Nay-sayers

[podzol]

As unicyclists, you have learned to unicycle, which to many seems an insurmountable task, and have probably heard your fair share of nay-saying in the process.

I am planning this uni-tour and there has been a great deal of support from folks all around. But there are others (all non-unicyclilsts):

"That can't be done."
"You'll never get people to go."
"That's too far."
"You are crazy."

etc.

I am really kind of suprised that people just don't keep their mouths shut. They don't know beans about unicycling but they are certainly voiciferous with their opinions!! I guess it actually motivates me even more to do the thing that they insist cannot be done, so perhaps I should appreciate their cynicism..

So my questions to you are:

What motivates people to rain on other people's parades?

Do their comments to you impede you or do they fuel you onward?

[cathwood]

1. Because they have personalities like thunder clouds.
2. Makes me put up my umbarella.

Cathy

[BillyTheMountain]

1. Because they have personalities like thunder clouds.
2. Makes me put up my umbarella.

Cathy

No. It's actually an Intelligent Design feature to encourage you to evolve. It works to motivate you, like the kick in the --- you seem to need ;)

GOD built in many Intelligent Design Flaws just for that reason. Theologians have distinguished between truly Intelligent Design, like having two sexes, and the design of woman, and I-Design Flaws, like.... Well, that's another thread entirely.....:D

With enough evolution, civilized man may appear on the earth.

Billy

[cathwood]

With enough evolution, civilized man may appear on the earth

Well, we can but hope. Ofcourse civilised woman is already here, as Podzol is demonstrating. Go girl!

Cathy

[podzol]

Well, we can but hope. Of course civilised woman is already here, as Podzol is demonstrating. Go girl!

Cathy

Aw shucks!

Every morning when I wake up I stretch and say,

"Give me a shovel and a unicycle; I will build a better world!"

[BillyTheMountain]

Well, we can but hope. Ofcourse civilised woman is already here, as Podzol is demonstrating. Go girl!

Cathy

Yes. I've been flirting with Blake in the PMs, figuring I've got plenty for any bogophile, being a mountain. She actually helped me with a new mound that was erupting on my shoulder just shy of Ethyl the Tree. Diagnosed and treated, looking much better, thank you. Very civilized. I like that in a bogophile!

[podzol]

Yes. I've been flirting with Blake in the PMs,


Now now, Billy: We were PM-ing about mulch! Soil scientists talk dirty all the time. You musn't read into it!

[kington99]

I think people say things like that in an attempt to stop you from doing whatever it is, just becasue if you suceed they will feel inferiour to you for doing something they can't.

[dudewithasock]

I suffer those symptoms from several people at school, accompanied with many circus comments. I think they're just too close-minded to accept it; it's the same deal as gay marriages. They won't accept something that seems too abstract to their minds.

Of course, I get more than enough encouragement from my close, close friends to make up for it. :D

[podzol]

Good attitude, Mr. Dude witha sock!

[Jethro]

What motivates people to rain on other people's parades?
I think some people have a personality defect that makes always look first for a reason that something will not work. I work with a person like this. At staff meeting, someone will just suggest a new idea, and you can just see her brain start spinning to look for all the reasons it will not work.

Do their comments to you impede you or do they fuel you onward?
I my mind, I say, "STFU." With my mouth, I usually ask them if they have something positive to contribute, or just ignore them and continue with whatever I was trying to do.

[BillyTheMountain]

Now now, Billy: We were PM-ing about mulch! Soil scientists talk dirty all the time. You musn't read into it!

Awww shucks. I felt sure that, while your lips were saying mulch, your eyes were saying much more.....

When you examined my shoulder, you were so caring, much more than other soil scientists....

And of course, you're a bogophile. Could there be anyone else here you could be MORE interested in? I don't believe HillBilly has any dirt for you.

:) Billy "I've got bogs on my bogs" TheMountain :D

[Ethel_The_Tree]

Yes. I've been flirting with Blake in the PMs, figuring I've got plenty for any bogophile, being a mountain. Awww shucks. I felt sure that, while your lips were saying mulch, your eyes were saying much more..... When you examined my shoulder, you were so caring, much more than other soil scientists....
Ahem...excuse me??? Sure I lost a few leaves this autumn, but THIS is how you treat me? Was little miss bogorphil there with you through the Air Force Base destruction? Did she help you take out that Studabaker Hawk jerk? Did she help keep you out of the Army?

I want my cut of the royalty payments and I'm outa here!

[podzol]

Dear Mr. Mountain and Ms. Tree:

As a bogophile I prefer to fraternize with folks of a more sodden temperment.
Ms. Tree: I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill!
Billy: It's Dr. Bogophile to you!

Podzol

the perfuctory wink: ;)

[Ottawa Dave]

I,ve found that for the most part people who act negative and mean do so to insulate them selves from other people. Every one of them has had hopes, dreams and loves and when you treat them with kindness after they have done there best to chase you away they usualy turn out to be quite nice.
There is beauty hidden in the grey area between the black and white that most folks put forth.

Cheers Dave

[podzol]

Yeah, Dave. I definitely hear you.
One of the guys that was giving me the hardest of times is a good friend, and it was very awkward. Instead of really just pushing him away, I asked him to take a closer look, since he's such a cycnic, and make some suggestions.

He did look closer and came up with a few suggestions that were insigntful and useful.

About the black and white. I know! I have a 6 -year-old and to him the whole world is good or evil. :rolleyes: Drives me nuts. For him it comes from all the exposure to superheroes, I think, which are sadly simplistic in their portayal in this day and age. I am really trying to teach him about those shades of gray. And about not being so quick to judge.
Thanks!

[BillyTheMountain]

I,ve found that for the most part people who act negative and mean do so to insulate them selves from other people. Every one of them has had hopes, dreams and loves and when you treat them with kindness after they have done there best to chase you away they usualy turn out to be quite nice.
There is beauty hidden in the grey area between the black and white that most folks put forth.

Cheers Dave
Yeah, Dave. I definitely hear you.
About the black and white. I know! I have a 6 -year-old and to him the whole world is good or evil. :rolleyes: Drives me nuts. For him it comes from all the exposure to superheroes, I think, which are sadly simplistic in their portayal in this day and age. I am really trying to teach him about those shades of gray. And about not being so quick to judge.
Thanks!

You two are really on to something here. Let the force of the comment go right past you, don't let it blind you to the wounded human being. very cool. I was like that when I was just a mole hill. remember the words of the immortal Todd Rundgren:

The one that showed me kindness
Was the one that taught me kindness
Though I did not recognize it
Still I might have died without it
And when I awakened
It was too late to thank her
If I live someday I'll make repayment
And show someone the kindness she showed me

When my voice grows strident
When I feel important
I'm reminded of that kindness
And where I'd be without it
I'm learning my lessons
It may take me a lifetime
Give me strength to justify my being
And show someone the kindness shown to me


And that little mole hill of yours, Blake. I mean....wasn't it about 7 years ago I saw you about my shoulder..... I cannot that we had a moment. Is...Is there something you're not telling me? :D

Billy