Chronologically scattered updates

[greatbear]

I had a colonoscopy a little over a week ago. It did not go well, nor was the news good. At least it was expected. More on this later*.

Jeff and I did some camping the past few days. I mostly kept to myself. I just don't like being around people I don't know.

On Monday, Jeff and I took his mom to the beach. In all her years, she has never seen the ocean. It was even bigger and more impressive than she imagined. While Jeff and Mom walked on the beach with their shoes on, I shed my BigAnnoyingStompyAircastFromHell and walked barefooted. The Atlantic, seeing Jeff's mom for the first time as well, could not contain her glee and made a perfectly targeted high-tide greeting right where we were standing, swamping all our feet on what was dry sand not a moment before. Those two had to endure the rest of the day in waterlogged, sand-soaked shoes. I had my BigAnnoyingStompyAircastFromHell. I don't really know who was better off.

What was to be Jeff's first actual week off from work since all the canceled vacations and ruined weekends was, almost predictably, ruined by some very high drama phone calls barely two hours into his time off. This practically wrecked our time off once again. Jeff had an ace up his sleeve this time. More on this later*.

I've continued in my efforts to eliminate various profiles on the few remaining social websites I no longer use. Some, like Classmates.com, leave me unable to do anything worthwhile on the site because I am not a paying member, yet use profiles such as mine as a means to attract paying members. Not to mention the increasing amounts of bacn and shady business practices took me from just ignoring my profile to finally eliminating it. Facebook is going next, since I had enough bad experiences there as well. The spew of apps and unending memes killed it for me. And from the Department of Just Plain Stupid, Bearciti.

*My LJ is currently on life support. I've lost interest here for the most part and will probably not be posting much, depending on how things stack up here in coming months. I've gone out and deleted comments I had left where I had come to the conclusion they were no longer welcomed, and will no longer make comments in those areas. I'm going to leave this as is, keeping it as a final outpost for contact aside from email and a couple IM services. I've reverted back to my mostly private existence, which served me well for all those years. No one really needs to know intimate details of my life, and I certainly don't need such minutiae mined by corporate interests.

Comments

[aadroma.livejournal.com]

You DO realize there are those of us who care about you and will miss you dearly, ne?

(BIG HUG)

[redmoonriver.livejournal.com]

*HUGS* I second this. :)

[jrjarrett.livejournal.com]

third.

Fifth

[arkanjil.livejournal.com]

it is as you will, but rmeber that we do care about you sir- Grace n good fortune to you...

Re: Fifth

[badgerpdx.livejournal.com]

sixth.

Re: Fifth

[wrascalism.livejournal.com]

Seventh!!!!!!!

Re: Fifth

[progbear.livejournal.com]

Eighth!

Ninth!

[animbear.livejournal.com]

Ninth!

Re: Ninth!

[bearlover.livejournal.com]

Tenth

Re: Ninth!

[musklebear.livejournal.com]

Eleventh!

[mcbulldawg.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, though I am sure that's something you do not wish to hear.

I wish you the best and I really enjoyed the time that you entertained my own brand of insanity.

You will be in my thoughts.

*hugs*

-=McB

[merlinwon.livejournal.com]

Major Bummers. I was just gettin' to know you and had a bad summer myself. In hopes that things turn around and work out for the best with your health. Peace N Luv!

Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers....

[pauliebearsf.livejournal.com]

Gimme a shout anytime (paulbua@comcast.net) ..... xoxoxoox

[xianjessen.livejournal.com]

I do indeed hope to hear more on this later.

I am rooting for you, sir. And I am also way over my boot.

xxoo.

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

I, for one, shall miss the hell out of you.

[2stroker.livejournal.com]

"I've reverted back to my mostly private existence,"
It's good to revert to your private existence from time to time,sort of like taking a nap,but don't burn your bridges. I always enjoy reading your posts and hope you continue when you are ready to.If you lived closer I would have gone out of my way to get to know you.

[budmassey.livejournal.com]

I also have a tendency to become too "private". It can lead to some tranquility, but eventually also to isolation. Do stay in touch, and, BTW, I always enjoy when you comment on my blog, so I hope I'm not one you've taken off your list.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going to follow your lead on a couple of those sites. It's all just a little overwhelming at this point.

Very sorry to hear about the medical thing. :(

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

First off, don't you dare delete any comments you may have put in my journal. I relish everything that you have written there. Secondly, don't do like I do and make some rash moves, ones that you will regret later. While it is my intent to someday meet you in the flesh, until that time LJ is my only connection. It is obvious that you are hurting and I would give my right arm if I could help relieve that, but I can't right now and if you cut yourself off, I lose my only way of staying in touch. LJ is different, I've tried to use other social networking sites and have grown tired of their overly flashy/kitchy environment within days. LJ has mostly provided a positive experience and I've met quite a few folks thare are by and large wonderful caring people, men I can truly call my friend. Maybe you should create a sub-group of your flist, and rant or dump there. The feedback and supportive energy you will get from those who care about you can go a long way in helping you get through the day. Big hugs to you handsome.

[tonethbone.livejournal.com]

I hope your decision to leave is not related to the colonoscopy exam...and if it is ..please don't
HUGS

[kdotdammit.livejournal.com]

I'm so so so sorry to hear that you are going through this. I hope you stay here even if it's in a very limited and small capacity with friends you feel you can trust. I would miss you terribly. I'll be here for you.

[bearwad.livejournal.com]

i hope the health issues work out. i would miss the occasional post as well, though i do understand your rationale.

[erstexman.livejournal.com]

I for one (and I see I am not the only one) will miss your posts. I am not always the best on commenting on other's posts, so can understand where you are coming from. I have poured my soul out on these pages a few times and then *nothing* - it makes me wonder what is the purpose? However, Sometimes, an out-pouring of response might happen.

Anyway, whatever is happening with your health, I for one would indeed like to hear more. You have my best thoughts and wishes from Texas and big warm hugs, if from a distance. Damn the internet sometimes!

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

To echo the others, don't delete this journal, your posts are interesting and I like it when you comment in mine from time to time.

So sorry to hear about your health issues. Hugs there.

As for most of the other sites, Bearciti is back up now and a lot have remained plugged in there and I only have one friend there I chat with regularly but we also have email so it BC were to go out finally, no loss there.

B411 I get mileage out of and am on a couple of other social sites too but get little traffic there most of the time and have not gotten into Twitter, FB etc but if I were to do linked in or FB, it'd be for networking only for work, nothing more and apparently there are ways to keep the nasties at bay at least with FB by preventing others to post stuff to your profile.

Do hope you will update us on your health soo.

Hugs n stuff.

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

All the best, Phil. I've been following your journal for about five years now,and hope that you will check in and let us know how you are doing.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I understand the thoughts behind your decision, but would appreciate it, if you are having health challenges, to keep your virtual friends in the loop. I may not have met you in person, but I've always read your posts and I care what happens to you.

HUGS!

[casecob.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear you'll be posting less. I hope everything works out.

[sfmini.livejournal.com]

I don't know what you get out of it, but I've gotten a lot from you. Given you have 23 responses as I write this kinda says a lot. That said, I only follow three people on my LJ and my posts almost never get replied to by anyone. I'm on life support LJ-wise too.

Lame as it was I liked AOL and its chat rooms and IMs. I felt more connected to people there. Bearciti, Bear411 I never got into. Facebook I hate more than anything, but the three motorcycle groups I hang out with use that as their hub of information. I've pretty much crawled under a rock, for the first time I logged onto AOL (AOL for DOS)almost 15 years ago. I mostly do solitary things like read all kinds of history online and some video watching. I have AIM with one user and MSN with only my mother there so I can log in remotely, otherwise I have no IMs, after a all time high of about 75.

I hope your health issues resolve. I've had my issues there the last few years and know just mentally dealing with them sux. Be well.

[badgerpdx.livejournal.com]

DON'T go. nuff said.

[baeritone.livejournal.com]

But....I worry. Diverticulitis issues?

I'm still here.

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about the bad news and the turmoil going into the week off.

Your comments are always welcome on my Journal, and I echo the others who ask you not to burn bridges. If you need to be away from LJ for a while - OK. But please don't do anything rash.

*HUG*

[knarfd.livejournal.com]

What they said.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Please don't go.

I would miss your intelligent and well written posts.

I would miss your optimism, in spite of whatever crap you are dealing with in your life.

And I would miss hearing from a hot man, who is modest and very sweet, in spite of being a Bear God!

I'm praying for you in regards to whatever health issues you may have.

[fuzzbearmark.livejournal.com]

I love LJ - I use it to chronicle my life. I know others read it - fine - if they ignore some/all fine as well.

I appreciate your friendship, Phil. I wish only The Best for you.

You can take or leave LJ or any other service. It's your life.

*HUGS*

[msclwolf.livejournal.com]

As many have already mentioned.. you will be missed until you return. When you do return you can do so in whatever fashion you choose. You do not have to reveal anything other than what you want AND you can even pick who gets to see that! It is also cool not to post but just read others and make the occasional post if you wish.

You know where LJ land is if you need it, and it will be here happy to recieve you when you do..... just look at all the peeps who said they will! (hugs)