When I started this hobby a few months ago I didn't think about the people I might encounter, just the fish. It seems like most fish people are men, or maybe it's just men who tend to use the forums? Many online forums of various types seem to have the inevitable bickering and what not, but I don't see that here, why not? Do most fish forums seem like this one or is this one unique? And is it "fishkeeper" or "aquarist"?
I totally noticed the same thing...I did a little fish forum shopping to begin with and the "cool factor" of this one was what drew me to it. I like to think of myself as more of a beginner "aquarium enthusiast"....only because it sounds cool. lol And alot of the posters on this forum DO seem to be men. Hm.....
Yeah, I actually used to frequent a popular cichlid site/forum, but all that happened there was crazy fighting so I left and found this one. I really think this one is great so I hope it stays that way. Oh, and I am a man so I guess I am fitting into your theory. Sorry about that.
trust me the bikering was here a short time ago... and i think most of us know each other by first name.. when the site picks up and there is hundreds of members every one will have there own opinions and a way of doing things and if your not open minded to what others have to say..thats when the problems will start..imo
Nothing wrong with most being guys. It's good actually. Everyone shares their personal experiences here, but guys tend to be more fact-based and research-oriented and females generally speak more from perspective or personal experience. They are both good, and are gross generalizations, but the approach of guys is good with this particular hobby. My 2 cents, or maybe 25 cents.
LOL i guess i would be more along the lines of serious collector, fish keeper, planted tank nut! ok now that i got that out there, just wanted to say that there have been a few quibbles here but most are squashed quite rapidly, generally speaking everyone here is here for a common interest and common goal, to share knowledge, make friends and get help. this creates a bond amongst people like ourselves who are very into what we are into. (im writing a business plan so i can open my own lfs, as the area i am in has one pet store really and they deal mainly with dog grooming, food and boarding, they have a small fish room with about 20, 20 gal tanks they stock with the basics, this will be a nice addition to the clients that i already have as monthly maintenance income)
and just to sit on spongebobs bench for a second, i am a grown man and still everynight after work come home have a glass of kool-aid and watch cartoon network before bed.
(and spend an hour or so on this site)
as to the majority of us being men, that doesn't make a diff, we are all in it for the fun and enjoyment of it. (almost said we are all in it for the fish but that could be misconstrued as a dirty little pun by some of these jesters)
This is a cool thread. I guess I have never fully introduced myself on this site. It would be fun to know some more things about the people on here.
As for me, my name is Robert and I am 26. I live in Colorado and I just graduated with an M.S. in physics from the University of Georgia (go Bulldogs). I love to raise fish and go fishing for catfish, crappe, and bass (I head down south in the summer for some vacations to do this as these fish are scarce here in Colorado). I also love to watch college football and that pretty much takes up my time in the Fall. I am a Learning Products Engineer for an oscilloscope manufacturer and love my job. I have been married for 7 years and have a 6 year old daughter and a 9 month old daughter. And ... that's about it. Oh, and I love to write. I am working on a book and I write articles for this site. What about all of you guys/girls? Some general bios would be nice if you are comfortable with them.
awesome idea for a meet and greet!!
Well most know me as Brandon, age 29, albion ny, (western ny 5 minutes from lake ontario) smack dab between buffalo and rochester, My partner and i have been together for four years. am just a simple country boy, huntin, fishin, drinkin, smokin, 4x4 in the mud with a dirty dog in the back seat kind of guy.. LOL makes me sound more redneck than i really am but i do enjoy all of the above, not much of a sports fan huntin season crosses over into football season and by the time my days are done am sleepin instead of watchin the games. amateur wildlife/nature photographer, associates degree in CADD (computer aided drafting and design) jack of all trades master of one i guess you could say, have kept fish since i was about 7, so i have a lot of history with many diff species and breeds. and i love watching cartoons!!
Brandon
I'm a 43 year old female psychotherapist in Southern California. Master's degrees in Computer Science, Business Administration, and Counseling Psychology. The first two from a previous career in the tech industry, the last is more recent for my current career. I have been with my partner for 5 years, she is a physician. We have 4 dogs, 6 cats, and now a bunch of fish. Our next biggest passion is golf.
Other odds and ends...I call myself an animal activist, I used to shoot competitively and love guns and trucks, I also love my BMW, like to watch TV shows like CSI, fascinated with oceanic sharks, go to Hawaii once a year, will read up on just about any topic, no kids and don't want any, I like to think I'm simple but my partner says I'm not.
(Poetic -- a hundred years ago my first degree, my Associate, was in Drafting.)
oh btw zambize, thank you so much for the comment on my most recent tank picture!! my partner read it and was like awwwwwww that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you, i looked at him and said yeah thanks a bunch hun love you too, he's the terminal smart a$$ kind of guy. after he got over his laughing fit he told me that he thinks it's awesome that i have a site where i can share my passions, as he is more into video games than real world things. LOL we both really are a couple of kids at heart
Brandon
Poetic - 2xLOL, yes, we share a certain pride in our commonalities, including The L Word. (and the G word, and B word, and T word LOL). I thought there was a certain lilt to your typing. I'm just cracking myself up now. LOL
My S/O is also a techie sort of geek. Head buried in electronics usually. And now I'm usually shoulder deep in a tank!
