Goodbye, for now

[swingline]

I’ve been thinking about this for some time, and it’s time for me to step away from SJ for a while.

I don’t find it as enjoyable as I once did, and a lot of that is because of the politics and covid threads. Too often they leave me angry or sad or depressed.

There are constant RIP threads that are sad in their own right. And countless others that don’t bring me any joy.

Of course, there are things I enjoy, but it’s pushing against the tide for me.

I’m not sure I know anyone here in real life, but there are many good, thoughtful posters, and I’ll miss y’all.

This is by no way an indictment of the site, but for my health and happiness, it’s best for me. Be well. Signing off.

 

[Azrael]

Godspeed, my friend.

A break from this is a great thing.

 

[lakefront]

I’ve been thinking about this for some time, and it’s time for me to step away from SJ for a while.

I don’t find it as enjoyable as I once did, and a lot of that is because of the politics and covid threads. Too often they leave me angry or sad or depressed.

There are constant RIP threads that are sad in their own right. And countless others that don’t bring me any joy.

Of course, there are things I enjoy, but it’s pushing against the tide for me.

I’m not sure I know anyone here in real life, but there are many good, thoughtful posters, and I’ll miss y’all.

This is by no way an indictment of the site, but for my health and happiness, it’s best for me. Be well. Signing off.

Take care!

Make the most of your new found time.

 

[Neutral Corner]

Taking a mental health break when it is needed is a healthy choice. You know you're welcome if you choose to return or visit.

Be well, and find your joy wherever you can.

 

[MisterCreosote]

Good call, and best to you.

There are few things as unhealthy as experiencing real anger because of strangers on the Internet.

 

[Moderator1]

I’ve been thinking about this for some time, and it’s time for me to step away from SJ for a while.

I don’t find it as enjoyable as I once did, and a lot of that is because of the politics and covid threads. Too often they leave me angry or sad or depressed.

There are constant RIP threads that are sad in their own right. And countless others that don’t bring me any joy.

Of course, there are things I enjoy, but it’s pushing against the tide for me.

I’m not sure I know anyone here in real life, but there are many good, thoughtful posters, and I’ll miss y’all.

This is by no way an indictment of the site, but for my health and happiness, it’s best for me. Be well. Signing off.

Wait, don't I know you? Or do I think I know who you are and I don't? Could be!

Anyway, do what you need to do for you. As I've learned this past year, physical and mental health are THE most important things. Reach out if you need anything and come back when you're ready.

 

[OscarMadison]

You will be missed. Take care and enjoy your break.

 

[garrow]

Take care, swingline.

 

[Songbird]

Until we meet at SJ's next big wedding, au revoir!

 

[qtlaw]

Take care of yourself; we’re going to miss your input.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Good luck to you. Enjoy the break. I've considered that a few times myself.

For what it's worth, I realized several months ago that this site is infinitely better if you just stay the hell away from the politics and covid threads. The number of people who want to wallow in anger and misery there is just incredibly unhealthy.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Enjoy your break, and we'll see you down the road.

 

[HanSenSE]

Do what you have to do for yourself first. Take care.

 

[ChrisLong]

Good call. Do what you need to do.

 

[User 149557]

One word of warning as someone who left here for a few years: You think you’ll use your time better. You probably won’t. I believe every person has a stupid space in their brain they need to fill with garbage lifestyle choices. For some that’s drugs or alcohol or porn or food or gossip or reading Jonathan Franzen novels.

If you’re going to ditch a stupid activity, at least find another stupid activity that has some social utility. During my time away from here that stupid activity was finding childhood friends on social media and having awkward conversations with them because the last time we talked it was fourth grade and I only remembered how good at blacktop basketball they were and asked them questions such as, “Do you still have that cartoon Larry Bird t-shirt that looked like he had a booger on his nose? No? You’re an agent in Hollywood? Case-Western Law, huh? No, no, that working for The Times thing didn’t work out, but have you read my work on Ohio high school cross country? No?”

 

[Slacker]

believe every person has a stupid space in their brain they need to fill with garbage lifestyle choices. For some that’s drugs or alcohol or porn or food or gossip or reading Jonathan Franzen novels.

Well, I guess ya lost me there at Franzen ...

Swingline, have fun. Hope we see you here again.

 

[Octave]

And countless others that don’t bring me any joy.

it's a hard place to stick with if you don't give a damn about sports anymore, which I don't.

Slán.

 

[wicked]

I don’t find it as enjoyable as I once did, and a lot of that is because of the politics and covid threads. Too often they leave me angry or sad or depressed.

I get it. I got out of the biz in late 2019. It was a blessing because every day something happened in the world that would set me off or distress me. Deleting all news apps for a few months was a great help, even if I was in the dark about most things. Take care of yourself.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Take care of yourself, swingline. The combination of politics, stupidity and the occasional board troll(s) makes taking breaks from this board understandable.

Hope we see you again sometime. Until then, all the best.

 

[Cosmo]

One word of warning as someone who left here for a few years: You think you’ll use your time better. You probably won’t. I believe every person has a stupid space in their brain they need to fill with garbage lifestyle choices. For some that’s drugs or alcohol or porn or food or gossip or reading Jonathan Franzen novels.

If you’re going to ditch a stupid activity, at least find another stupid activity that has some social utility. During my time away from here that stupid activity was finding childhood friends on social media and having awkward conversations with them because the last time we talked it was fourth grade and I only remembered how good at blacktop basketball they were and asked them questions such as, “Do you still have that cartoon Larry Bird t-shirt that looked like he had a booger on his nose? No? You’re an agent in Hollywood? Case-Western Law, huh? No, no, that working for The Times thing didn’t work out, but have you read my work on Ohio high school cross country? No?”

Man, this post is sticking with me today. Every February, we send out a huge mailing to all of our member clubs with a bunch of information for the year ahead. Schedules, tournaments, contact lists, etc., etc. We try to hand deliver some of the mailings because it's good business and a chance to catch up with people at clubs we may not necessarily see very often. Today happened to be my mom's 75th birthday, so I volunteered to take the dreaded NOVA shift -- which for anyone who knows Virginia -- can be a total hellish adventure, especially driving north from Richmond. She still lives in Fairfax County, we had a very nice lunch. I was very happy to spend time with her. But I also delivered to a club that was right near the elementary school that I attended, and I also drove past my old high school to get to another club I needed to deliver to. Have been having nostalgia brain all day.

Also, best to you swingline. Unlike Octave, I strangely love sports more than I ever have, so that's why I'm here more often than not. But I get it. (Also, not a dig at Fart, just sayin')