posted
I’d like to thank you all for contributing to this momentous occasion. I feel like Gherman Titov. You see, Gherman was the 2nd Russian in space. He wasn’t even the 2nd man in space, that honor went to Alan Shepard. But he was the second man to orbit the planet, beating John Glenn by a few months. He hit a milestone that fewer than 1000 people have achieved to date. Yet he is nearly unknown outside of his milieu.
And that’s the kind of fame I have sought and achieved here at Hatrack. Second at something that, perhaps, few will achieve until it is so commonplace as to be uninteresting to the regular run of people. I might, Gherman-like, achieve some localized fame among the truly well-informed. Among history-minded Hatrackers, perhaps, I will be known. But even that is fleeting. Hatrack may shut down after one too many Dobies. Or I might simply fail to post one day and that would be the end of my position as a Jatraquero. And others will take my place. No plaque on the wall saying “Bob was here.” No Hatrack training center named for me (that honor will no doubt go to Tom – the first to reach 10,000 posts), much as poor Gherman has no space-related centers named for him.
I may even achieve greatness in another field, and if so my career there will be forever footnoted as “the second to reach 10,000.” When he died, Gherman Titov was a member of the Soviet ruling body. He was a leader of his nation. But the articles marking his passing all talk about that one thing – the second man to orbit the planet – the second Russian in space.
And so shall my epitaph read: “Bob, the second to reach 10,000 posts at Hatrack” regardless of whatever else I accomplish in this life. I might be the one to cure cancer, and I’ll be remembered as the second to hit this milestone number of posts.
Well, I have to say that I doubt I will hit 11,000 posts. I don’t think I will ever catch up to or pass Tom. My posting levels are dropping. I am only posting in the truly fluff threads and then usually only if I started them. I’m turning into a lurker. Worse yet, I’m not even a good lurker, as I don’t bother reading most of the threads anyway. I turn on Hatrack and sigh.
Who are these new people? Will I like their threads? If I post, will anyone notice? Why hasn’t Kristine or Kathryn or OSC commented on even one of my pitiful 10,000 posts? I know the answer. It is because I’m just Bob. Here, always. Forever second. Just the lesser of a small group. An unlikely hero in a place with room for just one.
I know that sounds like self-pity and whining. But truly, it is not. I don’t want a bunch of “Oh Bob, you’re great” type posts to follow this one. I’m not fishing for an ego boost. No, I’m just reflecting on the truth. And I’m comfortable with it. History has chosen me to be the second person to hit 10,000 posts. Fate has mapped this out for me. And I not only accept it, I agree with it. I enjoy it. It is my destiny!
Such as it is.
Some are called to quest after greater things. Some lesser. I was called to do this. And now it is done.
Now, I can simply post. No pressure. No driving force to make it to that mysterious and lofty height. Viewed by so few. I am here. I was here. I will continue to be here. That is all.
Gherman, I lift a glass of expensive vodka in your honor! I’m with you, bro! Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
Oh Bob! 10,000 posts? Wake up man, do you see what you've accomplished?
You're in a hall of fame..of sorts.
So what if you get the Sliver Medal! So what if the sponsors haven't sent any kudos your way (in the way of Hatrack mousepads, jogging shorts and headbands,etc.) You're a winner.
10000 posts. Even if you are the second to reach such a noble standing it is still an accomplishment to be proud of!
btw your humility is part of your charm and if you are "the lesser of a small group" I would love to meet that group; they must be truely amazing!
Posts: 3420 | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
Honestly, idon't see what this nonsense is about hitting post # "x" first.
If you've hit that post button 10,000 times, its something significant. Now whether its significant because its impressive, or whether its significant because people now worry about you, is not the point. that's alot of mouse clicks.
Similarly i shall quote cliche:
"life is a journey and not a destination"
the point is not where your post count ended up, but rather what you have done with your posts.
Posts: 4482 | Registered: May 2000
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quote:Who are these new people? Will I like their threads? If I post, will anyone notice? Why hasn’t Kristine or Kathryn or OSC commented on even one of my pitiful 10,000 posts? I know the answer. It is because I’m just Bob.
Just Bob? As if that were anything that could be diminished by adding the word just. So, you are merely the second most prolific poster on this board and an integral part of the community (if this n00b can be trusted to have an opinion, anyway).
Come on Bob, you know everybody loves you.
Posts: 4534 | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Bob, I adore you. There's a frank thoughtfulness and honest humor to your posts, above and beyond the spurts of silly giddiness (which are a real hoot, too). I literally cannot imagine Hatrack without you.
posted
Geez, Bob. If I'd known it mattered so much to you, I would have lurked for a few months so you could catch up.
Seriously, man, you're far more valuable to this place than I am. ANYBODY can post self-important rants; it takes a real genius to be funny.
When all's said and done, no one comes here to hear my opinion on Iraq -- but I know for a fact that people check Hatrack to see if you've updated the ice cream thread. Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Hail, Bob, who has posted more times than the days I have lived! (barely) I drink this lemonade in honor of you. <sips>
Posts: 2523 | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Bob, I love you just the way you are! I laugh at just about anything, its true, but I like you're humor the most. Fresh, original, crispy. Like a dorito... only not.
Posts: 9754 | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
Bob, you are one of the best things about this place. Of course, you were also the first person to respond after my very first post. It's like the baby bird breaking out of the egg and seeing that first face looming over him.
Anyway, thanks for all the nice thoughts. I really was shooting for an ego boosting thread. You have no idea how much I needed it today. Thanks!!!
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
Notice how I did all my kissing up to Bob in my own thread. I will not be pulled into Bob's little game and tell him how funny he is, what a wonderful chap he is, how much I wish I was like him, etc. here in this little ruse of his that he might try to pass off as a thread. Bah!
OK, now everyone sing along (to the tune of Ren & Stimpy's "Log")*:
Who walks on lawns alone and in shorts, and over your neighbor's dog? Who's great for a laugh, And fits on the 'Rack? He's Bob, Bob, Bob
posted
I'm with Bob and Karl. I think there are a lot of us 1999-2001 Hatrackers going through an internet midlife crisis.
We've lurked. We've posted. We've lurked some more. The fire is gone but the desire is there.
Pay attention, newbies. Hatrack is worth the most while you're still living it.
In the beginning it's just a bunch of Ender fans with too much computer time on their hands; in the middle it's a community of believers and nonbelievers and speakers and thinkers and listeners and dreamers and friends.
And in the end it's just a message board.
But it's a message board with a new Bob Scopatz Hatrack Training Center.
Posts: 4350 | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
Bob, you rock the house. You're the man. You're no second-ran. Don't you dare leave, I might cry for days. You're funny as heck in so many ways we'd miss your deft posting like a mime misses words.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
Speaking as one who will maybe only see a post count on your level when I'm so old and gray I can barely see what I am posting Congrats! I think you are cool!!
This week I will hit my 1 year anniversary (14 years married, 1 year at Hatrack) and 3000th post, but I am yet again overshadowed by Bob.
[Sarcasm]Whoop-di-do. [/sarcasm] So he's done 10,000 posts, and most have been good, either seriousls funny or seriously thought provoking. So he's a legend in his own time and a shining beacon beyond that of any Lava Lamp. So he has caused more messes on more keyboards in this world than anyone since the Iraqi Information Minister. So big deal.
Does that give him the right to out shine my own achievements? Does that mean he can quote Russian history in a very "Russian" feeling post and make my spelling mistakes and grammar problems look silly? Does that make him a better poster than the rest of us?
Well, maybe.
All right, sure it does.
But I don't have to like it!!!!!
grumble, grumble, blah, blah, blah. etc. etc.
Anyway. Gratz BOB! Please keep up the silly work. I need the laughs.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Bob, you need to update Aura. She thinks you only have 9,000 posts on Hatrack.
You may never catch up to TomD, but you've surpassed him in *my* heart. What a generous, thougtful person you are...really, what thoughtful, generous people both you and your wife are. I am so looking forward to meeting you both!
Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
I think his analogies are off, anyway. Given the amount of time it took Bob to reach 10,000 posts, the comparison better fits Babe Ruth vs. Hank Aaron. Although Babe came before Hank, the numbers are comparable. Tom has the record, but it took him a lot longer to make it than it did for Bob.
A lot longer.
Of course, this comparison too will fail once Bob eventually passes Tom. Which seems likely since no one would ever let him leave anyway.
Posts: 1307 | Registered: May 2000
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