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Offthepost (Generation II)
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harmfuljays
King of Men
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1266
Location: Djibouti
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 Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:40 am Post subject: Other Hockey Boards |
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I got to be honest with you. This place ain't cutting it anymore. I like you all but I can't get my hockey fix here.
So.....I've started setting up residence at HFboards.com.....community seems to be a bit larger and better educated than I remember from the past. There are still idiots but they seem to be quickly weeded out....at least in the Bruins and Flames forums (Good Moderators and a good entrenched user base).
Sometimes I go to Calgarypuck.com........I've been a little bit put off from the place by a particular poster who is a complete asshole and has been around since day one and is well integrated (hey wait sounds like this place!). I have tried to forget about it but once a condescending internet prick.....always one.....The trending decency of the team has brought in a lot more fans that have made it less niche than it was back in the day.
I really don't know of a sole Boston Bruins board....I make it a habit not to visit the "official" boards because it used to be all idiots. I haven't checked in a bit so it may be worth another look.
I like the way OTP has always been setup with a section for every other team but we have been unsuccessful as a whole in attracting people that stick. I'll leave that up to all of you as why that is the case.
Anybody have any suggestions? Hopefully this isn't too blasphemous.
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-UP THE IRONS! |
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1856
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:09 am Post subject: |
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It's just a question of publicity -- it's no insult to recognize the fact that we are a small 'niche' board, unless we'd taken out ads in the New York Times there's just no easy way to get the word around and/or make people split their loyalties. Pillaging Faceoff.com was a one-time thing, and that led to a brief heyday in 2003 (when combined with some recruitment efforts on team boards) which even had us regular posters in the Pittsburgh and Ottawa forums, for example, but momentum can't be kept by one person, so eventually they leave to discuss with others.
It's the classic "critical mass" catch-22 where until you have enough people concentrated in a place you have nothing, so it's nearly impossible to get that requisite number of people (unless they all somehow join at once). The Canuck fans here are fortunate that there are a bunch of regulars who can get real discussion going. We have this among the Hab fans to a lesser extent, and used to for the Colorado and Boston fans before they all seemingly jumped ship.
Honestly, there isn't really a solution. That's why there are a bunch of team-specific boards out there (usually linked to a given team's website) but only one or two really big generalist ones (like HFBoards). If you want to talk hockey, naturally you're going to gravitate to where there are more voices, so it's self-perpetuating. OTP has basically survived on loyalty and personality alone, and that doesn't attract new people who have no way of knowing about it.
I'm not above another membership drive, but it's a different world than 2003: people are much quicker to label anything "spamming," and there is more competition out there.
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Bell Centre Ghost
Haunting the Bell Centre since 2005
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 537
Location: Guelph
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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Although I've been here from the start, I am by no means a regular poster on this board. So I sorta know everyone and yet don't. It gives me a different perspective on things and from that.....
Ever wonder how new members (the ones that don't post) may view this board? Would fun "razz"ing be seen as just the crap trash talk that you see in shitty forums, instead of friends bugging the shit out of each other? I think there are many factors that influence whether new members stay/post, but when you first see a board, what makes you want to stay? Based on what you said harmy, it seems to be in-depth discussion on varied viewpoints. Can we do that, without losing the camaraderie that has been built? Are we?
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The fans represent the soul of the organization. This is their team. Us, we simply try to make it better. They tell us when things are going good, and when they are less so. We don't always give them the impression that we are listening, but we are. |
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razzmatazz
Go Habs Go! Vive le CH!
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1654
Location: Burnaby, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:52 am Post subject: |
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Not trying to be mean at all here, and God knows I've been overboard more times than the Habs have beaten the Bruins :, but there is a little lesson in the fact that the Colorado and Bruins fans tend to bail, while the number of Canuck fans holds constant...
On the other hand, I've posted a few times at HF, and frankly, I find the people here, especially Canuck Nation, to be far more intelligent about the game and their team than those at HF. The old man's suggested "package" for Sundin nothwithstanding  , the group here is generally realistic. |
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1856
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:28 am Post subject: |
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| razzmatazz wrote: |
| Not trying to be mean at all here, and God knows I've been overboard more times than the Habs have beaten the Bruins :, but there is a little lesson in the fact that the Colorado and Bruins fans tend to bail, while the number of Canuck fans holds constant... |
I will respectfully disagree. That is a critical mass thing. There is just way more discussion in the Canucks' forum, so it is self-generating. We never had that many regular COL/BOS users to begin with, and those that were here didn't actually post all that much beyond you and Av. Nothing but numbers "scared" away people like DonCherry or HockeyGoddess. No one interfered with those discussions.
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E.L.3000
Big in Japan
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1575
Location: MTL Police: stay out ma bizness
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:44 am Post subject: |
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The Habs board at HFBoards might as well be a checklist for possible Jackass cast members. More, in that case, is certainly not better.
If anything due to lack of numbers, OTP has become the online equivalent of Cheers. It's the same folks everyday, gabbing about everything and nothing at once. We get married, divorced, have affairs, and brag about sexual conquests, all to a nonjudgmental online community.
If you want hardcore hockey discussion, I suggest you visit team specific boards. If you want to lounge around and not have to deal with idiots and trolls, OTP remains an oasis in a desert of feculence. Remember, it's not good to always visit the same bar every night.
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John McCain is fit as a fiddle… Is 71 the new 30?” - Fox News' Rich Lowry
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harmfuljays
King of Men
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1266
Location: Djibouti
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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Yep and that's why I have been branching out. I find the Calgary and Boston forums to be fairly refreshing over at HF. I even joined the forum at NHLnumbers.......
Well I would have to partially disagree with the reason HG and the other Boston regs left.......I think the last time we saw HG was when I made some reference to their beloved KPD. Every team has their own jerk off writer but I believe I was vehemently opposed to his ramblings in direct response to her posting. She also has to take care of the HF boards so listening to me rant/carry on, Razz's illogic, and QuadB's hair trigger probably wasn't worth her time. We had quite a few Bostonites in the beginning that came from HF....but have since gone back.....I have been reaquainted with a few.
I am extremely pleased with the Calgary forum at HF. I have even taken to posting intoxicated there without being dumped on. A rare treat for sure. I certainly like it better than Calgarypuck......I tend to look at Calgarypuck and imagine that is exactly what would happen to OTP if we experienced a boon in members (a longstanding core with mild intolerance for new users).
I think in our comfort we have become mildy cold and intolerant.....its pretty overwhelming to be subjected to intense scrutiny....which is what we do here. For the life of me I can't figure out how people like SWFlyers bother with this place. Its a constant attack every time she's here.
I am assuming Razz is taking a pot shot at me....and that he meant the Calgary and Boston forums. I don't have a problem looking in the mirror. I'm not here to place blame on others without first accepting some of it. I've reached out for help to several people here in hopes of growing these forums. But its also a catch-22 for me as I refuse to prostitute this site in the name of quantity over quality. At times I like to give people my open honesty. I don't tolerate bullshit. If that drives people away so be it....it certainly hasn't worked with some folks!
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-UP THE IRONS! |
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Stinky
Woman of Color of the Post
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 866
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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I like the cheers reference, and I think we can be a bit exclusive by times - like some sort of weird old boy's club. I mostly come here and a bit to another habs board - forumice.com but I feel most welcome here though most times I like to read the quality of other posts and have very little to contribute myself. Occasionally something coherent comes out but I'm sure there are many tired of wading through the twaddle...
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The crowd once again showed its IQ level when it shouted ``U-S-A, U-S-A,'' during the fight. Their hero, Downie, is from Newmarket, Ont. |
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razzmatazz
Go Habs Go! Vive le CH!
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1654
Location: Burnaby, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Jyrki21 wrote: |
| razzmatazz wrote: |
| Not trying to be mean at all here, and God knows I've been overboard more times than the Habs have beaten the Bruins :, but there is a little lesson in the fact that the Colorado and Bruins fans tend to bail, while the number of Canuck fans holds constant... |
I will respectfully disagree. That is a critical mass thing. There is just way more discussion in the Canucks' forum, so it is self-generating. We never had that many regular COL/BOS users to begin with, and those that were here didn't actually post all that much beyond you and Av. Nothing but numbers "scared" away people like DonCherry or HockeyGoddess. No one interfered with those discussions. |
Fair enough, the last guy to get scared off was a Preds fan, Jamieson or whatever... that was Bosc's fault  |
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razzmatazz
Go Habs Go! Vive le CH!
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1654
Location: Burnaby, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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Harmy the problem is that a lot of people just can't handle having their opinions challenged. SWFlyers is never personally attacked - the closest I've come is to suggest I was offended re her take on the Bergeron affair. People are welcome to post their opinions, but everyone is liable to have someone take a run at what they say.
Someone says it was Bergeron's fault, I'm gonna challenge it.
I open my mouth, Bosc is gonna challenge it
I make no apologies for calling bullshit as I see it. Rather than throw a tantrum when people challenge me, I engage them. That, in my view, is what makes for a constructive, stimulating board... |
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E.L.3000
Big in Japan
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1575
Location: MTL Police: stay out ma bizness
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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So "fuck anything francophone" qualifies as engaging conversation?
Also, I don't think anyone has ever really been scared off the site - I think it's just lack of activity that drives new people away, or compels them to not join.
Pretty much every message board community is antagonistic because no one gets punched in the face on the internet, so it's carte blanche to say whatever's on your feeble mind. Draconian moderators are another big problem on other boards. Just to be clear, I act like an even bigger ass in person.
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John McCain is fit as a fiddle… Is 71 the new 30?” - Fox News' Rich Lowry
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Stinky
Woman of Color of the Post
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 866
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Throw Some E's wrote: |
| Just to be clear, I act like an even bigger ass in person. |
Same here...
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The crowd once again showed its IQ level when it shouted ``U-S-A, U-S-A,'' during the fight. Their hero, Downie, is from Newmarket, Ont. |
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RW
Distinguished Gentleman of the Post
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 345
Location: Seat 10, Row 8, Section 226B
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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First, we are a very clubby atmosphere. I agree. It's why I am here. It has a comfortable familiarity to it. The "Cheers" refrence is good. I know you like a more varied internet conversation experience Jay. That's who you are. Don't worry we'll be back here when the other forums manage to piss you off with the fire burning and a cold e-beer waiting for you along with a "How ya been doin' buddy. Good to see ya. How's things goin with Drunk Dan? Essentially we'll be waitng here as your hockey family. I also, on rare occasion, visit Letsgowings.com, one of the founders is apparently friends with someone on the Red Wings and he gets a jump on good stories. He posted Datsyuk's contract details last year before they were released. They are just a good source for Red Wing news. They have aticket exchange also. I also visit the HF every once in a blue moon, but, there are just too damn many trolls over there for my taste. That and their Board owner thinks that they're G*d's gift to hockey so I can usually only stand short stays. I do not post at any other site.
As to Jamison, he was a pseudo reporter / blogger who had his own board that he was trying to start up to support his blog. He even had a press pass to watch prcatice, have contact with Pred players and coaches and it allowed him to sit in the press box during games. He had a ongoing running war with the Predator's team board and finally he had his press pass revoked by the team because of his troublsome personality and his comments on his blog, which he even videotaped. He essentially bit the hand that fed him. His own board made most trolls look like angels. These guys were some for real, no shit, troglodytes. They mostly wanted to bash the Red Wings every moment of the day. They even sold merchandise. It was kind of cute and pathetic all at the same time. The anti Wing stuff was the norm until the Modano - Tootoo incident last winter when they turned their wrath on the Stars and Modano for one of Tootoo's dirty hits. The guy left here because Bosc engaged in a discusion with Jamison over the incident. Bosc did not do this in an inapropriate fashion. Jamison just allowed for no movement from the party line. It was that way on his board too. They all marched in lock step and those that disagreed were kicked out. The place was called Predzone.com. By the end of the year, short playoff run, it was down to about 5 core hangers on and Jamison just shut it down During the season. I jhad oined his board and PM'd with him for a little bit. He wasn't horrible but he couldn't stand dissension in the ranks. After he bolted Chris18 outed him as a 3x enrolee / lurker on this board and as a former semi pshyco Isles fan. Our group detective work turned up a lot of facts which led us to belive that we were better off without and his thin skin. All boards have to put up with that. I remember Cali saying he never wanted to piss us off which was funny because we essentially learned how from him, with the REAL AVAMERICAN incident, how to deal with trolls and idiots. Don't give us toys and then try tell us not to play with them.
Let me say this. What I love most about being in here is two things. We are generally just a marvelously civil place to discuss hockey. I appreciaye ezch and every one of you for that. I also highly value the high level of intelligence we have in here. If more membership means more idiots and more 15 year olds that have to have it explained to them, then screw it. I very much appraciate intelligent, civil, discussion. That said even I can get a big kick out of watching Bosc and Razz go at it and also Razz and SW have a tussle. They are passionate about their point of view. Do they go over the line once in a while? Yes. But it doesn't last long and I would truly miss their presence if it was gone. Truth be told, I have personally only had one disagreeable moment in my entire time on this board over the past 5 years. Well done ladies and gentleman. Well done. Here's to 5 more years, at least, of civil, intelligent, hockey discussion.
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"The greatest victory a man can win is victory over himself."
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi |
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razzmatazz
Go Habs Go! Vive le CH!
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1654
Location: Burnaby, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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Well said RW. Not being a mod I wasn't privy to a lot of the background Jamison stuff, I only saw what was on the boards. I thought the guy had some pretty intelligent contributions, and it may be years before we have another Preds fan , but oh well...
Fluto Shinizawa from the Boston Globe lurks occasionally at HF to get a feel for Bruins Nation, lol.. |
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Stinky
Woman of Color of the Post
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 866
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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I like the word 'lurk' it makes me feel dirty.
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The crowd once again showed its IQ level when it shouted ``U-S-A, U-S-A,'' during the fight. Their hero, Downie, is from Newmarket, Ont. |
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hammer
2 Legit 2 Quit
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 209
Location: Frisco
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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| I've checked out HFboards a couple times. Way too many posts to read and most of them idiotic. Some really crazy shit on the Sharks board, stuff like "Ron Wilson should not be fired". |
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harmfuljays
King of Men
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1266
Location: Djibouti
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: |
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Oh I will always come back. As long as its around. I know a lot of folks around here are hitting the.....having kids, having women thing that people generally do when marauding through life. I myself just had another one.....I miss the Professor.
As always RW you are truly the voice of wisdom. Every company needs its Captain...and you sir I will follow.
I too am just as big an asshole in person.........I even have a "Don't be a dick" list on my whiteboard at work........  at least I am working on it...........  I often been coined with words such as "unapproachable" and "reactionary" but that's generally from people that I have deemed as not worthy of my attention.... 
So while the internet may indeed breed brutal people left and right.....I think what we have here is the real deal.
The first harmfuljays rule of thumb is I generally won't hang around someplace very long that doesn't let me use the unedited word FUCK. I've got a mind like a sailor and emotional fingers.
I didn't mean to turn this thread into a what's wrong with all of us. I really only wanted to see where other people go when the hockey talk dries up around here. I appreciate you all......even those who think that I don't.
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-UP THE IRONS! |
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razzmatazz
Go Habs Go! Vive le CH!
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1654
Location: Burnaby, B.C.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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I find the less I express myself the better people like me  |
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Farang
Chaser, Wearer of Skirts
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 493
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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5 years?!?!
It's been 5 fucking years?!
I think I can feel myself aging. |
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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 3221
Location: Sweetest lid in the league
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:32 am Post subject: |
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Well said, RW.
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| Not being a mod I wasn't privy to a lot of the background Jamison stuff, I only saw what was on the boards. I thought the guy had some pretty intelligent contributions, and it may be years before we have another Preds fan , but oh well... |
I thought he had some good stuff to add about the Preds as well. I don't know how much mod stuff there was to do with it, but seriously, the guy just up and left after I disagreed with his "You'd love him if you were on his team" excuse for Tootoo's dirty shit. How did that guy last more than 5 minutes on the internet with being sent to the mad house? I felt bad that everyone else might have lost a contributor to the site, but based on what RW says it doesn't seem like a great loss...
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Bring back the old OTP!
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