Medi,
Three Cheers! - you are one incredible woman.
I have kept in the shadows because this all felt like something I did not want to be a part of but it has been bothering me a lot as I feel like it is a stack of misperceptions.
I know Rastagirl is a strong highly intelligent and opinionated woman. I always enjoy her (your ;-) ) "perspective". I have watched her get under certain peopleâ€s skin - and I never totally understand, because this is cyber space, and because I have my self enforced boundaries i.e. I don't let people I have never met get to me. I always try to understand where they are coming from and meet them there.
For example - Rastagirl sometimes reminds me of a certain poster that we all knew on the other board who became a very talented water color artist and lives in NY.NY. Her posts were well though out - intelligent and opinionated. She had a lot to say and was not afraid to say it. Her posts would often tick me off but I would slow down sit back and think about what and why she is saying things and it would all make sense – I grew to value and respect her posts.
She was real just like Rasta Girl is real. They are who they are. They are not braggarts they are just upfront and honest – they are living their lives and not afraid to talk about it.
Now I am not from NY but I know a lot of folks from NY and they are different from the people I know from Canada - the people I know from Boston, the people I know from the Mid West, the people I know from Cali… etc.
When I read peoples posts, stories, trip reports and opinions I think about what I do know about that person and consider their point of view – or perspective as Medi so eloquently put it.
If a poster is from NY ,I read their posts imagining a NY accent and then it all makes sense to me. Most of the people I know from NY are smart, blunt as hell, opinionated, strong willed, loud and pushy – but when I see beyond those things (which I kinda like and admire) they interesting, stimulating, loyal, thoughtful and often very funny.
For many years I was a waitress – I worked in seaside resorts in seasonal jobs chasing the sun. I served people from all over the country and there were noticeable differences.
When a table of NewYorkers showed up they would be the loudest pains in the butts – but in the end they would tip the best and they would come back and remember my name.
Now I know a lot less about Jitters than I have read about RG – but I have read that Jitters first language is not English. I have no idea what it is – but I keep that in mind if she writes something that makes me pause. Things just donâ€t always translate right and that is the bottom line.
Well this is my sermon for the day lol
I think we are all good people sharing a similar love – some may get to love it more often and for longer times than others – but it is what it is.
Canâ€t we simply accept and celebrate our differences. If you struggle with that, try imagining various accent when you read peoples posts – you will find yourself being far less judgmental - it really does help!
.