I like the idea of a virtual place to chat and let our hair down. I don't currently participate in the current Page2 because:
1) It seems too much like an insider's club. I know that's not intentional - anyone's welcome. But it's a strong perception, especially for a newcomer. Since we fight that exact myth in many of our own organizations, it seems strange to foster it here.
2)It's fun to rant and rave and have some off-the-record talk. But the fact is we are publishing this stuff to the world. Having it out there permanently is a concern to me.
I'd probably participate in the proposed format. It might be that one of the last discussions for each thread would be brainstorming the next setting.
We could have a HUGE amount of fun with the themes. Imagine a virtual camp out. Who'd arrive with a backpack and who'd bring an RV?
It wouldn't hurt my feelings a bit. Might be fun to imagine ourselves in a different place every couple of weeks. Even if we just travel to another poster's hometown for the week and "visit" their school with our loads of attitude! Or maybe, teleport(think Start Trek) ourselves back and forth to a selected exotic location every couple of weeks?! I'm thinking warmth here because it is currently snowing like crazy.(I don't need a white Thanksgiving!)
(Off the ledge. Off the ledge. Put down the weapons.)
I'm open to there being a casual thread available, but I think I'd like to re-set every couple of weeks. The current thread at 10+ pages is really long. One of my concerns is that newcomers to the forum will see that as a bit of a barrier. I know that our regulars are very open, but in this kind of thing -- impressions matter.
Might even be a chance to change the theme a bit. Get some of you out of the bar for some sunlight or exercise. One emailer suggested the theme could change every couple of weeks. Starbucks. The beach. Spa. I'm sure you don't need my help on anything creative.
