As an "outsider" to the world of "hardcore" swimming ...

Hi, Tom, I agree with what the others have posted here, i.e., that there can be an appearance of cliquishness, which is really just an artifact of people who have corresponded so regularly becoming an internet peer group of sorts. About 7 years ago, I was a very active poster here, and then for whatever reason, I drifted away for a reasonably long time, then came back a year or two ago. Many of the regulars had changed in the interlude, and I definitely felt that sense of being sort of--not excluded, exactly--but just kind of out of the mainstream and ignorant of who everybody was and what the various relationships were. I have found that if you just bull your way through with an absolute indifference to what anyone else thinks, you can affix yourself like a barnacle on the bosom of the USMS discussion forums. Pretty soon, even the most sensitive of readers will give up trying to brush you off. For what it's worth, I posted a poll not too long ago about peoples' backgrounds in swimming, and it seemed that a very sizable chunk had little competitive experience before masters. I also think most would agree with you that the benefits of swimming probably do outweigh the glory of competition. I mean, let's face it: Making the top 10 in the 400 SCM freestyle in the 55-59 age group, something I am personally hoping to do, is nonetheless an accomplishment on a par, if perhaps a bit lower, than having a schnauzer that wins "Best in Breed" in a small regional dog pageant. Sure, I would love to be able to brag about my Best in Breed schnauzer medal, should I be lucky enough to win this, but I think most of us realize that sic gloria fugit, which loosely translated means "glory is sick, f... it". Perhaps it would make an interesting thread to include a Dramatis Personnae of some of the regulars. Let me see: Jim Thornton--spiritual leader of USMS Paul Smith--a member of Posse Comitatus living in Arizona and being chased by federal marshals who are afraid to pursue him into the pool The Fortress--she who must be obeyed SwimStud--a breaststroker from the UK, where bathing is an annual ritual and thus his swimming really only took off once he arrived on our shores CreamPuff--the one acolyte whom the spiritual leader would most like to take under his be-hassocked wing Chris Stevenson--one of the few very fast and very smart swimmers on this forum Pwolf66, aka, The Hulk--Paladin in a B70 Ian Smith--the Canadian wonder who honed his sprinting skills on the squash courts of Manitoba Geek and Gull--nice seeming fellows who may or may not harbor fugitives like Paul Smith but also helped establish the so-called NSF or non-swimming forum (correct me if i am wrong) BlackBeards Peg--an Aztec descendant who would be appalled, I am certain, by his ancestors' religious practices Leonard Jansen and Peter Cruise--unusually witty fellows Ande--the swimming coach we all wish we had on deck at our pools Frank Thompson--the unofficial historian of the league who can tell you, with an idiot savant's fluency, the splits guys swam during high school meets in the late 60s GeoChuck--ditto, only in this case, it's the late 1860s. Okay, I realize I have left out the most interesting people, and I may have gotten many of the above mixed up. Is Paul Smith really the Posse Comitatus member, or is that me? I can't always remember that well after we do an "all hypoxic sets" workout. Ah, it doesn't matter. They can't get rid of me. This barnacle has his purchase on the bosom, and it won't be budged. I urge you, Tom, to affix yourself thusly on these forums, too.

Hi, Tom, I agree with what the others have posted here, i.e., that there can be an appearance of cliquishness, which is really just an artifact of people who have corresponded so regularly becoming an internet peer group of sorts. About 7 years ago, I was a very active poster here, and then for whatever reason, I drifted away for a reasonably long time, then came back a year or two ago. Many of the regulars had changed in the interlude, and I definitely felt that sense of being sort of--not excluded, exactly--but just kind of out of the mainstream and ignorant of who everybody was and what the various relationships were. I have found that if you just bull your way through with an absolute indifference to what anyone else thinks, you can affix yourself like a barnacle on the bosom of the USMS discussion forums. Pretty soon, even the most sensitive of readers will give up trying to brush you off. For what it's worth, I posted a poll not too long ago about peoples' backgrounds in swimming, and it seemed that a very sizable chunk had little competitive experience before masters. I also think most would agree with you that the benefits of swimming probably do outweigh the glory of competition. I mean, let's face it: Making the top 10 in the 400 SCM freestyle in the 55-59 age group, something I am personally hoping to do, is nonetheless an accomplishment on a par, if perhaps a bit lower, than having a schnauzer that wins "Best in Breed" in a small regional dog pageant. Sure, I would love to be able to brag about my Best in Breed schnauzer medal, should I be lucky enough to win this, but I think most of us realize that sic gloria fugit, which loosely translated means "glory is sick, f... it". Perhaps it would make an interesting thread to include a Dramatis Personnae of some of the regulars. Let me see: Jim Thornton--spiritual leader of USMS Paul Smith--a member of Posse Comitatus living in Arizona and being chased by federal marshals who are afraid to pursue him into the pool The Fortress--she who must be obeyed SwimStud--a breaststroker from the UK, where bathing is an annual ritual and thus his swimming really only took off once he arrived on our shores CreamPuff--the one acolyte whom the spiritual leader would most like to take under his be-hassocked wing Chris Stevenson--one of the few very fast and very smart swimmers on this forum Pwolf66, aka, The Hulk--Paladin in a B70 Ian Smith--the Canadian wonder who honed his sprinting skills on the squash courts of Manitoba Geek and Gull--nice seeming fellows who may or may not harbor fugitives like Paul Smith but also helped establish the so-called NSF or non-swimming forum (correct me if i am wrong) BlackBeards Peg--an Aztec descendant who would be appalled, I am certain, by his ancestors' religious practices Leonard Jansen and Peter Cruise--unusually witty fellows Ande--the swimming coach we all wish we had on deck at our pools Frank Thompson--the unofficial historian of the league who can tell you, with an idiot savant's fluency, the splits guys swam during high school meets in the late 60s GeoChuck--ditto, only in this case, it's the late 1860s. Okay, I realize I have left out the most interesting people, and I may have gotten many of the above mixed up. Is Paul Smith really the Posse Comitatus member, or is that me? I can't always remember that well after we do an "all hypoxic sets" workout. Ah, it doesn't matter. They can't get rid of me. This barnacle has his purchase on the bosom, and it won't be budged. I urge you, Tom, to affix yourself thusly on these forums, too.