Attn: TNet Veterans

[Brandiwine]

After spending the evening diving into old posts here and on ology site (as well as seeing and commenting on a recent post) I wanted to take the time to say thank you all for taking the time to help newbies like me.

I've spent a lot of time here and other forums I see some of you guys on (I think it's fun to figure
out who you are on different sites with different names too). I've "got to know" a lot of you on these forums, seen the knowledge you have and researched so many of your finds, opinions and observations further....and I've learned A LOT.

I've also seen the number of people like myself who are new and post rocks or god forbid an "effigy" of some sort. I'm a busy gal and I have to say I don't know that I'd take the time to even post my opinion when so many are asking for your advice on a rock if I had your knowledge. I couldn't believe the number of people who get upset and argue about their finds. I just lay mine aside and go on with the day...but that's how I roll.

For all the newbies out there...I recommend you don't form an opinion of the site or the regulars here until you dive into their years of threads. It's easy to read a few posts and question the integrity of the site. It's easy to do that with anything. But the whole story is here...and ready for you to read and learn from. Don't wear your feelings on your sleeve (as my grandmother would say) when you hear something different than what you believe. When looking for artifacts it's so easy to have the hope it is what you believe it to be. Believe me...I understand this as I still do it myself. Remember its easy to take something out of context so don't always assume someone is being rude. Sure, someone's going to be an a$$hole every now and again...look at the world around you and you'll see the same. Even the good folks have bad days...I know I have my bad days. I'm offering this advice only because I think this is an amazing site and have learned so much.

There are some really experienced folks here who could teach you a lot. My favorite posts are conversational posts between the experts who are speaking to peers. I love reading the different opinions of these guys, the researching evidence myself and forming my own opinion.

The fact so many of them care about helping us newbies and actually take the time to help is amazing to me. Watching them share artifacts with each other, giving presents away and so on helped me form another opinion of our world....there actually are those out there who are "kind and noble".

So thanks to the veterans here and on other forums for your help. I've learned so much and love sharing this passion with others. NC, gator, Larson, josh, bravo, tn and many more of you all deserve a special shout out for being extra helpful. Great members! Awesome MODS! Great site for learning more about what I love!

And I look forward to growing up on here with you other newbies. Form your own opinions...everyone should. But realize you can learn something from everyone...here and in real life. You can even learn from douche bags....learn what not to do...lol.

Happy hunting, happy hump day and may you all find a uber awesome piece today.

Much love,
Brandiwine-O

 

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[huntress104]

Well said Brandiwine, well said.

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Thanks , for taking the time to share your extremely well written and insightful thoughts as a New Member .

Your "new member thread " is the Best I have ever had the pleasure to read since I joined up over 3 years ago .

It's obvious you appreciate learning from experiences , avoid the school of hard knocks , pro's and cons are everywhere , even here .

Welcome to Treasure Net

"may you do well in ALL you seek in life and this Great Hobby "

Best Wishes



dawg

 

[rock]

I agree there is many on here to learn from. It is a great way to learn the hobby. I enjoy it cause there is people from across the globe loving the same hobby as I do. There is allot of experience in this forum and I enjoy reading everyones responses.

 

[bsit1361]

Well said

 

[GatorBoy]

It's because of the hope that someone ..one day.. might feel exactly how you just... so eloquently described you do that makes people want to share.
BRAVO Brandiwine BRAVO

and THANK YOU

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Thank you Brandy. I wish everyone had your attitude and would at least try to listen to the advice of the people who have hunted and collected most of their lives. I know sometimes I come across as crass, but I don't believe in blowing smoke up someones rear end and if I don't think something is an artifact I tell them so and try to explain why. It never fails though that someone will come along and argue until they are blue in the face that their "rock" is something or is an "effigy". That is when I usually give up and just let them be.

Thanks again for such a great post.

 

[GaRebel1861]

 

[jamey]

 

[Brandiwine]

Thanks to all for the replies. Sadly, I had to read my post over because I couldn't even remember what I'd wrote after a LONG day at work. I laughed because at this point in the day I don't know that I'd take the time to even write that. Thought it was ironic given the subject. I also questioned myself for throwing my two cents out there in case it's taken the wrong way and seems as if I'm trying to spark an argument. That was not my intention at all. I truly only seen both sides of the argument and felt props were due to a lot of you guys. When going through the time to load old threads I had hit a number of rock posts which basically had the same ending. It made me realize I should be extra thankful for the help but also let the new guy know that your not all a$$e$....just kidding.

But hey I don't have it in me to go any further here (I'm dead...it's time to read and fall asleep doing it) so thanks again for the replies.

Carry on now...

 

[Mackaydon]

I consider myself a veteran on Treasure Net; and as a TN vet your post has recharged my batteries to continue to offer my assistance to others whenever I can. Thank you.
Don....

 

[Tnmountains]

Thank you Brandy for all the kind words. Take passionate hobbies and you have passionate people. It is an honor to read your post and have a place to communicate with like minded people. I always remember the people who have helped me and taken the time to express themselves. The old post are a lot of fun to read as are the new ones. We have a wealth of combined knowledge here. When Mackaydon (the king of research) chimes in and all of the others it makes trying to be a Mod all the more worth while. Great post. We needed that !!!
HH
TnMtns

 

[Mackaydon]

TnMtns,
Thanks for the kind words; and if great posts by themselves could be considered for an Honorable Mention designation, I'd vote for Brandiwine's initial post on this thread.
Don.......

 

[Tnmountains]

Don
I would too....

 

[The Grim Reaper]

As would I.

 

[larson1951]

hey hey brandi
i like you and am glad to be your friend
i like all your posts
hope you find some cool things this season
you are great

larson1951

 

[Brandiwine]

Aha...I hope I find something too...time affords me a chance to hop on here before and after work, baseball practices, etc but very little hunting time. I feed my addiction here daily and heck...I'll be an expert by the time I actually get more chances to go hunting.

It doesn't help that the spring plow/rainy season is the busiest part of the year for me. Tourism starts to pick up for the summer season so we work long hours getting everything ready to go (we go from 20 year round employees to over 500 seasonal in a matter of a couple weeks. Throw in kids, sports and life in general and all free time is gone. On my days off I start salivating every time a tractor starts. I stare out the window like a sad kid who's not allowed to go out as I catch up on laundry, etc. The only "luck" I have going for me is I have a couple acres of vegetable gardens which produce LOTS of debitage and worn tools/points. So while I break my back hoeing, watering, etc I break my neck at the same time constantly looking for a treasure. Finding this forum and giving it a chance was amazing for my psyche. I'm not one for socializing online so I'm surprised I even did it.
I've never found a museum piece...not even a good field grade find. While I hope to someday I know I'll be just as happy finding what I do now. I enjoy questioning the purpose, imagining the man who made it and what life was like thousands of years ago, how different the world around them looked....and so on. I don't think I'll ever be a true collector..just an avid hunter. It combines so many of my favorite things its only fitting I love it so much. My friends and family believe I should have been born a couple hundred years ago (at least...lol). Other than modern medicine I wouldn't miss anything from the world that exists today. I spent years traveling, living in tents, went months at a time living without power or an indoor toilet...and they were some of the happiest days of my life.

When I post something like this I often wondered if the regulars here question where this long winded girl who never posts artifacts came from. But hey...at least I don't keep posting rocks (which I still bring home) asking for your opinions. I know that even if I believe it to be something there is no way in he// I can post a crappy pic on here and expect good results. There will still be rock posters and just as I asked them to give you a chance...they could worth it too. You could be helping the next generation of curious hunters who will be stewards for the continuation of this fulfilling pastime.

Thanks to all of you once again. You truly have no idea how much happiness you've brought this overworked, domesticated hillbilly gal with your finds, your knowledge and your help.

Much love...
Brandiwine-O

P.S. If you can't tell, I'm more emotional and long winded in the morning. By the time I log on this evening my tolerance for ignorance will be depleted, my stress level high and my sarcasm off the charts.