Cont…
Some might say I am arrogant, I would suggest that, whilst that might be true, I am not so arrogant as to believe I know what is right for everyone else. Hence I will always support the notion that we are all best served by making up our own choices and our own mistakes.

However, you would know me more if you knew those who inspire me, my favourite composers, painters, sculptors and writers (as well as Margaret Thatcher), for instance. Very few here have seen a picture of me or met me. One did once find out where I lived (street address) and that, because of their “personality”, was scary.

Some might know my date of birth others my country of origin or travels but that does not tell you what I have done when I travelled, who I am, what professional accreditations I hold or what chair I occupy.

Only one person knows me and I know only one person, my wife and that is because we are mirrors of one another but even then there are aspect of each other we still have to discover.

I could not pick any of you from even a small group, not from your posture or level of personal aesthetic (although I do have a stereotypical image of many of you in my mind), until you opened your mouth, then I would know most of you within about 3 minutes.

I do not conform with the stereotype of my profession and lets face it, most of us only amateur personality sleuths and what you ‘see’ of me here is what I choose to disclose, neither the whole of who I am nor necessarily the essence of who I might be (the public versus private me).

Therefore I would challenge anyone here, to point me out in a group based only on what you know of me from my posts here.

'NB this is NOT aimed at any specific person or persons.'

Oh pontificator, a thread in honour of me! Such a wonderful tribute.

Forest said it best, 'very little more than I want him to'.

What would be the purpose of 'knowing' a poster. I can only assume your idea of 'knowing' someone is about as shallow as reading rantings that may or may not be true from anonymous posters on a public graffiti board. Maybe that reveals the 'depth' of you real life relationships. I bet you think the 'ladies' you chat to excitedly on the internet late at night are not balding obese middle aged men in their wife's underwear too.

I will say right now I know nothing about anyone on OLO. I'm just not interested. Words on a page, and an outlet for me to be amused and play games. So sue me. That you take it all so seriously is no more valid or worthy than my legitimate use of OLO. I am interested in getting reactions from people to ease my boredom at work (Or am I, I've been known to lie. I could be doing a thesis, or I could just be insane).

I bet you don't even know my favourite colour, and that I love romantic walks on the beach. I know you are searching for more, but if our relationship was an onion with many layers pontificator, I think you've reached the dust on the top layer.

Your whole argument falls down on the prerequisite of truth and proof. And if you want to prove otherwise, prove what facts you 'know' about me.

BTW: Why do I not 'understand' you're not really a pompous self aggrandising twit, obsessed that people know you didn't name yourself 'examinator', and constantly coming up with faux humility just after one of your boasting posts? I choose to believe otherwise, and because your responses to my claims entertain me.

Col,

'(although I do have a stereotypical image of many of you in my mind)'
Oh I know. Hey you ruined mine by sending me that picture when I already had you as Maurice Minnifield from Northern Exposure. Before that you were the actor Rip Torn.

Foxy, I have you as an old lady sitting by her window in the morning sipping on her tea after reading Gardening Australia.

Sorry pontificator,

you're not interesting enough to warrant an avitar in my mind. Oh, though a sudden image of Hyacinth Bucket comes to mind.
In fact, I think I need a new nemesis. I'm sorry I think it's time to break up with you. It's not you, it's me.

I think actors are a good analogy for OLO. Though I'm sure pontificator thinks he really 'knows' Tom Cruise.

When I was young, I always thought "Judge not, Lest ye yourself be Judged" was a threat; God will judge you.
That case a few years back of the Magistrate in South Aus. was quite illuminating. Remember the "rougher than usual handling in a marital situation" line?
That week, every reader in the world thought they had a pretty good idea about the Magistrate, even if they knew nothing about the person being judged.
I think we long term posters know as much as we need to know about each other. We have a pretty good idea who we can count on as 'allies' and who will always be protagonists; who we can safely disagree with, without the issue dropping to a slanging match, who we can learn from, and who will provide a great example of what not to do...
and...hoos posts...lol... ar not werth...lol... reeding....or trying to translate into common english.

Howler - do you mean you're not really Babarra Sexington, recovering drug addict and stripper?

I'm shattered :(

Grim

<< I think we long term posters know as much as we need to know about each other. We have a pretty good idea who we can count on as 'allies' and who will always be protagonists; who we can safely disagree with, without the issue dropping to a slanging match, who we can learn from ... >>

Well put. I agree.

<< ... and who will provide a great example of what not to do...

Again agreed, and as exempified perfectly in the four posts preceding your own.

<< and...hoos posts...lol... ar not werth...lol... reeding....or trying to translate into common english. >>

LOL. And again agreed. :)

Your brevity and humour, along with CJ's, is a welcome relief after the ordeal of wading through the sheer arrogance and naked hatred fairly jumping off the screen in the aforementioned posts.

I have no visual picture in my mind of either writer, the workings of their minds are so awful, that they inspire no imagining on my part whatever.