Well, for me the RCTN is a fossil, dead and run by the same bunch all the time. It might have served its purpose, now the folks still posting here have turned it into a local sewing circle, blubbering along mostly about things not craft related.
It might have escaped you that new people pop up once and never post again. Wonder why?? See above. In a day there are probably 10 craft related posts, if at all, and mostly about What are you stitching today?, the rest is OT with bad jokes and ranting.
Yes, you are right, it has turned into something that has been done for centuries. I don't care. There are interesting groups where I'm a member, I don't need a sewing circle elaborating about Paris Hilton or some other TV shows... and I also don't need to be screamed at because someone I don't even now has a bad hair day.
Starting a crafty thread? What for. I have announced my new online class for Hardanger, not even a single response, no one even remotely commenting or even looking I reckon, because you folks where so busy with the Hilton nut. It's not worth the effort, it only costs my valuable time.
I have tried before to start crafty threads, and other new ones did too - they die the moment someone posts a funny tasteless joke and all of you are laughing yourself to bits. That has become of the RCTN. I don't waste my time here anymore.
Come on, Sibille, loosen up a bit. If I didn't reply to something you've posted, that doesn't mean I didn't read it or find it interesting. There are still plenty of on-topic threads, and it's my choice which threads I read. That's one of the good things about news groups like this. I usually avoid anything about P.H., but just today I thought I'd have a look at this thread, especially as people like Karen so often have interesting insights to offer. That doesn't mean that rctn is in any kind of so-called decline.
Johnno ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with
Sort of a little comic relief !
I saw and read the posts about the hardanger but I have as much in the WIP department as I can safely handle and have not long finished a hardanger project anyway.
There is no way one can force people to take classes in anything and likely suggesting it in the fall might have drawn more response, though you are heading towards winter.
I wouldn't paint this broad stripe. Obviously, it depends upon the people. How busy, how much is just there, and what values get instilled. There was an obituary in the last couple of weeks for someone here - evidently one of the enormously wealthiest people in the US. Heir to a large paper company that had been founded IIRC in the 19th century, and sold I think 20-30 years ago for billions. This guy, and evidently his brother as well, not only lived reasonable, but had gone on earning his PhD in Astro Physics from Yale (?) and chose to work all his life, becoming head of one section of NASA. Lived in a normal house near Goddard, didn't want the colleagues to know quite the extreme of his wealth - so there wouldn't be awkwardness. At the same time, he & wife had doneate $35 Million to Arena Stage, and similar millions to other arts foundations. I believe the salary also was donated away. But, he always wanted to work. Very interesting. There was a discussion about him on the Tony Kornheiser show one morning - essentially as in this guy could've been a male Paris Hilton, and instead - a doctorate in astrophysics, etc.
DH & I coached at St. Alban's - a pretty ritzy DC prep - with the kids of well known (senators, ambassadors, broadcasters, etc. & just established families) and had the anti-Paris experience. Sure, some of these kids wanted to party more than others - but they were for the most part amazingly great to be around. Might not agree with the dad's political stance, but the kids were expected to study, do well, be something. OTOH, we've seen kids from a couple of the other "rich" kids preps that I can only describe as "rich kid wanna be thugs" , more $$ than brains.
It is an effort to make kids see that just because things are fiscally available doesn't mean you have no responsibility. My parents close friends became quite wealthy about 35 years ago. Serious money - he is a hard-working engineer, founded an aluminum products company, and worked hard. All the 3 boys worked. I think that they were doing quite well even when the boys were in high school or younger. But, by the time the eldest was in college serious $$ (talking they had everything on her wish list from the old, poor 1-room aptmt days ). All the kids expected to work in the factory, get padi like the other engineers, or whatever when they were students. The youngest became an Industrial Engineer and dad constantly made him crazy - this wasn't serious enough for him. Sure, the grand kids get some amazing indulgence. But these people along with doing charitable things, and having anonymous collections on display at the Met & National Gallery, are the extreme that I know of feeling they must have responsible children.
See above. It's all interesting. The dad of said family was orphaned before college, and worked his way through, etc. He and my folks were young adult friends prior to marriage, I think my parents drove her to the hospital to give birth for son #1 - while he was stuck at work. When D, my dad's friend had a great idea for a company, they became partners. Ebidently my mom - the nervous one - had dad back out after some months becaue she was worried about the money that could be going to "shoes for the baby" . I'm not sure my dad or my aunt (mom's sister) ever forgave her, I know they didn't forget - for making dad back out of the company. But, such is life.
You just can't tell. I think that when you have people that just indulge with their money and don't "think" - and a society that is insatiably curious about fame or wealth - people like Paris Hilton just happen. Sad statement.
It probably hasn't escaped anyone's notice - people come and go. Some of us have been "blubbering" on and off her for many years. So, it is a virtual sewing circle. There are indeed plenty of other needlework and craft forums
- some more instructional, some less so.
There is a moderated, as in must be on topic, discussion list at ANG. You might find that more to your liking. It's a huge membership and the moderator ensures that no OT or gossip things go on. It's all stitching all the time. Although, there will be discussions about classes and instructors. As a guilty person here - babbling non-stitch things - but experienced with the ANG list - I'd seriously suggest you try that one. The strict adherence to staying on-topics may appeal to you - based on what you've written.
As has been said - don't read the threads that don't suit you.
WRT your class announcement - Dianne did post a follow-up. I went and looked at your site. It looks very pleasant. But, as it's not a class that appeals to me I didn't have anything to say. I suppose I could've said "hey, I checked out Sibille's site, it's nice that she offers assistance if you purchase her designs. The Hardanger class looks like a good beginner project - but since I've never seen what her instructions look like, can't say much more. I did like the "Lily Pilly Glass Case" in the hardanger designs. We all could have said "Congratulations on getting a class up".
But, as going further into that would involve the posting of services for sale, and since this isn't the marketplace, not sure what more you wanted. Since you have a discussion forum via your site, and a specific forum for the class via Dianne's heritage shoppe, it wouldn't seem that detailed discussion of your hardanger class would be happeniing here. Except for the "hey, I'm taking this class from --- and really like it, or hate it, or fill in the blank" .
Well, have some happy stitching time wherever you go....
IIRC the Hilton family has always had its share of oddballs. Wasn't Elizabeth Taylor's first husband, Nicky Hilton an alcoholic who physically abused her and I believe one of the Hilton's was married to Zsa Zsa Gabor and was involved in all sorts of scandal.
I have a feeling this is just a not too bright girl who has an uncanny instinct for publicity and what's fashionable. She hasn't had any formal schooling and/or a real job so what's to be expected from someone who never had to lift a finger to get what she wanted.
I'm also incredulous at how many people consider her just a kid. She's 26 years old and most of the people I know who are that age are productive individuals, some are wives and mothers, others are budding executives and certainly none of them are as babyish as she is.
just you again, Cathy, the one who reckons that paying for something is not on, because free is the way to go. Should have known you come from the RCTN...
Well, you certainly wasted enough time writing a huge long post complaining about a group you insist means nothing to you any longer.
Perhaps the threads you started didn't interest the people reading; that's not anyone's fault, and to suggest that somehow the more frequent posters kept you from an audience is just silly.
Has it occurred to you that perhaps no one was interested simply because no one was interested. I looked and even though your hardanger is pretty, it didn't make me any more interested in doing it than I ever was before. As a matter of fact, been there, done that and I still don't like it.
I'm sorry you're disappointed, but why are you being nasty? Or is that just sour grapes.
Well, it was both. Certainly an announcement of a class being offered seems reasonable. But, pushing it further certainly does fall into the advertising of a service available for a price. Not the same as those taking the class discussing a technique, their progress, a question.
I have no problem paying for services, and certainly don't expect all things should be free. It's nice to get something as a bonus.
And, we all should be entitled to our different points of view, without feeling lessened as people. I know that I'm guilty of typing too quickly without editing my words so that they may seem more pointed than what's in my mind. But, like most of us - if I'm not interested I don't feel compelled to say something about a topic. Except I think it's nice when we all recognize something well done by someone in our group - hence the multiple short posts we see frequently of the "it's lovely" type.
Life is dynamic. Groups change, so RCTN has changed. There are still people that have been here for quite some time. But, in the 10 years I've been on and off multiple other groups have arisen all over the web, and I'd venture to say that has the most to do with some of the change. Along with the so many ISPs not providing news reader services so that folks have to deal with the bulk of going through Google groups. Just my opinion.
Well, got to go and finish softball stats - game in a little while. What fun. Nothing like over-40 men's league...
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