Posted by Rich/Mohican Press on January 20, 2002 at 07:34:03:
Redundant, I know ...
My Soapbox: I've asked the question in the past: Has the Mohican Board outlived its purpose? That being, to discuss "The Last of the Mohicans" and all things related to it. See: http://www.mohicanpress.com/wwwboard/purose.html
I don't know. No one else seems to, either. Why would I even care? Why don't I just leave it be and let it be what it is? That, of course, is the easy way out & many boards are run in just that way. That's not how I want this one to be. I want it to be informative & lively. I'd like to see interaction, creativity, and new ideas. Hey! That sounds familiar. I think we had all that here once. But, in the past, even during the times of the Mohican Board's hey-day, I often heard the complaint, "No one ever responds to my posts." Inevitably, that person eventually disappeared. I never could figure out what to say to those folks to make them feel better ... and still can't. Even when now it's ME who feels that way ... sort of. It's not that no one responds to my posts ... sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't. No problem. It's the lack of any real interaction and all the things I mentioned above that disturbs me. It saps my energy, in some weird way. Just looking at nothing most of the time. It's become somewhat of an Albatross to me. The thing is, it's not because no one comes here, because they do. They just don't post. So, we've become a "Nation" of lurkers. Lurking for what? To see if there'll be fireworks one day? I don't know, of course, the answer to why ... but surely, that is not the intended nature of this Board. It was created for discussion. Please, don't interpret my thinking out loud as an ultimatum, forewarning, or anything of that kind. I really don't know what is to come. It may very well come to pass that the Mohican Board is an Archive of old posts, 1997-2002. We could call it "Once WE were here!" :) - That's from the LOTM DVD version, for those of you not privy! That surely is a viable option. But, then again, maybe not. It would be easy to just let it be, if it weren't the often-times negative drain that it often-times is. Nothing happening is negative to me. I can't help that. Maybe folks just come here out of habit ... I'll never know! Jo mentioned that no one wants it to be a "bulletin board." Did I ever say that? It IS a bulletin board, message board, whatever ... one with a theme. That doesn't mean you can't chit-chat a bit. [Sorry, Jo, that just got me thinking on it a little.] I can say this, the Web Site, itself, gives me plenty of room to stretch out, be creative, voice opinions, even interact ... via the Gathering Page, E-mails [now, there's a source of lots of ALL of the above - If ONLY it were posted!], links, etc. And all that isn't going away. Here, it gives everybody else the chance to do the some within the context of the web site ... if nobody wants to anymore [the few exceptions duly noted!] ... well, that's up to all of you. Don't get mad, don't feel slighted, don't be hurt ... just join in!
... moving on, I do tend to ramble ...
Gathering 2002 News: Progressing nicely ... Day One is just about nailed down, all except the musicians, and we're close on that. Looks like a great day. Check out the menu at "Spirits on the River"! Day Two is very close. Day Three is sort of up in the air, by choice, as things aren't quite the way I'd like them to be with Biltmore just yet. Consequently, Day Four is up in the air, as well. The itinerary for that day rests, somewhat, on what we do on the previous day. If we eliminate Biltmore, the good news is, we'll lower overall costs considerably - with two freebie days. Those of you on the Gathering Mailing list ... let me know what you think! In addition, we've sent out some invites to some special people ... one, at least, is trying to make it. Don't go getting all bent out of shape over this now. As someone pointed out to me: "What do you mean no celebrities??? Soldier #2 will be there, won't he???? :)"
Site Updates: Yes, there were some! One thing I put up is not really site-related, without stretching it!, but was done for the guys & gals at my Post office. So, I do mention it here ... wanna see my stomping grounds? http://www.mohicanpress.com/post_office.html
Maybe?: Discussing a deal with Roger Worley to make that ENTIRE props display a grand raffle item for the Gathering. Don't know if he's going to go for it or not, and the tickets would have to be at least $50, maybe more, but what a prize that would be ... ALL those props, though replicas, are made by the original movie craftsmen, so ... *I* would sure like to win that baby!
E-Mail of the Week: "... went to check on the follow up book to On The Trail and found it hasn't yet actually followed. I'm a rare book librarian, seller, buyer, bibliophile (I do the [~omitted~] website and talk about getting behind!), collector, editor, and writer in process. I know books and I know the book trade and I just want to say: Stay with it! You're on a soul journey with all of this Mohican stuff (stuff is not a technical term but sometimes it just fits) and, as the Native American I know phrase it, follow the path-opportunity-challenge that's been given to you (opportunity-challenge were words I added, Native Americans tend to be succinct). I've been there, I'm there now. Trust your soul, and the rest of the universe will back you up. But of course you trust your soul or you wouldn't have come this far. You were put into a magic bubble some years ago I sense, but we now know magic is just quantum physics, so flow with it and enjoy all of it (a sense of humor really helps). I understand that at my age I am now considered an elder by Native Americans and so I can pass my wisdom along as I see fit. Take it kindly please for so it was meant."
I took it so! Though, I did enjoy a good-natured chuckle at some of the wording ... not so sure I would consider the past 10 years' journey a "magic bubble" ... well, I might have, at one point! Anyway, thanks much, and perhaps one day that book WILL actually be published. Meanwhile, just a bit is on-line, here on this Web Site. http://www.mohicanpress.com/companion_guide_photo_portal.html
Happy Trails, wherever they may take you ....