Quote:
>:It's interesting, though--when I was in a discussion on another newsgroup
>:about pseudonymizing (someone was insisting using your real name was a
>:ticket to victimhood), my main thought was how much I'd have missed if
>:I'd only posted to rec.eq behind a pseudonym. Like my entire current
>:equestrian life, for one thing.
>How so? Sounds like an interesting story ...
It's probably not worth the unintentionally melodramatic lead-in. But
when I moved from Chicago, the person who welcomed me in Champaign was
rec.eq'er Jessica Jahiel, and the person whose charming TWH grand dame I
currently cadge rides on is the same. All my equestrian playtimes come from
what was initially only an online contact.
So I'll warm into preaching to the choir on the "I think rec.eq is keen"
topic. I ride in breeches bought for a pittance from a rec.eq'er, and for
awhile, when I was riding a different horse, I rode in a hackamore purchased
from yet another rec.eq'er. I've gotten expert opinions on books for review
from several rec.eq'ers, gotten other generous professional and
nonprofessional advice, horsey or otherwise, from people I've connected
with here. I've borrowed videotapes, published print articles, and received
job offers as a result of rec.equestrian. I've had evening drinks at the
Hancock and freezing mornings at Jumer's Castle Lodge with rec.eq'ers.
As a group, we travel well :-). I have a considerable life that's not
involved with rec.equestrian, but this group has added to it indeed--not
only with the equestrian aspect, but with the mental stimulation, global
friendships, and sheer entertainment value this thing provides.
It was once suggested to me that these connections proved rec.eq was
really a clique for rich people with fancy trainers. As it happened, the
person who suggested that had a great deal more money than I had and
certainly more horses than my 0 (I'm not sure how exactly one determines a
fancy trainer, but they probably don't wear sheriff's badges with blinking red
lights). My rec.eq connections are what enabled me to overcome the
obstacles of lack of money and opportunity, and even to begin to overcome
some of my vast areas of ignorance, to enjoy myself both offline and on
in the equestrian life. Which is a lot more than I ever expected from it
when I started, and for which I am profoundly grateful even when my
wrists ache and alt.non-sequitur is invading with dressage saddles.
Quote:
> /JBL (no, I'm not buying stories, either, so you have to tell for
> free)
'Sokay, I'm cheap :-).
At twice the price in Champaign, IL, USA