Post #270901 by VampiressRN on Wed, Dec 6, 2006 8:53 PM

Great thread!!! As a newbie, hope I can give some insight into how this board has affected me in my short time here, and declair myself, right up front, as a lifer to Tiki....but all because of folks like you. I have been a board user for buku years, moderated boards and even had my own board, so I can lurk & post with the best of them. As a newbie, my posts right now are mostly "wow..that's great" "what a fabulous idea" "de ja vu...I remember that" because I in no way have the Tiki knowledge to add much more. Some day that won't be the case, but I have a huge learning curve to get to the level of the general poster here.

What this board has done for me since I joined:

~I was absolutely shocked in finding this board and totally thrilled to know the things I have been attracted to since my childhood are a serious way of life for most members.
~The pictures are so powerful that when old threads are resurrected with the broken links it makes me sad that I missed the history.
~The board is very well organized and easy to navigate, plus there are great links which I have used to help reduce my Tiki learning curve.
~Not sure if I will ever get into carving, but dang...you people are good!!!
~I grew up in San Diego, so when I read threads about all the Tiki places there that have gone by the wayside it is personally painful and I wish I would have been able to do something. I have enjoyed Eileen's posts about the Tiki plaques she installed on the topped palms in LA. That is really doing something positive in your community to bring awareness to our lost history.
~I've spent a small fortune since joining this board (lots of new cocktail books, Tiki Art books, Tiki decor, CDs, etc.)...and today I received my first Tiki Scorpion Bowl in the mail. I am definitely supporting the art of Tiki and the artists on this board.
~I purchased the hardback BOT when it first came out, as a cocktail table book...but secretly I browsed through it and read all the picture captions. Imagine my surprize when I found out this was one of your major guide books. (I am searching for my BOT lost in my garage so I can do some serious reading.) Afterall, I am going to need to move out of the newbie mode someday and want to do it right.
~I bought tickets to my first Tiki event for the Forbidden Island New Year's celebration and am looking forward to meeting up with any TC folks.
~I am working on my lounge and have linked with a board member to help me do some building....all in preparation to host a NorCal party in March.
~Real life keeps me way too busy, but I am looking forward to scouring second-hand stores to buy mugs....I have a long way to go!!!
~Did a little chatting, but will do more I am sure.

Even if your board is going through an ebe and flow, you have the power to make it the best change ever. The knowlege of folks here is just unbelievable. Please don't give up and think that you have conquered everything Tiki and the light is burning out, I think you can be all powerful and help educate newbies, your kids, your friends and the world about Tiki. We have a long way to go...it is a new road for some and a widening road for others. You are a great group of people and I can hardly wait to post something on this board that will light someone's fire.