Why I joined BOTL!

[kmckinn3]

Yea I'm not sure what I missed but they better knock it off! Next offender gets a dog poo bomb. lol

I haven't been here long but immediately respected the brotherhood this wonderful forum had to offer. It's an honor to be a part of this community... I wouldn't risk loosing what I've found. This kind of comradery is rare and I can understand why AB would want to protect it.

Side note: it's telling me I spelled comradery wrong so I looked it up... thought this definition was very funny/true:
Comradery- A special bond within a group that is in no way erotic or homoerotic. It is the feeling when other around you are set to the same goal as you are. This does not need to be a group of friends, but often comradery is a stepping-stone to a great friendship.

 

[Soundwave13]

All excellent points guys! And thank you David for pointing that out!

It's entertaining to watch things get a little heated, and in real-life I tease those that I like, which can come off hostile online, so I tend not to do it unless I'm real clear that I'm messing around.. But in general I stick around here, because of the atmosphere (and comradery).

 

[Alwayslit]

Good question.

 

[shuckins]

i joined BOTL to give chuck grey hair...lol

j/k..love ya bro!!

 

[openendstraight]

I don't know what happened and quite honestly don't care, but I do know I did not start it this time.:devil:

 

[rick12string]

Well said Bill. I also joined in 2007 and this board exposed me to a world of cigars way more than I knew before but most importantly the friends and camaraderie I have found here far exceeded my expectations. I have been distracted recently with the lay off and haven’t been paying close attention so I don’t know what happened but drama is something typically foreign to this board and it must stay that way. It seems like Eric and David are doing what they can to keep it in check but you’re right they shouldn’t have to lock threads. That is not what this place is about. It’s up to all of us to keep this place the great online home it has become for us. The respect and brotherhood is what has kept me here and allowed me to make friends as I’m sure it did for many others who get it and we cannot let that deteriorate. I for one admit I may have gotten heated in a discussion or two in the past but I don’t think to the point of being disrespectful. As I said I’m not sure what recently happened but yes I do respect your opinion and for something to trigger this post from you it concerns me and I totally agree that we need to get back to the way things were. This is a board we can call home and it should be a comfortable and happy one where we can all grow together in knowledge and friendships.

 

[Jetexas]

I'm with you Bill! After CigarNexus bit the dust, I couldn't find a site worth it's salt. So I didn't bother for 6-7 years until I came across this one...

 

[Moro]

August 2008 I was joining this forum along with many others related all to cigars. I had been a part of what was Club Stogie but loathed how "cold " it was towards its members (as far as I perceived). As I branched out, some sites were swiftly cleaned out, whilst others lasted a while on the list. Then I realized it all took too much time (for I was bent on reading EVERY post) and chose one out of them all: BOTL. A site with both a wealth of information as well as a feeling of a community. I wanted, more than the information, to be a part of something.

I shared what I had and could share. Since Mexican postal service inspects packages going out, it is a tad difficult to send intl. packages; so it was mostly whatever information I had. A laugh here and there, though that got me into me first screw-up in this board. Many brothers kindly pointed it out and I apologized as publicly as I had offended.

Even after that, which I honestly thought back then would be like a stain in me past here, I somehow got elected BoM for Decembre. That was so overwhelming...I remember reading the BoM tags under the usernames of so many members I looked up to; and now I was there! I was thought highly enough by the BoM's past to be nominated, for starters; and not only that, but the whole community thought highly enough of me to vote me for the privilege!

Afterward, I've tried me best to live up to the fact. Being 20 years of age and let alone that, but human, I have probably screwed up before. I remember one problem there was which actually Bill PMed the participants of (I was one of them). So I know mistakes can be made. But there's mistakes and then there's just pushing it. What are we getting out of this all?

There was a time, as I already posted, when I used to read every single post there was (and reply to every single thread as well...might explain me having so many posts under the avatar), but now some just seem like too much a bother because I know what is within. I don't like this happening to what I consider a home.

This may just be ramblings of a "just-out-of-adolescence" lad, but I'd like to think people here don't like it either. For a joke here and there, there are willing brothers (most join the forum and decide I fit in this category some-why, for example). And if we want a civilized discussion, there is the Debate room.

As it has been said, let's talk cigars and have a good time.

 

[Greg]

I have a Bromance with Bill...

 

[smokingIsh]

Gees moro, that post should have chapters....:stretchgr

With that said, I agree with you too.

 

[Moro]

Gees moro, that post should have chapters....:stretchgr...

Well...the lot of ye know how much I like to post. :smokingbo

 

[njstone]

Well said, Bill, and I concur as well. BOTL is a special little corner of the web, and we should be willing to fight to keep it that way. This is the most caring, honest, drama-free board (cigar-related or not) that I've ever been a part of and I'm very thankful for all all the friendships I've made here!

 

[PLUSH]

I joined for the chicks:ccowboy:

 

[CWS]

i joined BOTL to give chuck grey hair...lol

j/k..love ya bro!!

I had grey hair loooong before you joined brother. :rofl:

 

[CWS]

Nice thread. Was never much of an online guy but a fanatic about cigars particularly those exotic ones from the islands. Tried a few boards and got flamed as a newbie for asking what apparently were dumb questions. Joined here and found a lot of acceptance and no question turned away. Fired off a few cigars to people that were wishing and never looked back. Made firends all over the world which still seems unbelievable. I joined because it was a fun place with fun people into a hobby that made sense to a crazy old ex-drinker.

Drama. It happens but as they always say...it takes two to tango. Let it go, have fun, smoke cigars.

 

[njstone]

Nice thread. Was never much of an online guy but a fanatic about cigars particularly those exotic ones from the islands. Tried a few boards and got flamed as a newbie for asking what apparently were dumb questions. Joined here and found a lot of acceptance and no question turned away. Fired off a few cigars to people that were wishing and never looked back. Made firends all over the world which still seems unbelievable. I joined because it was a fun place with fun people into a hobby that made sense to a crazy old ex-drinker.

Drama. It happens but as they always say...it takes two to tango. Let it go, have fun, smoke cigars.

Very similar to my experience. I was recommended to try this place out after some bad flaming experiences on another board. I felt at home right away ... Craig Mac and CWS sent me some empty boxes I was needing in like the first week I think! Great guys, great place.

 

[Swampfox21]

amen bro!... I love this site. i joined here first cause i saw a real brotherhood. no drama like you said, just people with a common bond. the brothers here have helped me understand cigars more and also sent me some outstanding cigars to try, and i thank them for that. overall this place ROCKS!!!!

 

[Treinenwj]

I love the sentiment of this thread. The people on this site have been incredibly kind and open to all my stupid newb questions. I just have to say I hope nobody takes my brand of humor too seriously, as sarcasm is hard to convey when typing.

Also, I found it simply hilarious that Moro's incredibly long, heartfelt, well-spoken post was followed up by this:

I have a Bromance with Bill...

 

[alfbacca]

I'd been a long time lurker before I signed up. Even though I don't post often, I feel the amount of respect everyone has for each other in this community is enormous. I don't get that same feeling on other forums, be it cigar related or anything else. I'm very thankful to have this place where I can come and be myself and learn more about my hobby. But above all else, I'm thankful to everyone here for being genuine.

BTW, the thread title took me back to my school days, lol

 

[mcroom]

Excellent post Bill. I am glad to see the great majority fell the same as life is too short for a lot of drama. That is why I have joined this forum. The last few days I have missed much, as I have been under the weather and if there was drama, I am glad I missed it.
I want to thank all of the fine brothers that have put so much effort into this site and to developing true friendships, sharing knowledge and anything another brother needed, they could provide. I love to be able to spend some time here and only wish that I could spend more. Thank you for taking me into the family.