Off-Topic Discussion And General Chit-Chat

[andrew]

All
I've renamed the 'Off-Topic' forum to 'Off Topic, General Chit-Chat and Socialising'.

It's fairly self-explanatory. If you want to talk about the Superbowl, your pets, your kids or anything non-wegs related then it goes under the 'Off Topic, General Chit-Chat and Socialising' forum - see all the way at the bottom of the main page.

Recently many threads with great information in them have been diluted as discussion moves away from the original intent or question. While this is great for socialising and having some fun it makes life harder for others - particularly the newly diagnosed - to get important information that they need.

So, if you want to just want to have a chat about stuff and things then the 'Off Topic, General Chit-Chat and Socialising' forum at the bottom of the main page is the place to go.

This will make life easier and provide better information and a richer experience for those seeking help which as I'm sure you'll agree is one of the main reasons this site is here.

Cheers...
Andrew

[vdub]

Most excellent! This will be good!

[woz]

Sounds good Andrew, if your new to this wegs lifestyle change, the more information you can find without having to filter through pages of off topic discussions, the quicker you will find the information that can help you sleep better at night.

Regards Woz...

[debra]

Andrew, thank you... I'm very guilty of this, and sincerely apologize... Thank you, Andrew... And you too Vdub! Debra...

[andrew]

In other news the Introductions and Stories forums have been merged into New Member Introductions And Stories as the former two pretty much meant the same thing and were confusing. There's also some housekeeping going on with some old threads either being moved or 'unstuck' from the top of forums to get more recent content near the top and easier to access.

Also other behind the scenes stuff going on with some spam filtering which is going swimmingly well and has automated much of the review process after new members sign up.

The 'off topic' issue will be monitored ongoing too. Remember that reminders to stay on topic are hot an attack on anyone - just an attempt to keep content and help easy to find for others who may need it. I reckon we've got a great bunch of people here so my and VDub's task should be pretty easy in this respect :)

[debra]

Andrew, this post woke me up! So came to check it out... All sounds good... Thank you, guys again, for all you do... I and I'm sure everyone, really appreciate it... Deb!...

[annekat]

I agree with all these changes! Thanks, Andrew and vdub, for all you do! Housekeeping is important! :smile1:

[debra]

Ok, so figured I figured I would attempt to reopen a coffee shop, hang out! However rather than something of humour i thought I'd be seriouse... Since pred can real havok on emotions and contribute to deppression and of coarse also being winter, I was wondering who here, if any have tried light box therapy? I got one many, many years ago, and seemed to work well, for what they call seasonal affective disorder, s.a.d., or better known as im deppressed in the winter!!! I haven't used it in years, though I was thinking of pulling it out, just cause of the cool light it gives off... My little bout with deppression was due to a severe vitamin D, shortage, when I corrected this, I never had deppression ever again! I was at a level 19, and got my levels up to about 80, and it was like magic... So in my research, I've come to realize its not so much the light shortage in the winter months, its the lack of vitamin D, due to the lack of sunshine... For those of us not in Bora, bora, its pretty cold to be out in the sun, especially up here in NH... Hope this can help someone... Debra...

[debra]

Sorry!!! Can't edit... Yes, its me as usual... My never ending typos!!! Guess I figured twice up there... Deb...

[annekat]

Deb, I think you should start whole new threads on subjects like light boxes, a chit-chat coffee shop thread, a Bora Bora thread, or whatever, but not under this exact thread, which was started by Andrew to notify us of the new 'Off Topic, General Chit-Chat and Socialising' section, or sub-forum, of the main forum. Just go to that title, which can be clicked on at the top of this page or from the main page of the forum, and you'll get a screen that says "start new thread". I don't think Andrew intended this thread as a place to share random thoughts but as the place to share with us the new, re-named off-topic forum section, a jumping off point for whatever kind of thread you want to start in that vein. I hope it is not too confusing, but it will become less so by doing it. (Edited because I called the main page "The Lobby", but it's not... so don't look there for what I talked about above.)

[debra]

Oh!!! I didn't know, haha... No big deal, it can just be deleted, cause I don't feel like writing it over, my eyes are really killing me lately, as i mentioned previously... I thought this was the off topic thread! The weg dog, coffee shop... Thanks Anne! So is it fine to just let it die out? Deb...

[annekat]

No, though I can see how you would think so by the title of the thread. Andrew and vdub can correct me if I'm wrong, but if you look at the top of the page, you will see that this thread with this title is within the section of the forum called Off-Topic, General Chit-Chat and Socialising. You could delete or just leave it so that what I'm writing here makes sense and it might clarify to others. You could also copy and paste it into the real Off-Topic section. And start other threads there too. You'll get the hang of it. I need to get off now because I'm getting a bit of the v-thing going, very slight but don't want to push it. Later..... XXOOXX

[vdub]

You are correct, Anne. If you see a thread wandering off subject with unrelated chatter, you can redirect the thread to the random area and start a new thread (Random Off-Topic Discussion (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/random-off-topic-discussion/)) or just hook on to an existing one, such as the one where this message is. Either way is fine...

The intent of the new subject area is to remove clutter from the more serious threads, so newcomers don't have to read too much before finding the answers they want.

[debra]

Thank you, Anne... I know how to do an off topic, but thought this was a special link/ thread to ot, stuff! Ya, I feel pretty foolish, but it certainly won't be the first time Anne! Haha... It's ok, to just kill it, or I'm sure people will ignore it, for the most part... It's not a real life or death post, so its ok... My eyes are just really becoming an issue, again, so looks like the er might be in the cards at no real choice... I did call and was happy to hear they call in a eye specialist.... So... Taking me an hour to finish this, cause I'm on the phone with my brother... Deb, with love... Xox...

[debra]

Thank you, Vdub! Deb...

[annekat]

Your eye thing sounds awful, Deb, get to the ER and we'll get this off-topic random thoughts thing figured out when you are better! Nothing you wrote here is a problem, I don't think, since it was replied to by me and vdub and may be instructive to others as to where they should be starting off-the-wall or non-WG related threads, generally not here, because this is just the introductory one, telling about this new re-named section called Off Topic, General Chit-Chat and Socialising (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/off-topic-general-chit-chat-socialising/), which is where these threads are intended to be started. Go there and see the ones that were put there, some have been there before the name was changed, some are serious and not funny, doesn't matter, the poster felt or knew they were off topic. This seems great for you, you can start a thread about anything you want, whether it's serious, informative, funny, fantasy stuff, or whatever.

BTW, notice how Andrew spelled 'socialising' the Aussie way, as of course, why wouldn't he? My spellcheck jumped on it, though. I'm not changing it.

Also, your eye thing should probably go into one of the WG related sections. But more important, get treatment for it. Good night!

[debra]

Thank you, Anne! Ya, trust me, this I will go to the er, for! If it gets worse, I'll go, but it seems to come in waves, then subside, were as back in o twelve it was like a constant ice pick, in the eyes... No way am I going through that again! Hopefully its just the normal everyday pain, that seems to roam... Good night, Anne... Deb... Xox...!!!

[annekat]

I see I am still slightly confused about these new changes for off topic subjects. If I go to the top of the page, I see we are under the "forum" called Off Topic, General Chit-Chat and Socialising (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/off-topic-general-chit-chat-socialising/), which is under the main umbrella of the Forum. That in itself is not a jumping off point for a new thread, just a heading of a section of the main Forum. But under that, we have two "sub-forums, one of which is Random Off-Topic Discussion (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/random-off-topic-discussion/), which has several threads listed under it. This thread we are on here is one of them and is titled the same as the sub-forum, but is still not a place to start new threads, because it is a thread in itself, whose main purpose was to inform us of the changes and the reasons for them. So the way to start new threads about anything off topic is to go to the sub-forum of the same title as this thread! It looks like people have been doing that. When in doubt, going to the Forum's main page is always a good idea, where places to start threads under various headings becomes clear. Sorry, I have an analytical mind, and having Wegs makes it more so, as I'm always having to make sure I'm not getting confused in some way.

[debra]

Analytical is good Anne! Gotta say, though, now I'm more confused than ever!!! Haha... I love you Anne!!! Deb...

[annekat]

Sorry to confuse, just if you want to start an entirely new thread on any subject, go first to the main forum page and decide where the thread belongs. Then go down the list and pick the category that fits. If it is Random Off-Topic Discussion (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/random-off-topic-discussion/), it will appear as a sub-forum under Off Topic, General Chit-Chat and Socialising (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/off-topic-general-chit-chat-socialising/). Random Off-Topic Discussion (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/random-off-topic-discussion/) is where you'll be prompted to Post New Thread. Just don't try doing it here, because this just happens to be a thread with the same name as that sub-forum. You won't be starting a new thread that way, you'll just be adding more to this one, about possibly extraneous stuff. Just know you won't be starting a new thread anywhere unless you see the Post New Thread option. It is easier to learn by doing than to read these instructions! I'm a big fan of learning by doing. XXOOXXOO

[andrew]

Hey Anne good pick-up. I see that I duplicated the forum name on this thread. I've changed the thread name to "Off-Topic Discussion And General Chit-Chat" so that should hopefully help :)

[debra]

Thank you, Anne! Man, I hope I don't mess up, after reading all you're instructions... I love you, Anne... Deb...

[annekat]

Hey Anne good pick-up. I see that I duplicated the forum name on this thread. I've changed the thread name to "Off-Topic Discussion And General Chit-Chat" so that should hopefully help :) I'm afraid it still seems a little confusing, because you are still repeating the same title twice. Now you are calling the name of the thread the name of the "Forum", or section of the overall Forum. But it's OK, because the purpose of the thread is to explain the title change of that "Forum", or section, and you are establishing a new 'sub forum' called Random Off-Topic Discussion (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/random-off-topic-discussion/), where people should go to start a new thread in this area. Rule of thumb..... unless you see "Post New Thread" at top of page, you aren't in a place from which you can post a new thread. If you are in the middle of an existing thread, which will have its own title, you will not be able to start a new thread from there, only add to it. Let's learn by doing and everything will be fine! Deb, start a thread about your eyes, but not under Random Off Topic Discussion, under something serious like General WG Talk. Then start a thread about a coffee house in a grass shack in Bora Bora, or about the cat you might get, under Random Off Topic Discussion. Just try it and you'll see it isn't as complicated as I'm making it sound. Just remember to always go to the main Forum page to start a new thread, and then pick from the choices there, according to your subject.

[annekat]

Andrew, I think either way would have worked, people just need to know that the title of a thread can be same as the title of a forum or sub-forum, if a clarification about that forum or sub-forum is the subject of the thread. And I think the way you have it now is fine.

[debra]

Hahaha..... Why not just reopen the thread to no where!!!! Soooo funny, cause I'm more confused than ever! As a result of this confusion, I'm doing NOTHING new!!! I'm terrified! Haha... I'm leaving for Bora, bora! Anne, you're killing me... So funny... Deb... Xox...!!!

[annekat]

Hahaha..... Why not just reopen the thread to no where!!!! Soooo funny, cause I'm more confused than ever! As a result of this confusion, I'm doing NOTHING new!!! I'm terrified! Haha... I'm leaving for Bora, bora! Anne, you're killing me... So funny... Deb... Xox...!!! Why not blame Andrew as much as me! If you want to start a thread entitled "I'm leaving for Bora Bora", go to the main forum page, find the sub-forum this would fit in, which is now titled Random Off-Topic Discussion (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/random-off-topic-discussion/), click on that, and you'll see a list of threads there, and to post your new one, you just click on Post New Thread! It will take you to a window for beginning what you have to say and a place for the title! You can always call it The Thread to Nowhere if you want, it is your choice! It is easy! Learn by doing! If you screw up it is no big deal, it can always be deleted!

[debra]

Hahaha!!!!!!!! Anne!!! I'm so glad you're here!!! Oh my goodness! I guess maybe I'm the only one seeing humour in this??? Anne what makes this so funny is you! Haha!!! You don't even realize what a trip you are! I'm dying laughing at this... Anne, you're beautiful and I'm sooooo, glad you're here!!! Deb, in Bora, bora, laughing my a** off!!!... Xox!!!...

[debra]

Hey, Anne, did all this start from a simple off topic post on light machines, and vitamin D??? Haha, not one person even noticed!!! Haha... Oh boy... So funny... Anne, please don't ever change!!! Deb... Xox...!!!...

[annekat]

Hey, Anne, did all this start from a simple off topic post on light machines, and vitamin D??? Haha, not one person even noticed!!! Haha... Oh boy... So funny... Anne, please don't ever change!!! Deb... Xox...!!!... Yes, it did! I noticed! That post is now still on this thread. But if you really want to talk about those things and get some responses, at this point, you might as well start a new thread specifically on them! It is an interesting subject. It could still go here under the Random Off-Topic Discussion (http://www.wegeners-granulomatosis.com/forum/random-off-topic-discussion/) sub forum (not this thread we are now on under that sub forum)..... just click on the highlighted link I just wrote and it will take you to where you will see a button for posting a new thread. You will see other posts there that are about serious subjects and otherwise, but don't necessarily fit under other Forum categories offered on the main page. Please just try it! SADS (Seasonal Affective Disorder Syndrome) is an important issue this time of year, and here in Washington state is a prime area for it. Just click on the link above and start a thread!

By the way, I'm not trying to be funny. I get a little tired of being told how funny I am. I was never the class clown. On the other hand, I most appreciate humor that comes up naturally as opposed to telling jokes or slapstick comedy, that sort of thing. So I appreciate that you see humor here. I just don't want to be labeled as "funny" ALL the time. Sometimes is OK. And don't worry, I probably won't change much.

[debra]

Anne, that's what makes it classic! Because its natural, and not meant to be that way! No, you're absolutely not the class clown type! You're just you! It's perfect Anne! Hope you're good, Anne? Anne, I know how to start a new thread, but not how to move a post? Also I can't paste and copy, so... Honestly I'm to lazy to print it over! Haha... I've had to redo my posts lately, as for some reason they are getting stuck, then not on the auto save? Weird, as this is a new thing... Thank you, Anne! Deb... Xox...!!!

[annekat]

Anne, that's what makes it classic! Because its natural, and not meant to be that way! No, you're absolutely not the class clown type! You're just you! It's perfect Anne! Hope you're good, Anne? Anne, I know how to start a new thread, but not how to move a post? Also I can't paste and copy, so... Honestly I'm to lazy to print it over! Haha... I've had to redo my posts lately, as for some reason they are getting stuck, then not on the auto save? Weird, as this is a new thing... Thank you, Anne! Deb... Xox...!!! i wouldn't worry about moving any posts. Just start over fresh. If you would use Mr. Computer, whoever he is, you might be able to copy and paste. But no big deal. I can't help you with any issues about using a phone to access the forum, because I don't do it. Also, no hard feelings about the humor thing. I must tell you I really have to cut back on my computer time lately because it stimulates my vertigo. I end up with a mild version of it, and I can still get things done, like it didn't stop me from making sales at the Market today, but by the end of the day I feel like crap and the only thing to do is sleep it off. So won't be on much tonight. XXOOXXOO.

[debra]

Anne, hola! Glad you're day at the market went well, having the V word, though stinks... I'm trying to cut back till I get my eyes squared away... Been reading old posts though, trying to refresh my memory and get ready for the next appointment... Computer is all set, so... Just more convenient because of where my computer desk is, and a chair that's not very comfortable... These things don't really concern me, ya know? Need to get to the eye doctor, that does concern me! Yes if it gets worse in any way, I will be at the er! The eye involvement is beyond words painful, and I'm not going through the ice pick feeling again! Yikes! Anne I know you said you don't have eye involvement, I pray it stays that way for you... Eye redness is one thing, but ice picks in you're eyes is a whole different thing... Anne, enjoy you're day... Today is the coldest day of the year, since I think? Sorry can't remember this little peice of trivia... Deb... Xox...!!!

[annekat]

Anne, hola! Glad you're day at the market went well, having the V word, though stinks... I'm trying to cut back till I get my eyes squared away... Been reading old posts though, trying to refresh my memory and get ready for the next appointment... Computer is all set, so... Just more convenient because of where my computer desk is, and a chair that's not very comfortable... These things don't really concern me, ya know? Need to get to the eye doctor, that does concern me! Yes if it gets worse in any way, I will be at the er! The eye involvement is beyond words painful, and I'm not going through the ice pick feeling again! Yikes! Anne I know you said you don't have eye involvement, I pray it stays that way for you... Eye redness is one thing, but ice picks in you're eyes is a whole different thing... Anne, enjoy you're day... Today is the coldest day of the year, since I think? Sorry can't remember this little peice of trivia... Deb... Xox...!!! I think you should go to the ER before you do more damage to your eyes. Also, I know there is a thread on Eye Involvement going on right now, but haven't looked lately and don't remember if you posted on it. I think you probably did. Ice picks in the eyes sounds like a reason to go for help NOW, and it seems this has been going on for about a week...... we should probably be on the other thread.... I will go there and look. XX00XX00

[debra]

Hi, Anne... Yup, posted on eye thread... No ice pick status as of yet, and hopefully God willing, will not reach! Yes I'll be at the er, pretty damn quick, if that happens again, trust! Hopefully I'll get in this week, per Brandys schedule, but even if not, I have Mary to fall back on, so I'll be in this week... I have the pred- forte drops, but using these without knowing what's going on, is not a smart thing to do... Anne, I hope you're good! With no v, word on this V day!!! Haha... Thought of you, all day and forgot its Valentine's V!!! Deb... Xox...!!!...