As an "outsider" to the world of "hardcore" swimming ...
Former Member
I swim a lot and really enjoy it. It's something I've done all of my life, growing up in Southern California, and it's my main form of exercise. I'm good at it, but I do it primarily for health and enjoyment.
I've noticed from lurking around this board for several years that there seems to be a very self-congratulatory, cliquish tone to many threads and posts. It seems like it's often a small group of people who post relentlessly, as if they are engaged in some sort of private conversation where they're trying to outdo each other.
Maybe I'm the only one who feels that way. Maybe that's part and parcel of the world of "hardcore" competitive swimmers. Or maybe it's because there wouldn't be anything else to talk about, unless there weren't a constant focus on who's the "best" at this or that.
A race is something that happens once in a while, whereas a lifetime of swimming lasts, well, a lifetime. Yes, it's great to break a certain time in a certain race, but it's also great to have the self-discpline to keep at a daily swimming program and work on improving one's technique and endurance. Both are valid, and, to my mind, neither is more worthy of praise than the other.
Jim Thornton, if I recall correctly, noted a while ago that there were a lot of people lurking around the board and not really participating. If that is the case, I would propose that may be due to the general off-putting tone of things on here. (I won't give examples at this point, although I could.)
I don't believe your ATF was ever fat. Can you post a pic?
No one needs to see that. I have a foto of me coming out of the water at an OW event a few years back and it more resembles some sort of gasping blubbery aquatic blob.
*IF* that's the case, I vote for your being the new poster boy of "hardcore" swimming for that major transformation from blubbery blob to buff Bill.
That would be too clique-y and might offend people. I can't agree to such off-putting behavior. After all, we now have to pretend we don't like each other.
So we need to NOT like eachother; cut out jokes, banter, and inside references while sticking to discussing only the topic at hand. I get it. Wondertwin powers. Activate! Form of. . . A Grumpy Old Man!
Stop the histrionics and yuckstering, you two.
I'd go back to disliking Geek, but that would only lead to baiting and flame wars and those are apparently taboo as well.
I'd go back to disliking Geek, but that would only lead to baiting and flame wars and those are apparently taboo as well.
Mini-van driver, poem writing lawyer!
My daughter couldn't remember if it was Fried Chicken Livers, or Fried Chicken Gizzards, so she asked for Fried Chicken Lizards. Big mistake in a car with three brothers and Dad. To this day it's Chicken Lizards for anything fried.
This thread is hilarious. The last quarter of it has become a sort of experimental jazz version of the original poster's objection, which is, of course, the universal sibling response to a complaint. As in: OKAY I'LL DO THAT THING YOU'VE ADMITTED YOU HATE FIVE THOUSAND TIMES IN A ROW UNTIL YOU EITHER EXPLODE OR BECOME APPROPRIATELY NUMB TO OUR HAZING BECAUSE UNDERNEATH IT ALL WE REALLY DO LOVE YOU.
Tom, sorry about the hazing but they do sort of have a point. As in: deal.
I love these boards because they legitimize a form of compulsiveness that is not work-oriented, a big benefit to me personally. I know very very few of these people, but I have benefited from the advice and love the community.
Well, I'll be gobsmacked. As a neighbour, I harbour some humour towards a dispute over spelling colour.
We are a thriving internet village with room for all.
So clique-ish yuckstering is the equivalent of calf's liver with bacon and onions?! Ew.
Allen, you were left off because of the anti-evilstroker bias. :)
Yummmm. . . My parents served me liver and onions once a week when I was younger. I learned to love it. 'Course, I haven't eaten it in about 25 years now.
What is the criteria for becoming a clique-ish yuckster?! I would love to be in this group!
What is the criteria for becoming a clique-ish yuckster?!
You must denounce your abilities and desires to be a "hardcore" swimmer.
Continue to poke fun at fellow forumites both old and new.
And have the keen ability to derail threads from their original subject matter.
I know I'm not the "inner circle" and that's fine. Everyone here is very nice.
Mary there is no "inner circle"...and if Jim Thornton tries to initiate you into one run or swim away fast!
Seriously though, there's no exclusive group, some folks have just met at meets and become friends. If you contribute and comment, you're as much a part of anything as the rest of us...especially if you enjoy a good yuck!
