Hi guys. In an effort to use the forum in its traditional sense as opposed to the modern social media trend of 'look at my ever increasing ego and list of prided things and feats', (see my fb and hobby logs for those), thought I'd drop by to say "Flash by name, Flash by nature Whooof".
First of all good wishes and good luck to Mikey who recently returned to NZ. Thank you for being awesome to all of us over the years and always kind in your correspondence.
Looking through the last few pages of this thread it was great to see a Viking sacrifice, Shadespeare models and Dust Tactics. All really good painting.
Please keep them coming. I love seeing everyone's individual style develop over the years.
Great responses on the survey which Prim put out. I think we are all guilty of doing the hit and run posting of how fabulous we are and what we have achieved. Thank you to those of you who always comment on my hobby log. I shall make more of an effort to do likewise.
In terms of the forum and social media in general seeming overly negative. I would put this down to less time due to work and family commitments also folk having less patience for the negative things, moving on with life.
It's no longer a negative forum here but it sure has been in the past. I myself have fallen out with a few dear friends due to reactive forum and fb posts. I would go so far as to say at one time I allowed it and it's members to control not only my gaming and painting activities but also my personal life choices. We live and learn and I'm grateful for going through this challenge albeit an unhealthy one. I remember many nights coming away from the screen so angry and beyond tears. I have experienced being cursed across the table, called names during gameplay, gas lighted when bringing up that there had been bullies within the community. It's a drag for everyone involved being picked up on your grammar and spelling daily, being told you're building your army incorrectly, being told GW are shite when you've just spent hard earned cash in a luxury purchase to give you a boost, being ignored or stonewalled by other members, being blocked. All this stuff can add up and seep over into our day to day happiness. Life isn't happiness all the time but at the same time we must guard against negativity and being put down by others negative thoughts and actions.
It's a heck of a job to maintain this forum for this amount of time Prim and you've done a mans job policing the forums all this time. How about having a holiday from it to gain perspective? I know Warlord gave up just to have an easier time. Oldhammer community on FB once a place of love and light for the hobby has even fallen to darkness with negativity towards GW etc. Folk that insist on living in a preserved past of 80s and 90s nostalgias, and why not after all its fun, even that will turn sour after a time.
Before this post becomes overly negative in itself though I propose we follow the 3 rules of social media children are now taught in Primary school before posting.
Before posting ask yourself;
1 Is it true
2 Is it kind
3 Is it helping anyone (yourself as well as others)
If the answer to these questions 1 -3 are yes then post post post.
Plus an added favourite of my own
4 Is it really just 'banter' or is it nasty.
Keep painting, have fun gaming and do it your way everyone, enjoy life, enjoy the heck out of the hobby.
Let's meet up more in meat space, hang out at cafes, talk of art, music and love and enjoy some fresh air and good times. Let's get away from the screens and back to the hobbies and the friends we love.
Happy Valentines mon amis.