People have tried to make it clear to you, Ion, that you will not be recognized by USMS or SWIM magazine unless you swim a lot faster. They have also tried to point out, in a nutshell, that your attitude comes across as sour grapes.
I am going to postulate that you would like to be recognized for overcoming whatever it is you have overcome. SWIM magazine doesn't have the space to do it. And they certainly don't have the manpower (interviewers and photographers) to cover every story there is to tell, especially in regard to overcoming adversity.
So, here it is. I wish everyone would take the chance to tell their stories. Think of it as a SWIM web page for sharing of personal histories.
I know Tom Ellison has an amazing story that I wish he would put here. I know of many other swimmers who have overcome tremendous adversity. I hope this thread will become an inspiration to us all, and that we will all realize, as I have lately, that: looking at the past can be painful, so don't (as long as you don't repeat it!), who knows what the future holds, so quit worrying about it, and be happy in the present because it's the only thing you really have control over.
Former Member
Originally posted by lefty
Why does ANYONE make ION's business their own? We all have out idiosyncrasies, that is what keeps life interesting!
Are you really serious asking "why does anyone...?"
If you are, go re-read Toms post that says "What have we become", especially the part about raw emotions. Tom has explained it rather well.
If that was a rhetorical question, then you're kind of doing the same thing that people whom you're judging for telling Ion to shut up are doing. Just in a slightly more polished and indirect manner.
Why do people make Ions business their own... Because he uses so many generalizations and lumps people together in categories, then gives a very negative arrogant and condescending opinion of those groups.
This is bound to either outright hurt people's feelings, or at the minimum play into people's insecurities. People who can let it just roll off their back are far and few in between.
When that happens, people tend to react with defensiveness or a counter attack.
One person does't have any more or less right to their own feelings as the next.
One thing I must point out, lefty, is that you are being defensive of Ions imperfections, but are being judgemental of the imperfections of his recent opposition. That seems little unfair to me. You're appealing to the 'opposition' to behave appropriately, and pointing out what is out of line, while you're making excuses for Ion. Are you trying to get people to give Ion special consideration for his personality? More than you are giving others? I'm wondering why? Do you feel Ion is inferior, and needs special consideration and protection?
As for Ion... At some point maybe he will remember the consequences of attacking a number of people at once to protect his ego, and learn from it.
I also think that when Ion starts putting people down they shouldn't be obligated to just hush up and take it, if it bothers them. Noone should be exposed to that. Yes, that would include Ion too. The trouble starts when he takes discussions too personally and not very objectively, and switches to personal attacks. It would behoove Ion to put some effort into expanding his personality little more in that directon.
I understand you may feel for Ion especially because he is outnumbered here... But, he's a big boy, let him fight his own battles. Trying to referee arguments with a lot of hurt feelings is not a good thing to be stepping in the middle of, since most often you're not dealing with rational objectivity, but with riled up emotion. There's no reasoning with emotion. It's best to let it subside.
I don't know how to do the quotes dang it! But I am laughing at Mark in Md's post. I noticed the "last bloomer" thing too. I wonder if we are suppose go around wacking people in the knees to make sure we are THE last bloomers! Or maybe just add a new category and use our VO2 shampoo.
I decided not to correct the post because I feel it is rude and petty to correct other peoples spelling, although Tom would certainly get a chuckle out of what he put! Anyway, you guys made me laugh once again today, thanks!
I will go back and change shut up to "be quiet". I will not however change my intention that this thread was not to throw darts at Ion. Heck I'll change the name of the thread too, if I can.
I have been speaking to, and e-mailing (privately, obviously) to, many, many people enquiring about Ion, because I couldn't believe that someone like him... again I digress.
In short everyone I've talked to has said to ignore him. I will. I apologize to anyone I've offended. I did resort to the emotional level of the 6th graders I teach. Something else to learn from and not repeat. I'm done.
I'll stick to the posts that are refreshing, fun, and about swimming.
PS Can someone teach me about this coveted ignore button? I don't know how to do it! :)
Originally posted by lefty
IN fact, Ion is just like you and me, accept he is a little more intense about his passions. So ION thinks that he could have been an Olympic Champion had he started as a youth. What do you (the plural you - not Karen) care? Why does ANYONE make ION's business their own?
No, Lefty Ion isn't like me at all. Matter of fact, he doesn't appear to be like anyone else on this forum.
Originally posted by DocWhoRocks
I hate you. There is no team here :( Unless me, myself, & I count as a team. But still that's only 3, leaving us 1 short for a relay.
Congrats :D
My team goes from one to three so I know how you feel being the only one (I am usually the one. Unless I do what you do and split myself into three.) This year we had three. One short of that relay. Our league splits us into divisions so that we all have a chance to win something according to our team size. This year we finally had a chance and won our division. We already lost one of our swimmers so next year we are back down to two again unless I can convince some people to join. I see a lot of good swimmers at my pool but no one seems to want to join masters.
Does anyone have any great recruiting ideas?
Originally posted by dorothyrd I don't know how to do the quotes dang it! But I am laughing at Mark in Md's post. I noticed the "last bloomer" thing too. I wonder if we are suppose go around wacking people in the knees to make sure we are THE last bloomers! Or maybe just add a new category and use our VO2 shampoo.Dorothy, let's whack, using a kickboard. Or should Tom have the honors?
If you want to use the quotes, just look for for the "QUOTE" button at the lower right of the poster's dialogue box. It will open a new window to post a note which include the quote. You can use all or take out what you want. Just give it a whack and try it! :D :D :D
Originally posted by Mark in MD
Dorothy, let's whack, using a kickboard. Or should Tom have the honors?
If you want to use the quotes, just look for for the "QUOTE" button at the lower right of the poster's dialogue box. It will open a new window to post a note which include the quote. You can use all or take out what you want. Just give it a whack and try it! :D :D :D
See I did it! How about that!
Originally posted by dorothyrd
See I did it! How about that!
Don't feel bad Dorothy. It took me about a year to figure that one out myself! I guess all that swimming has made my brain slower. Or maybe it is a side effect of VO2max shampoo.:(
