Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) => Topic started by: Danneaux on January 04, 2017, 08:59:54 PM

Title: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: Danneaux on January 04, 2017, 08:59:54 PM
Hi All!

Though the member tiers were reset to their default values when the Forum software was upgraded, John Saxby qualifies as our newest Hero Member under the old system due to his 1000th post.

All congratulations, John, and thanks for your many contributions, all made in good heart and good cheer, helpful to many. It is a pleasure having you aboard and I'm hoping the cold, snowy weather in your part of Canada will soon abate so you can favor us with more photos of the Madawaska Highlands touring you do so love. Take care!

All the best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: John Saxby on January 04, 2017, 09:33:41 PM
Thanks, Dan -- jeez, I wasn't counting, so it's a wee surprise.  It's my great pleasure to be part of -- to borrow a phrase from a few days ago -- this very civilized corner of the internet. Thank you all for your forbearance with my bad puns.

There'll be more photos of the Madawaska Highlands in a few months' time, after the snow has cleared and the black flies have relented.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: jags on January 04, 2017, 09:39:33 PM
Well done john I enjoy your posts always good humoured.
G
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: David Simpson on January 04, 2017, 09:58:33 PM
Congratulations, John!

Thank you all for your forbearance with my bad puns.

Speaking as one punster to another, I can truthfully say that there is no such thing as a "bad pun". ;)

- DaveS
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: Danneaux on January 04, 2017, 10:32:30 PM
A have a weakness for puns, but found something even better in the "language" embodied in Willian Steig's _CDB!_ book, a favorite for children of all ages first published in 1968.  Steig was _New Yorker_ magazine's longest-running contributor and cartoonist. He got his start by supporting his family in the Great Depression by penning funny drawings he sold on street corners. In a 1987 interview at age 89, he said, "I don't care how I'm remembered because I won't be there to enjoy it".

In _CDB!_, letters are phonetically sounded to substitute for words. For more complex words, letters are joined by hyphens and sounded consecutively. The cartoons and situations are charming and most comprise visual puns.

One of my favorite scenes from the book shows a little boy with a nail, a box, and a board, saying, "O 4 A 2-L". A little girl in the background helpfully offers, "E-R S A M-R".

In another, a little boy leans sleepily against a tree and tells his friend, "I F-N N-E N-R-G".

A little boy looks through the knothole in a fence and declares, "I M C-N U!", to which his neighbor replies, "N-D U R. U R P-K-N!"

I feel sure my Pee-Aitch-Dee has been enhanced considerably by reading it and the book brings such childish and childlike cheer, I can't bear to part with it after so many years. If you can find a copy -- and enjoy puns and word-games -- get it! You won't regret it. The ISBN number is 0-671-66689-4

Even *better* than puns. I'll go quietly now....

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: John Saxby on January 04, 2017, 11:00:25 PM
Those are pretty good, Dan.  I'll see if I can find a copy for our granddaughters in Queensland.

My favourite is from a Canadian politician, of all sources:  Ed Broadbent, formerly leader of the New Democratic Party, managed a trilingual one which also had a nice bit of self-mocking humour, when he remarked that the Canadian left was more gauche than sinister.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: Andre Jute on January 05, 2017, 02:46:29 AM
You've always been my hero, John, for your good humor and wide experience, and of course for your handsome looks and athletic feats on your bicycles and skis. Congratulations on achieving formal recognition.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: ají on January 05, 2017, 10:04:51 AM
good work John keep up the good work!
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: alfie1952 on January 05, 2017, 10:54:24 AM
It's guys like yourself John that make this a pleasant place to spend time reading about other peoples experiences. And as you are always willing to assist with others queries/problems, this is well deserved recognition.

Regards Alfie  8)
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: John Saxby on January 05, 2017, 09:24:20 PM
Aw, shucks (he said, eyes downcast, scuffing the ground with his toe.)

Better this than Warhol's 15 minutes of fame any day -- thanks, all.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: jags on January 05, 2017, 09:27:01 PM
 ;D ;D very good.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: richard s on January 06, 2017, 07:15:31 AM
That is brilliant.
It actually applies right now in Britain.

Richard
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: Pavel on January 09, 2017, 07:39:59 PM
Is it not tradition that all new Hero Members buy a pint for each one of the rest of us - at least on the same continent? Or perhaps we can take this as a fine time to start a grand tradition. I'm in North Carolina, so I figure John should be here in about two and a half months if that bit of Canadian weather does not delay him.  Then off to Jags next ... John will really get to see America.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: jags on January 09, 2017, 07:44:45 PM
im not a drinker but if u want a pint i will certainly buy no problem.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: Mike Ayling on January 09, 2017, 09:56:06 PM
Well done John!

Mike
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: John Saxby on January 09, 2017, 11:07:41 PM
Thanks, Mike.  I was thinking that this is all getting downright embarrassing, and that I should ask Dan to call time, but then there's an opportunity to honour Pavel's idea ...

Happens I was was in the Carolinas a few years back, also on 2 wheels, but that was on Hans, my airhead, and much as I enjoyed the Blue Ridge Parkway on a motobike, I'm less sure about it on my Raven. I was chatting with a cyclist on a ride up into the Gatineau one day a while back, & he told me he'd just finished a short tour on the BRP. I asked him about it -- he said he'd bailed out after 4 days, nothing but exhausting up-and-downs  :-(

We'll see what can be done if I make it to Foggie Olde and surrounds in a year or two -- in any case, I'll raise a glass to y'all when I'm Down Unda in Feb & March!
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: jags on January 10, 2017, 12:45:56 AM
That happened me in Spain last day into Santiago 100km day up and down all day long i actually got the bonk it was that hard mind you me and another guy still got in a good 45 minutes before the rest joined us .man i love cycling  8) 8)

anto

no need to get embarrassed john sure we all love ya buddy. ;)
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: ají on January 14, 2017, 10:08:21 AM
i was thinking...shouldnt there be more categories after 1000 posts hero?
any suggestions people?
we could try grand sensei, sublime master,... etc
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: Danneaux on January 14, 2017, 03:19:09 PM
Hi Andrew!

Before our Forum software ipgrade, there were several classifications (or membergroups) by post count. They weren't terribly imaginative, culminating in "UltraSuperHero".

I can create new membergroups, but this is working pretty well. A small core of the entire membership contributes regularly. The vast majority "read silently" or finally speak when they are contemplating a purchase, have a question, or need help solving a problem.

I myself "lurked" for about 7 years before joining formally and making my first post, as I was about to buy a Sherpa. By that time, I was familiar with the tone of the Forum and knew I'd receive helpful advice and suggestions from members I already considered friends.

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: jags on January 14, 2017, 03:29:42 PM
i think i was a super hero at one time  :'(
what did i ever do wrong  :'(
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: bobs on January 14, 2017, 06:30:42 PM
You sold your Thorn. Cardinal sin.

Bob
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: David Simpson on January 14, 2017, 06:46:46 PM
But since he has bought another Thorn, all is forgiven.

At his current rate of posting (4.676 per day), jags will reach Hero status (1000 posts) on June 2, 2017.

- DaveS
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: Danneaux on January 14, 2017, 06:54:23 PM
Quote
i think i was a super hero at one time  :'(
what did i ever do wrong
You were indeed a SuperHero and did nothing wrong; you lost the status because you deleted your account several times when you took breaks from the Forum. When an account is deleted, Things happen:

• You're removed as a member and from the rolls.
• Your posts remain but are labeled as made by a guest and so are not readily searchable.
• Your avatar is removed.
• Post totals and membergroup status are expunged.

If your original account had remained active, it is likely you would lead the post-count.

I think you'll be there again soon.  ;D

As a suggestion to others who might ponder leaving for awhile: If you go to your profile and turn off email post notifications, all your information and status will still be there if you decide to return later. This is a good strategy if you plan to be away for awhile, as when on a long tour or with limited opportunities to check in.

All the best

Dan.
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: jags on January 14, 2017, 07:32:50 PM
yeah i suppose i shouldn't have deleted my account, by now thorn probably would have sent me a free bike  or even a bell for all the posts ah well not to worry  .
Bob i wont be selling this one thats for certain.
David my birthday is june 8th so i'll wait until then  ;D.

anto
(geek of the week)
Title: Re: Congratulations and thanks to John Saxby, newest Hero Member!
Post by: ají on January 15, 2017, 06:22:10 AM

I myself "lurked" for about 7 years before joining formally and making my first post

there is hope for us all!