I debated for a long time, whether to bother responding to this forum. Steve is correct, I have been here before and I have changed my 'handle.' So, I have the advantage of knowing the history of this forum going back to 1996 and something about most of the people who regularly post here. But, at least one of you has figured out who I am and even made contact privately to give me a shout out. I'm assuming Steve has made a good guess. So, I will say this.

In North America, 1 person in 8 is a boater. 1 boater in 12 is a sailor. Statistically, that makes each of us, one in one hundred.

By definition, that makes us individualists. People who choose our own paths. Add your own trite cliche here. But perhaps erroneously, I assume it also means that each of us knows what it is like to feel out of place in a group.

What boggles my mind, is that even within that structure, there is a tremendous pressure to conform. Larry doesn't want me to be rude and scolds me for a faux pax in manners. And then gets offended when I tell him to I am not interested in being corrected.

Someone at least had the good sense to recognize that my snow shoveling story wasn't intended to be entirely literal. Fact is, I did say what I reported myself to have said. But, I did not go into detail of the syntax of the conversation for that was not the point. I portrayed the conversation painted in broad strokes, as it were. To simply make a point. A point that was apparently missed by the more mannerly and anal retentive among us.

Someone else labels me an ITG, when in fact they know nothing about me. For the record, for better or worse, I write pretty much as I am in person. But, it is a path I choose. Yes, I am a curmudgeon. Much to my own sadness, I am often embarrassed to be a member of the human race.

Which brings me back to here. Seven years ago, I got fed up with this lot and left here with a heavy heart. Quietly, without so much as a good bye. A heavy heart, because amongst the crap that you people endlessly throw at each other, I had forged a few friendships which I still treasure. Some of you, I've even met in person and shared perhaps a drink, a meal or two and even a few sails among you. I have missed that in these past 7 yrs, which is the only reason I resurfaced.

In the years that have passed, this group has gotten much smaller. Thankfully most of the jerks are gone. Most notably, that walking example of bimbohood, Michelle seems to have finally shut up.

But so have some of my favorite people on this forum. Kranidis, Kate and Chuck, Marsha, Dennis, JohnH, Bruce the shark and a few others have made only a few brief comments on this board if any, since I resurfaced. I was very glad when Gibson resurfaced, though sorry to divine what has apparently been a loss of his business and lovely wife. I will say this, David. I have to give you thumbs up for optimism. At our age, if something happened and I divorced, no way on god's green earth would I marry again. It is simply not worth the cost on so many levels.

Larry, in general terms, I probably would enjoy a beer or two with you. But, the first time you told me how I should 'correctly' do something, I would tell you to fuck off to your face and walk away. It is one of my 'things.'

Here we are, a group of individualists. What on earth leads you to believe it is in anyway okay for you to correct anyone's manners? Especially in regards to a story? I don't care what the answer is and really don't want one. I've seen you do it enough times, I just don't care and do not want to be around you.

Also Larry, I do not mean to make this about you. As I mentioned, in general terms, I think I would enjoy your company. My point is, it applies to at least half of you in other conversations on this board, every day.

This is your cue to pile on and tell me what an ass I am, how thin skinned I am, etc. Go ahead, have at it. But when you do, just remember that a fellow traveler stopped in for a little conversation. And left, saddened by the whole experience.

My daddy used to say, "Life is short. Spend it with nice people."

I believe I will do that.