Hi there, FOXY & BELLY...

I, too, am honoured and delighted to be countered among your friends FOXY!

And BELLY, the main reason I don't contribute much anymore, is that I've become old and boring. And the only topics I feel anywhere near comfortable in discussing, is the police force, the military, and the Malaysian Confrontation, or the war in South Vietnam? All 'blues' that I was personally involved in.

It would seem, those topics became boring (similar to myself), and nobody is interested in replying to anything I write, or I'm simply not liked or valued on the Forum now. A 'surefire' message that comes from many of the contributors herein; that I've reached my 'use-by date,' as it were, and it's time I left these hallowed portals of Graham Young's exemplary vision.

And finally, I was diagnosed at the Neuropsychology Unit, at the Repatriation Hospital, some time back. And they found that I had entered the primary phase of 'age-related' dementia. And that's about it really. Thanks, BELLY old mate?

Every post after my last, not including we all know who, are posts I agree with
Joe [Loudmouth] can box my verbal ears any time he likes, I too some times deserve it
Right from my first post here, pre-spell check, I have made a Goose out of my self, often
Too as with Foxy my days may be limited, fighting to be around but it takes more
I try to improve my posting style, constantly
But can not stop a truth, I write as an evolving *new center* dreamer
See my leftist days went not long after my youth, but a product of Labors center unity, its right, I propose moving
To the AGAIN abandoned Liberal ground, so we are again electable
Please new chums take me down, or agree, we would like to hear from you

Another thing that might put potential newcomers off is people talking about themselves, particularly about their health issues. Hypochondria is not an attractive trait.

However, I really can't see why run of the mill, garden variety posters are concerned about something that has nothing to do with them. There are quite a few people who have and run their own websites but never get a single response or comment, yet they keep on doing it.

Just be grateful to Graham for providing us with a platform to air our opinions. Who posts what, and how many do it is his business, not yours

Oh. And there are no friends online. If you need anonymous people who might or might not be what they claim to be as friends, you are a bit sad. Get a pen friend with a real name and a photo. Better still, mix with real people you can touch, hug or shake hands with. They tell me inflatable dolls are getting better, too.

O sung wo you are valued, and hope you are ok, reaching back in to the history of our section of OLO,
We have had more posters and yes some strange views expressed, too some intent on insult not contributions
We all by pass some threads, nothing to do with you o sung wo, [thank you for your life of service]
Some times owning to the presents of trolls we avoid needless confrontation
Again any contributions from read only folk are welcome

Dear Belly,

I've just read an interesting article on
the web on the subject of -
toxic people. - It's worth repeating so I'll
share it here as a warning to us all.

We're told that -

" Most of us have known or worked with (or even been
related to) someone who just seemed to spread
negativity everywhere."

"Examples include a work colleague who constantly
complains about how poorly the company or organisation
is run or a friend who can never seem to see the good
in anything and who does not hesitate to tell you all
about it. "

"Those are toxic people. After any inter action or a
conversation with a toxic person your mood will
probably be lower."

"Your mood in fact may be blue for sometime, thinking
about all the bad things in your workplace or your
social circle. The negative person will now be happy
at least for a while."

"This is the hallmark of a toxic person - having
thoroughly upset you they're pretty happy. They've
unloaded onto you. The key to coping with toxic
people in your life is to minimize your contact
with them and to understand what's happening when they
start to spew negativity."

"Once you learn not to absorb that negativity you should
be able to cope with them more easily. Toxic people are
the ones who complain all the time. They're the ones who
always blame you. They always turn things around so things
you thought they had done wrong are suddenly your fault.
They over react to events."

Unfortunately these people are attracted to online
discussion forums where they can target the vulnerable.
These kind of people the toxic ones,
are another reason that many
newcomers decide not to stay.
Unfortunately the internet attracks them.
And anonymity is what they thrive on.
Because they are bullies and cowards.