The Brotherhood
- Thread starter ar2381
- Start date
AlohaStyle
BoM Sept '12 & Aug '13
Cheers Alan, it's a great brotherhood and I'm glad to say that we're always here for each other!
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THEMISCHMAN
SGT Hulka
This seems like as good a place as any to post this without making a new thread. First things first, Alan, I can't agree with you more. Those of you who know me know that I came here for the knowledge and stayed for the Brotherhood. Those of you who don't know me, sit down and listen. BOTL is a special place with some very generous and knowledgeable members. I joined here while I was deployed and rekindling my enjoyment of cigars. I learned so much by reading and searching all the threads and asking questions. Sometimes these were questions that were asked numerous times but everyone was cordial and very helpful.
Not too long after I joined a member, Ken Mischio, told me he wanted to send me some cigars. I was very confused at first because I had no idea what a Bomb was or what it truly meant. To be honest, I thought it was weird, but eventually it all made sense and I was truly grateful.
I realized I had found a very special place for a cigar smoker. A place to learn, a place to meet like-minded people, a place to make friends like no other place on the Internet and a place to share a hobby that no lounge in any cigar shop could offer. This place was BOTL, Brothers of the Leaf. It wasn't Clique of the Leaf. There have been many people show up and not quite fit in with the vibe of this place. One of the things that resonated with me was the saying that some of these people come but they won't stay because they aren't here for the Brotherhood.
There was a huge influx of new members as Puff took a shit and left many people stranded. There were a variety of characters that showed up and either became solid Brothers (you know who you are) or just went by the wayside because they were fucking shitheads. During this time there were plenty of BOTL Vets who spoke up and told these shitheads to know their place and learn the rules and history of this place before they started making waves and looking for handouts. It's not hard to figure out how to fit in here, for Christ sakes, Craig Mac started a thread about it.
Over the last six months or so, here is the part where I'll probably catch a bunch of shit from newbs who think they are bigshots, but fuck it, it needs to be said. There has been a lot of activity that has made quite a few members here not want to be as active as they were before. PIF threads have been over run with the same people who bomb or pass to the same people over and over and over again. Every thread has turned into a Make a Wish thread. Bombs are running rampant and have ultimately lost the meaning and the spirit of what they really are. New members are rude and cocky for no reason. How many fucking Seasoning a Humidor/RH threads can be posted in a week. There is a Search bar for a reason. I remember when there was actual cigar related material posted in "Cigars" under the General Cigar Forum.
When I click on "New Posts" the majority is either Introductions or Bombers Basement posts. All of this pretty much tells me that people are joining just for the opportunity to get free cigars. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way because I have had discussions with many of you who shall remain nameless. I will let you speak up if you choose. Regardless of what anyone thinks some of you and your behavior/attitudes have alienated senior members and ultimately made this place less of a Brotherhood. This has been a long time coming and needs to be said. If I'm the only one who speaks up so be it. I have a strong back and broad shoulders and can bear the burden of being considered an asshole. If any of my words rub anyone the wrong way then maybe you should take a good look at yourself and determine if you are part of the problem or actually part of the "Brotherhood" that truly is BOTL.
Not too long after I joined a member, Ken Mischio, told me he wanted to send me some cigars. I was very confused at first because I had no idea what a Bomb was or what it truly meant. To be honest, I thought it was weird, but eventually it all made sense and I was truly grateful.
I realized I had found a very special place for a cigar smoker. A place to learn, a place to meet like-minded people, a place to make friends like no other place on the Internet and a place to share a hobby that no lounge in any cigar shop could offer. This place was BOTL, Brothers of the Leaf. It wasn't Clique of the Leaf. There have been many people show up and not quite fit in with the vibe of this place. One of the things that resonated with me was the saying that some of these people come but they won't stay because they aren't here for the Brotherhood.
There was a huge influx of new members as Puff took a shit and left many people stranded. There were a variety of characters that showed up and either became solid Brothers (you know who you are) or just went by the wayside because they were fucking shitheads. During this time there were plenty of BOTL Vets who spoke up and told these shitheads to know their place and learn the rules and history of this place before they started making waves and looking for handouts. It's not hard to figure out how to fit in here, for Christ sakes, Craig Mac started a thread about it.
Over the last six months or so, here is the part where I'll probably catch a bunch of shit from newbs who think they are bigshots, but fuck it, it needs to be said. There has been a lot of activity that has made quite a few members here not want to be as active as they were before. PIF threads have been over run with the same people who bomb or pass to the same people over and over and over again. Every thread has turned into a Make a Wish thread. Bombs are running rampant and have ultimately lost the meaning and the spirit of what they really are. New members are rude and cocky for no reason. How many fucking Seasoning a Humidor/RH threads can be posted in a week. There is a Search bar for a reason. I remember when there was actual cigar related material posted in "Cigars" under the General Cigar Forum.
When I click on "New Posts" the majority is either Introductions or Bombers Basement posts. All of this pretty much tells me that people are joining just for the opportunity to get free cigars. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way because I have had discussions with many of you who shall remain nameless. I will let you speak up if you choose. Regardless of what anyone thinks some of you and your behavior/attitudes have alienated senior members and ultimately made this place less of a Brotherhood. This has been a long time coming and needs to be said. If I'm the only one who speaks up so be it. I have a strong back and broad shoulders and can bear the burden of being considered an asshole. If any of my words rub anyone the wrong way then maybe you should take a good look at yourself and determine if you are part of the problem or actually part of the "Brotherhood" that truly is BOTL.
I agree on most of you points, especially the "look at my humi/seasoning threads" which clearly I cannot stop commenting on.
I am in chat with a bunch of "newbs" almost every day. Most of them are wonderful brothers who are here for the right reason. There are some newbs, just as there are/were some veterans who might be here for the wrong reasons.
At first, I stayed away from chat and interacting because of some of how "mouthy" etc some of the guys were on the site. However, once you get to know them, most of them are entertaining and seem like genuine brothers.
FIRST
Huh?
Damn...I remember when I used to post all the time but then things changed and we have moved along. I am happy to see this place flourish and grow. New faces appear and old ones rise up from the dark. I have a very special love for my home here and I always will I have made true friends here and some that will last a life time. I just want ppl to know that trusting one another is what matters most here, we are a brotherhood through thick and thin we need to stick together. That is what truly matters most.
@King Kill 33 thanks for remembering the Canadian joined in 2013 too.
@King Kill 33 thanks for remembering the Canadian joined in 2013 too.
As you can tell from the date that I joined botl.org I am without a doubt a fresh face newb. Even with that being said I believe I can confidently say that the "B," In BOTL is definitely about "BOTHERHOOD." Truthfully, I didn't expect any of the warm welcomes that I received after posting in the Introductions Forum. I figured it was just something that the admins wanted all of us newbs to do for shits and giggles, but I feel I couldn't have been more wrong. I mean receiving that much love from complete strangers both in and out of CONUS was absolutely amazing! One of the brothers who welcomed me, again a complete stranger, @memphsdad even threw out an invitation to link up and herf one day (when time permits brother, we both should make this happen lol) that in itself felt pretty freakin' awesome to me! From there I realized that deciding to join this place was definitely the right decision. I was just talking to a friend of mine about how crazy this thing of ours, this hobby, this lifestyle, whichever you want to call it just bleeds camaraderie. This place is more than about gaining knowledge about a new hobby and I know it is most definitely NOT about getting free sticks! Personally, I don't even want to touch the Newbie Sampler Thread until (in my eyes at least) I can properly contribute. On that aspect I feel @Craig Mac hit it on the nail when he said, "BOTL is, and always will be, about sharing the share!" Personally, I would only want to contribute sticks that I would only want to smoke myself (unfortunately, I haven't accumulated a large enough stock of those yet). When it comes to that subject, I feel that would be the best way that I can pay it forward. For all who decide to read this I apologize for essay, I just felt the need to comment on this post. Again BOTL is about "Brotherhood," And to those BROTHERS who I have interacted with so far, THANK YOU for making botl.org a place that I can call home.
Smoqman
BoM Aug. 2014
And @boltmanNot to mention: @rev.b @Smoqman @Agentskull @YodisMatt @ChefBoyRG54 @cgraunke @jmartins
To name(drop) a few...!
- KK33
smiley
Thank you, I appreciate it brother! I'll definitely look into that when the time comes.
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