[at-l] Why did I join the list?

[whoah at verizon.net (WhoAh)]

> I, too, started out on WF's list and shortly after that came over to
> this list - where I immediately become addicted to the smashmellers
> and the warmth of the fire.  I have been hiking since early Scout
> years and later did trails all over the Shining Rock area.  I had
> heard about the AT and wanted to check it out, started asking a few
> neophyte questions and got some good "experienced (sage?)" advice,
> along with many "Happy Trails" wishes.  And I put this advice to work
> and learned more - then yearned for more.
> 
> I have yet to take on a hike of more than a weeks duration, and have
> been trying build my confidence, endurance, mental state, and - yes -
> my gear.  I have learned about down bags, alcohol stoves, cooking
> grits, knives, how to layer, what to bring in my first aid kit,
> lights, batteries, - the list goes on.  But I know I still need to
> learn more from the veterans of this Trail. 
> 
> And that is why I am still hear, and why I care about this list
> continuing on.
> 
> I don't think there needs to be any kind of jihad, purging or even
> censorship for those that are the most prolific posters - heck, these
> are some of the people that I have learned from!  But I do think that
> there are a few that may need to exercise a little better judgment in
> not continuing some of the thread-duels, and to tone things down a
> little bit - shoot, there are many things that I am passionate about -
> really, really passionate about - but I know when to just let things
> go and back away. 
> 
> There is a wealth of knowledge on this list, and a significant number
> of "hearts of gold" - I think Ryan indicated around 1,000 of us on
> here.  Let's do a little introspection and see if we can polish up
> some of the tarnish and get the edge back.
> 
> I had an off-list post a few minutes ago about the fact that maybe
> there are too many of us lurkers - by our not participating in some of
> the discussions, we are in fact letting a few lead the forum and take
> it down some paths that maybe it shouldn't be going in.  There maybe
> something to this, so to that end, I plan on participating more on the
> threads and quit just reading and deleting - especially the deleting
> part, as I think I have a repetitive stress injury from hitting the
> delete key so much..
> 
> Ya'll take care, and I hope that each and everyone of you had a super
> Thanksgiving!  And don't trample over everyone tomorrow hitting all
> those sales!!
> 
> WhoAh
> Reformed Lurker