Would this thread fall into the old sticks and stones saying from my youth? For the youngsters on this site that was "Sticks and stones can break your bones but names will never harm you"
Call me what you want but dont call me late for dinner.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I wrote this a few years ago but I though some that haven't seen it might get a laugh:
This might help you understand what a foamer is: ============================================================================== Railfan vs Foamer Definitions: Railfan...An otherwise normal person that enjoys the persuit of railroad related activities. That could be one or more of many sub intrests includeing but not limited to observing, photographing,reasearching,studying,discussing,modeling or just plain following the railroads of both past,present or future. These people are hard to spot in other circles as they are functional in normal society. Foamer...One that aparently looses all mental controll when one or more of the following occure: 1) they are in the presence of a: A) a train B) railroad tracks (and in some places railroad property(s)) C) a piece of railroad memorabilia or D) a conversation or any other communication related to the subject of railroading. They are easy to detect as most of them are social disaster areas anyway. Railroader (non railfan)...One that couldn't care less what the rest of us falling into the other categorys think(s) about them or there company. They are the ones that are there to do a job, earn a liveing and make it home safely every day till retirement. Railroader (closet railfan)...One that typicaly enjoys there job wether they admit it or not. They are most likley to be industry insider participants of railroad related forums. they are fairly easy members to spot as they typicaly use aliases (to protect the innocent of course) but are otherwise forthright with there experiences and opinions,reguardless of what the foamers think. Railroader (and railfan)..one that enjoys there profession and is willing to share there experiences and/or wisdom with the rest of the railfan community. They are easy to spot due to there honesty,integrity and passion for railroading and railroad related subjects while feeling no need to hide there identity. ********************************************************************************************** relationshps: railfan-Foamer....The railfan will tolerate the foamer either out of pitty or compassion for the mentaly challenged that enjoy the same hobby, even when it may damage there reputation.... the foamer will generaly cling on to the railfan because they are not just willing to talk to them but are also socialy acceptable members of society. railfan-railroader(non railfan)...The railfan typicaly feels self concious when a railroader gives that look that says "get a life"...The railroader usually gives the railfan that "Get a life look" that comes so naturaly to them. Railfan-railroader(closet railfan)...railfans typicaly cater to the closet railroader's ego when they feel they will not have there cover blown and therefore are paid back in special favors in many varying ways in which railfans tend to exploit but not abuse...Closet railfan railroaders are a goldmine for the railfan because when they know they can get away with it they will show off for the railfan in a multitude of ways that are always benificial and thoughly apriciated by most all railfans. This is typicaly a most benificial relationship as long as the railfan does not take the closet foamer down front street. Railfan-railfan/railroader...This tends to be the best kind of relationship as each party tends to have a level head and doesn't get to inflated about who or what they are and for the most part are intelegent,wise and compassionate members of society. Foamer-non railfan railroader...The worst possable match. The Foamer is typicaly a "social disaster area" an is likley to represent a hazzard to the railroader in a multitude of ways in which the non railfan railroader will be most intolerant of... the non railfan railroader will look at the foamer like they are the most socialy unacceptabe lifeform on the face of the planet, and not know wether to be irratated by them or take pitty on them. bottom line: bad blood. Foamer-closet railfan railroader...Although not the worst mix it does have perrils all it's own. the foamer will tend to taunt the closet railroader to give them access or special favors... Meanwhile the closet railroader will constantly worry about the foamer takeing them down front street and risking them looseing there job. A very unbalanced relationship. Foamer-railroader railfan...the foamer typicaly worships the ground the railroader walks on. The railroader typicaly spends his time wondering why those loosers worship the ground they walk on.The relationships in this catagory could potentialy fill books and is way beyond the scope of this peice. Trolls-(all of the above)...Trolls are generaly misfits of society looking to disrupt normal society in any way they can (for whatever reason) and there presence in the forum is a side effect of society more then a railfan catagory and will furthermore be ignored,
chad thomas wrote: I wrote this a few years ago but I though some that haven't seen it might get a laugh: This might help you understand what a foamer is: ============================================================================== Railfan vs Foamer Definitions: Railfan...An otherwise normal person that enjoys the persuit of railroad related activities. That could be one or more of many sub intrests includeing but not limited to observing, photographing,reasearching,studying,discussing,modeling or just plain following the railroads of both past,present or future. These people are hard to spot in other circles as they are functional in normal society. Foamer...One that aparently looses all mental controll when one or more of the following occure: 1) they are in the presence of a: A) a train B) railroad tracks (and in some places railroad property(s)) C) a piece of railroad memorabilia or D) a conversation or any other communication related to the subject of railroading. They are easy to detect as most of them are social disaster areas anyway. Railroader (non railfan)...One that couldn't care less what the rest of us falling into the other categorys think(s) about them or there company. They are the ones that are there to do a job, earn a liveing and make it home safely every day till retirement. Railroader (closet railfan)...One that typicaly enjoys there job wether they admit it or not. They are most likley to be industry insider participants of railroad related forums. they are fairly easy members to spot as they typicaly use aliases (to protect the innocent of course) but are otherwise forthright with there experiences and opinions,reguardless of what the foamers think. Railroader (and railfan)..one that enjoys there profession and is willing to share there experiences and/or wisdom with the rest of the railfan community. They are easy to spot due to there honesty,integrity and passion for railroading and railroad related subjects while feeling no need to hide there identity. ********************************************************************************************** relationshps: railfan-Foamer....The railfan will tolerate the foamer either out of pitty or compassion for the mentaly challenged that enjoy the same hobby, even when it may damage there reputation.... the foamer will generaly cling on to the railfan because they are not just willing to talk to them but are also socialy acceptable members of society. railfan-railroader(non railfan)...The railfan typicaly feels self concious when a railroader gives that look that says "get a life"...The railroader usually gives the railfan that "Get a life look" that comes so naturaly to them. Railfan-railroader(closet railfan)...railfans typicaly cater to the closet railroader's ego when they feel they will not have there cover blown and therefore are paid back in special favors in many varying ways in which railfans tend to exploit but not abuse...Closet railfan railroaders are a goldmine for the railfan because when they know they can get away with it they will show off for the railfan in a multitude of ways that are always benificial and thoughly apriciated by most all railfans. This is typicaly a most benificial relationship as long as the railfan does not take the closet foamer down front street. Railfan-railfan/railroader...This tends to be the best kind of relationship as each party tends to have a level head and doesn't get to inflated about who or what they are and for the most part are intelegent,wise and compassionate members of society. Foamer-non railfan railroader...The worst possable match. The Foamer is typicaly a "social disaster area" an is likley to represent a hazzard to the railroader in a multitude of ways in which the non railfan railroader will be most intolerant of... the non railfan railroader will look at the foamer like they are the most socialy unacceptabe lifeform on the face of the planet, and not know wether to be irratated by them or take pitty on them. bottom line: bad blood. Foamer-closet railfan railroader...Although not the worst mix it does have perrils all it's own. the foamer will tend to taunt the closet railroader to give them access or special favors... Meanwhile the closet railroader will constantly worry about the foamer takeing them down front street and risking them looseing there job. A very unbalanced relationship. Foamer-railroader railfan...the foamer typicaly worships the ground the railroader walks on. The railroader typicaly spends his time wondering why those loosers worship the ground they walk on.The relationships in this catagory could potentialy fill books and is way beyond the scope of this peice. Trolls-(all of the above)...Trolls are generaly misfits of society looking to disrupt normal society in any way they can (for whatever reason) and there presence in the forum is a side effect of society more then a railfan catagory and will furthermore be ignored,
I LOVE THIS.... I'm going to keep a copy! Thanks, Chad. Really funny (because it's so true).
Once, I was asked by someone why I shoot photos of trains. I simply replied "I am who I am, and I do what I do."
I don't feel that I have to offer anyone an explanation as to what my hobbies are, as I don't ask them to explain their's.
I have known knitters, coffee can collectors, label collectors, Star Wars action figure collectors, collectors of antique glass, games, toys, whatever... I just figure if someone enjoys it, and it helps them keep their sanity, then, who am I to criticize?
A good example of a "foamer" happens in the movie "The Station Agent" where Peter Dinklage pays a railfan (non-foamer). Theres a scene though where he's at a club meet and there showing film of a steam excursion where the foamer cameraman is showing and narrating a movie, he's filming out of a window and can bearly see the locomotive, but he keeps filming even when the train is in a tunnel, "it was a very long tunnel" he says about a full minute into the dark screen. That is a foamer.
Have fun with your trains
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