500? So what....

12 Apr 2004

Well, I never thought I'd post 500 times on this site; but I have. I'm very aware that others have posted far more than this, and probably to greater effect. So why should I think anything at all of my humble contribution?
I only came across this site by accident; I'm not really a 'swinger', never have been, probably never will be. But, I found a group of people that were full of fun and full of life, and that sort of attracted me; still does. I found people with the same daft humour that has plagued me all my life: you sad bunch biggrin

. I've grown close to a whole spectrum of people that I would be proud to class as friends: Sappho-bless you neighbour, Will, Carpy, Sarge-what a star, Fred & Wilma, Fran &Stu, Corrie, Mr& Mrs FC-two of the best you'll ever meet, Misschief, ..and the list goes on; sounds like I'm giving thanks at an Oscar. Others, I would have loved to have got to know better: SteveG-NW, Harry O, Dave J-there's a chap that is just as cursed as I am, but distance forbids. I can't forget two of my biggest co-conspiritors who are no longer here: Gman and Alex (Mrs Peel)...if you are out there watching, I send my best wishes.
Of course, I can't help think about Mark, who made all this lunacy possible. Well done mate.
I don't know how much longer I'll be here: probably not much. My track record is one of pitching tent and moving on.
I thank you for listening to me , I thank you for letting me tell you all about life here in God's own County, I thank you for putting up with my ramblings about the Flora &Fauna that surround me.
I'm sorry if this all sounds maudlin: I fetched my daughter (whom I love to death) home today, and we've celebrated with several bottles of good stuff and choice portions of several farm animals. I will shortly become a Grandad artificer -(at 47-is that legal??)-and so I suppose I'm more reflective than usual.
I've had a funny old life, as those of you that know me will understand, but I've learned one thing: we need one another.
I've recently read John O' Donohue's 'Eternal Echoes'. He amplifies what I have learned throughout a troubled life:
'The hunger to belong is at the heart of our nature'
and
'In this post-modern world the hunger to belong has rarely been more intense, more urgent.'
So, I guess that's why I'm here: seeking to belong and looking for that 'echo' that reassures me that I am still human and part of something more profound than a bundle of DNA...
As I said, don't know how long I'll be here...but until then
God Bless you all.
Artificer wink

13 Apr 2004

Good grief Arty!! Some speech... but well done.
x x

13 Apr 2004

Well done Arti!!
Reaching 500 posts is a feat in itself but what makes it remarkable in your case is the fact that you very rarely post one sentence replies. In fact you rarely post one paragraph replies, opting for quality rather than quantity.
Your posts have become an institution here on SH, and how easy it is to use the words Atificer and institution in the same breath!! lol

:lol: :lol: :lol: Your humour has enriched the lives of many people here and despite your words to the contrary, I suspect, and hope that you will be good for anther 500 posts. Despite the fact we haven't met (yet) I consider you to be one of my closest "virtual" friends and I must get round to sending you that PM I keep promising!! confused

:? :?
I am aware of the adversity you have faced in the past and it is to your credit that you are still able to come here and make me laugh on such a regular basis. For that, I thank you!!! biggrin

:D :D :D :D

13 Apr 2004

:cheers: Well done Artificer - yours invariably manage to be thoughful and amusing contributions :cheers:

13 Apr 2004

Thankyou Arti that was another quality posting, I echo what Sarge has said you have made me laugh on so many occasions with you humour and long may it continue.
I too thank Mark and SH for giving me the opportunity to interact with good vitual friends like you. smile

13 Apr 2004

500 posts, aye, no wonder the veggie plots like a bog, get out there man, the sooner you get stuck in the sooner you can tackle up and try for the big one, no JCB then. Do I detect a hint of a melancholy Arti brought on by â€œseveral bottles of good stuffâ€, (not the home-made vino is it ), and weâ€™ll have less talk of â€œpitching tent and moving onâ€ thereâ€™s very few of us what can right like you and me and tell a tale or three (yes Will & Sapho I know your there too) and that German guy Harry, whoâ€™s english I feel is improving. Yes Arti, and all out there we do need that â€œhungerâ€, we also need a place to escape too and this site I think (partly) does that. And anyway weâ€™ve had enough â€œolderâ€ hands leaving, tail it off for a bit get ya plot under control and hang in there who else is there to tell the tale of the one that got away and youâ€™ll only wet the appetite of Sarge to come and get you back in line. Slim.

13 Apr 2004

I'm all choked.... but maybe that's just cos my collar is too tight wink

, no really.... good post indeed..... but, maybe I've read wrongly, but do you mean you're leaving the forum??????? :shock:
AGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I can't let a fellow dog lover leave..... someone lock the door while arti's in the cafe - and hide the key lol

:lol: :lol:

13 Apr 2004

Wow Arti what a speech
Well done on your 500, all of em quality posts - that's gotta be somesort of record :shock:
Even bigger Congratulations on becoming Ol Grandpa Arti!!! You will be the best Grandad in the world, that much I am sure of kiss

As for the leaving bit - well I'm afraid I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that bit
sticks fingers in her ears and sings loudly

13 Apr 2004

Its a pleasure to suffer the same curse Arti keep it coming.

13 Apr 2004

My dear Artificer!!
As ever, a well prepared and well delivered piece of wisdom. It is always such a pleasure to read your posts. I can only echo what everyone else has said and say that I hope you will stay around. If you do ever feel that it is right to move on (not for a long time yet, I trust) I hope you will stay in touch.
We still have a lot of talking (and drinking) to do.
Here's to the next 500!! :cheers:
Will
Somewhat misty-eyed at being included in Arti's list in the first place!

13 Apr 2004

Well I was not going to post again (and indeed this is not a real return) but I had to post on my dear, dear friend Arti's thread.
That was such a wonderful speech from an even more wonderful person. I have enjoyed your posts greatly and you are one of those I miss most.
You are one of the most eloquent, yet amusing characters on here.
Take care of yourself my friend - one day I will make it down to Shropshire and share a bottle of Merlot!
Big hugs and kisses,
Alex x x x x x x x x

13 Apr 2004

I'm not sure I'm qualified to respond to such a thread but with my limited experience here I've learnt that as time goes by you recognise quality.
Arti ( if I may be so bold) - I don't know you but I know you're quality. Don't disappear altogether.

13 Apr 2004

I'm beginning to feel a bit like you Artie,
I've just checked, and this will be posting 492 by me. I took my time getting this far, but then I run out of 'puff' easily these days. Too many ciggies probably. rolleyes

Congratulations are also due 'Grandad'. Been there, done that twice now. Strangely it didn't make me feel any older, just a bit 'chuffed' that the family line will continue for many years to come. My congratulations also to your daughter.
As for 'upping tent and moving on', I think you may have a problem there, the land around the Swinging Heaven Camp Site is renowned for being difficult to extract tent pegs from. I enjoyed our chat at the Midlands Munch and wished there had been more time to chat further. We naturalists are few and far between and as far as I know we are the only two on this site.
I for one, look forward to your posts on any subject. It's now the beginning of my 'busy season' with numerous entomological surveys to do, but I will still be in here first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Again my congratulations on your 500th.
Regards,
Harry0

14 Apr 2004

Arti, congratulations all round! Grandad and grand poster, fantastic.
Also, while I'm about it - hi there Judy, nice to see you raising a glass to his Artiness there. You coming to the McMunch?

15 Apr 2004

Fantastic! Guess the drawers! Do we guess DJohn's pants as well? Is he going to be a bunny in the Easter sense or the Girl sense?
How about Princes Street and its Gardens as a venue? It'll be nice and busy, plenty of punters.
Reallly looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

15 Apr 2004

my guess is a catchy little blue satin number, split up the middle with pink fluff down the slit!!!
Go for it Judy!
watch out for the sharp wind though!