Patsy's Parlor XXXVI (Parlor I of the New Era)

[Patsy]

All Are Welcome to Come and Share

Parlor XXXV is now history, and skatingforums is about to become history, but we don't leave behind our memories of blades, gary, Aiden, Sami, Ice, and the others.

This is the 36th Parlor and the 1st Parlor of the "FSU era"!! Saffy, you're still in the same stable; you are the Official Dappled Gray of Patsy's Parlor and a treasured feature. The couches go right over there. The Candle made the trip nicely and is in its place of honor in the center of the dining room table. Anyone can light it for anyone . . . . and just because it's already lit doesn't mean someone else can't light it again.

Here are the usual introductory paragraphs--but still useful reading. If you're an oldtimer, feel free to skip them. If you're new or new-ish, they give an idea of the history and the expectations of The Parlor. We love to have folks post about their life--trivia, minutiae, whatever. Doesn't have to be earth shaking! However, we can "do* earth-shaking if we need to . . . never underestimate the power of Parlor Good Thoughts, Prayers, White Light, and Mojo!

Miscellaneous horror stories of drug dealing, animal abuse, etc. etc. are not Parlor-friendly. If this is your interest, I'm sure you can find a community on the Web to share with--The Parlor is NOT that community. The Parlor is also not a substitute for a personal blog . . . . . going on and on and on and on multiple times a day is a bit much.

Everyone is welcome to come and share in The Parlor as long as they play by the "rules"--no special invitations are given and we love to see new Parlorites post. I do have two requests. First, folks are asked to observe the niceties of capitalization (initial caps in sentences, the personal pronoun I is capitalized); the proper use of apostrophes; no rampant "text speak"; periods at the ends of sentences; and two lines between paragraphs (so that a nice blank line shows after the previous paragraph. These requests are so that those of us who are older can read your posts.

Second request is please keep the proverbial "civil tongue" as we share the good things/bad things/ordinary things of our lives. Celebrate, rant, rave, weep, ask advice, give advice, ask for prayers/white light, babble, share--that's what The Parlor is here for. It's everyday life. Doesn't have to be world-shaking, just talk with us. Please, lurkers! Talk to us!

The Parlor grew out of a thread I posted on the old figure skating world (later became F$W) the end of July 2001 when I had to be on my back 24/7 for 3 weeks. I called it "help keep Patsy sane" and asked that folks just post what was happening in their day, how it was going at work, come in and rant, ask for help, etc. Once I was back on my feet and out in the world again, folks said they had enjoyed having a mythical place to come to, thus "The Parlor".

Of course we still have an ocean-front view. Isn't the sound of the surf great? I have tucked the Soapbox under the sink, the kitties have located their self-cleaning litterboxes, the afghans are all piled neatly, and we're good to go. Someone is already positioned nicely on the reinforced Chandelier which hangs over the dining room table. Saffy's in her stable, the Candle is burning for those who need it, and all's right with the (Parlor) world.

Oh yes, as all veteran Parlorites know, the Prime Directive is USE THE COASTERS. Now watch out for the kitties--they prowl around each new Parlor on moving day and can appear under your feet unexpectedly. Parlor goodies have no calories or carbs, Parlor kitties don't make anyone sneeze; the real lemonade is in the fridge and munchies (no cal) are on the table. All food is safe for diabetics and the margaritas have no alcohol in them, so those on pain pills, chemo, or who must not drink can still enjoy one!

In honor of two departed Parlor stalwarts and friends--always missed and forever loved:

from blades: "do ya ever get the feeling that ms. bielman wishes she'd never done that damn spin???"

and from gary: "Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after"-- Henry David Thoreau

*Patsy posts the memorial shadow boxes for gary and for blades, polishes Aiden's memorial fountain, and makes sure Sami's bush has transplanted safely*

[PAskate]

Oooooo! For the first time ever, I get to be the first poster in the parlor. Hope everyone's enjoying the weekend.

To the new folks checking out the parlor, welcome and no, we don't bite.

[Debbie S]

I mostly lurked in the Parlor on SF, but I wanted to welcome the newbies/refugees from SF. I think you'll find that FSU is a great place with very knowledgable people. Sure, there are those you'd rather ignore, but that's why you've got an Ignore List.

Hope to see the On Ice posters in the MITF section.

[Simone411]

Here are the usual introductory paragraphs--but still useful reading. If you're an oldtimer, feel free to skip them. If you're new or new-ish, they give an idea of the history and the expectations of The Parlor. We love to have folks post about their life--trivia, minutiae, whatever. Doesn't have to be earth shaking! However, we can "do* earth-shaking if we need to . . . never underestimate the power of Parlor Good Thoughts, Prayers, White Light, and Mojo!

First of all, I'd like to say "Welcome!"

I've found that "Off The Beaten Track" is or would be very similar to what you're defining as "The Parlor". We have trivia games in the "Off the Beaten Track" and most of us discuss just about everything here in the "Off The Beaten Track".

I hope you find FSU pleasing, entertaining and a place to come where you can also find the latest skating news and just about everything else on the planet there is.

[sk8pics]

I also rarely (if ever) posted in the parlor on skatingforums, but I, too, wanted to welcome everybody.

[Patsy]

Thank you for the welcomes.

[SHARPIE]

Welcome Patsy. Id stay more but my 2 chihuahuas may upset the kitties

[Kasey]

well, interesting. not sure what life over at skating forums is like, but its sounding more like golden-skate kinda get togethers than fsu. im sorry that the skating forums are shutting down, because even on the internet, it always is hard to lose the place you call home. but it is kinda cheeky to go into another house that is welcoming to you and immediately start painting the walls and rearranging the freaking furniture. of course, this is just a thread and its not like youre all asking for your own subforum, so perhaps ill withhold judgement on the whole kit and kaboodle of yas till i get a better idea of what yall are like. im sure i already know some of ya from another site or from here, and get along just fine. just wanted to add a welcome, and a haha, ya think you can set some specific rules as to how to reply here, and people will automatically follow them? think ya gotta get a little more used to what fsu is all about, and then youll realize the silliness of that particular way of thinking. cheerio, tata old chap and all that happy crappy....

[milanessa]

Kasey! Mind your manners.

[Norlite]

well, interesting. not sure what life over at skating forums is like, but its sounding more like golden-skate kinda get togethers than fsu. im sorry that the skating forums are shutting down, because even on the internet, it always is hard to lose the place you call home. but it is kinda cheeky to go into another house that is welcoming to you and immediately start painting the walls and rearranging the freaking furniture. of course, this is just a thread and its not like youre all asking for your own subforum, so perhaps ill withhold judgement on the whole kit and kaboodle of yas till i get a better idea of what yall are like. im sure i already know some of ya from another site or from here, and get along just fine. just wanted to add a welcome, and a haha, ya think you can set some specific rules as to how to reply here, and people will automatically follow them? think ya gotta get a little more used to what fsu is all about, and then youll realize the silliness of that particular way of thinking. cheerio, tata old chap and all that happy crappy....

You are f*cking awesome Kasey!

[Bailey_]

I think people forget that a lot of people post in both the Parlor and at FSU. I personally have felt at home in both places but I have to say, the manner in which people have responded here has been quite astonishing to me. It begs the old saying - "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." Kasey, IMHO your post is really out of line - on any message board. I hope that is not the direction that this thread goes because it shows immaturity and intolerance, in my opinion. Go ahead and say whatever you like, I will not respond to you anymore. I just wanted to say that I think what has been said is unnecessary and uncalled for.

[soxxy]

well, interesting. not sure what life over at skating forums is like, but its sounding more like golden-skate kinda get togethers than fsu. im sorry that the skating forums are shutting down, because even on the internet, it always is hard to lose the place you call home. but it is kinda cheeky to go into another house that is welcoming to you and immediately start painting the walls and rearranging the freaking furniture. of course, this is just a thread and its not like youre all asking for your own subforum, so perhaps ill withhold judgement on the whole kit and kaboodle of yas till i get a better idea of what yall are like. im sure i already know some of ya from another site or from here, and get along just fine. just wanted to add a welcome, and a haha, ya think you can set some specific rules as to how to reply here, and people will automatically follow them? think ya gotta get a little more used to what fsu is all about, and then youll realize the silliness of that particular way of thinking. cheerio, tata old chap and all that happy crappy....

[mmscfdcsu]

Oh yes. Kasey is going to be sent to the woodshed from the Parlor. I must agree that it is a bit tacky to come right on in and start setting rules. I mean come on now. We welcome new blood, but show a little respect.

[LilJen]

I was there, I've been here too for a few years, and will continue to be here. Hoping that the MITF subforum will perk up--the equivalent had been (sadly) dying out at skatingforums, and the support among the adult skaters there was fabulous.

Anyway, a hug to Saffy, and all are welcome to snuggle with my two large pups (one 13 and recently become a tripod and doing well, the other 3 and a total lovable idiot), who love any and all attention.

[genevieve]

I think people forget that a lot of people post in both the Parlor and at FSU. I personally have felt at home in both places but I have to say, the manner in which people have responded here has been quite astonishing to me.

I think it's fair to say that anytime someone has posted a thread on FSU that tries to limit who can post or what types of input are welcome (and subsequently unwelcome), the very thing they seek to avoid tends to come crashing in, very quickly. Members aren't thrilled about being given rules here by posters other than SHARPIE and the admin team (and to be honest, some aren't crazy about listening to us either ), and are not afraid to say so.

There are a lot of FSU members who've been a part of Patsy's Parlour over the years and are fond of it. I'm sure the thread will do fine here - but it will probably do better if the initial post with "rules" is abandoned, as Patsy does not have any authority to enforce those rules and longtime posters here know it.

[immoimeme]

MA! Hey, Ma! Kasey just pissed in the pahlah!

[SHARPIE]

Alright guys, chill. If you dont like the thread then there almost 68K others to read. There are a LOT of threads I dont like or participate in here but I dont go and piss on them. That's all.

[Reuven]

I think people forget that a lot of people post in both the Parlor and at FSU. I personally have felt at home in both places but I have to say, the manner in which people have responded here has been quite astonishing to me. It begs the old saying - "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." Kasey, IMHO your post is really out of line - on any message board. I hope that is not the direction that this thread goes because it shows immaturity and intolerance, in my opinion. Go ahead and say whatever you like, I will not respond to you anymore. I just wanted to say that I think what has been said is unnecessary and uncalled for.

If a poster bothers you so much, try the "ignore" function. Much better than whining.

[succubus]

Plus this is an international forum with many non-native-English speakers/typers - seems silly to put rules out about proper apostrophe placement, etc.

Actually most of my native English speaking/typing friends have no clue about proper apostrophe placement. But then again they're dumb.

Ah well, I'm taking Sharpie's advice and moving on!

[GarrAarghHrumph]

What's the parlour, exactly? We just post whatever? If that's the case, then I just had some lovely pizza and beer with my husband, and we're currently watching the bad Sci Fi movie on the SyFy channel. I think the film is supposed to be about meteors striking the earth or... something...

If that's not the case, should I be posting about my cat? He's a very nice cat. Only has one eye, so we like to warn people before they come over so they don't freak out. He's been trying to sit on our pizza box.