connoisseur series500

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Nice to see you back, Tom. I believe my own participation here will be curtailed once I get a new job myself. I'm going to a job interview tomorrow morning. I do work now, but there's a lot of free time. This new job will keep me hopping and I won't have as much time to spend over here.

Drop the subject and make a couple of excellent posts in the politics section. B)

Calm down, GROPE. These are good people. We're all reasonable people here. Stop imagining enemies...

60s era knee-length red boots?

GROPE, You know that I appreciate your presence on this board, and I do feel that you've added a lot of value (and comedy.) Therefore, please listen to me with due degree of empathy as I state that you're off base on this one. I don't see any censorship at all. DEEP's last post appeared as a blatant attempt to get himself kicked off the board, yet B-3er has NOT OBLIGED! I mean how much more tolerance do you need? I doubt that Chris has any extra influence over B-3er as far as getting him to side against DEEP. I don't even think he is trying to get you guys banned. If he was trying to do so, I'm sure you would see him posting to that effect. It's all paranoia on your part, friend. Chill out and mingle easily with the crowd... In the meantime, I think the DEEP thread has reached saturation point. Need to turn to other avenues now for comedy or whatever else. Sex chat gets old fast. And as much as I love throwing insults around at friends, that gets a little tiresome too if done without moderation.

How about Charles Lloyd? He's still very much active.

B-3er agreed? DEEP must have desensitized the poor fellow. Do I object to your name? Kinda. It's just a stupid name. I'm not necessarily offended by the sleezy connotation, but I guess I don't understand the point behind it. I just think it's dumb. Why not make a poll and put it up for a vote?

Dan, I personally haven't forgotten Mr. Ricci's frequent acts of censorship. I sniffed that place out early on and didn't care for the smell of it. Nothing has caused me to change my mind on that. BTW, did you get my pm? Not sure the system is working right now.

It was getting too dull. I did my best to make it interesting.

Thanks for pointing out Korchnoi's rise at a late age. Us old guys need as much confidence as we can get, especially today when we have so many talented youngsters in the game. I did read about 13-year old Karlson from Norway. He's a tremendous prospect. Did you watch the "A" group with Anand and Topalov and Kramnik. I really enjoyed watching Victor Bologan come back at the end. Mickey Adams had a terrific result which was good to see, as he is one of the "good guys" in chess. Leko had a good result as well. Really enjoyed watching some of the games live. I will definitely be looking forward to following the Linares tournament. Do you play much yourself, Swede?

Just played in my first tournament since December and I won first prize with a 3-0 score. Took home a measly $100, but victory is always sweet!! I was second seed; never got the chance to play the top seed as he lost in the second round. I then defeated the fellow who beat him to go undefeated. Was nervous as shit. Didn't get a good night's sleep and felt rusty. Of course, I had studied during the week, but when you're under pressure...nothing prepares you for that other than just playing tournaments. Picked up 10 more rating points. Not too many. Next tournament will be end March in Columbus, Ohio. Big team event. My three games all went into endgames where I was nursing a pawn advantage. Lots of drawing chances despite the extra pawn. I didn't play my best, but my opponents missed their chances to draw. I think I'm still improving. (Even at my age...)

Appreciate your comments on that, Eric. I agree somewhat but not entirely.

Jim: Do you prefer that the thread revert back to rape and online courtship? Politics strikes me as the more reasonable discussion...

I just don't like the smell of that place. Ricci goes and makes a list of people whom he views as the "core group" on his site. That strikes me as rather divisive. It was an embarassingly small list too. I don't know. I still support Dan's comments. I would have phrased things differently, but Dan is Dan. If Jim got fed up and gave up on Organissimo's board, would I migrate back over to AAJ to follow everyone else? I am not sure. I don't like intrusive board moderators. I don't think I would. I am now completely done with that board.

I don't know. The review is not too negative. Could have been better, but there are enough backhanded compliments there.

Hmm, seems as if I'm not cognizant of the full story... This is more complicated that it initially appears. Sorry, guys, for posting my thoughts before I even read the threads. I have to bow out of the discussion as I really don't know what's going on. In the meantime, I'm heading over to AAJ to read Dan's comments. Okay, I'm still not cognizant of the full story, but I read the link that Dan posted and his terse response. As I've mentioned before, we all have our styles. I try to contain my tendency to use foul language when posting (not always successfully!) and I certainly try to curb my emotions. Well, Dan is Dan. I'd be pissed if I were he and happened to have read Mike Ricci's "twerp comment." In the same breath he wonders where Heaney has been. In other words, Dan is a twerp, but he misses Hardbop. (Nothing negative on Heaney intended here!) I'd be insulted. I support Dan's comments. Unless there's something else I'm unaware of.... BTW, since I'm an infrequent poster at AAJ, my comments don't mean diddly squat! Mine is only a disinterested opinion, as far as AAJ is concerned. I do consider Dan a friend, and my inclination is to support a friend after he is insulted.

Hmm, seems as if I'm not cognizant of the full story... This is more complicated that it initially appears. Sorry, guys, for posting my thoughts before I even read the threads. I have to bow out of the discussion as I really don't know what's going on. In the meantime, I'm heading over to AAJ to read Dan's comments.

I disagree. I think Dan posted in a "fit of anger" and that was fair, but I would hope he would go back and delete the messages. Haven't yet read Dan's posts at AAJ. Still catching up on stuff here. Will get over there shortly, but I do approve in principle with Dan sticking up for himself. Will be over there shortly to read the posts...

A couple of points here, if I may: I think you exaggerate, Bev, a bit about others indulging DEEP. I don't think, for example, that Dan was currying any special favors with DEEP when he got banned from AAJ. You are likely reading more into this than there is. I have led him on in some gags, but I certainly don't stroke his ego. I have no agenda here and curry no favors from him. As far as DEEP's "personal attacks" go, I do feel that he puts on a big show and it is really hard to know what he truly means. It's all a big gag. You are definitely correct, however, in taking the discreet approach that you have done, in that DEEP seems to be the type of person who will lay into someone again and again and again if you happen to be within eyeshot. I fully understand and acknowledge your wisdom in laying low for awhile. Hopefully, you will feel free to begin posting again on a regular basis once you feel the time is right to do so. Again, glad you're back.

I've always thought Mike Ricci was basically fariminded, but I don't approve of his treatment of Dan along with his attitude towards mentioning Organissimo. I haven't posted much over there, and I don't plan to start. Now I'll head over there to read Dan's posts! We're behind you all the way, Dan!

Happy Birthday, Geoff, and keep reviewing!!

Happy you're still here Bev!

Yes, that's it. I got home from your last gig and replayed it a few times.