I’m a little irritated at the moment; I’ve contacted 6 different resorts about my stay on Bonaire to get a quote for a single diver package over an 8 day window...

Every single response has given me a quote for a 7 day package... Except one... Deep Blue View gave me no quote for 7 days, but had a very good reason... (read on) They all seemed ok at spotting the single diver request and got the room type correct. I also mentioned that I’ll’ve been on the island for a week so I’d like to dive the first day... but I keep getting 6 day dive packages.

Deep Blue View responded with a statement that they don’t rent to single divers unless I have a solo diver cert. Nice answer DBV! I applaud their concern for safety and standard diving practices. Not that it really applies to me and I responded with my certification level and hope to hear back..… on an 8 night stay. I was actually a little miffed when I first read their message because I know how to dive... that's what my stack of little plastic cards is there to prove... but that irritation only lasted a moment before I thought what a great idea it was for them to check that a diver is ok to dive solo... though I would’ve preferred my quote along with the warning that I could only stay as a single diver with certification.

The whole island seems set up for groups of at least 2 staying for 7 days. I am having a lot of trouble envisioning this island as a shore diver’s paradise. Shore diving to me is an activity where I’ll decide I want to go and 30 minutes later I’m in the water... no planning, no rules about when I can or can’t go. I just send a few texts out saying that I’ll be at a site and people should ditch work to join me, double check my gear and call to check conditions as I hit the road. If I wanted a set pattern of when I could or couldn’t go.... well, I can’t imagine wanting that... when I go to Fiji, I understand that the resort at beqa lagoon doesn’t want to send their good dive boat as a shuttle every day... but this is s h o r e d I v I n g... if I can coordinate different flights to get to the island, my nightmare of scheduling should be over... the resorts should be willing to accommodate me anytime, but eager to accommodate me in the low season.
I have two more inquiries pending... if either of them manages to count to 8 all on their own, I’m going to give them my business without regard to their cost!

Anyone have any thoughts why everything on the island seems to be stuck on a one vacation fits all strategy? Or have I just hit upon a very unusual coincidence?

-eh?

Did you give specifics to the hotels (because it seems like you've worked out the flights), like an exact arrival date and time, and departure date and time? And the exact date of when you wish to start diving? You may be trading emails with someone who speaks english as a third or fourth language... Other confusion may be because half of our flights arrive in the middle of the night, like 3-5am, and depart at equally ungodly hours-some people wish to pay for an extra night because they're arriving at 5am, some not; some call that a "night" others call it "early check-in." Likewise with departures-if your flight's at 3am, and you have to be at the airport at 1am--do you pay for that last "night" or not? If you don't give exact dates, I can see how it could be confusing to someone trying to figure out what you mean when you say 8 "nights."

Thanks for your thoughts... I provided dates, but I avoided times because I was contacting resorts and typically a hotel will assume you won’t show up on the first day until check-in time and you’ll leave on the last day before check-out time.
In the countries I have travelled to and using online reservation forms, if I say I want to stay from may 30 through june 7, that is 8 nights. My messages went something along the lines of:
_______________
Could you provide me with a quote on an accommodation/dive package for may 30th through June 8th for a single diver? I will be on the island from the 22nd and would like to begin diving on the 30th.
Thank You.
________________
This is a slightly generic version because I would typically mention the type of room and possibly something about nitrox... but I believe I was specific enough to get a quote for 8 nights or at least some mention of the possibility of that 8th night. Personally, I hate sleeping in the airport.

If the resort is not giving me any benefit related to my flight information, I see no reason for them to have it. They offer deals on diving when you book the dives along with the accommodation, so I am willing to give them the information. I have had to search quite a bit to find out about the different dive shops and resorts on the island. I don’t mind... I prefer small business to large chains. Though I do like comprehensive services... if any of the travel sites could give me proper flights and a complete choice of hotel/resorts/car/diving I would use them... it’s kind of their job. The Bonaire tourism industry appears to prefer to deal with a handful of agents along the archaic travel industry model. The small agent I attempted to book the package through had no interest in providing recommendations, they wanted me to find the resort and tell them to book the time... no value. Their packages matched the resort’s posted deals...so no business for them... I do get sidetracked... Sorry.

People should get what they ask for. If the business thinks it odd, they should ask for clarification. They should not second guess me because I might be upset that I don’t get a discount when I only sleep half a night and check out at 4am to get to the airport and fly out by 6am... that is my problem... that how life works... in fact, depending on the flight ceiling and my nitrogen levels, I might want to end a final dive 12 hours before my flight... and then take a shower and get some sleep...

-eh?

Eh..make this easy on yourself..Click here for one stop quotes on accommodations.

http://www.infobonaire.com/

Generally speaking all accomodations use arrival & departure dates, charging by the night. So in your example of May 30 to June 8th, that would be 8 nights.
As far as single dive packages, it's pretty simple. Just contact a local dive operator yourself. They'll all quote you an unlimited rental tank rate. Just add this on to your accommodations & you're all set.

On Bonaire, you can dive whenever you want & no one will police you. If you want to dive solo. Go ahead & enjoy.
As famous resort on the island coined the term "Home of Diving Freedom"; and it is.

Each dive shop and every tour operator offers a la carte dive options. It's very easy to plan. I am not sure why you are having such stress. Ask them to price 8 days shore diving.

Most dive shops are very flexible. Booking the package should be the least of your worries. You can do it when you get there. It really is easy. Trust me.

I've found it a little more difficult to book anything but a Sun-Sat stay in recent years. I guess they tailor it to the airline patterns. I've found Yacht Club Apts. to be more flexible. Don't know what kind of dive packages they work out. They're pretty nice, but not right on the water....

I appreciate all of the input.

yeah... I know that they all have daily rates for doing everything individually... but they also give the option of getting a custom package quote if you email them...

This isn't stressed... this is a little irritated. I think that by providing a date range, they should take the time to glance at a calendar and notice that I'm asking about a saturday through the following sunday date range which is more than 7 days.

I'm not actually holding it against any of resorts... I did send revised emails spelling everything out and the other emails I have sent have been much more deliberate and explicit. I am, in fact, waiting to see if the last one did read over the email and reply with appropriate information... if they did, the win the prize. If not, then it's a level playing field. Actually, this is day 4 since I sent the request... so it's a level playing field now... 72 hours is plenty of time to send a reply. I'm just surprised that all of their responses gave a somewhat canned answer to a slightly unusual request.

I'm looking at the whole process because I get many requests for advice on where to go on dive trips. It's a big part of working in the dive industry. I don't believe in endorsing a program or resort because I get perks... I want to get a view of as much of the island as possible so I can help my students and fellow divers get the most out of their vacations... they don't get paid to play in the ocean all day like I do.... they only get a short time each year to focus entirely on themselves despite my constant encouragement to follow their dreams and really enjoy every minute of their time on this planet.

So as far as why I'm 'having such stress'... I only have time to visit each island once for research. I may go back purely for my own enjoyment or with a group, but this time is part of my professional development... it's part of the serious thought and hard work I put into my life to allow myself to spend the other 95% of my waking hours at play. If I were going for purely for myself, like Jeff suggested, I'd just do it when I get there... things usually work out if you let them.

The original purpose of this thread was to discuss why the whole island seems to revolve around people staying 7 days... Islands are some of the few places left in this world with aspects of endemic life and culture preserved for explorers. Seven days isn't even enough time to drink in the culture of a neighboring state... an island half a word away should be savored.

It's so very easy to forget that we are lucky to be able to travel halfway around the world and visit these people's homes and waters... on that note:

_____

Update on Deep Blue View.... They sent a very thoughtful and personal message along with their quote. They really believe that having someone to share the experience with is part of the experience. They have based this on their observations of past guests and seem really committed to ensuring that their guests get the most out of their stay. I have decided that their single person rate is a bit more than I want to spend and won't be staying there, but I have seldom had such a personal, honest and professional communication from a business and applaud Menno for his approach and philosophy towards running a resort. I'll definitely swing by to talk to their dive folks, but anticipate that they will be high on my list of recommendations of places to stay on the island.

Black Durgon replied that they are having work done over that period, but would gladly have me as a guest if I chose to become so with this knowledge. I've been to places in micronesia that forgot to mention that they were having work done... and if not expected, that is the wrong kind of 6am wake-up.

I anticipate giving more kudos, but those are the only two resorts I've completely finished my pre-island discussions with. The owners and operators of all of the resorts I have talked to have been wonderful people, but that just means that to stand out takes that much more effort.

I would add a small caveat to Vince's words about freedom to dive solo 'anywhere'.

Some of the dive ops 'discourage' solo diving from their docks and/or boats: a matter of their cert. agency insurance terms or op policy. Best to ask.

Also, they uniformly ask that anyone diving from their docks (solo or otherwise) let them know going in and coming out. Common Bonaire dive op courtesy for safety.

Shore diving away from a dive op property is, as Vince said, your choice of a real or virtual buddy. Just be careful at the very north and south ends of the island: off shore going trade wind driven currents can be overpowering. And sometimes down going.

Hope the 8 nights works out and enjoy!!!

Hi Glenn. Small correction. Please re read my post above. I purposely did NOT use the phrase about freedom to dive solo "anywhere".

As most of us know there are certain areas of the island where permits are required. Other areas of the island you'd have to traverse private property to get to a site. I did say you can dive whenever you want, not wherever you want.

I was adding to your post, Vince, not correcting you. And, of course, my 'anywhere' didn't mean crossing private property. Just common sense.

(Message edited by glenr on April 27, 2009)

No offense meant there "Eh?", but you sound just a tad "high maintenance"? Apologies if I'm misreading your rather derogatory sounding first post title. All the resort staff I have encountered on Bonaire can indeed count to 8 and beyond, and do so in several languages.

Many of the dive ops and resorts offer daily rates, most also offer packages based on the very limited flight schedules for the individual airlines. Typically weekly? I have always found them to be very accommodating allowing for 'island time' response schedules.

That said I hope you find a resort to your liking and enjoy the island as much as most visitors do.

Randy... that is the stupidest thing I've heard this week... to preface an insult with the phrase no offense meant implies that you are fully aware that what you are saying is a direct insult. I do hope the moderators treat direct attacks on other users as a problem. If you care to notice, I am not calling you stupid, I am referring to your statement. It is a common societal thing, but then so are any number of profanities.

I, however, do not see my statement nor my general state of being to be high maintenance at all. I took advantage of an advertised service and was met with mostly canned responses that are in direct violation of the spirit of the offer. I chose to phrase the title of the thread as I did for a number of reasons. I am particularly prone to bouts of sarcasm... I think they're funny. I also see it as a way to make the thread stand apart from the other threads in the list... along the lines of the poster crying Help! Help!, but without the implication of a state of emergency or distress. The title of the thread communicates the general issue I wished to discuss and have made attempts to direct the conversation toward.

I believe that your post shows a lack of interest in taking part in a discussion and rather a desire to just get your two cents in…even if you are mostly restating things said by other posters. I apologize if this is not the case, but it is the impression I get from the post. I am very deliberate and thoughtful in my responses... leading, at times, to my tendency toward the verbose. That being said, I will respond.

My stay is quite obviously based on the ‘very limited' flight schedules to and from the island. I fly in on a Saturday and leave on a Sunday... by major airline. I’m not booking a special charter nor am I flying by private jet and while swimming sounds like an interesting challenge, I would have to make my beverage selection much too far in advance for my tastes.

Besides being a dive professional, I am trained as a nature photographer, marine mammalogist, environmental scientist and dabble in the study of both environmental tourism and island cultures (albeit mostly pacific islands.) I have stated that I am researching accommodations as someone responsible for providing advice to other travelers and that I have a tendency to try to 'wing it' for my own plans. This thread arose from an impression I got from a series of responses from different merchants on the island. This series, while the sample size is still too low to be statistically significant, is inclusive of enough events to make me suspect a trend rather than pure coincidence. To allay my suspicions, I turned to a forum of individuals with direct experience on this particular island... the BT community.

-eh?

On your mark....




Get set......








And they're off!!!!!

Randy... I must apologize... CB has shown me what a real two cents post is all about... well not really... that's just fluff... you did have content...

CB... umm... why?

-eh?

tequila, check

lawn chairs, check

sunscreen (the weather is changing you know!), check

No lawn chair yet, eh, but this may be an option. The dive op at this link has an option of a punch card for 15 dives per card. This includes weights and Nitrox for the same price as air, if you are so certified. The math will be up to you as to this being a deal or not. Email them for prices, they respond promptly.

http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/index.html

Tara, I'll remember the limes this time!

RG, feel free to pull up a chair...

I'm just wondering... and I'm sure that you're fully aware... but I can't help but wonder if you don't realize that there are a lot of people on this board (not me though) who are also in the dive profession, highly certified, well traveled, travel professionals, etc.
Your post just seemed a tad patronizing - and I truly don't mean to offend....

Thanks CB

Tara.....Tara? Is that you?? Whoa.....

I have a cooler of beer, ON ICE!! And my lawn chair...pass the tequila!!

Eh?, do you happen to have a twin brother who lives in the Chicago area by any chance?

I am not a dive professional BUT I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once!

RosAnne is an expert on international travel. She has a little indian in her, you know....

RA is preggers!?!

Chair, chips, Corona.......

AHHHHHHHH! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL

Just a big weekend......

Ok, Ok, RosAnne...I'm going...but I'lllll Beeeee Baaaaaack.....

ha ha!!! I'm just trying to start fun rumors!

eh, welcome to BT. We are a bunch that says what's on their minds. As long as folks don't resort to insults, name calling, etc., everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Ten trips to Bonaire, varied length of stays, and I've never had a problem booking...so I'm sort of scratching my head. Stayed at:

Black Durgon (would LOVE to know WHAT they are CONSTRUCTING/UPDATING)...hmmm....
Sand$
Belmar
Bellefonte

again, never a problem with date ranges...

I'm just sayin'

RA, if you are preggers you cannot drink this weekend...hahahahahahahahaha!

sorry about the hi-jacking, really I am

Tara... yep I am aware that there are lots of dive professionals on the site. I was explaining my position to Randy and wasn't directing that at the community at large. I don't think restating that I'm a dive pro looking at the whole experience as preparatory research was patronizing... I was just making it more likely that Randy saw that bit. It looks like about a quarter of the folks here are part of the travel industry in some way. That's why I was asking if they knew why things were set that way. If I thought the community was made up of slackjawed, uneducated, unthinking blowhards, I wouldn't've asked... in my opinion, selecting the forum in which to ask the question is just as important as asking the question.

Grunt... I hadn't seen that they offer a punch card. It won't be the best option for me, but it could be a good option for folks that want to spread just a few dives over several days on the island. some of the packages offered by providers also let people swap out 1 day of diving for another activity... thanks for the link!

Tink, I'm not sorry......

Well...with the overwhelmingly negative chorus to my observation, I can only assume that it was just a coincidence.

...and that was negative in a good way.

Thanks for the welcome Tink.

Continuing in the trend of who's done what... I haven't gotten any rude or disinterested replies... they have all been very prompt and well-meaning. after a resend to the one shop that hadn't replied in 4 days, they've been helpful as well. Along with the resorts I have mentioned before... Golden Reef Inn and Bonaire Fun/Tropicana have been very nice and helpful in a manner worthy of extra note.

I don't know what work is being done at BD...

-eh?

RA, if you'd care to explain the whole twin question, I'll happily discuss it.

Eh? (if that's your real name and you are not simply a troll) In my humble opinion, introducing yourself to a new group by suggesting that the locals are dimwits is perhaps not the best way to make friends and influence people, nor ellicit their support to your research? If you were offended by my calling you on your direct insult to them (you call it sarcasm), then I feel that even though you are burdened by your curriculum vitae, you can grasp simple concepts, which is good and a cause for hope.

I rest secure in the knowledge that my defense of Bonarian arithmetic skills will change your general attitude and approach to strangers not one whit, though I do hope my comments shall rank right up there on your list of stupidest things heard for the whole month, not just one mere week. I'd truly hate to ruin my street cred' for saying profoundly stupid things.

eh? what type of accommodations are you looking for? on the water? small? large? etc.

BD is um...a great place but bare bones, so it would be interesting to know if Al is just fixin' things or doing something BIG...inquiring minds want to know

CB, Boom apologized not me haha

OK, I'll go get my chair but I'm bringing my hand sanitizer and face mask.

Go, Randy, Go!!!

Tink, move over...you're hogging the dip!

Tink- I'm looking for the best deal I can find... Convenient to the water is nice, but not typically worth a whole lot of cash in my experience... I tend to use my room to sleep in... then I wake and go diving... I might consider using a pool, but with the ocean right there.... it seems silly.


RA- Oh…wait… there is an individual from that location involved in this very discussion... and currently I take that to be the biggest insult of them all. I can be a little slow at times.

CB - Don't tell Randy to leave, just ask him to read.

Randy- I prefer to think of myself as more of a troglodyte than a troll... eh is related to my name and is a moniker I use. It's also a word I use quite a bit. I'm sorry if you equate facility with numbers to wit... while I do know some amusing numerical jokes... wit has more to do with one's grasp of language and it's been pointed out that many of the locals know three or four languages. A good number of numeral-based jokes rely on puns anyway... which makes their homonym’s use as a number trivial at best.
My choice to *question* the effort required to count to higher numbers was based on an observation. If you made half a dozen attempts at something with the same baffling result, you would look to the outside to corroborate your experiences too. The sarcasm comes in not in questioning their ability to count to 8, but their motivation to count to 8. Different use of the term hard... I meant how much effort does it take, not how complex is it to.

Many cultures developed counting systems that went from 1 to 2 to many... many of these cultures were based on islands... we started using ‘big’ numbers when we started hording and squabbling over who had the bigger pile rather than being happy with the concept of enough.

Developing a vocabulary really does take more than just using a thesaurus, words have meaning and subtle nuance of context. If you saw ambiguity in the title, you should have read the post following it where I asked why I was getting quotes for 7 nights when I asked for 8... and questioned the customer service rather than the intellect. Oh... and if you are flaunting your ability to use less mainstream words, elicit is spelled with one l. Further, I’m confused why your opinion is a question.

I wasn't offended by your rather mild insult. I was offended by your lack of motivation to read a thread in its entirety before chiming in... I don’t feel as though you’ve even read the first post. If you look just past the beginning of the second line (containing the Eh? you so cleverly called into question) you will see that this was not my introduction. It was my third post. Should you choose to attempt to read even further and delve into the discussion, we will all be better for it.

My CV is a burden, but mostly because it is maintained in addition to several resumes for different professions. I was referring to my training relevant to visiting the island. I left off being a network architect, actor, technical/customer service manager, director, model, technical writer, project manager, professor, set designer, systems analyst, quality assurance engineer, philosopher, network operations coordinator, docent and bouncer... Those make up 4 resumes and a CV. I work at many things and approach them all with great passion and work ethic. I retired from the rat race almost a decade ago and keep pace with developments in my chosen fields as I split my time between them all. Mainly I try to focus on diving.

-eh?

"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.” Margaret Thatcher

I know you're rolling your eyes now but I couldn't resist

Good Luck and may you inspire others to love Bonaire 1/2 as much as I do.

Happy Bubbles to you!

Yup. What she said. I'm just a fishy. Don't got nuthin' to prove. Bonaire X 7. All diving. All the time. When in Bonaire . . .

I am delighted that with all that burden, you have still maintained that Puckish simple charm and self-effacing grace when dealing with others.

PLEASE complete the stereotype and tell me you drive a BMW......PLEASE!.....LOL

"How hard is it to count to 8?"..it would seem it compares to the difficulty in asking a simple question in a friendly manner. If one approaches a stranger and asks a question whilst sounding like the rearmost portion of a horse, one is apt to get the wrong directions to Rte 165.

(Message edited by chicagorandy on April 28, 2009)

I like it, this is verbal volleyball at it's best. A train wreck is great to watch till you have to pick up the bodies, so no one better get pissed and take their words home.

That's why we have our lawn chairs lined up!! Don't wanna miss any of the action!

Pass the tequila!! It's ok, I know it's early, but I'm sitting down...

WAHHHH! I want one of them there drinks with an umbrellee in it.

Doin' the best I can to parlay my 3rd grade edjumacation into a lifestyle. Us'n po-foks gots to did what we can did to gets bye.

I iz larnin' my cypherin' and my times and gazzintas right fine according to maw and paw. Once't me an Jethro get out of the cement pond, we'z gonna become double-naught spies, I tell you what!

(Message edited by chicagorandy on April 28, 2009)

Dang Randy, I can getcha a umbrellee to stuff in yor drank!! Is you wantin' it in yor shot of 'quela or yor Brite???

Sum how I noze we'z gonna get in sum trubble here...

PS...you're not driving today are you? hehe
you have been up all night!

Randy...you ever met Beau?

Someone had to keep Tink from falling head first into the coral rubble...you know what tequila does to her!!!LOL

OH tequila! it is BAD!! hehe
Doors run into me when I drink that!

Margaret was a smart Lady, wasn't she...

I think we may have scared Eh? away.

I erased what I wanted to write 10 times already...hell, I feel like being nice today,and the whole Karma thing is weighing heavily on my mind.

Eh? I have to ask, are you for real? My comment about your twin was not directed at Randy by the way.

Shall I fax you my resume, as I think you will find it quite impressive...I paid good money on line for all my degrees!!! LMAO!!!

oh pool boy, could you please put some suntan lotion on my back......and fluff my pillow, I'm staying a while.

I am hoping RA will share her pool boy!!

ok it is soooooooooo time to move this to CC...

OH POOL BOY can you please bring me a tequila sunrise???

Does that constitute drinking all day....

I started packing up my chair and cooler and going home! But, HERE it is!!!

Pool boy, can you bring me some Brights, eh?

I love when Freddie Mods...that's short for modeling, right??? Work it girl!!!

Hmmm - Brights, tequilla sunrises - one would think we were lushes...or is that luscious.

Well, we are lushes, but the more we drink, the more luscious we get!!!

WOW..I was SOOOO lost...whew!

Bartener, I need a double, I worked way too hard to get here!!!

PS....LOL! As i like to say, I am a legend in my own mind!!

Hey..Freddie, let go of the pool boy, you can't have him all to yourself!! And besides...your already having too much fun!!

WHAT????!!!!???? This is how you treat the grandson of Thurston Howell III?????!!!!

Loveee.......tell the nearest lackie to bring my martini and don't slosh it like last time~!

Randy....lmao......

LOL....alright Randy! You are going to have to visit more often in CC I mean it! LOL!

Attaboy, Randy....come have a seat in the shade...

I just wrote and erased something 10 times....Thumper's mommy, Thumper's mommy....

I have my chair, RA is sharing her pool boy, PS is pouring the Tequilla, all the doors have been left open, Tink is wearing a helmet, all is good.
I'm ready

Aww... we got bumped to CC... that would be the only reason to object to the hijack.

RA - Nah, I just had to drive up to Pomona for a CMC... I'm having fun, write yer post. I’m not quite sure what you mean by am I for real? Do I exist, yes. Am I taking this argument seriously? No. Do I take anything in life seriously? No. Am I giving the argument proper consideration and entering in to it in earnest? Sorta. I live my life for fun first. My sense of fun is a little warped, but I’ve never found myself wanting to be normal. Growing up in a house full of lawyers has made arguing a fun pastime, meant to stimulate precise and quick thought processes.
I don’t believe I have any immediate family in Chicago.

Cecil – That’s just mean talking about volleyball early on a weekday... it’ll be hours before I can get a game together...

Randy- Eww... BMWs are awful... I drive a benz... a pretty 27yr old benz... all shiny and silver....and big enough that I can take road trips without my legs cramping up from being wedged in under the console. It gets about 24mpg and when a proper replacement comes out, I’ll replace it. Until then I love my pretty car... and my pretty bicycle and my shiny roller blades too... because even with a decent mpg, driving is mostly unnecessary. I really like that AB has a solar golf cart... I can’t wait to hear back about actually renting it, but I think they just let it out for a few hours at a time. I'm very happy with all of the things I choose to do, but pointless paperwork like CVs make me livid. That's why I consider it a burden. I'm not big on hoop jumping. That's why I got my college degrees without finishing high school.
I’m glad to see you’re still having fun; I was inches away from sending an apology last night when I saw that the crowd was forming.
I love that episode of the Beverly hillbillies... or was it two... yeah, I think there was at least one revisitation of the spy thing... and I’m sure I was far from calling you a yokel. I just meant that it sounded as though you were forcing yourself to speak in a manner beyond your norm. This is not to say beyond your ability... When people get their hackles up, they tend to force unnatural cadence into their speech as they strive to impress. This is just how I talk. It’s awkward at times, but I always mean what I say. I rely a lot on inflection and an impish grin to belie the serious and stilted verbiage, I was asked two or three hundred times too many whilst growing up if I spent my time reading dictionaries.... Mostly by kids that were thought to be eggheads by the majority of our peers. I see mocking my loquacity to be as poor a choice as mocking any other one-dimensional stereotype... including that of the backwoods Midwesterner. I gotta ask what contraction once’t is... it’s preying on my mind and gazzintas isn’t ringing any bells either.

-eh?

Well as to your questions, I reckon you're just going to have to learn to live with that miniscule level of disappointment.

Shame about the Beemer thing though. The classic riddle involving BMW drivers and porcupines sure did seem apropos to your postings.

RAAAAAAAANDY!!!!!!

Can I have the tequila please? I need it just to keep up here!

Don't even bother wiping the bottle, Ruth, just have a swig and pass it on....

I'm passing it right back CB!!!! Whew! That is one powerful bottle you have there...are you sure it's just tequila?

Personally, I think you all have been a little too rough on eh?. He was frustrated and vented, just like we ALL do. Now you guys have a thorney crown ready with some nails, and some nice straight dogwood planks tied together...... Poor guy is holding his own though!

Tink, I'll let you know what the ongoing work at the BD was after July!

No religious pageantry for me, Gail....I'm just taking it all in....








Wow, I can never spell "pageantry" the first time....






Ruth, nice pedicure!

(Message edited by barbara_gibson on April 28, 2009)

Randy can respond however he wants... I see it as poor form not to explain something directly questioned in a post, but then he's the one resorting to namecalling... I assume that he can't think of anything pithy to say so he's substituting something pissy.... based on his example so far, I don't expect much of him anyway. Though to be fair, maybe he's mad because I'm not using his *real* name... Sorry about that Mr. ChicagoRandy.

He's spotted my weak point, I can't argue if he has no content.

I'm pretty sure he kept the gloves on. I wouldn't buy him a beer, but neither would I throw one at him.

BTW: When using the form at the bottom of the screen, does anyone else have about every other keypress omit?

-eh?

OMG - now I have to look up the difference between pithy and pissy...... Yuk, Yuk! It's been too long since I've been to school!

That's OK CB - I have no love of pageants! Maybe because I can't spell it either!

I'll take a sip of that fermented cactus juice please.



(Message edited by muddysoapfish on April 28, 2009)

Gail, the difference between pithy and pissy is a gap in between your front teeth......

or not enough tequila....

That's pretty funny CB - you're on your game!

We aim to please, Gail!

Now I'd better get my fanny to work. Timmmmy you can use my chair if you want...

oh...and darn, I'm a nail short...how ever will this work with just three?

RA- Since Randy might not be playing anymore... I’m still interested to find out the why of the Chicago twin and for real questions. I answered the twin one, but don’t know where to begin on seriously addressing the for real one... and I still am baffled by the whole self-censorship thing... if everyone did that, the poor moderators would have nothing to do... That’s like returning your cart inside the store... robbing people of jobs... a terrible thing.

-eh?

I have a love of Pagaens... is that close enough??? only two so far... and I’m not sure if it was really one of their really real names... but they’re lots of fun.

-eh?

one tequila....two tequila.... three tequila....
FLOOR

ok eh? come down off of the wood and make room for someone else..

gazzinta = 3 gazzinta 6 2 times.. don't ch no notin about Aritematick???

You know Eh? I wanted so much to not like you but....well there goes that karma thing again.

I found your e-mail to be very amusing...mine get greener as the anger rises..what can I say, I'm vain and a little compliment goes a long way.

Now, just to be clear we are NOT BFF's but I might try and respond in a more reasonable manner if you promise to stop sounding so arrogant.

As far as the twin thing...just let it go..there is another poster here on BT whom you share very distinct qualities with and I was just thinking that perhaps you were related or....the same person.

I give you kudos for holding your own here...maybe one day you you can be cool and one of the "in" crowd....NOT. LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

I must be dense.... unless everyone is using a different definition of 'holding your own' here.

It seems to me that eh? is truly 'holding his own' inflated persona!

I really wish you would get over yourself and just converse without the priority of trying to impress yourself. Every time you post I get that nagging feeling of disappointment. Kind of the same feeling when hackers waste their talent spreading a virus rather than prosperity.

I think you might have the capacity for great conversation... it's just buried under all the bs

just food for thought eh?

(Message edited by taranguy on April 28, 2009)

Tara- I do everything to amuse myself, why do it otherwise. Wasting talent? What kind of overinflated ego does it take to decide what is worthwhile for the reality that another individual inhabits? That was quite the vote of intolerance. Feel free to think what you want, but when you try to dictate how other people should spend their time and ability, it just makes me sad. Enjoy YOUR life and let other people enjoy theirs. I’ve had the desire to improve the world beaten out of me by females.

I have no desire to be preached at by yet another female that assumes she knows the whys of all existence.

Yes, I know... I’m a hypocritical misogynist... boo hoo... I’ve earned it. I do hope you find peace and happiness in your life... but would never try to force it upon you.

-eh?

(Wow...this is the first message I've posted without a smile on my face. That makes me sad too.)

Tara, I think I love you....

OMG!!!!

"I have no desire to be preached at by yet another female that assumes she knows the whys of all existence." He SO did not just type that and then actually hit "post"?????? Say it aint so.......


And to TARA???? STOP!!! Get over yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why should I not have typed that? Y'all wanted real. I ditched the sugar. If I thought it unjustified, I wouldn't've typed it.

Eh? Just when I was starting to warm up to you...And I have this thing about people who use the term "Y'all" who don't live in the south....makes me eyes REALLY green...

Perhaps charm school would help?

I'm thinking this train's about to wreck!

Hey eh?

The group that remains is tight knit. I guess you've guessed that by now?

They take in new people only when new people join in the hilarity?

I was once in,work blockages and just work override all this, fitting into stuff.

Are you a writer for a magazine?

Anyway, I hope you realize BON is mostly u/w, and in a meal after the 3rd dive, when you've had a nap, rejuvenated, and found your 2nd (last, lol) wind, enough to enjoy good food, take pics, have a few drinks (if you're not doing a night dive, but IF YOU ARE, may I suggest Sunset Beach), and just live the glory of an island life.

Welcome, btw.

And just realize what IS here. lol

Cheers.

In Oregon where I'm from we use y'all... Don't worry, I was about to send you and Randy a thank you for making it a friendly and entertaining place... but yeah... Tara pushed a button and currently, I'm closing my browser with no intention of coming back. I don't imagine that there are any tears shed... but I wish y'all a pleasant and happy life.

ta.

-eh?

Oh for the love of that 7lb baby Tom talks about!
I fell out of my lawn chair as I tried to get up TOO fast and with drink in hand!

Say it isn't so!?!?! "Y'all" just wanted you to play nice or go away, Eh. Please DO NOT come out swinging out my friends. Please don't do it. I have a black belt; it's mostly for shopping but it's a black belt none the less.

This is such a fun place with fun people; our spirit won't be broken by your bantering. And do not degrade us females who, by the way, do know everything Don't believe it? Just ask us!

It's only fun until someone gets hurt. I think you just hit below the belt, eh?

I feel we are at the end of the line here.

Post if you must, but PLEASE be kind to one another, or, CLICK, it's gone.


Have a nice night.

Sorry I'm late, new NCIS episode was on after I made my supper. Gotta have priorities and all that -lol

As my chums always remind ME....EVERYONE brings joy to a room....some by entering it, some by leaving, but always there is joy to be found.

To quote Confucious "Many men smoke but Fu Man Chu".

TARA, MY PHONE CUT OFF!!!!!

THAT was the best conversation I've ever had!!!! And like I said before...Tara, I love you!!!!!

Yep, I'm taking over this thread for that!!!

PS - my phone battery died Thanks for being a truly good hearted person! Love ya!

I'll catch you later --- I've got to close the shop and head on home.

Be careful and have a good night!!
Hopefully I will C'ya later

Eh? I'm sorry if I truly hit a nerve but I hope that you take something other than anger from it. I really meant what I said about you being a good conversationalist.
Thank you for the well-wishes. I can assure you that I have found great peace and happiness, but there's always room for more!

Kathy, I'm sorry that you still feel alienated by circumstances and our posts. I truly thought things were in a better place.

With that... I really do have to go. My very-own superhero will be home soon and I'm still here at work. That just won't do!

For anyone whom I've offended I sincerely apologize, for anyone whom I've co-conspired I hope to have a drink with you!
Cheers,
Tara

lordy lordy...

You called? !!!

Oh Gail! Was Tink calling you? LOL

Hey CB...It's dark here, how did you see my pedicure?

Ruth, I'm not sure how you got got here, but you does fits in purty good.



Ah, the peace, the quiet, the bonfire nothing more than embers. Broken bottles and little paper umbrellas tossed around....be careful leaving....I'll come clean up when it's light out....












Tara, please hit that button one more time, just to be safe......

I'm still here, CB!!! Pass that blanket over, it's getting a bit chilly over here! I'll help you clean up in the morning!

Night!

Click

You guys are a HOOT!! sorry I missed the party!
I love BT

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Not that hard eh?
A local Madman

I know i know let it rest and go back to lurking