Off the bandwagon

[-X-]

There really isn't any such thing as a Rams bandwagon anymore. lol. That thing dumped all of its passengers in 2007. It's not about jumping on or off that jalopy. I'm just off the message board circuit until such a time that the team is doing much better, and then maybe I'll jump back on if or when that time comes. Or not. I'm putting way too much of my time into this thing, and it's just not paying the kinds of dividends I want (though I am stupid with fat stacks of ROD cash). And there are too many ways to experience joy without introducing negativity into the equation. So I think ima just do that. The wife will dig it too, but she'll have to sacrifice 3 hours every Sunday, because ... RAMS.

This is just my hang-up, not anyone else's. I get it. We're not winning and it's all (insert whoever)'s fault. And I understand the soon to follow retort of, "What's there to be happy about? Should we all sit around and sing Kumbaya together? We're 3-5!" No, you shouldn't. You should be able to express your frustrations freely without having me jump in and try to teach you about life or any number of things I do that push the boundaries. I just wanna have fun (please, no Cyndi Lauper references), I wanna be happy, and I don't wanna fight with anyone anymore. In an epiphany of sorts, I've realized my struggle stems from continuously trying to make people see things through my lens, and that's not only selfish, but also presumptuous. And by pushing that on you, constantly, and without invite, it's making me become the guy I don't wanna be when you push back. Anyway. I've apologized to a couple of you personally already, but I'll extend that out to whomever else I might have offended recently as well. I'm sorry that I insinuated your feelings were wrong or that you're not doing this whole fandom thing the right way. You're grown men with your own personalities and coping mechanisms, and I should have respected that instead of railing on you for it.

But yeah. I'm not gonna rage-quit on ya like most people do when they've reached their limit. Just gonna fly solo for a while. It's the only fair thing to do for you ... and for me. But you know me. I can't leave without one final act of defiance. lol. So I'm gonna leave you with this quote from one of my favorite authors, Thich Nhat Hanh, with the hope that it resonates even a little. “Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” . Now be good to the board, and to your buds. The dudes who run it now try really hard to set this place apart. Help them realize that goal, yeah? Thanks.

Paulie
vidsbyx@gmail.com - if you wanna be pen pals. :shades:

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

"Well...

Bye"


Hope ya make it back when things get better my friend

 

[jrry32]

We all experience and react to things differently. You gotta do what makes you happy. Me? I lose my mind and take out all my frustrations on my football teams each weekend. I use it as an outlet for all the anger, sorrow, disappointment, and frustration I feel. That emotional cleansing of sorts allow me to walk through the week with a smile on my face, completely relaxed, and ready to enjoy life. The Rams unburden me. I'm not sure what I'll do when they become a good team.

If you're not getting what you want out of this, it's the right call to walk away. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[BatteringRambo]

I gotta follow 'The Dude' that originally brought me to this palace of Rams on Demand back in July of 2010. :cheers:

Props to the Mods and contributors . \m/

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

You're taking this shit way too seriously xman. I didn't think this board had gotten too bad. Alot of pent up frustration had made it onto the board but it's not that bad. Just don't go into the gdt. i learnt that a long time ago.

What happens if Fisher gets extended? We won't see you for half a decade?

.

 

[Leuzer]

Thank you for creating a wonderful community for us Ram fans. We've shared some highs and a lot of lows together. It's safe to say all of us have reached our tipping points by now (if not a couple weeks ago), but I don't think it's been that bad. The 5 stages of grief can take a while to get through for some people. I finally reached #5 on Sunday ! I think some time off for a lot of us can help clear our minds. Yet no matter how bad it may seem for this franchise and fan-base, things will get better. They always do. And whether that's in a couple days, weeks, or (hopefully not!) years, we'll cry and cheer every step of the way.

I hope you have a good time off from ROD, @-X-.
Just don't be gone for too long!

-Leuzer

 

[Juice]

This is not wanted to read this morning. X, your post are one of the reasons I come to this board. I find your takes and point of life preferences both refreshing and enlightening. Even though I rarely know anyone o this board, I realize that we share the love of the Rams. That bonds us no matter our personal feelings toward past, present, and future state of the franchise.

I respect your decision, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Come back soon.

 

[RhodyRams]

 

[Faceplant]

Man. Almost had to give you a dislike....or shoot me. Not because I take issue with your decision, just because I can't stand to see the founding member and (IMO) one of the best contributors to the site leave. Thanks for creating this place buddy. The current staff will make sure it is still the best Rams forum on the planet for your return....whenever that may be. Hopefully it is in early January, just in time for the Rams to take their 8 game win streak into the playoffs. Peace until then my friend.

 

[JerseyRam1]

4 winning seasons out of the last 25 has made us all less than we want to be as sports fans and NFL fans. Those 4 seasons of relevancy were sweet, and the "hope" that Fisher presented to us 5 years ago has faded, so we are all in despair. All die hards know you can never stop being a fan and will be forever passionate about your team. Your at the place I was last week when I realized another season was over. I express my anger in rants as I have watched and coached way too much football and when I see football stupidity, I have to call it out. Once you get back to peace with another lost season, come back and chat. Its the best way to express your Rams fandom.

 

[Loyal]

X..I have all of these "Dude" pics that saved just for you, dammit! I remember one dramatic exit you had at the old Post Dispatch board, where you made an exit page, full of cuss words that normally would never post, except you made it a picture of a post, instead of just typing it....You expected to get banned forever, for that post, but it took a while for that to happen.....Anyway, like then as now,I will miss you.

 

[bomebadeeda]

I've been there. I understand. Find that place that cleanses the soul. Then come back when you can. There will be a time, down the road, it will be better. And it's always better when we have the musings of our Rodfather.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I may come here and discuss what's right, or more so now, what's wrong with the team, but I don't ever get heated over. Everyone has opinions and it doesn't bother me if they differ with mine. I do get disappointed after the team loses, but it is not nearly as bad as it used to be. Years of futility have put my enthusiasm into a sort of hibernation. I hardly care if I miss a game because every game is a mirror image of itself this year.

 

[Ram65]

I will miss all your great insightful and informative posts. Stay positive eventually, the Rams will turn it around. Let's hope it takes a lot less time than the Cubs did.

 

[…..]

I hate it when you out 'mature' us......

Dammit man.

You have an elevated level of self realization. Thats always been evident and pretty cool. You have elevated levels of Football and Ram realizations as well. Again, pretty cool. It works out great for those of us that like to read your stuff.

But this? Yeah , not pretty cool at all. Well....for you maybe. And the wife. But not me. Also not for the balance of RODgood vs RODevil....

So....lets call it a sabatical. As such,
dont forget that you work here and we cant justify paying you anymore unless we retain the 'hope' that you come back soon.

Peace

 

[UKram]

 

[Dieter the Brock]

I tried this too

Have a great week off!!!
See you on gsmeday thread Sunday for a complete Rams victory

 

[fearsomefour]

Well, that bums me out.
Love me some X.
Thanks. Be good. Be back soon.

 

[blackbart]

Peace @-X- you will be sorely missed

 

[Psycho_X]

It happens to all of us, breaks are good. I used to be a mod for the official Rams board way back in the super bowl days. That was an awful, awful experience dealing with people (and porn bots) and that was when we were winning! I used to be a lot like you with the eternal hope and positivity on the other board a lot of us came from (I used to defend Spagnuolo for christ sakes!) but eventually the years of losing and relocation finally turned me bitter lol. I try to balance myself out here and there but it's hard to leave the dark side once you go there. So if you can keep yourself from it while being a fan of this team you are the zen master. All the respect to you.