You know, I joined this forum long ago, after a similar forum from FooNetwork was closing. I believe it was BuckyTom who introduceed me to DiscussCooking.. I saw a good number of great people come and go. I left for a while, but came back, and for the most part, have enjoyed interacting with everyone.
My petty gripe is this: Sometimes I feel irrelevant here, like I'm just a ghost flitting through that no one can see. Now I know thatg some of my posts can be long, as I try to explain things, and give solid information in detail. Sometimes, I just get wordy, hence BuckyTom's name for me, Chief Longwind. (By the way, I miss seeing Buck all over the threads) But I really do try to share information that is valuable to others, information that can expand their culinary universe, either through cooking, the tools and techniques of cooking, or introducing new foods and ideas with everyone. There are some on this site that are extraordinary cooks, who have an availability of ingredients, tools, techniques, and knowledge of their own so as to make them virtually experts (I son't name any names here as I don't want to leave any deserving person out of that group, right Andy?).
A couple weeks back, or maybe a week back, I began a post about cheese. I put a good deal of effort into it, hoping to give new knowledge and ideas to those less experienced with cheese. I know that I am not the be-alll, end-all of cheese knowledge. But I was hoping to get a response, and see how others would expand on that thread. Know one has even looked at it.
i don't know why this is a gripe for me, but for some reason, it is, at least for right now. I guess I just don't want to be taken for granted. Life is a challenge right now, and DC is part of what keeps my spirits up, and keeps me going. I love to share what I know, and learn new things, and just hash around ideas.
Sometimes, trivial threads that have nothing to do with cooking show views in the thousands, while other threads that are serious cooking related topics get now views at all. I try to respond to cooking threads where I can be of help to someone. I may not always get things right, but when I don't, I learn something that improves my own skills.
So that's it; that's my petty gripe. And now I'm going to quit whining and find a thread where I can help someone, or learn something new.
Seeeeeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North