the help they've given
me, and though I will probably never meet them, I consider them in
some way my friends.
Pleasant puffs,
DJM
Will Purdy
> Once in a while, I'm plagued by odd and wacky notions and thoughts
<snip>
Greg,
I want some of what ever you are smoking! <g>, and hook me up with one of
those " bathtubs full of brightly coloured
power tools" too. That's a classic.
Will
Stephen B.
"Daniel J. Morlan" <daniel...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
<snip>
> I hope they at least lurk, and will post from time to time. Their
> knowlege is important to the hobby, and while it is sad that they have
> decided to go,
<snip again, sorry, Daniel>
> Pleasant puffs,
>
> DJM
As I have been discussing with some, off line, there are many ASPers who
were around in it's infancy are posting more often lately. Many who were
away from it have come back. Sure some have gone and will never return, but
the fact that it is not exactly what some want from this forum does not
negate the valuable sense of community here.
I will miss anyone who leaves with knowledge that I did not get to drain
dry. <g>
-Ste
The Smith's
folks,but we are all human, everyone has good and bad days, there have
been many good folks here!
Joe Ahearn
Very well put, David. I agree completely.
I think it's important to remember that the vast majority of pipe
smokers have never heard of ASP. It's really sort of a frontier
outpost in that respect. Treat it accordingly.
Best,
Joe
John Perkowski
Herewith a re-post of the charter and the propagate message.
Thanks to Toren Smith, who asked for a copy of this in 2000, and Mark
Lathem, late keeper of the NG FAQ, who had it on hand:
Smoke in peace, John
BEGIN REPOST:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Mark Lathem (markl...@usa.net)
Subject: Re: ASP Charter
Newsgroups: alt.smokers.pipes
Date: 2000/06/21
Toren Smith <MrT...@aol.com> wrote:
>Does anyone know where I might find a copy of the ASP NG charter?
Yep. See below:
From mast...@scr.siemens.com Fri Apr 15 10:17:20 1994
Control: newgroup alt.smokers.pipes
Newsgroups: alt.config
Path: uunet!siemens!masticol
From: mast...@scr.siemens.com (Steve Masticola)
Subject: ctl newgroup alt.smokers.pipes
Message-ID: <CoAxG...@scr.siemens.com>
Sender: ne...@scr.siemens.com (NeTnEwS)
Nntp-Posting-Host: volvo.siemens.com
Organization: Siemens Corporate Research, Princeton (Plainsboro), NJ
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 1994 13:00:15 GMT
Approved: mast...@scr.siemens.com
Lines: 72
Xref: uunet control:911302
For your newsgroups file:
alt.smokers.pipes Briars, meerschaums, and calabashes.
The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for discussing the
moderate use and appreciation of pipes, and related topics, such as
pipe making and carving, collectible tobacciana, and pipe
publications. The group is specifically created for the use of pipe
enthusiasts; flames are discouraged (except for the purpose of
lighting up. :-)
A proposal was posted to alt.config and alt.smokers.cigars on April 8.
(Original posting is attached below.) Reaction to the group has been
favorable; no objections were heard to its creation (except for one
fellow who wanted to name it alt.kapnismology, which I thought would
never fly :-) The original posting follows.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would create alt.smokers.pipes at
your site. If you have any questions or comments on the group, please
mail me at the address below. Thanks!
- Steve Masticola (mast...@scr.siemens.com).
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
From: mast...@scr.siemens.com (Steve Masticola)
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 1994 13:51:32 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.config
Subject: PROPOSAL: alt.smokers.pipes
There has been a significant demand, on alt.smokers.cigars and
in the Pipes Mailgroup (over 280 members currently; see below), for a
separate newsgroup for pipe smokers. Since alt.smokers.cigars has been
pretty much flame-free, I think that it would be possible to create a
serious pipes newsgroup, without the need for moderation. There is
both demand and opportunity.
I therefore propose the following unmoderated newsgroup:
alt.smokers.pipes Briars, meerschaums, and calabashes.
I will issue a create message on Friday, April 15, 1994,
unless someone convinces me not to do so.
Serious, reasoned commentary on the well-formedness of the
proposal or the place of the group in the hierarchy is
welcomed. Flamage and moralization will be promptly and cheerfully
ignored. :-)
For Pipes Mailgroup readers: I will continue to moderate the
mailgroup, regardless of whether alt.smokers.pipes is created.
- Steve (mast...@scr.siemens.com).
~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U
Internet Pipes Mailgroup
Submissions: mast...@scr.siemens.com
Requests: mast...@scr.siemens.com
Coordinator: Steve Masticola (mast...@scr.siemens.com)
The Pipes Mailgroup provides a forum for discussing the moderate use
and appreciation of fine tobacco, including cigars, pipes, quality
cigarettes, pipe making and carving, snuff, collectible tobacciana,
publications, and related topics. The mailgroup is lightly moderated
to prevent flame (except for the purpose of lighting up. :-)
--
Mark Lathem
http://lathem.home.mindspring.com/pipes/
~~~~~~
END OF REPOST
Frenchy
--
Frenchy
http://www.frenchyspipes.com/
"Stephen E. Williamson" <stev...@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:3EA0292...@frontiernet.net...
buck12ga
basic structure of a page turner.
This is the genre I read mostly,Ridley Pearson,Stuart Woods,Patricia
Cornwell,Nevada Bar,Ken Follet and Stephen King to name a few.Greg,with
your literary skills,you could pull it off.Just think, you have a built
in readership in you tobacco minions!
For those interested,Regis McCafferty,a founding member of NASPC,has
published his first novel,Bugs,a mystery/thriller featuring Columbus Ohio
pipe-smoking detective Hays McCay.
buck
In article <0001HW.BAC58383...@News.CIS.DFN.DE>,
g...@glpease.com says...
buck12ga
many many valued members are no longer with us.Try it some time,just
click on a thread,you will find it revealing.
buck
Bill Burney
Bill "bathtub? Power tools?" Burney
Daniel J. Morlan
almost passed out drunk, and wrote things that made me CRINGE with
disgust.
The Smith's <smit...@erols.com> wrote in message news:<3EA04753...@erols.com>...
John Roi
the damned-est time trying to understand it! Apparently, we keep slipping in
& out of different quantum fluctuations, in & out of different realities...
there are an infinite number of Greg Peases, time has no meaning, we are
dead & alive at the same time etc. Those Physicists are some wild dudes!!
But seriously, I hope you never leave the group, in this or any other
multiverse! Everybody needs to calm down a bit... this is still the best
group on the net! And Art.... I hope you come back soon! I've been around
here for 5 years, I don't post very often but I'm going to try to contribute
more in the future (or infinite possible futures:). You're all great guys!
John
"G. L. Pease" <g...@glpease.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.BAC58383...@News.CIS.DFN.DE...
Fred Krafcik
"Daniel J. Morlan" wrote:
>
> I certainly am no stranger to being REALLY "Human". I posted here
> almost passed out drunk, and wrote things that made me CRINGE with
> disgust.
I remember that... Figuring that you would only post something like
that with all sheets to the wind, it's kinda funny in hindsight. Just
as long as you don't run for Senate, I'm sure you'll be fine. ;) Isn't
it nice to know we can blow off some steam here, though?
jerry g
jerry g
you may be right on point. Have you ever looked closely at the photo of
Nizo on the bio page? All of the white is not smoke. Look at his chin.
Does that not look like white tape to cove up a beard? Does da Bear not
have a beard? I rest your case. :)
jerry g
"G. L. Pease" <g...@glpease.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.BAC58383...@News.CIS.DFN.DE...
jerry g
buck12ga
all.I'll read it again.
buck
In article <3ea0...@altnews.snip.net>, astr...@mail.snip.org says...
Tony Miller
Kurt Slauson <kurt....@shaw.ca> wrote:
> This is not a troll! I seek information with good intentions...:)
>
> In my short time with ASP, I have seen a number of flame-wars surrounding
> the current state of the NG. It has been suggested that ASP is going to
> hell in a handbasket, that it has fallen from its former glory, that it is
> being invaded by low-life Grabow 'n' Erinmore smoking knuckleheads, and that
> some nebulous "real" pipe community out there looks on our endeavours here
> with condescension at best, contempt at worst. To me, the beauty of ASP
> lies in the fact that a forum exists wherein anybody can write in and yap
> about their experiences with pipe smoking (a huge boon to those of us who
> live in areas where "pipe community" means looking at yourself in the mirror
> with a briar in yr teeth): so, it's pretty simple stuff, right? When I read
> long threads by seriously pissed-off folks, I am left to wonder if I'm
> missing something....? Maybe it's just another flame-war, BFD, move on,
> etc.
alt.smokers.pipes begins with "alt". The classic definition of alt.* is
"Anarchists, Lunatics and Terrorists". alt was a response to the more
structured "Big 7" hierarchies. And except for the moderated alt groups
(which I think is an oxymoron), anyone can participate in any alt group
they can convince their ISP to feed them.
One person sent out the "newgroup" command for alt.smokers.pipes, and tied
a charter to it. They had a specific idea for the group, and as soon as
one other person subscribed, the idea was probably violated. :)
Alt groups attract all different kinds of people, from all walks of life,
from your master pipe maker to your one time troll. You can discuss what
you'd like ASP to be, but nobody runs this newsgroup, and nobody can
enforce any rules (except for those spelled out in the AUP of the poster's
ISP).
Some people like running things. Some people like controlling the
discussions in the group and keeping them on what they consider "on
topic". They soon find out that they have little authority to do so and
the content is controlled by the reader using a well tuned killfile (or
scorefile in slrn, or "rules" in OE).
> It doesn't take long to figure out that ASP does not really operate with any
> specific agenda; it has no center, no hierarchy, few if any "rules" (outside
> of basic netiquette), and requires nothing of its members--and this presents
> a discursive model that can be unsettling, especially, I would think, to
> those who would like to see ASP move in a specific direction, whatever that
> may be. I personally enjoy the miscellaneous nature of a group like this,
> and I don't see ASP functioning very well with a specific set of objectives
> and directives; nor do I feel that a group with this level of diversity
> would be served by trying to impose order on that which cannot be contained,
> but that's just mho.
The people who would like to see ASP move in a particular direction are
encouraged to post stuff that you find interesting. If you don't like
non-pipe discussions, overwhelm the group with "on topic" postings.
My least favorite type of posting is the bitching post about what you
should be posting. I very often killfile these kinds of people.
If you can't get anyone to discuss in your threads, it means that people
really don't want to talk about what you're talking about. This is clear
in the political threads. People have an interest and keep the thread
going. This is also clear in the "snob" and "reverse snob" threads.
> So my question is: what is ASP supposed to be? What should it be doing that
> it is not? What does it need that it doesn't have? Who are the big-wigs
> looking down on us and what don't they like? Do we not buy their pipes and
> tobaccos, keep them in business, put food on their tables...? I don't wish
> to invite any more of the bitterness that I see surfacing (almost) every
> day, but I know that pigs will fly outta my ass before ASP goes
> flame-free...!:)) Anyway, I hope to gain some understanding of the group's
> history--and it's possible future.
There is a certain disappointment when one of the "big-wigs" bows out.
Like we could not live without their words of wisdom, and that this will
be a lesser place with them gone. Maybe so. But I have very rarely been
swayed by a "I'll take my ball and go home" argument. There is always
someone else with another ball to play with.
> Tia,
>
> Kurt, Balkan Sasieni in an Ardor SH bash
-Tony, Half & Half in a Missouri Meerschaum cob :)
--
Keep your own cigar diary online. http://www.cigardiary.com
Check out the new pipe page: http://pipes.cigardiary.com/
Cigar-specific banner exchange: http://banners.cigardiary.com/
dlk
it does - hundred's daily.
IMO, ASP suffers from the Blivet Syndrome: 10 lbs stuffed
into a 5 lb sack. There's too much of a breadth of information
here, this makes getting the value that one wants difficult, you have
to wade thru all sorts of other "junk" to get want you want. Frustrating.
No wonder it erupts at tax time!
In database parlance, this is because of a lack of indexing the data.
Adding OT, FYI, AD, etc to the subject line so that filtering can
substitute for an index is one method, adding subgroups "under"
alt.smokers.pipes is another. Given what we have to work with
(Usenet) - these are the *only* two options available to countermeasure
the problem of information availability overload.
There are problems with both: filtering requires discipline from the users
to be effective, placing posts in the appropriate subgroup requires discipline
from the users to be effective. Hmmm.... But I think the latter has an edge
in that the user is "prompted" to classify his post, the former requires that
he remember to do so.
I'm a fan of the subgroups solution. Two of 'em:
alt.smokers.pipes
alt.smokers.pipes.market
alt.smokers.pipes.smokeshop
.market is for the vendors and those looking to trade / ebay it, .smokeshop
for the off-topic, general bs stuff. This could take the pressure off of asp,
leaving it for discussion of pipes and tobacco usage, experiences, etc
- what most here would define as on-topic posts.
Just tossing in my .02,
--
Dave Keever
[ Remove digits in email addy! ]
"Kurt Slauson" <kurt....@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:_9Ona.4646$ja.2...@news2.calgary.shaw.ca...
<snip>
Kurt Slauson
there are so many of you out there who still possess an enthusiasm for the
NG--I know I do!
Cheers,
Kurt, 2010 in an estate bent dublin
"Kurt Slauson" <kurt....@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:_9Ona.4646$ja.2...@news2.calgary.shaw.ca...
> This is not a troll! I seek information with good intentions...:)
>
> In my short time with ASP, I have seen a number of flame-wars surrounding
> the current state of the NG. It has been suggested that ASP is going to
> hell in a handbasket, that it has fallen from its former glory, that it is
> being invaded by low-life Grabow 'n' Erinmore smoking knuckleheads, and
that
> some nebulous "real" pipe community out there looks on our endeavours here
> with condescension at best, contempt at worst. To me, the beauty of ASP
> lies in the fact that a forum exists wherein anybody can write in and yap
> about their experiences with pipe smoking (a huge boon to those of us who
> live in areas where "pipe community" means looking at yourself in the
mirror
> with a briar in yr teeth): so, it's pretty simple stuff, right? When I
read
> long threads by seriously pissed-off folks, I am left to wonder if I'm
> missing something....? Maybe it's just another flame-war, BFD, move on,
> etc.
>
> It doesn't take long to figure out that ASP does not really operate with
any
> specific agenda; it has no center, no hierarchy, few if any "rules"
(outside
> of basic netiquette), and requires nothing of its members--and this
presents
> a discursive model that can be unsettling, especially, I would think, to
> those who would like to see ASP move in a specific direction, whatever
that
> may be. I personally enjoy the miscellaneous nature of a group like this,
> and I don't see ASP functioning very well with a specific set of
objectives
> and directives; nor do I feel that a group with this level of diversity
> would be served by trying to impose order on that which cannot be
contained,
> but that's just mho.
>
> So my question is: what is ASP supposed to be? What should it be doing
that
> it is not? What does it need that it doesn't have? Who are the big-wigs
> looking down on us and what don't they like? Do we not buy their pipes
and
> tobaccos, keep them in business, put food on their tables...? I don't
wish
> to invite any more of the bitterness that I see surfacing (almost) every
> day, but I know that pigs will fly outta my ass before ASP goes
> flame-free...!:)) Anyway, I hope to gain some understanding of the
group's
> history--and it's possible future.
>
Bert Olton
-huge clipping-
> alt.smokers.pipes begins with "alt". The classic definition of alt.* is
> "Anarchists, Lunatics and Terrorists". alt was a response to the more
> structured "Big 7" hierarchies. And except for the moderated alt groups
> (which I think is an oxymoron), anyone can participate in any alt group
> they can convince their ISP to feed them.
Good reminder there Tony.
Bert
--
To all who have served or are serving the cause of freedom, from
whatever country, whether in peace or in war, at home or abroad, thank
you.
"Let's roll!" Todd Beamer, Flight 93, September 11, 2001.
Kurt O
Maybe you and I are the same person? Don't think my mind has not
entertained things that strange, just not with ASP yet. Come to think of
it...nah. <g>
---
Kurt O
Seventeen and a half hours until my wedding - yippee! (Where's my Xanax?)
G. L. Pease <g...@glpease.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.BAC58383...@News.CIS.DFN.DE...
ip...@ptd.net
Fascinating theory - alter egos and all that. Wouldn't it be weird if
someone peeked behind the asp curtain to find but one geek hunched over his
keyboard with a reference book on multiple personalities and behavioral
psychology.
How do we know that all these people at the pipe shows are really aspers?
They could very easily be hired actors. Anybody(for the right price) can
slap on a name tag and easily "become" buck12ga, or Sailorman Jack, or
Fleep. Are these in fact real people, or just hired hands popping up at pipe
shows?
Come to think of it, has anyone ever seen SSG Psaki and GL Pease in the same
room together?? Greg(Sarge's?) post may be more than a coincidence. Scary,
very scary.
So maybe it's *not* what ASP is "supposed" to be. Maybe it's about whether
asp really exists and whether or not those people with the name tags are
really who they purport to be. Or are we all just wounded men streaming
bandage gauze from the highest church steeples.
Nizo (a level 5 aardvark, in cheesecake-world)
Come, let me throw salt over thee.
Randy Evans
hallucination? Or more so, is it really me posting or am I just another
made up personality? (Come to think of it, that would explain quite a few
things)
Happy Smoking
Randy (Or maybe not)
"Kurt O" <angl...@wirefire.com> wrote in message
news:b7q1g4$3hsdf$1...@ID-140214.news.dfncis.de...
ip...@ptd.net
Dave Quisenberry wrote:
> It is exactly what you described above as it well should be. It is
> cyclical, just like other communities. Every cycle, a few regulars say they
> are tired of the community and are leaving. They even post a few extra
> msgs after they have 'officially left' to make their point. Some, after a
> period of time, decided it wasnt so bad afterall, some never return. For
> those that never return, others take their place. I have been a part of this
> NG since msg count was about 10 per day. I have seen the same cycles repeat
> themselves over and over. If you frequent other NGs you will find IMO that
> is is probably the most civil and closest knit cyber community of its size.
> Do I like everything that is posted and everyone who posts? Of course not.
> However, I, like everyone else here am perfectly capable of reading what I
> want, replying to what interests me (positively or negatively) and not
> letting topics or people in this community affect my life to the degree that
> the cyber community determines my emotions or general outlook on life.
>
Nizo
ip...@ptd.net
> hallucination? Or more so, is it really me posting or am I just another
> made up personality? (Come to think of it, that would explain quite a few
> things)
>
> Happy Smoking
> Randy (Or maybe not)
Man, where have you been??? None of those GLP tins have anything inside of
them! They are empty man! Empty!!It's a big fat ruse. A dodge; a trick; a
jig!!
All of these people claiming to have smoked GLP tobaccos are part of an
elaborately planned scheme. There is no GLP!! "Greg Pease" is a name used by
a Bangladesh guy named "Neffy" who sells ceramic dragons, sunglasses, and
crossword puzzle books out of a kiosk in Pismo Beach. C'mon Randy, wake up
and smell the kumquats!
Nizo (They think I'm crazy, but it's really *them*! All of them!!)
Early to bed makes a man horrid, cruel, and minty.
Daniel J. Morlan
*LOL* Honestly, I hope that someday I can laugh at myself. I'm
almost 30, and I detest the stupidity I had when I was a teenager.
Everyone else I know can laugh at their youth, and their past. I
wonder why I can't let things go so easily.
God give me the gift...
Randy Evans
is round or that or that we are going to put a man on the moon. But come to
think about it, I do remember seeing a Kiosk on the Pier at Pismo that did
sell crossword puzzles...HMMMMMM
Happy Smoking
Randy (Or so I like to believe)
<ip...@ptd.net> wrote in message
Voice Of Reason
Here's a surreal thought for you: Jeff Folloder not being a real asshole!
Very Surreal
Sailorman Jack
>Here's a surreal thought for you: Jeff Folloder not being a real asshole!
>
>Very Surreal
An elegant turn of phrase is always to be appreciated.
SJ
SSG Psaki
Phone/ISP service: $42.50
Reading Nizo on ASP: Priceless.
Rolling on the floow laughing my a** off, peeing my pants and hold ing my
sides,
<<<) P
<ip...@ptd.net> wrote in message news:BAC755CB.56E9%ip...@ptd.net...
Travis
I am reading a book called Time Ships by Stephen Baxter right now. It is
essentially a story that picked up where HG Wells left off with the Time
Machine. Very Interesting. Pick it up, I think you may like it.
--
Pleasant and Pastoral Puffing,
Travis
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep
your mouth shut."
Ernest Hemingway.
John Roi <astr...@mail.snip.org> wrote in message
news:3ea0...@altnews.snip.net...
SSG Psaki
Seldom. Entertaining? Frequently. Great people? Always.
Best,
<<<) P
<ip...@ptd.net> wrote in message news:BAC763EE.56FD%ip...@ptd.net...
Travis
As for me, I sought out this group since I have trouble finding similar
things IRL. I may make one, or shanghai folks into one here one day, but
till then I raise a bowl to my fellows here, and still shall even if I do
have circle of smokers around me off the computer.
So, anyone near DC?
--
Pleasant and Pastoral Puffing,
Travis
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep
your mouth shut."
Ernest Hemingway.
Frenchy <kenda...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:WJycnSDe692...@comcast.com...
> Very well said David.
>
> --
> Frenchy
> http://www.frenchyspipes.com/
> "Stephen E. Williamson" <stev...@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
> news:3EA0292...@frontiernet.net...
> >
> >
> > Amen, David. You stated so eloquently what I could only mutter.
> > Thank you
>
>
Tony Myers
> I will issue a create message on Friday, April 15, 1994,
> unless someone convinces me not to do so.
>
Can a NG have a birthday?? If so, we completely missed ASP's birthday.
Happy Birthday ASP!!
ASP was born on tax day, scary isn't it?? ;-)
Tony Myers
--
Only 10 ASP lapel pins remain at http://www.crossroadusa.com/pin/
SSG Psaki
route to go. Costs money and requires maintenance, though.
My .02,
<<<) P
"dlk" <dke...@tds.net> wrote in message
news:b7pvsn$39vcp$1...@ID-182621.news.dfncis.de...
ip...@ptd.net
Voice 'O Reason(?) sez:
> Here's a surreal thought for you: Jeff Folloder not being a real asshole!
>
> Very Surreal
Jeff Folloder is doing what *he* chooses to do. It's one of those wild and
wacky things provided within a society of free thought and freedom of
choice.
Nizo
"Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own.
You may both be wrong."
Dandemis
Tony Miller
random <random@ren-prod-incREMOVE_FAKE_HAM.com> wrote:
> Bert Olton <arto...@redsuspenders.com> wrote:
>
>>Tony Miller wrote:
>>
>>-huge clipping-
>>
>>> alt.smokers.pipes begins with "alt". The classic definition of alt.* is
>>> "Anarchists, Lunatics and Terrorists". alt was a response to the more
>>> structured "Big 7" hierarchies. And except for the moderated alt groups
>>> (which I think is an oxymoron), anyone can participate in any alt group
>>> they can convince their ISP to feed them.
>>
>>
>>Good reminder there Tony.
>>
>>Bert
>
> unmoderated newsgroup work? Is there a master server someplace that
> distributes all the posts, or is it distributed from the git-go, or
> what? I'm trying to understand where the "switch" is that would make
> ASP disappear if someone pulled the plug... or if there even is such a
> thing.
No such thing. ASP lives as long as 1 server deigns to carry it :)
-Tony
PS: alt.* groups are next to near impossible to kill.
Stephen E. Williamson
news:yM2oa.1097$hT2.7...@news2.news.adelphia.net:
> Much better said David then I did in my posting in the other thread.
>
> As for me, I sought out this group since I have trouble finding
> similar
> things IRL. I may make one, or shanghai folks into one here one day,
> but till then I raise a bowl to my fellows here, and still shall even
> if I do have circle of smokers around me off the computer.
>
> So, anyone near DC?
>
> --
>
> Pleasant and Pastoral Puffing,
>
> Travis
>
Travis, I am 70 miles outside DC, near Charles Town, WV. We have one
fellow down near Winchester, VA, one out near Frederick, MD, and a
beloved couple out near Arlington. There are a few of us around the
area. There may be more I don't know of.
Steve
jlruble
pipes.
"nough said.
SCOTTY
<ip...@ptd.net> wrote in message news:BAC763EE.56FD%ip...@ptd.net...
>
Travis
I am in Spotsylvania Co VA, that is to say about 50 miles south of DC
and 40 miles north of Richmond right off the I95 corridor. Matter of fact,
the "Beltway Sniper" hit folks on both of the I95 exits I use to get home
on.
We ought to grab our significant others, families and dogs, find a
central location state or county park and plan a picnic lunch with pipes.
Maybe in Prince William County or Faquier County.
--
Pleasant and Pastoral Puffing,
Travis
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep
your mouth shut."
Ernest Hemingway.
Stephen E. Williamson <stev...@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93625A0...@66.133.130.30...
Stephen E. Williamson
news:qsp2avcoc5haku55h...@4ax.com:
> [Of course this is from the bozo who used ebay twice and got pissed
> enough to implement his own bidding system, won't use the standard
> stem materials, and has his own bit style, so how much credence does
> it deserve? LOL! <g>]
>
Random,
As for me, what you say holds a fair amount of credence. So put that in
your pipe and smoke it with your own buttonless bit.
Steve
Stephen E. Williamson
news:pck3avof2n867m582...@4ax.com:
>
> <blush> Beware, the walls have ears.
> --
> Pipe sales: http://www.ren-prod-inc.com/random_pipes/script_store.php
Yeah, but they are hard of hearing. I made sure I kept the stereo up to 10
all the time. Those walls can't hear a darn thing, and they never learned
to lip read.
gerard montoya
cdm...@noos.fr says...
> Let me be the third in the boat! Although I live in the big Paris right
> across the street of a pipe shop, there is no more than a pipe-sighting per
> month.
>
Having never set foot outside of the U.S., I was under
the impression that European cities were full of
pipesters, walking to and fro...not true?
gerard montoya
dke...@tds.net says...
> I'm a fan of the subgroups solution. Two of 'em:
> alt.smokers.pipes
> alt.smokers.pipes.market
> alt.smokers.pipes.smokeshop
>
> .market is for the vendors and those looking to trade / ebay it, .smokeshop
> for the off-topic, general bs stuff. This could take the pressure off of asp,
> leaving it for discussion of pipes and tobacco usage, experiences, etc
> - what most here would define as on-topic posts.
>
are set up in a similar way, sub categories that can be
easily ignored if a reader chooses to stay away.
buck12ga
TAKETHISOU...@knology.net says...
police have had to spray they with fire hoses to stop them from
disrupting traffic.Pipe smoke has become so thick as to obscure
the vision.In Dublin Ireland pipe smokers became such a nuisance that
police officers had to fire tear gas and rubber bullets to get them to
disperse.
buck
Trever Talbert
the impression that European cities were full of
pipesters, walking to and fro...not true? "
I typically see more pipesmokers out here in the Brittany countryside each
month than I would have in a year or more back in NC. I can't speak for the
rest of France as I haven't traveled much yet, and it will probably take me
at least another couple of years just to figure out the TGV schedules. I
can't say I'm surprised to hear there are few pipe smokers in Paris though -
the people out here look on Paris in much the same way as the people In
Thomasville NC looked at Los Angeles...
--
Happy Smoking,
Trever Talbert
http://www.talbertpipes.com
Twin six-inch singers
Banshees, worse than the monsters
Mercy! Make them stop!
Clive Humm
corner-shops stock some pipe tobacco, as do the supermarkets. But I almost
never see another pipesmoker in the street. Where are they all hiding?
Happy pipesmoking!
Clive
--
Click on this link to see my pipes:
http://straightgrain.connect-2.co.uk/
"gerard montoya" <TAKETHISOU...@knology.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.190c6faf3...@news.knology.net...
buck12ga
> I live in a small country town in the south of England. All the
> corner-shops stock some pipe tobacco, as do the supermarkets. But I almost
> never see another pipesmoker in the street. Where are they all hiding?
>
> Happy pipesmoking!
>
> Clive
>
out of ya man,run for your life!!
buck
Longoni Bruno
I live in a little town that is not far from Milan (Italy). It's name
is Cantù and smoking pipe is a tribute to Mr Carlo Scotti. Every man
has a Castello pipe at home(the same for Caminetto, Radice and
Ascorti), but most of the people prefer cigarettes. However it's not
hard to find pipe smokers walking on the street, driving car or going
by bicycle.
Bruno Longoni
James Kime
Columbia, MD, here...
SilentCircle
Pipe-sighting Experience;
Not that I want to impress, but I did extensive travelling in all the
main European countries. I have been also through the country side, but I
speak mainly about the capitals. I've been sent by my work almost weekly to
another city, for two years. Rome, Athens, Bruxelles, Amsterdam, Madrid,
Barcelona, Venetia, Sofia, Istanbul, Bucharest to name a few. And now, we
are living in Paris.
My impression is although you can find in every one of this cities
tobacco and the low end pipes are quite common in shops, the people actually
smoking a pipe are a very rare view. If you spot one, it will be mostly in a
restaurant, smoking after a lunch or dinner, or in a day-time bar enjoying a
drink, but not on the streets. Let's say that it does differ from a city to
another. There are more pipsters in Amsterdam or Bruxelles then in Madrid or
Paris. You can spot a pipe or two in a week, at most. But by the quantity
and variety of tobacco you can find, there must be much more than this.
Anyway, the pipsters do catch the eye of the by-passers and this is
another argument that they are not a usual sight. I usually pay attention to
the reaction to a pipe smoker, because I have my own complexes about smoking
outdoors. The others do show interest to pipe-smoking, trying to smell the
aromas with a curious look in their eyes.
Thinking of it, does make sense. To me, the pipe smoking is a type of
relaxation that doesn't go well with activity. One needs a minimal comfort
to really enjoy a pipe, which, IMHO, is not easily achievable being on move.
There are more indoor pipsters then the outdoor ones, I guess. Even so, the
outdoor oriented will prefer to enjoy their pipe sitting in an arm-chair
rather then walking through the crowd.
And then again, I might be wrong. Am I? What do you think?
--
David
--
"Verus amicus est tamquam alter idem."
"A true friend is like another me."
--
"gerard montoya" <TAKETHISOU...@knology.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.190c6faf3...@news.knology.net...
Travis
--
Pleasant and Pastoral Puffing,
Travis
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep
your mouth shut."
Ernest Hemingway.
James Kime <jk...@wam.umd.edu> wrote in message
news:b7v7cb$4pbd1$1...@ID-105651.news.dfncis.de...
Travis
You are very right. I tend to sit still. But I do have over an hour
commute to work and smoke a pipe on the way home, it keeps me laid back
enough to ignore the plethora of idiots on the road.
--
Pleasant and Pastoral Puffing,
Travis
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep
your mouth shut."
Ernest Hemingway.
SilentCircle <cdm...@noos.fr> wrote in message
news:b7va1c$4e95d$1...@ID-190019.news.dfncis.de...
SilentCircle
smokes. I can't say I did any commuting in the places I've been, so I might
be missing a good occasion for pipe-sighting.On the other hand, in Paris
everybody uses the Metro or the train for commuting, which are both
smoke-free-nazi environments. So there are no pipsters to see there,
neither.
--
David
--
"Verus amicus est tamquam alter idem."
"A true friend is like another me."
--
"Travis" <transv...@NOSPAMwyndmyre.com> wrote in message
news:vqGoa.1703$hT2.1...@news2.news.adelphia.net...
Ed Duncan
think your response was as good as any, better than some.
NO way I leaving this place, too interesting. I do keep things simple
(easier with a simple mind). If a header looks interesting, I read the
first post. If not, just move on. I fail to see what the big deal is.
like smoking: smoke what ya like.....like what ya smoke. (I'm a
lataholic who has to smoke smarmy aromatics when near the Mrs. but
respect those who prefer aros. or VAs, or even drug store stuff. Just
my lousy .02 worth.
Ed Duncan
Batavia, NY
*********************
Mark Shelor <smoke...@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<wIOcnbDSZch...@comcast.com>...
> Kurt Slauson wrote:
> >
> > So my question is: what is ASP supposed to be? What should it be doing that
> > it is not? What does it need that it doesn't have?
>
>
> Hi Kurt,
>
> Just a few observations from someone who seldom posts, yet who has been
> reading this newsgroup off-and-on for many years.
>
> During this time, I've seen many people come and go. Some of them were
> highly knowledgeable pipe smokers with lots of interesting ideas to
> contribute. Their initial posts were filled with enthusiasm, but over
> time, you could sense their growing discouragement. Rather than
> ignoring the negativities that invariably arise in an unmoderated
> newsgroup, they chose to leave. The degree of their discouragement was
> probably proportional to the amount of sincerity they devoted to their
> posts. Tragic IMHO.
>
> I think the lesson here is not to take ASP too seriously. It's a useful
> venue for learning about the hobby, sharing information, and providing
> moral support to fellow pipesters. People have done great things with
> this group. However, people have also used it to "treat" others to
> their opinions on wide-ranging and often divisive topics unrelated to
> pipe smoking. They're certainly free to do so: this is an unmoderated
> group. But, they should at least consider trying to get a life ;)
>
> Personally, I find pipe clubs, pipe shows, pipe-smoking friends, and
> periodicals such as "The Pipe Smokers Emphemeris" to be more engaging
> sources of information and inspiration on pipe smoking. Undoubtedly,
> though, ASP is unmatched for getting quick answers to problems, sharing
> opinions on pipes and tobaccos, and tapping into some great commercial
> offers.
>
> So, when you ask "What is ASP supposed to be?", I don't think that any
> one individual or group of individuals can answer that question. It's
> an unmoderated group, so ASP will be what ASP does. I just hope that
> the knowledgeable and sincere posters out there simply choose to ignore
> the negativity so as not to become discouraged.
>
> Regards, Mark
dave from TN
flame wars. -dave from TN
"Only he who knows what is enough will always have enough." -Lao
Tzu.
Ian Rastall
(dave from TN) wrote:
>If we settled every flame war with a duel, there would likely be fewer
>flame wars.
I hereby nominate either Bear or Psaki to fill in for me. :-)
Da' Bear
> On Mon, 21 Apr 2003 07:13:28 -0400 (EDT), Myshki...@webtv.net
> (dave from TN) wrote:
>
>
>>If we settled every flame war with a duel, there would likely be fewer
>>flame wars.
>
>
> I hereby nominate either Bear or Psaki to fill in for me. :-)
>
> Ian
Well, maybe not me, the problem with being "wide" is that almost
anything fired in your general direction will be a hit. Sarge, OTOH,
when turned sideways, needs only to stick out his tongue and he's
camouflaged as a zipper <g>
--
"You say "Big Freakin' Psycho", like it's a bad thing...."
Bear Graves
SilentCircle
for the Sarge, or holding him in front of a window will do the job? ;-))
Somebody, stop me!!!
--
David
--
"Verus amicus est tamquam alter idem."
"A true friend is like another me."
--
"Da' Bear" <be...@goldneedle.net> wrote in message
news:3EA3FD1...@goldneedle.net...
Da' Bear
> Rotflmao or whatever those damn initials were! Did the doctors need an X-Ray
> for the Sarge, or holding him in front of a window will do the job? ;-))
> Somebody, stop me!!!
When Sarge needs medical imaging:
1. If a visual check is needed, he's placed in front of a Hummer's
headlight (head shots excepted, light won't go through 12 inches of
solid bone).
2. For "Ultra Sound", a medic slaps his stomach, and the ripples are
analyzed by one of the cooks.
As a result, field treatment of SSG Psaki has become the very hallmark
of excellence in military medicine.
HTH,
ip...@ptd.net
> SilentCircle wrote:
>> Rotflmao or whatever those damn initials were! Did the doctors need an X-Ray
>> for the Sarge, or holding him in front of a window will do the job? ;-))
>> Somebody, stop me!!!
>
> Bear sez:
> When Sarge needs medical imaging:
>
> 1. If a visual check is needed, he's placed in front of a Hummer's
> headlight (head shots excepted, light won't go through 12 inches of
> solid bone).
>
> 2. For "Ultra Sound", a medic slaps his stomach, and the ripples are
> analyzed by one of the cooks.
Your reverence toward, and familiarity of, the Sarge's body is making me
just a tad concerned(Sigmund. . . .SIGMUND!!)
Nizo
SilentCircle
just because you never took that helmet off! And I can see why as long as
he's waiting for you with a godamn' Katana... He sure likes to invite
friends to dinner. What did you think that burger was made of?
Did I mentioned I'm glad you survived the encounter? I guess it's due to
your excellent-fit military-condition. No one can put up with Da' Bear! I'm
glad you took the chance to run for your life! BTW, he says it's ok for you
to pick up the car you left in front of he's cave.
:-)))
--
David
--
"Verus amicus est tamquam alter idem."
"A true friend is like another me."
--
"Da' Bear" <be...@goldneedle.net> wrote in message
news:3EA40071...@goldneedle.net...
SSG Psaki
how sleek. My feelings are hurt.
Actually, Bear promptly slipped into "Yenta" mode when my emaciated form
appeared on his doorstep, the beautiful late-morning sun glowing through my
rib cage. <G> That's why he fed me like a goose destined for holiday dinner.
<GG>
Nonetheless, I do take some umbrage from a guy who needs to be X-Rayed with
a 10-megawatt booster hooked to the cathode. If the rest of his body ever
gets as hard and muscular as his brain, folks will think that "The Blob" is
due for theatrical re-release, and he's the promo mascot. This abuse from a
guy the shadow of whose ass weighs 40 pounds. Sheesh!!! <BSEG>
And, Bear, I thought nobody was looking when I was trying on your posing
pouch! <EEG>
Cheers,
<<<) "Skippy" Psaki
"Da' Bear" <be...@goldneedle.net> wrote in message
news:3EA40071...@goldneedle.net...
Da' Bear
> Geez, Bear, and this weekend you were telling me how "fit" looked, how tan,
> how sleek. My feelings are hurt.
>
> Actually, Bear promptly slipped into "Yenta" mode when my emaciated form
> appeared on his doorstep, the beautiful late-morning sun glowing through my
> rib cage. <G> That's why he fed me like a goose destined for holiday dinner.
> <GG>
At least I didn't use the "choke ring" to prevent the food from coming
up. Next time, I won't take it as easy with the wooden dowel to compact
the food in your gullet <g>.
>
> Nonetheless, I do take some umbrage from a guy who needs to be X-Rayed with
> a 10-megawatt booster hooked to the cathode. If the rest of his body ever
> gets as hard and muscular as his brain, folks will think that "The Blob" is
> due for theatrical re-release, and he's the promo mascot. This abuse from a
> guy the shadow of whose ass weighs 40 pounds. Sheesh!!! <BSEG>
Blob? BLOB??!! (ok... maybe)
>
> And, Bear, I thought nobody was looking when I was trying on your posing
> pouch! <EEG>
>
> Cheers,
Damn, and that's the one I hadn't used the louse and crab formula on
yet. Well, ya always said that ya wanted your own livestock farm.....
SSG Psaki
<scratching>
<<<) P
"Da' Bear" <be...@goldneedle.net> wrote in message
news:3EA41147...@goldneedle.net...
Stephen B.
for pillow talk) I see that ASP has yet another purpose that I did not
consider; some boys can actually hook up... ;-}
-Stephen B.
"SSG Psaki" <nickp...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:b81610$5brea$1...@ID-182483.news.dfncis.de...
buck12ga
hipolito
Hello to all. My experience in my country (Spain) is that most pipe
smoking takes place at home, or, at least, indoors. I used to think almost
no one smoked pipes here, based on how rare it is to meet pipe smokers in
the streets. About five years ago, I read that total sales of pipe tobacco
during the preceeding year had amounted to a total of packs (I don´t
remember the exact figures) that led to calculate that about three to four
hundred thousand spaniards smoked one 50 gram pack per week (wish I had the
exact numbers). That means that about one per cent of the total population
are pipe smokers. That seems to be a small figure, but I realized how much
it was when I realized that it meant that only in the town where I live that
would result in about 3.500 pipe smokers (I have seen about three or four in
the street). That leds me to believe that most pipe smoking takes place in
private. I very rarely smoke outdoors, although I do in my car. It is
curious to note that Spain is the country with the highest per capita
comsumption of cigars in the world. As an example, half of every yearly
production of Havana cigars is smoked here. Cigar smoking shuld be a
frequent sighting, but it is not, unless you go to a soccer game or a
bullfight, where cigar smoking is kind of a tradition. On the other hand,
cigarrette smoking in the streets and bars is plentiful. I believe this
situation has to do with the the character of cigar and pipe smoking versus
cigarrette smoking: it is very difficult to fully enjoy a pipe or cigar if
you are walking on the street or while with friends at a bar.
Your thoughts?
Ricardo
Travis
I enjoy pipes and cigars in bars and clubs, but I am a laid back guy and
don't run the dance floor and all that. As for in private smoking, that is
because it is hard to find anywhere public that pipe smokers would be likely
to congregate. I mean, libraries don't allow smoking. Just teasing, but I
for one want a quiet introspective place to smoke, and if others are around
I want a relaxed, casual social atmosphere. I don't like to smoke in most
restaurants because I am very conscious about bothering others with my
smoking ( my mother smoked cigarettes and was always very considerate of
others, so it rubbed off). Where can you get that?
--
Pleasant and Pastoral Puffing,
Travis
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep
your mouth shut."
Ernest Hemingway.
hipolito <respanspa...@infospamnonegocio.com> wrote in message
news:b85rs2$5d4$1...@nsnmrro2-gest.nuria.telefonica-data.net...
Richard A. Magri Jr.
"Bert Olton" <arto...@redsuspenders.com> wrote in message
news:3EA08932...@redsuspenders.com...
> Tony Miller wrote:
>
> -huge clipping-
>
> > alt.smokers.pipes begins with "alt". The classic definition of alt.* is
> > "Anarchists, Lunatics and Terrorists". alt was a response to the more
> > structured "Big 7" hierarchies.
clipped for brevity
Go to a pond, lake, etc and scoop out a handful of water. Look and see where
the hole in the water was.
Rick
--
You know there are only two things more beautiful than a good gun,
a swiss watch or a woman from anywhere. You ever had a swiss watch? Cherry
Valance - Red River