DomT:
Yes, depending on your point of view and how you read this thread and my posts, I could understand why you would think some (all?) of my comments are BS. As I think I may have (at the very least) suggested earlier in this thread, this is the first time I think Ive ever really laid into someone on this forum. When all is said and done, I will not point to my contributions to this thread as highpoints of participation on this forum. But, I did it and its out there, for better or worse.
Regarding my comment thats just not my opinion thats the opinion of every person posting to this thread, I think its pretty darned clear that I made that comment in the context of whether or not anyone thought the Garfield video was funny and nothing more. Heres the entire paragraph:
As presented on Garfields website, his video using 5 balls to mimic a 3 ball routine may be a lot of things (including a wonderful display of technical skill), but it aint funny. And thats just not my opinion thats the opinion of every person posting to this thread, except you. Given your claims about how easy Bliss routine is, funny would be a Bliss look-alike sitting backstage, reading The Idiots Guide to Juggling 5 minutes before curtain time and a successful performance.
So, I read your comment (criticism, it seems) to mean that you
do find that video funny. Fair enough. But to be fair to me, can you find any comment by anybody on this thread prior to that post of mine that says they thought the video itself was funny? Especially by you, since, if you read my comment in context, you must be saying that you found the video funny but I cant remember reading that from you in any prior post. But maybe I missed something, from you or someone else. If I did, then I stand corrected.
I cant explain why this thread has gone on for 4 pages, except to observe that if my lengthy rants and goatys repetitive posts were removed, this thread would be much skinnier indeed. You suggest that others are appreciative to mrgoat for starting this thread. I dont read it that way, but its a matter of personal interpretation, so I cant dispute your claim.
As to getting deep into goats mind, thats just my opinion and interpretation based on this thread. When one reads it, I think one sees goaty repeating a lot of the same things, as if hes trying to convince others of his point of view. Thats how I draw the conclusion possibly erroneous that he cant stand the thought... etc. I dont think my conclusion is outrageous or unreasonable, but clearly it could be wrong only the goat knows for sure.
I see that you do not appreciate my rants, for at least a couple of reasons. You are the first to say so, I believe, but of course that doesnt mean that others dont share your opinion on that point. Since you have taken the time (albeit perhaps wasted time in your view) to read my rants, then you know that I have already acknowledged, in one way or another, that possibility.
Your post to me was fairly civil, without too much sarcasm, and raised some legitimate issues in your eyes. I have tried to respond in kind, staying on point, without twisting facts, wandering off point, or creating straw men. I think this illustrates a fundamental difference between me and mrgoat. I dont have any problem with addressing issues or questions directly. I also (usually and to the best of my ability) dont have a problem admitting Im wrong or acknowledging someone elses point of view. Admittedly, this thread may not be the best example of my ability to be tolerant, but Ive already addressed that matter to some degree above and in my prior posts. And I think that the sum total of my contributions to GF is clear enough demonstration of the fact that I take no delight in ranting and generally see little use for it as a means of communication as I said, this thread represents the first time I have ever gone on a rant.
Finally, goat claims that I have some personal thing with him. It certainly didnt start out that way, and Im still resisting the temptation to make it so, notwithstanding his private e-mail to me (and of course, he doesnt mention my private reply to him, which, while still candid and certainly no love letter, was not a rant and did open the door for a meaningful dialogue, if he so chose but admitting to that wouldnt serve his purposes). If one were to read my posts carefully, I think they would find that, in most cases, I tried to make it clear that my criticisms were limited to goats words and deeds
on this thread. In other words, I was trying to make it clear that my criticism was limited in scope and not intended to be general commentary on him or his contributions to this forum.
If I really had it in for goat, why would I come to his defense? In one exchange, goat said that a magician (Penn) was the one who suggested that the 5-ball routine be done. Pete Biro stated that Penn wasnt a magician. I replied that I agreed with goat on that point and gave what I believed were principled reasons for saying so. So on that point, mrgoat got my vote (for what its worth). And it will continue to be that way whenever I happen to find myself in agreement with him, on this thread or any other.
Clay