Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Normally an apology is a simple thing.  Admit wrong doing and ask for forgiveness.  In this particular case I think that would be a mistake without explaining my short history here at AbbysGuide and how I’ve changed during that time.

I came here in mid-January, 2005 asking for help in buying a snow blower.  Many people went out of their way to give me their thoughts and opinions.  In return for their work, I responded with harshness, skepticism, and crassness.  I wanted more information from these people and somehow felt they owed me, when in truth it was I who was in debt to them.

After about a week the moderators decided to take some action – specifically ChrisS who publicly warned me.  Warned ME!  How dare he, I thought, I’m SnowRemover.  Instead of taking the warning to heart, I responded in a defensive manner.  More specifically, how a pre-adolescent responds to an adult who always gives in to every temper tantrum.

At this point, I’d be lying if I told you I thought I had done anything wrong.  In fact, I believed myself to be the beacon on a hill, not an instigator of arguments.  After a few days of being non-argumentative, I found myself without the capability of replying to a topic, or starting a new one.  Most logical and decent people would have taken this as a wake up call and asked what needed to be done to make amends – but not ME!  No, I am SnowRemover and I pushed back hard, writing off Private Messages to ChrisS and Marshall demanding my posting rights.  When this failed, I even threatened to come on this site with multiple identities should they not reinstitute my privileges.

To their credit, the moderators stood their ground.  To my discredit, I followed through with my plan.  I created multiple identities on the site, forcing the mods to ban these user names and the administrator (Peter) to lock out my IP Address.

Yet again, the message “You’re a jerk” was getting through.  I was SnowRemover, and I can spoof IP addresses and get around these locks.  And so I did, getting more user names, flaunting my prowess and believing I was better than the moderators on the site, better than the administrator and better than the users.

I came back as different users, but found myself, at times needing real advice.  Found myself needing AbbysGuide and its collective wisdom.  I wish I could say I had an epiphanic moment, when the light clicked on in my head and I suddenly realized what a fool I’d been, but that wasn’t the case.  It was more of a long term realization, where each day I found myself more resentful that my posts were being removed and my new identities banned, but not resentful at the mods or the administrator, instead at myself. 

If I was the great SnowRemover, why did I keep coming back here?  Why did I need your advice?  How could someone who is better than all others, need those people.  These were the questions that stewed in my head the last ten days.

And here I am, today, asking for your forgiveness.  A forgiveness that, if the shoe be on the other foot, only a few short days ago, I would not return to you.  That is the position I’m in today, asking once again for your generosity and sympathy, which I’ve already taken, used and scorned before.

The moderators here have been good enough to allow me to post this apology to you, the users, to the moderators and the administrator.  I ask for your forgiveness.

Sincerely,
SnowRemover

bontaiJoe wrote:

this is from the original star trek series when a species of telepathic brainiacs were betteing on kirk -vs- some alien monster. quatloos were their monetary units.

Ok, now is where I make my post. Some time back Termy got into some trouble himself. He acted like he was someone else that new all this stuff he was posting. Some of it he did know, but did not help to jam it down everybodies throught. I remember I just wanted to help people out. But, then I started lying about lots of things. Such, what kind of OPE I had and job related information. When others realised I was full of sh**t, they told me I was. I was getting pretty upset and all it did was progress. This happened between two different forums sites. I becamse known as a trouble maker. So I left WTB for many months. During this time, I was getting help from friends and family. Basically, they were teaching me to be a better man. Something that should have been taought long ago. I was having lots of other problems too that I won't mentione here. But the thing is that you got realise is that we are no bettter then anyone else. We are all equal. Yes, some of us like to get a little more attention to ourselves than others. I guess its good if it is healthy attention. But, what I did was not healthy! I was wrong and hurt many peoples feelings. After months later, I was a better person. I was no longer hurting peoples feelings or lying about things.

I accept your apology and welcome you back to the forums

We have a good bunch of people on here and we all will welcome you back

Be nice and respectful, and you shall not have a problem

Once again, Welcome to www.abbysguide.com

Terminator20 wrote: Termy, this the best post you have ever made on Abby's/WTB. I am impressed! You have come a long way. Hat's off to you.........

Nice Post Chris.....

C

Snow I would like to publically welcome you back to the forum......  

C

Hi Terminator20...

Change is usually not easy for many... but certainly is possible... it usually hurts... old habits die hard...

...you have shown us here at this forum... the positive changes you have made...

...you've made friends instead of foes...
...you're now welcomed with open arms... instead of clenched fists...
...you have trust... instead of doubt...

Termy...  you've "grown" a lot in my eyes...

I truly respect your actions and what I view as positive changes for yourself...

My hat is off to you !   


Sincerely,


Dave...

Marshall and Dave ,

Very eloquent  and great posts!!!

                                               Fred  

SnowRemover...


All I expect of our little e-community members here...
...is that we have integrity...
...treat others with respect...
...try to get along...
...share... and have FUN !

I take things at face value, initially... I believe most people are "honest"...
...so I, as others do,  accept your apology...
...and welcome you...

Sincerely,

Dave...

jubol wrote:

Thank you Fred !

It's a rare thing... !  LOL...

Dave...

Welcome.  I look forward to benifiting from your passion for gathering and sharing information.