Soooo...how has everyone been?

Hi All...some may remember me, most may not, but I purposefully took a month off of this starting at Christmas of 2018. That turned into almost 1.5 years of taking a break from all of the bickering and non-constructive arguments that were permeating this site at the time. I'll tell ya, for my own sanity, I'm glad that I wasn't on here for the Kavanaugh and Mueller Investigation results and the impeachment proceedings--that probably would have done me in.

Honestly, I took a break because I felt that the bickering (mine included) was bleeding over into how I communicated with my family, and especially with my son. It just wasn't worth it because I was becoming too argumentative in my personal life.

But with that, I realized that I was feeling much less educated on contemporary topics that affect our nation and the citizenry on a personal level. The value that this forum brings when people actually introduce studies and stories and facts (from all sides) cannot be understated. So, with that in mind, I'm going to try and start frequenting the site again, but I'm going to try and refrain from the bickering. I'm perfectly happy engaging in constructive dialogue, but there are certain members who seem to avoid that at all costs, so I will do my level best to avoid interacting with them.

Long story short, the break was nice, but I miss the information and many of the constructive interactions that come with being active on this site. I'm excited to start back in, but I'm certainly concerned about my ability to self regulate against the stupidity that will inevitably show itself.

I hope everyone has been doing well during the hiatus.

Best Regards,

SlapMonkey




*Note to self: Avoid Covid-19 threads...
*Note to ATS: It's unfortunate that emojis have not been updated yet

Oh dear, you've shot yourself in the foot with your last remark as virtually every thread is Covid 19 related or bash Trump. Only a minimal few that don't.

a reply to: SlapMonkey

So, you're back.
Refreshed and ready to tackle ATS life!!

Virtual handshakes!!!!!

a reply to: SlapMonkey

Welcome back.

Make a pro-Covid/anti-Trump thread and really jump back into things with a bang.

a reply to: SlapMonkey


Welcome back!!

*Note to ATS: It's unfortunate that emojis have not been updated yet

You can still access some of the old ones here, plus others. The bbcode still works...

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Soooo...how has everyone been?

about the same....

I hate to say this, but I didn't even notice you were gone at all. I remember you though....I guess I am not as aware as I thought I was...forgot that you weren't here. Sorry....... it will happen again. I don't like to sugar coat things or lie.

a reply to: SlapMonkey

Are you coming back as a liberal or a conservative?

originally posted by: rickymouse
I hate to say this, but I didn't even notice you were gone at all. I remember you though....I guess I am not as aware as I thought I was...forgot that you weren't here. Sorry....... it will happen again. I don't like to sugar coat things or lie.

Your honesty is well received and appreciated. I wouldn't have noticed me gone, either. lol

a reply to: Snarl

As libertarian (little-"L") minded as I've always been. I'm an equal-opportunity hater, and still prefer critical thinking over blind partisanship.

Huzzah!

a reply to: crayzeed

I'll do my best to avoid them. I already opened up a couple threads and immediately closed them.

I get the feeling that this will be like a New Year's resolution, though, but hopefully it'll last.

originally posted by: SlapMonkey
Huzzah!

It's good to see ya back on the boards, Brother!!

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Thanks, DTM...but haven't you heard that you can't shake hands, even virtually? Fauci is coming for both of us now--he gets updates from the NSA when the "handshakes" is flagged.

DAMMIT! Now I used it, too.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: SlapMonkey

Make a pro-Covid/anti-Trump thread and really jump back into things with a bang.

Already starting in, I see. I'm onto your tricks!

a reply to: SlapMonkey

happy to see you back. Who Loves ya Baby!

These will be some good times. All the things we were told were "vast right wing conspiracies" are coming true. I expect the tooth fairy to start commenting on nightly news any day now.

Glad you are back, and glad you got some perspective on the real world. (that place scares me, so I stay here)

a reply to: network dude

Awww...you remembered lol

Yeah, it is funny in retrospect how so many things that were vehemently argued against by the pro big-govt Trump haters are coming to pass. I'm watching all of these unmasking requests that are being released pretty closely. Watch out, Biden...

a reply to: SlapMonkey

Welcome back!
Me I am back, too, refreshed.
It was cold out there....

Looking forward what will come next from you & me & all the others.

I didn' t touch my computer for about 3 years. Have still some work to update it.
I remember well some people helped me with my avatar pictures, think will need some help again...

Wish you all the best

a reply to: lotusaugen

Thanks! Same to you.

a reply to: SlapMonkey

I have a special tin-foil hat that makes us immune to Fauci and Co.


bwaahahahaahaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Back!!

I love well thought out opposing views. I really do!

Pull up a stump...lot's of BS floating around these days!!

Let's see:

These days we're divided over whether or not you want to go outside your house and maybe not always wear a mask which means you obviously hate everyone else and want them to die, or you want to have everyone stay inside their house hiding under their beds to keep the germs from infecting you which means you obviously hate everyone else and want them to lose the shirts off their backs and roofs over their heads and want their kids to starve.

ORANGE MAN is still bad (so was Obama), so I think the president is bad is about what that boils down to.

There might be UFOs ... or not.

And the world might or might not be ending, but there is always some sort of doom porn. This week, it's murder hornets.