iamshack

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Jun 24, 2011 -> 08:29 AM) If you really don't think any amount of negativity after a win is looked at in disgust by more than a few posters, then I think you're just blind to it. Hell, we had a guy basically swear a vendetta to get negative posters banned because he was tired of the negativity which is caused directly by the team's poor play. I think the real issue comes down to where people vent their frustrations. It seems to me that those viewed as negative vent towards the team, whereas the other side vents towards the negative ones. Well, I think the distinction that needs to be pointed out is that sites such as this are in their very nature going to be a place where positivity is going to be looked on more favorably so than pessimism. The spirit of a place like this is always going to weigh more heavily towards people wanting to celebrate the team's successes more so than it's failures. It's just a fact and something the pessimistic posters have to live with.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Jun 24, 2011 -> 08:18 AM) It doesn't bother me. But if the Sox win a game and Juan Pierre goes 0-4 with a failed bunt attempt and a walk that led to a CS, it should be allowed that a poster mention how badly he sucks in the Winner thread. Or when there is a win despite Ozzie's best attempts to lose the game, that warrants being mentioned. But that's viewed as attempting to bring down a thread or a win. I don't think that's the case at all. I think it's when someone basically insinuated the player or manager should be drawn and quartered in a very explicit manner that people get a little tired of it.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Jun 24, 2011 -> 08:14 AM) And again, I notice that the personal jabs usually don't come from the negative posters, but are normally directed at them. I hope that is considered, as I pointed out that this group has already been referred to in unsavory ways in this thread alone. I think you are being a bit defensive here. The lollipops and gumdrops posters get mocked and laughed at just as much or more as some of the negative nancy guys. I think guys like you, that usually take a pessimistic approach, but do so in an intelligent manner and seem to have some sense of reasonable and rational thoughts in your mind, are respected, even though you do take a bit of s***. But you've got to expect that, given the fact that you are on a White Sox fan forum and where you're coming from most of the time with your opinions.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Jun 24, 2011 -> 08:06 AM) I assumed you would go that route and insinuate I'm actively rooting against the Sox. My point is that this is a discussion board and this move is clearly meant to stifle one side over the other when both sides are necessary to create meaningful discussion. I realize that the initial post includes the people who are "rah rah White Sox" with no substance, but let's not act like this isn't a direct attempt to rein in the negative posts. I still would like some concrete examples (maybe quote a few posts) as the little caveat thrown in on the first post, "Note: No warnings will be issued, so consider this your warning", is pretty disconcerting. I'm not trying to insinuate that at all....I'm asking you a legitimate question....if a White Sox winner thread bothers you, do you really think you're at the right place? I have some of my best discussions with some of the pessimistic posters, so please don't feel as though I don't respect and want those posters here contributing. And what NSS said above, those "ass-clown" posts are even funny once in awhile or when done to break up some anger or tension, but it's when things become a contest to see who can become the most shocking or negative trash talker that I think that sort of style begins to weigh on many. Just my seven cents.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Jun 24, 2011 -> 08:53 AM) I'll bite. You ask what is added to the discussion when multiple people make those statements. So what is added to discussion in, say, a "Winner" thread? There is usually no meaningful discussion at all in those threads. I've also seen in this thread a complaint about even "Winner" threads being brought down by negativity. So then, what does one take away from discussion in those threads by typing out a negative opinion regarding the game? Well, it was my impression that the entire reason this forum exists is to bring together White Sox fans to celebrate winning White Sox baseball. I understand your point, and yes, certainly not every thread or post is going to contain some substantive opinion or information. And that's ok...but come on...does someone being happy about the White Sox winning a game really have a negative effect on you?

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 24, 2011 -> 08:03 AM) Well there was an argument on here earlier this year where people called Dunn "terrible at baseball". It then got into the silly discussion of how Dunn is better than posters at baseball, so clearly he's not terrible at the game. I must be dumber than usual this morning, cause I thought I had a legitimate question. I was the one who brought those examples up. All I said was that there was a growing trend to make statements such as "Player x is horrible at baseball," or "Player Blah is pathetic at his profession." Honestly, I don't think it is against any rule to make such a statement, but when there is a chorus of people making such statements, what has been added to the discussion? What do I take away from someone's effort to type those opinions out?

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Jun 24, 2011 -> 12:37 AM) Only the Sith do it. I wanted to say this so badly after Jason's first post but I didn't want to make light of the message

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jun 23, 2011 -> 09:48 PM) If J4L feels like the Bulls had a s***ty draft, then he should have the right to say that. Not all of us would agree 100% with that, but message boards need posters who play devil's advocate. So you are buying that he just coincidentally thinks every move the Bulls and Sox make is "F-," or the worst thing that has ever befallen humanity? I'm not buying it.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jun 23, 2011 -> 10:47 PM) Fair enough. It's not my board. You won't have to ban me. I just won't post here. Or at least not nearly as much. If I can't share my views and opinions the way I see fit without worrying about a suspension or ban then this board is no longer the place for me. It just seems to me, in my humble opinion, that you post a certain way not necessarily because you honestly believe that, but because you enjoy the attention. You're an intelligent poster and a great addition to Soxtalk. But this recent trip you've been on has not been your finest moment. Again, just my humble opinion.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 23, 2011 -> 05:40 PM) Walked away from his team over money midseason. Not exactly the kind of selling point I'd admire. Oh blah...managing is a thankless job and you've got to strike while the iron is hot. Didn't the Nats get rid of Manny Acta too?

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 23, 2011 -> 12:43 PM) Damn shack. Sorry to hear that. LA is a whole different animal. You willing to hear them out? Thanks Marko....I already told them I wasn't interested in another long process, and he was laughing at what went on with the other company. I think when he contacts me next I am just going to tell them what my salary requirements are going to be and say if you can do that, I am willing to talk, if not, I understand and best of luck. At this point I just want to have my near future a bit more settled.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 23, 2011 -> 09:16 AM) OK. Backing on USFS land is really, really nice. Our property is about half a mile from a wilderness area with some trails. Having the larger acreage is all a matter of taste of course, half an acre is still plenty of room for a nice home and not being on top of your neighbors. So... is there actually a cold creek in cold creek? Yes, there are several year-round creeks and ponds in the area. There is one 2 acre parcel that actually has one running through it. $100k right now. As for the lot sizes, it's really interesting, because the subdivision is all in raw desert landscaping, so it is difficult to see where one person's land ends and another's begins. There are very few fenced properties. I asked if I were to allow my dog off leash if someone would take offense to him if he were to wander in to someone else's yard, and the realtor laughed at me. Said dogs are not an issue, that the wild horses come down into peoples' yards and no one even blinks an eye, so certainly no one cares about your dog (as long as he isn't aggressive or anything). The place honestly sounds like it's right out of Budweiser commercial in the winter.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 23, 2011 -> 06:53 AM) 12 weeks and they were dicks about it? Eh, it is probably a good thing you didn't make the cut. Yeah, they sent an email back saying "I apologize our process has been so cumbersome and time-consuming for you. We've had ongoing interviews and are still in process if you can believe it!" It was oozing sarcasm and not very professional, IMO. Oh well. I learned more about this job in LA in one phone call than about this position in Portland after months and months.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 23, 2011 -> 08:36 AM) Half acre? That's really not very big for BFE land, a typical house lot in the far flung suburbs in Chicago is bigger than that. How far out from contiguous urbanity is the property? Well there are subdivided plots and then there is acreage for sale. The subdivided plots are generally between a half-acre and three-quarter acres. Them the larger parcels, which are outside the subdivision, are more like 2 acre parcels. The reason for the smaller parcels is because this is all located right up next to the Toiyabe National Forest lands, which is some 6.3 million acres. The one property I looked at actually backs up right into the National Forest land. For me, I don't really care about the acreage much since I can just access the National Forest lands if I want to hike or camp or whatever. It's about 25 miles northwest of the edge of northwest Vegas, about 45 miles from central Las Vegas.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 22, 2011 -> 09:34 PM) So you wait the 15 seconds it takes for Ozzie to get the mound. You don't show up your teammates. Period. Well, I respectfully disagree. We've seen Jake has an issue reigning in his competitiveness at times. Win games. Period.

Jake can go cry to his wife while he is cashing his $16 million paycheck. If anyone can see whether a pitcher is done, it's his catcher. I don't give a damned what peoples' opinions are of AJ...he is one of the few smart players on this team and one of the few players' whose desire to win I do not question.

No dice on the Portland gig...I asked them for a status update and they wrote me back a very sarcastic reply and said I did not make the short list. They strung me along for 12 weeks since my phone interview. I don't think asking for a status update was rude of me. Of course, just as I accept my fate that I will be a Las Vegas resident, SoCal Edison calls me to recruit me for a position there. Oh my, I don't know if I could live in LA...

Went out to Cold Creek this morning. What an incredible area...200 residents, 1/3 of which are full-time. Gorgeous setting. Looked at a home that has a complete solar setup already with batteries and a generator. On a half acre of land, but right up next to a National Forest Preserve. Wild horses and elk walk into the neighborhood in the winter. Time to get the bank on the phone...

Meeting with a agent to see two properties and some acreage tomorrow morning. Should be fun regardless of whether anything comes of it or not.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 21, 2011 -> 02:52 PM) Funny you should mention this, I actually bought some land years ago that's BFE - 24 acres in the mountains, fantastic views, mostly forested, cheap as hell to buy, really low taxes... but right now we're just sitting on it. Schools there are pretty bad and very few other kids nearby, so raising kids on it would be a disadvantage. But it has great solar potential to be pretty off-grid if we wanted to, and we might build a part time cabin someday, or retire out there or something. Land is dirt cheap right now. I've explored what financing exists for building on land like that, though we're not doing anything right now. PM me if you want to talk shop about doing that sort of thing. The area I am looking at is called Cold Creek, NV. Looking at both properties on site as well as the possibility of buying something prefab by Blu Homes or Alchemy Architects. There are companies that specialize in full off the grid solar systems with batteries and backup generators. Would have to get a septic put in, but water is available. Again, the financing is the issue....I applied with a company called Land Home that specializes in working with the prefab home companies. Going to see how far I can get before I hit a major roadblock.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 21, 2011 -> 08:42 AM) No, utility savings on their own wouldn't make up for the gas prices of having to drive 30+ miles to get into a city on a daily basis. Gas prices are on a much more exponential trend than utility prices and should probably stay that way for the next few decades. But yes, charging a leaf from solar panels would work if you have a less than 40 mile drive per day and you could hook into a charger. Well, that would be the key...I wouldn't drive into Vegas every day for work...in fact, I'd probably only do it a few times a month...as I'd stay with friends when working multiple days in a row, etc. Obviously quite the fantasy, but it could certainly be done. A co-worker of mine makes a similar drive into work and very much thinks it's worth it to live up in the mountains...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 21, 2011 -> 08:27 AM) If you can make it work, and 5 years down the road paying $8 a gallon for gasoline doesn't bankrupt you, then yeah, that'd be pretty darn nice. I'm just imagining how detailed my maps would be of the area after 10 years living off somewhere... Yeah, the distance from work is the big issue...I suppose a hybrid vehicle or small mpg vehicle would be in order... Would my utility savings save me from my fuel problem? Perhaps I could charge a Leaf from my solar panels, Balta...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 21, 2011 -> 07:22 AM) The real problem with that in the desert is food/water. Especially in a fuel constrained environment, you really don't want to have to drive an hour for groceries every week or two. Oh it's not an hour from fuel and water...there is a town called Mt Charleston that has basic food and water you can get...and I could get most of the stuff I would need when I come into Vegas for work anyways... But yeah, I'd need to get figure out a plan for food storage if I was in a smaller space, that's for sure...

So in my home search I have been trying to be as thorough as I can possibly be...part of me wants a fixer upper...part of me wants something older, but already fixed up for me....part of me wants to stay near the Strip...part of me wants to go live in the mountains (yes, there are mountains within 40 minutes or so of the Strip, where you can experience all 4 seasons). I have found options for each desire, and am following through on them... And then last night at work, while just searching through available lots, I found some land out in the middle of nowhere...where there are wild horses roaming about, no utility hookups, and just miles and miles of clean air, sunlight, and stars to drink a beer and smoke a cigar underneath....and I got to thinking... How amazing would it be to live off the grid in a place like that? To either buy an existing home outfitted with solar panels and backup generators (yes, there are some affordable ones)...or to actually buy a prefab home and outfit it with everything necessary to live off the grid? The thought of it is making me dream of the possibilities...the hardest part would be getting the financing...although there are companies that specialize in these types of loans...and then of course getting the septic tank put in and dealing with all the permitting...but I think it could be done...a very small space mind you...but it could be done for $200k or so.... Anyways, sorry for wasting your time...just a dream I am having right now...

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jun 20, 2011 -> 02:49 PM) Who said anything about racial? SS2K5 said you were right in that I make everything about me. That's hippos***. I don't even have 20, 000 post yet and I've been posting here since '03. Well why did you threaten to post what I PM'd you then? People were discussing slurs and then you start mentioning a PM I sent you. What the heck else does that infer? Anyways, no one cares, so let's drop it.