Well I guess some of you noticed I wasn't posting here anymore. Surprisingly, I've gotten an email here and there recently, as well as meeting a forumite (
) at the recent Wedding of the Year of two dear caver friends of mine. Sadly I didn't get a chance to cave with him & his family but weddings are more important! I have caved with his awesome wife before a few times already =) Anyway...yes, some of you noticed right...I signed off back in December and honestly haven't looked back. The attitudes and rudeness I was constantly having to deal with just wasn't worth it. You know who you are, and if you were around, you know what I'm talking about. I don't need that shit in my life, so I just left, and went to a non-NSS cave forum where people are cordial and helpful without being condescending.
Also, I've been busy in real life. With real caves and cave-related activities. I moved to Huntsville in January and am an active member in both the Huntsville Grotto and the Huntsville Cave Rescue Unit. I am enjoying caving every weekend...or more than once a weekend...or during the week....maybe most of those "ors" are "ands"... Additionally, the chance to get on-rope multiple times a month has gotten me somewhat addicted to vertical caving - and long rope - and I am training with the V-Bats with the goal of Golindrinas later this year.
Speaking of caving and vertical work, ridgewalking has been another fun activity especially when we find virgin caves! Recently we found a new pit. I did the sketching and drew up the map, and it has been accepted by the Alabama Cave Survey.
Photography is also going extremely well. I have joined a local photographer guild which has given me a great segway to share techniques and get tips. I am seeing great improvement due to the supportive local photography community. In fact, I was contacted the other week by the editor of a peer-reviewed scientific journal for use of a cave photo I took to be on the cover of the next issue.
Additionally I have been designing and making custom cave gear, for myself and others. It's been fun, I can make it so it fits and works how I want it to, and in the colours I desire. I don't see this turning into a large-scale thing, but I've started making things for Huntsville grotto members and doing patchwork for them as well.
So yes. I've not been posting. I've been busy doing. Doing everything I wanted to do, with people who are supportive and willing to share their knowledge. It's too bad this forum had (has?) people too busy with their egos and being rude and disheartening to show this REAL world of caving to the Internet.
If there is one thing I could thank this forum for though, it would be the results of my "
twue wuv" thread I made such a long time ago...a PM I received in response to my creation of that thread blossomed into a friendship and then a relationship, and I am very, VERY happy. ;)