I believe it was January, when I first started posting on the forums here, and I've met (online anyway) some wonderful people with a common love for all things pipe and tobacco. I was a wet behind the ears newbie (still am) without a clue as to what I was doing. The folks here really helped me to learn what kind of pipes were worth buying, what kinds of tobacco were worth trying, and how to pack my pipe and smoke it without getting so frustrated I'd be crying! I've still a lot to learn, however, and I know that I'll learn at least a fraction of that by the time I reach 2000 posts. It seems there's always something new, always something I never would have thought about. And I'm glad I can come here and not be afraid to ask a question. It seems no matter how dumb the question might sound to the person asking, the members here always answer it as a legit question, and always answer in a respectable way. There's a comradery on the Pipes Magazine forums you don't find just anywhere. I've visited quite a few forums in the past and was a moderator and later an administrator on one of those. I know a good forum when I see one. And this one is at the top of the class for sure. That is thanks to Kevin and his staff, and the members who post here. I've seen love of fellow man on this forum (consider that a figure of speech, ladies. You are definitely included in this too) that seems to be lacking in today's world. Someone posted a story of the painter Norman Rockwell the other day. To make it short, his studio burned down and he lost everything, including his pipes. Of course in true piper fashion, it seems he was more distraught over losing his pipes than he was in losing the tools of his livelihood. While sifting through the ashes, some of the men from town showed up to present him with new pipes. You would think in this age we now live in that kind of comradery, that kind of respect for fellow man has died away. But that spirit still lives on as strong as ever on these forums. I've seen the charity of members when another broke his cane. I've seen the caring of members when someone was ill or had a death in the family or asked for prayer for a friend. I myself have been the recipient of some samples of tobacco, and I was sent a couple loaner pipes to even out my seven day rotation. I have a friend, not even a member of this forum, and a member here sent him pipes and tobacco! Really? In this day and age? It's unheard of! But it's very very true.
I could probably write for an hour or more, and still wouldn't be able to put down everything that makes this forum great. So I won't ramble on anymore. I will close with this... I am damn proud to be a member of Pipes Magazine Forums, and damn proud to have been able to communicate with my fellow pipers here. And I look forward to seeing all of your posts as I chug on toward another 1000 posts.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you for being here and for just being the kind of people you are.
Anthony Rosenthal
I could probably write for an hour or more, and still wouldn't be able to put down everything that makes this forum great. So I won't ramble on anymore. I will close with this... I am damn proud to be a member of Pipes Magazine Forums, and damn proud to have been able to communicate with my fellow pipers here. And I look forward to seeing all of your posts as I chug on toward another 1000 posts.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you for being here and for just being the kind of people you are.
Anthony Rosenthal
I plan on sticking around for a good while. lol Tarak... the next 400 posts for you will likely fly right by. You'll hit 1000 soon enough I'm sure.
