You see Marissa, the reason you are getting frustrated is because reality isn't matching up to what you think it should be. Reality is that this is a pool forum, like another poster stated, that has a great many business deals going on, and side bets between people who have never seen each other before. You say the forums are supposed to be a social network to promote pool and meet others who shared passion for it. This forum is that, it has worked as a social network, it has successfully promoted pool, and people do share their passion for this game, which includes both negative and positive reaction.
There is naturally going to be some negativity, someone voicing his or her own frustration to others here when certain expectations are not met concerning quality, or time shipped, or amount paid, etc. The fact that those people have a place to come to resolve it with the help of others is a benefit to everyone. No, not everything you are going to read here is going to be flowery, but all you can do is accept reality for what it is, and you let the change you want to see start with you. All you can do is be a positive force here in your words and actions, instead of frustrate yourself when others do not measure up to what you feel like they should.
I know the avatar thing has been discussed numerous times already. All you can do is present your image in what you feel is appropriate, and be that positive change again by example. I am sure the answer is not to insert two naked guys holding each other's back sides about to kiss. Answering something you feel is offensive with something you think others will find offensive is not productive, Marissa. I could see your having more of a point if that option wasn't availiable to you in our forum's options. It is, so turn it off. Let the moderators decide what is good and too much for their own forum. They supplied you a way to disagree with their decisions, by shutting them off.
I have read numerous times over the years where you yourself have called people names, you disagreed in a very heated manner about someone's opinion. You have publicly yourself have had somewhere to go when you felt you were wronged by Charlie. Is how you conveyed your feelings about Charlie always been in a good way as to convey what happened, or has there been name calling and frivolity?
When you and others decided to follow the Christian path, you make decisions on what you will tolerate to make yourself comfortable. There are many Christians who probably wouldn't hang out in a pool room, or come on this forum. You decided the reward of playing the game itself and those good people you have met here outweigh what you might see. By your own choice, you have to deal with things YOU find are uncomfortable, where I see them as normal pool room behavior.
Do not judge others by the standards you feel are appropriate. Accept who they are and how they are, and you can pray for them that they may find the light that you yourself have said you have felt. Do not frustrate yourself by thinking the reality that is, should be the reality you envision. Be the reality you yourself would like to see, and hope that others might post and conduct themselves by that good example.
Who knows in the end what will sell pool, or if it'll even take off at all. Maybe the guys are right about Earl and Keith getting on ESPN. I know the squeaky family friendly image I have been a part of selling on the WPBA has not worked for ESPN audiences as of yet.
girlwon1
. Pool is what it is. As far as what sponsors like or don't like, well this is a different era than 30 years ago. There is a line in an old country song, "most girls don't like boys like me...ahhhh but some girls do." Johnnyt
