The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!] - Magic ... or, Dumb Luck?

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Magic ... or, Dumb Luck?

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richfed
Sachem

USA

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002

Status: offline

Administrator

Posted - October 12 2003 : 11:22:57 AM

Sometimes, I wonder what the Mohican Board means to other people. For me, it is a compelling addiction ... albeit a lot of fun, a good pastime, and a creative outlet, of some kind. Educational, too! It does get depressing at times ... the fights, the petty complaints, people disappearing ... all that kind of stuff that I have little control over.

Take this AM ... I overslept ... it was actually daylight when I awoke ... first time in a long time that has happened! Then, I couldn't connect to my ISP for some reason. I felt obligated to be here, but couldn't arrive! I wonder, sometimes, if anyone else feels that, ever.

Anyway, I'm pretty much thinking out loud ... but, early this week, I received an e-mail from a person I don't know. This person not too long ago ordered a copy of my guide booklet and also signed up for the 2004 Great Mohican Gathering. That's about the extent of our communication with each other ... directly, anyhow. Apparently, this person has been a lurker ... Here's the E-mail. It greatly brightened my week!

E-Mail of the Week:

Hi Rich,
Just wanted to pass along a word of thanks -- actually, a whole
encyclopedia of thanks! After watching the DVD of LOTM about a month
ago and being undecided about whether or not the changes were a good
thing (I'm still undecided), I decided to search the web for reviews and
comments. So, I typed in "Last of the Mohicans" and came upon your
website. You can't imagine my astonishment -- there are others of my
kind out there! Guess I should have given the movie more credit -- it
was pretty obtuse of me not to realize that there must be others who
loved it as much as I did. Anyway, I've purchased the guidebook,
registered for the Gathering, and hope to be a contributing member of
this community for many years to come. I'm mentally surveying my
LOTM-related possessions to see what I can bear to part with for the
raffle and auction. It will be such a relief to communicate with people
who don't say "You saw it HOW MANY TIMES??? Why???" (Because it keeps
ending!!!!)
Anyway, it's obvious how much work goes into maintaining this
beautiful website, planning the gathering, etc., and you sounded just a
little discouraged on the most recent weekly update, so I wanted to let
you know how very much I appreciate your efforts and Lainie's. If there
is anything I can do to help in faraway Pennsylvania, please let me
know. I'm a married, 52-year-old, state-employed lawyer with a minimal
degree of computer literacy and no involvement in reenacting, but a fair
amount of "book-learnin'" about the era. I plan to participate on the
Board, just as soon as my husband and I can decide whether to purchase
another computer, bring one home from his office, leave his laptop at
home, etc. (I'm writing this on my lunch hour at the office -- no
prohibition on reading message boards, but posting on them is NOT a
permitted use.)
With my very best wishes, and looking forward to meeting you and
your family at the Gathering,

Sure hope you [the author] don't mind me posting this, but the tone, and level of involvement - from a person that has never posted - was very uplifting to me, particularly in light of last weekend & my failing efforts to reunite this community.

Reminds me of Rattlesnake Woman a couple of years ago, or so, who helped create another Gathering ... without even trying!

Anyway, thank you for your thoughts ...

Then there's Wilderness Woman - who got intimately involved with the proceedings - and other more recent newcomers like Susquesus & Kurt, who have nicely contributed ... along with the old-reliables who seem like they've been here forever!

Thanks!

OH! And, then SgtMunro sends me a copy of the DVD, George Washingt

Rich
Mohican Press

report to moderator

Bill R
Colonial Militia

USA

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 03 2002

Status: offline

Posted - October 12 2003 : 12:18:37 PM

Well Rich, WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!! HEY! DIDNT YOU HEAR THE ALARM!!!!

Good sunday update.

You know, I wouldn't get so depressed at times, as you do. I know it's hard when you have so much of your personality (and Lainey's) put into this website, and the folks who visit. But think upon these few things that come to my mind:

(1)I have never seen a website done so well, nor so extensively, nor so successfully centered around one movie ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET as this one is.

(2) I don't believe that ANY OTHER movie derived website has lasted so long on the internet - and not only does it last, it continues to grow and evolve. That's something right there.

(3) There are VERY FEW and I mean VERY few websites that involved actors, movies, etc that are able to generate enough interest to have annual gatherings and do so successfully. Usually, it is only beloved series that are able to pull that off. Things such as Star Trek, SNG, Dark Shadows etc. It is rare to have folks wanna spend the coin to go to a gathering dedicated to just one movie. Moreover, when it has been doneby others, it has been done in a "Convention" type atmosphere. Yours is ogranized by you and Lainey with some help from the website family.....in an informal atmoshphere relatively.....without all the commercial glitz and draw. And it works. Not only THAT, but you have been able to draw nearly ALL of the main characters of the film to attend your gatherings as guests.
That's somethin right there you can be proud of.

(4) Your website doesnt just stop at the movie. There is SO MUCH more here. The historical aspect alone is worth the visit, with knowlegeable contributors for all walks of life and on all subjects of colonial life. Heck, visitations jump during school year because it has become a RESEARCH SITE for a lotta folks in HS and college.

(5). People are people. We are complex. Some days we have good days, some days we have bad days. Some days we are testy, some days we are as happy as institutional inmates. Nobody can get along with everybody all the time. Everybody is not going to have the same opinions as everybody else. When controversial subjects are talked about, there is bound to be friction, especially when those opinions and stances are near and dear to the heart of the owner. So once in a while disagreements or fights break out? So what? It's a normal aspect of human nature and human failings. We keep coming back though, don't we? Why is that I wonder? Well.....probably because we all have a lot of friends here, and we eventually feel.......no matter how mad or frustrated we got over something.......that being away is harder than swallowing our pride or our anger. You feel helpless when disagreements occur, like you have to fix everything. Betty is that way sometimes too.......the need to feel like she has to fix all the wrongs she sees, or the unhappy things she sees around here.......can't be done. And, usually, things work themselves out. Don't feel helpless. You've done your part in the healing process. You've made a home for everybody that everybody wants to return to - feels a need to return to - in spite of past disagreements - JUST LIKE ANY FAMILY AND JUST LIKE THE FAMILY THIS IS.

So........ya done good. You continue to do good. It's something unique and wonderful you've done. If this website and all it involves and means was the only thing I had done in my life I'd consider it a great contribution. And it is. You've done much more in your life than this website, but even if you had not......this in itself would be a great contribution to our human experience and to the experience of others. Be proud.

That's just MY thoughts on things.......