STT help and advice--moving

Ronnie,

Is this the stone age where I have to ask my husband for permission? You are really showing your age and view towards women. Of coarse a husband and wife talk about their work to each other to expect any thing else is ridiculous these are not state secrets. And I protect my identity. And when have i EVER revealed anything he is working on?? Get a life and a better attitude.

dougtam,
I may not have a bandwagon but consider this a personal invitation to join the cheerleader brigade 🙂

I've known Ronnie on and off this board for 3 years now and have rarely seen him get involved in these argumentative threads but the fact that he commented (brilliantly, I might add), says a lot.

Ronnie, I love your attitude, it is the same perspective that I have in regards to many things and I'll say it for the 100th time, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem-get out there and do something about it or shut up.

I am almost afraid to jump in because I don't want my head snapped off. However, I think we need to take into account the medium we are operating in. Something gets lost in translation when we communicate via the internet. It certainly is not the same as communicating in person. I do try to give everyone the benefit of doubt when I read these posts-something I wish more of us would do.

However, I have to admit I have been a bit troubled by the tone and tenor of some posts. Some posts have read like literal attacks on other users. I completely understand the need to paint a balanced picture, but balance is the imperative word here. There is crime, violence and corruption everywhere-why is the USVI SOOOOOO much worse? I live in NYC, where someone is shot every few hours and you can easily pay 2k for a shoebox in Chelsea! (Seriously, I do mean a shoebox).Heck, I have lived in towns upstate that are more drug-infested and crime-ridden than the South Bronx!

Forget about the cost of living-I know people making 70-80k/yr who have to borrow money from their parents to buy groceries or who put life's essentials on credit cards. However, by the same token, I realize the wealth of opportunity in NYC-cultural, economic, social! My second point, therefore, is that there is no place on earth that is perfect.
Nowhere! I have lived in other states, other (non-US) Caribbean islands and England. Trust me, when I say, there is no perfect locale. We have to take the good with the bad. And any presentation thereof should be balanced. I can understand trying to shield others from bad experiences, but that it is un-realistic to think we can move through life unscathed!

M

Coolchica27--are you moving here from NY? If so, do you mind if I PM you?

BTW, my questions are totally unrelated to this thread.

Hi,

Great posts Tam, Coolchica, Suzanne B, Ronnie, et al .

Let's face it, for months now there has been a group of posters who regularly harass, mock, and target certain other posters for being too "bright and bubbly" or too "positive," for using too many "smileys," OR for simply having a different point of view.

I do not need to name those posters as I and most others who regularly read this board know who these folks are.

There is nothing wrong with saying negative things about the islands as there obviously are some challenges to living here. Indeed, pointing out the challenges and draw-backs to living here is helpful and valuable.

There IS however, something wrong with certain regular posters treating their co-posters in such a mean-spirited and disrespectful way, as has been happening on this board for the better part of this year. Islander has removed scores of verbally abusive posts and continues to do so on a very regular basis.

I have tried my very best to ignore this odious behavior and to stay out of the absurd augments that erupt almost daily nowadays, but ignoring doesn't seem to help. I therefore at long last, am throwing my very humble .02 into the fray.

Thanks again to all others who support the concept of treating one's co-posters with kindness, respect, and basic courtesy.

Best,
Mell

🙂 🙂 🙂

NORM!!!!!! You started all this you trouble maker...... O)

:X

Coolchica made a good point. Things come across differently sometimes in the written word. Many a time I've been surprised by a comment here and asked a friend if the know so and so and if he really that annoying or mean etc... Sometimes the answer came back as yes or sometimes it was just they were a little naive or that they were really lovely in person.

But will Mell and her group of friends I really believe it is a failure to see themselves as many others on the board do. Mell you jumped up and quickly praised a couple of people who attacked me. How does that make you nice-spirited respectful person?? Is it because you used a smiley face? I'll make sure to add one to the end of my letter too then.

There is definitely a group of people on this board that can not handle anything they perceive as being negative posted on the board and go on the immediate attack. Because they are saying positvie things about the island they feel they can insult an attack anyone however they want.

🙂

Once, when they were paving my road, there was a little boy picking up the yellow line markers and putting them in a bag. I stopped and said, 'Hey, what are you going to do with all of those?" He looked at me for a second, then as a booger dripped down his nose he said he was going to use the glue on the bottoms of them to glue his sister's lips shut.

True Story.

ROTFLMAO!!!!

Betty, you forgot the smiley.

sorry, couldn't resist.

I just hope nobody took "Your attitude really makes me sick." as negative, or as an attack...that would just be silly O:)

Betty
Do you like living there.

I'd really like to hear the answer to that as well.

Mell, you're back...thank God...the voice of harmony and reason has returned from off island.

Jay, I was attacked and responded in kind. Whereas you just seem to like to attack people for no reason all. 🙂 What Ronnie said did make me disgusted. My husband works incredibly hard to make the islands a better place including endangering his life and for someone to insinuate that he has done some crooked or improper does make me sick with disgust. If you want to attack me fine but leave my family out of it, you in no way shape or form know them and they did nothing to you. If you are mad at me then be a grownup and aim it at me.

Melissa, I lived in many different places in the us. Has this been my favorite place? No. Do I like it well enough and have have a great job and friends, absolutely, but I know I am lucky. Will I always live here I doubt it but I'm sure we'll be here at least another 5 years or so. There are serious trade offs to living here. They are worth it to some but not to others.

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : )

🙂

LOL@JAY! Dang u.
This is a long post, so if you’re in a hurry, you might want to move on!
I have dealt with literally thousands and thousands of people in my life (fast food will do that to you)! The one common thread that entwines most of them is their passion of opinions…and the fervor they express in stating them. To those of you who have emailed, I—for the most part—thank you!!! You have given me great advice; that is after all, what this board is supposed to be about. I’m bound to tick a few people off here but,—I’ve watched the posting here lately, but stayed out of the fray—and have found it intriguing—in a Spock, Vulcan sort of way—how quickly some of the negative issues (personalities?) can infuse themselves into these conversations. I must admit that my ire has been raised for a few seconds now and again by some of the comments, but that’s just how the net works. As I have said before, negative people are VERY valuable…you can learn something from most everyone. I know I am going to get a bunch of “another one bites the dust" comments, but I have truly taken the advice that has been offered here…if I did not want it, I would not have asked. What has made me roll my eyes a few times is the sheer negativity some folks have towards this island. Advice is what I came here for; “I hate this place and all its negativity” was not quite what I had in mind.
Here is what I have decided to do…based on public postings and private emails, family and friends advise…I will be moving to INDY at the end of the month with a 6-month lease. I will be enrolling in school and hooking up with old friends. If at the end of 6 months, if I still have this passion to move to STT, then I am there. Some (most?) of the people here helped me come to this conclusion. It pains me to think I have spent so many $’s to make this move ($ that would have been better spent in STT), but it is the wise thing to do.
I debated the rational of posting this, as I know I’ll get a lot of “see, no one ever really moves here…”pie in the sky dreamers”…comments, but this needs to be about my move, not others posting….I asked for advise, not dictation; I'm a grown man who has learned to listen to the advice offered.
I wish there was (and it would be a great business opportunity for someone) if there were a “welcome wagon of sorts.” Laugh now, but wouldn’t it be nice if there were a true network of people who were there to help people move? Look back at all the posts. NOT COUNTING PRIVATE EMAILS, how many posts gave me advice on where there where apartments to rent (not just temporary)? How many people asked me to post a résumé and suggest job openings? You get the point.
Instead, this whole thread had become a point, counter-point exchange of supposedly “witty comments.” It is truly unproductive. If just a few of the people on this board would start a “welcoming committee” of sorts, how great would that be? Heck, you could charges $$ for that, gosh knows I would pay for it.
Thank you again to those who have offered advice. It TRULY has been invaluable. My mind tells me to look at the next 6 months as opportunity, my heart/mind tells me that I want and need to feel the energy and buzz of STT (I know, some of you just don’t get that term, and I respect that.)
God bless and Best regards,
Norm

Good luck Norm. I'm sending you some positive energy.

Tam

Fraid I'm with Ronnie on htis one:)

Norm, I don't think you're going to get any bashing over making what sounds like a very wise decision for you. You do what you do for you and no one else. The island will be there, it will be COLD in Indy, so if you decide to make the great escape, what better time of year? In the meantime, you'll be furthering your education and hopefully your knowledge base of the islands and will be an even more informed person at the end of your 6 month personal probation period.

Thanks for letting us know what's going on with you - and do let us know if you're going to make the move in 6 months. I think it's awfully big of you to come back and state your reasons for staying stateside at this time....so many people post for months on their intent or arrival and then drop off and we never quite know where they went.

Good luck to you and best wishes for your continued schooling. Maybe YOU can open a Welcome Wagon when you arrive! That may be your new opportunity in life, you never know!

Look on the bright side - visit the vacation forum - the Kenny Chesney thread will probably still be alive and well when you arrive!

Ya know, I reread this entire post. Betty stated her opinions and Norm responded. Then Betty gets called bitter by Jay. Jay also posts again to her not Norm. Than Dougtamjj references other posts on other threads by Betty and posts to her not Norm. Aschultz than questions Betty not adding anything to Norm's questions. Than Ronnie gets in a word to Betty not really on topic either. Than there are a lot of posts some constructive, some not. In between it all BeckyR is trying to make a point which is what I am trying to make that if you want to question someone on their post, why not just pm them instead of taking up space on the thread with arguments? If you don't agree with Betty, post your own opinions of the island in response to the initial poster, but don't attack a person for their opinions. If you do have a problem with someone keep it off the board or simply ignore it. Norm obviously replied to Betty and I considered it done at that point. In this post it seems silly to blast Betty after that.

Norm, personally I think you made a wise decision. The islands are not running away anytime soon, well we hope not! 🙂 Good luck and man I wish you could have fixed the bad tasting McD's on island, but that will still be there as well...

Ronnie and Betty, kiss up and make nice. I know and really like the both of you. Everyone else, keep posting, but just try to be constructive not destructive. I am trying and hopefully you all see that I post my perspective on things as best as I can. I think we are all here because we care. (man do I sound sappy!) Anyway, that's my two cents.

Teresa

This is for Mell....did you enjoy your "off the rock" break? Hope you had a good time?

Hello Islanders,
I have a request…It is about post cards. Someone suggested in an n email that I should surround myself with STT pictures to keep my dream alive. I could print off a bunch pictures, or just buy some photos, but I would LOVE if someone(s) could send me some post cards from the islands. There is no need to write anything—I would love it if you did—but it is not necessary. I do not have my address in INDY yet, but if you could email me, I would give you my home address and new address when my move to INDY is complete. I plan to post them on my wall in my apartment to remind me of God’s beauty that shows its self on STT.
I was warned by several folks, that I talk to via email, that I’ll probably get some grief for this request…but I am still of the opinion that I would love the cards. If you could (would?), please PM me and I will give you my home address.
Thanks folks, things my change…but I doubt it. I WILL be there in 6 months!!!
Thanks you!!!!!! Norm

No takers? C'mon...please? I will paypall you the cost of the card and postage.
:> Norm