I've been as guilty as any of "fading out" due to feeling shy, not wanting to appear ignorant, and various misunderstandings, fears and phobias. A lot of past baggage makes these foibles part of my nature, but it is correctable and I'm a work in progress :) It helps that I feel a comradery with you all, and that we are, underneath it all, birds of a feather. This forum has helped me get over a lot of hurdles lately, and I am getting stronger in my knowledge and confidence all the time with all of your help. So thank you, you don't know how much you all mean to me.

It's unfortunate if many fear harsh judgement from others enough to keep them from posting. While it's good to be on top of grammar, I'd rather someone get their posts up without worrying too much about each point being perfectly made......there's a lot to be said for spontaneity and compassion too! And we must remember that English, while it's "our" language here in the U.S., may be someone else's second, third, or fourth language.

Jake, you bring up so many valid points! I remember telling you in Tucson at Marisco's.........Life's a river! There are more beads to see and talk about in the very next day, the very next moment! I feel like I must grasp at the wisdom rolling past me the best I can, but there is ever more to come! And this forum keeps it all for me to reference later. I can't say how much fun I have when I search material from the past and get side-tracked with other "stuff" I hadn't thought about in some time.

And Mel, what fun it is to see the cool beads you're finding and learning about, from chevrons to Ban Chang to Kiffa and now Ojime....congrats, and thanks to everyone for the tips and pointers.

I doubt that I am the only person who finds day to day life getting more demanding all the time. I feel my "straight" job is eating me alive......beads, and this forum, are sometimes the only true pleasure there is in a work day. And I am thankful to you all.

Some people may define themselves as researchers, historians, collectors...some have many decades in this passion for beads, some are newcomers. All are welcome here. I love this bead community, and I love it when people find their place in it.

For now, I must carry on with the week ahead in mind, and get some sleep. Maybe I can make more concise posts in a day or two. Thank you, everyone!

If we (and I mean the collectors, teachers, sellers, buyers, and those who share) can give you one-tenth of the pleasure that you and David bring to so many by hosting this forum... then that would be a huge amount.

Language is very difficult. Online makes it more difficult. If we could only see each other's smiles, or puzzled looks, or twinkles in the eye... it would make the barriers soften a little.

Don't let the job "eat you alive", Joyce. It doesn't define you, and while it may pay the mortgage, don't lose sight of what is important. Family. Health. This forum. (grin)

I think dannoh is just about the best example of dumb and idiotic posts. Post filled with spelling mistakes and just about anything else you could imagine including ignorance.....But it's so easy to post here and ask questions. No one has ever said anything about these probs I have posting..even when it sounds like I'm putting someone down..like I did when I made one of my last posts.
I like you guy's and the forum..I can't imagine anyone whom after reading one of my posts could feel shy or dumber then I
XOXOXOXO dannoh

As Logan comments about seeing the twinkle in one's eye, seeing looks of humor or puzzlement......she's saying that the written words on discussion boards can only convey a part of someone's personality and aptitude.

I know that Dannoh knows a thing or two about collectible beads, that he sails boats from one continent to another (how many here do that?) and that he's a great conversationalist ( I've spoken with Dannoh at length on the phone, and was in no rush to hang up, he's a fun and interesting guy!)

We all have a lot to share!

I make many spelling mistakes, especially when I am posting from my Iphone or Ipad, as they have a Dutch spellcheck on them. So English words can turn into Dutch words without me noticing.

I know a lot about a few types of beads, and little or nothing about most. However, that has not stopped me from joining a brainstorm about beads I have no knowledge of. I think that through the process of guessing and matching different perspectives, knowledge is created. Someone may know about glass, someone else may have knowledge of tools, someone may know more about the history of a culture and someone else may have travelled to the place the beads came from. All put together, we know a lot.