Collectors item T Shirt
- Thread starter Rodney
- Start date
OMG guys!! Reading thru this was painful. Put a cork in it.Better yet, why don't you build cues again!?
Please.
Some might advise me to stay silent on this thread, but I can’t do that given what I personally endured in the aughts for several years.
Some of the names on the T-shirt are people I consider pool buddies today. Years ago, though, my experiences with a few of those names were painful. What began as online disagreements escalated into repeated personal attacks, and at times the comments were even directed at my other half, not to involve him, but to affect me.
I first encountered some of these individuals on Google Groups RSB. By my own admission, I wasn’t very social-media savvy back then. When cruel and hurtful things were written about me, I responded emotionally. With hindsight, I recognize that engaging that way only made things harder.
There were also many bright spots. I met some truly good people on RSB, e.g., Smorgie, Frank, Hank, Bob Jewett, Cornerman, and others. Smorgie invited me to AzBilliards, and for a while it felt like pool heaven, sharing trip reports, posting photos, and meeting fellow AzB-ers on the road. Unfortunately, over time that joy faded for me, as some comments framed as “truths” by some of the names on that list, here on this forum and elsewhere, became deeply hurtful. I now understand those moments as cyberbullying, even if that wasn’t always the intent.
I genuinely appreciate the camaraderie that brings people together from around the country at pool events. At the same time, I believe it’s important to be mindful of how words land, especially online. Writing this still brings a tear to my eye, but it’s part of the past, thankfully. I’ll be 72 this month, and my focus now is on enjoying each day I’m given, as my expiration date draws near.
Some of the names on the T-shirt are people I consider pool buddies today. Years ago, though, my experiences with a few of those names were painful. What began as online disagreements escalated into repeated personal attacks, and at times the comments were even directed at my other half, not to involve him, but to affect me.
I first encountered some of these individuals on Google Groups RSB. By my own admission, I wasn’t very social-media savvy back then. When cruel and hurtful things were written about me, I responded emotionally. With hindsight, I recognize that engaging that way only made things harder.
There were also many bright spots. I met some truly good people on RSB, e.g., Smorgie, Frank, Hank, Bob Jewett, Cornerman, and others. Smorgie invited me to AzBilliards, and for a while it felt like pool heaven, sharing trip reports, posting photos, and meeting fellow AzB-ers on the road. Unfortunately, over time that joy faded for me, as some comments framed as “truths” by some of the names on that list, here on this forum and elsewhere, became deeply hurtful. I now understand those moments as cyberbullying, even if that wasn’t always the intent.
I genuinely appreciate the camaraderie that brings people together from around the country at pool events. At the same time, I believe it’s important to be mindful of how words land, especially online. Writing this still brings a tear to my eye, but it’s part of the past, thankfully. I’ll be 72 this month, and my focus now is on enjoying each day I’m given, as my expiration date draws near.
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That’s awesome Murray. Tell him I said hi! I did come across the Beat that sucker with a Tucker shirt as well!
Thanks for sharing your post to mine, one that took some time for me to write without stepping on anyone's toes. I won't be silenced, however, even if I stand in the minority.
Reading this thread had me feeling like I was in NPR for a second.
Who knew a t-shirt could cause so much drama.
Who knew a t-shirt could cause so much drama.
We love ya!!!
Here's my T-shirt contribution.
Our location had no alcohol, no food, no lock on the door
Our location had no alcohol, no food, no lock on the door
I worked graveyard shift for spell at the Silver Spring store on Georgia Avenue. Richard Allen owned it. We had a nice crew of regulars, Left-handed Kevin, Lawyer Robbie, Strawberry, Korean Lee, Geese, Ralph, Rudd the Roofer, Hodge, Fat Mike, Huey, Stuey and Timmy Crown, Tom-Tom, Cab Driver Pete, Drug Fair, The Greek, Bubba, Old Man Mickey, Radar. I know I'm forgetting at least a dozen more.
I think we talked about it before and I believe you once took time off and I covered a couple days for you.I worked graveyard shift for spell at the Silver Spring store on Georgia Avenue. Richard Allen owned it. We had a nice crew of regulars, Left-handed Kevin, Lawyer Robbie, Strawberry, Korean Lee, Geese, Ralph, Rudd the Roofer, Hodge, Fat Mike, Huey, Stuey and Timmy Crown, Tom-Tom, Cab Driver Pete, Drug Fair, The Greek, Bubba, Old Man Mickey, Radar. I know I'm forgetting at least a dozen more.
Reasonable question...that he won't have an answer for
Well, when you think about it - most of the stuff that created angst for you (and me, and most everyone) were based on discussion forum stuff. And billiards discussion forums as related to playing pool in real life, is like any other discussion forum is related to groups of old people who meet at Starbucks. But that's easy for me to say...I quit playing APA pools and now hang out with old people at Starbucks.
well put me on ignore please as well.
bruce/coco is a good guy, and certainly out spoken which many don't like, unless They are the one doing it.
he has been here for many years and gets along just fine, and adds a lot to the forums. just not a lot about what glove you use.
we all can say what we think within reason.
bruce/coco is a good guy, and certainly out spoken which many don't like, unless They are the one doing it.
he has been here for many years and gets along just fine, and adds a lot to the forums. just not a lot about what glove you use.
we all can say what we think within reason.
I'm glad that you had a good experience with the discussion forum stuff and that you and others are still above ground.
For me, that era was the epitome of cyberbullying, largely due to one group that seemed to enjoy demeaning and ridiculing others. The behavior often crossed the line into outright cruelty. It wasn’t just directed at me, however. A few others were targeted as well.
More recently, when Joshua Filler was cyberbullied on social media for changing his mind about which tournament to go to, the attacks were vicious and on a global scale. Joshua and Pia Filler chose to remain radio silent and not respond. They simply kept competing, and eventually the noise faded. I admire the maturity the Fillers showed. Looking back, I wish I had done the same when I was the target.