I will continue working on understanding who you are and why you made the
type of arrival in rbp as you did, as that will certainly underscore the
nature of our online relationship. But if you truly want to be a welcome
contributor here, and more importantly, if you truly want to be a recipient
of the wealth of info, insights, knowledge and camaraderie that is available
here, you will listen to what Wilko, myself, and others are telling you.

Respectfully, and with all sincerity:
--riverman

riverman, I was glad to hear from you, and that you are willing to
continue working on understanding who I am. I too, am working on
getting to know you all better as well.

At Wilko's encouragement, I did some searching on Dave Van, and have
gotten to know his board history, a little better as well, and his
last name. Sounds like he started posting back in 2000, after getting
into kayaking. His initiation was when out for a walk, he saw a
kayaker on a river in Chicago, and as they say, the rest was history.

Now that does not mean, that I know him, nor that we are friends, but
that we have common interest. It is as we share that common interest,
and get to know each other better, that we could even become good
friends. Matter of fact, what I hear is that he got a Kodiak, which
from the discussion, would fit my 6'2, 275 lbs, size 12 shoe, so I
will keep my eyes open for a used one to try out.

Friendship, to me is like an open door, you don't just walk in, but
knock first, and you may get a cup of coffee! But if the word seems
too familiar for you to feel comfortable, I can use the word penpal. I
have found our penpal relationsip already enlightening and
educational. Your international perspective is appreciated, and your
concerns regarding the environment are eye opening. I have already
been reading more, than I have read for a long time. It is not the
only world concern, but certainly a big one.

When I first came to this board, for info, I did not come expecting
friendship, or even an International penpal. If in barging in, I
jumped into a family squabble, that at the time was none of my
concern, I quickly and sincerely apologize. However, I understood that
the board is an open public affair, and the rules of engagement seemed
quite clear. So I engaged.

Now as I have gotten to know all of you a little better, and you know
me, I would look forward to being friends someday. And though I am not
really that much of a coffee drinker, I use the analogy to let you
know the pot is always hot. If in town, I would glad to set down
together, and if from the Congo, your discussion is always welcome.

As an Educator, you are probably familiar with the Meyers-Briggs
Personality Profile. When tested, I scored in the 98% as an ENTP. One
outstanding and well known ENTP was General Patton. You might not have
liked his politics, style, or his personality, but one thing about
him, you knew where he stood, and maybe not where he was going. But
you knew not to stand in his way. Sound familiar!

As far as the SuperGuru stuff, I actually prefer "riverman", so
riverman it is. I do not doubt your river experience, and certainly
entertain your insight and philosophy. In researching Dave Van, I came
across this quote:

riverman wrote:

And yet another tongue-in-cheek definition of technology is "stuff
that
didn't exist when you were a kid", and in that vein...who needs it?
:-)

--riverman

Life tends to get to complicated, and that is part of what is
appealing about paddling. It is basically done the same now, as for
thousands of years. But then there is always something new to learn,
have to have gear, and the hot spots to explore. But then isn't that
what life is about as well.

I have generally tried to distance myself from political discussions,
since in the late 60's when I was involved, and got burned. I was a
student, at Colo Sch of Mines, in 68-69. A classmate of mine, by the
name of Bill Schroeder, was a nice all American boy, was on an ROTC
scholarship. He was nice, but headed into the military and Vietnam. I
was on the other side, protesting the war. So though we were
classmates, we were on opposite sides and our paths did not cross all
that often, and I didn't really know him very well. Then in 1970, he
transfered from CSM, to KSU. He is now best known as one of the four
students killed at Kent State University on May 4,1970.

I had many other classmates who went to Vietnam, to fight and die, for
JFK, and LBJ. It was their war, not mine! Then along came Nixson, and
he promised and delivered, and eventually got us out of Vietnam. Yeah
there was Cambodia, and Loas, and we can discuss Nixons involving us
there, and POW-MIA, etc. But he finally brought the troops home, and I
was tired of it all, and just wanted to become part of the silent
majority. Not a political activist, not an environmentalist, just
silent and secure, protected by the Conservatives who at least do what
they say, instead of the Liberals who sing about making peace, and yet
took us into one of the longest dark periods of American history,
which has been throughly hashed so I won't go there.

Eventually we get to where we are today, and I (as a member of the
silent majority) have to make a decision of who I trust more to
conduct a war. Based on my past experience, I felt more comfortable
with the Conservative.

Then in my silent security, I am cruising around on the internet
checking out discussion groups about paddling, and I come across your
post. I had a rather visceral reaction that not only surprised myself,
but my wife, and you who were at the receiving end. Long latent
feelings and energy were stirred up, when I heard the discussion
putting down Bush. My security was being threatened by a perceived
threat, from enemies at home and abroad. So I fought back. I apologize
if I blind-sided you, just know that I have this reflex response to
threat.

So I am learning about you all, and you about me, and me about myself.
There are others much more informed about the issues than I. I do not
even pretend to know all the issues, but I will not let challenges go
unchallenged either. ENTPs dont have to have all the facts to go off
half-cocked! That our dark side.

So about that cup of coffee, the door is open, the welcome sign out,
and the pots hot! and oh yeah Dave, I was glad to get to know more
about you, and your paddling history. Especially special about walking
with your daughter. Enjoy and cherish those moments, of Life!!!

Respectfully, Tinkerntom, aka KnesisKnosis, Life, Live it!