TwoTone Posted November 12, 2006 Report Posted November 12, 2006 An open letter to the Forum Member’s of RWG… I’m not the most eloquent writer… So please bear with me… I would like to start off by saying that I have a true love and passion for Watch’s. I have since as far back as I can remember… I had been attempting to purchase a SS Daytona from an AD for the last couple of years. And as you all know they are impossible to find… So in my search and my desire not to pay 10k plus on e-bay, I happened across bestswiss.com in June of 2005… I came daringly close to purchasing there Grade 1 SS Daytona for a whopping $1,800.00 USD. In my many conversations with the owner of the site, my better judgment (which I do not always exercise) told me something was wrong and I bailed on the transaction… However, that site opened my eyes to the world of Rep’s and I started digging. In July, 2005 I found RWG… In the last year and half I have bought, sold, traded and gave away a couple dozen reps. I’ve made many friends. Had the pleasure of sharing drinks with Omni in Maui, Randy & Mario overlooking the Rocky’s from a downtown Denver Skyscraper, and enjoyed the company of Saabin while checking out his shop on the Oregon Coast. I count these meetings as priceless bonuses to pursuing my passion for Watch Collecting… Now, as I’ve stated before, when people gather, in a forum or in person, life happens… Relationships form, and other interest emerge… On RWG1 the Looney Bin had more activity than the General Forum, and I spent much time there along with countless others – Mod’s & Members alike… When the old site was moved to the new site we simply transplanted the forum and its Members, and business was usual… From Watch Talk to the Bin and everything in between… At the departure of jf a few months back the Bin began a slow death. So in October I addressed the Bin with the rest of the Admin Team and asked the question if we should shut it down. Yes, it was my idea… The last round over the “Strawberry’s & IPods Thread” really got me to thinking. The forum’s personality had changed. Change is inevitable, in real life and forum life. So do we fight it or adapt to it… Now to my point… My time here at RWGII is first and foremost about Watch’s. In recent days I have scored a wonderful MBW 1680 and DW Daytona that have truly enhanced my gatherings. I’m stoked about the size and quality of my collection over this last year and a half… However it has become very apparent [to this sometimes very dense brain of mine] that I have truly offended some peeps through my meanderings here… Like politics in real life, I find myself taking a stance on an issue, digging my feet in, and then refusing to listen with objectivity to the other side… This current Avatar & Signature Thread has caused a divide in the general membership as well as the Admin Team. And that truly bothers me… I’m all for free speech… However, I’m not ‘all for’ causing Ill Will to my fellow man. Free speech can be exercised by choosing not to exercise it… So, for my lack of compassion & understanding of the members here that have been offended by the sexual content of this forum and my participation in it… I offer my sincere apology… Yes, forum life offers a certain level of anonymity… But it’s still made up of people. And here, as in real life I do not want to ever cause ill will or hurt feelings… I’m not looking to pick fights with this post… I’m not looking to start controversy… And I’m certainly not looking to point fingers [unless at myself]… Just wanted to share my heart and say I’m sorry to those that I’ve offended… Mike 1
mikellem Posted November 12, 2006 Report Posted November 12, 2006 TT, Your post touched me persoally!... I think the content of "what you said" is invaluable!... I repect you searching deeply and being a "man" and coming forward... I commend you!~ Thank You TT.... Cheers, MM
jeff g Posted November 12, 2006 Report Posted November 12, 2006 A tough posisition to be in. You handle it well. Your participation is invaluable.
KB Posted November 12, 2006 Report Posted November 12, 2006 Micheal as you say life happens, so does debate. As always your friend Ken
fotoman Posted November 12, 2006 Report Posted November 12, 2006 the debate is valuable at first, i was indifferent now i am against the porn i think we should enforce porn rules like the other watch boards do !! if one really feels the need to express oneself with porn, there are plenty of places on the net where one can do so
RWG Technical Posted November 12, 2006 Report Posted November 12, 2006 Well said... I come here for watches as well... RG
gioarmani Posted November 12, 2006 Report Posted November 12, 2006 At least it's all said & done. And kudos to an anonymous friend here who helped me develop the gif that's my new signature. A true talent.
Pugwash Posted November 12, 2006 Report Posted November 12, 2006 Glad it's all over. Nice work, people.
jnkay Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 First class act for a first class forum.
ubiquitous Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 Michael, You're a gent, and 1st class all the way! If you find your way back to the Mile High City, another gtg is in order to talk more watches! All the best... R
jkerouac Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 TT, your post expresses class and integrity. I must have missed the posts where you stepped on others' toes -- but still you care about their feelings and relationships. Other people seem ready to spit and vent if they even think your views don't square with theirs. I am glad that there more people like you than the other on the board. I have no doubt the overwhelming majority here agree. Best regards and wishes.
Richard Tracy Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 Indeed Jkerouac,... Two Tone, I missed your other posts,... and after what I have experienced from you, kind of doubt they were as bad as you feel they were. I wish there were more like you !
Cucumber_Jones Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 Nice words TT - I have met people from this place in real life and I have made some very good "internet friends" since I joined in August of 05. I hate things that divide us. I am here for friends and watches.
Guest TTK Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 @Michael......you and I have exchanged some harsh words in the past.....and in particular I've been pretty hard on you...especially over the I-pod post..however, your extremely eloquent post shows that sometimes you need to read the whole book rather than just the sleeve notes, before you can make a final judgement. I understand your passion for watches.....and your passion for beautiful women, I share that same passion, my point has always been the appropriateness of posting here and respect for other members....and that respect extends to you. For my harshness in the past....I apologise profusely....I hope that we can start afresh and perhaps re-build some of the bridges that may have been burned. regards TTK
jjajh Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 Michael, I believe you know that I hold you in the highest esteem. Your letter does nothing but reinforce my belief. Regards, Jeff
offshore Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 As all the others have said Michael, a class act Just great to have you as part of this wonderful team here in admin. One could only wish this group were part of my daily work team... what a business we would have! Offshore
jonthebhoy Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 Well said Michael and if you weren't a mod this would be a PoM contender. JTB
retep Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 I`ve read your letter a few times now and i take my hat off for you sir. To write so openly on a public forum tells a lot about who and what you are.......................a class act. j-m
jonthebhoy Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 POM vote? sash - Two Tone is a mod and therefore exempt from the competition. JTB
sashwatch Posted November 13, 2006 Report Posted November 13, 2006 oh yeah.. just realized the rules and regulation... dumb me..
TwoTone Posted November 13, 2006 Author Report Posted November 13, 2006 Thanks to each of you... I truly did not expect these types of reponses... To be quite honest, I'm a just a wee bit overwhelmed... And am sincerely glad to be apart of this amazing group of folks... M
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