Well after much discussion, and a swift kick in the butt from a good friend (you know who you are), we have finalized the new rank of Forum Leader.

Three people have been nominated to this group. These people have been nominated for their expertise, experience, willingness to go out of their way to help and welcome new members, and because they are really good people that truly love this hobby.

This rank was setup to set these people apart as Talkingreef Leaders. These people are here at the site on a very regular basis and have been for many many months, helping me when I'm not here, and where my knowledge lacks to make sure our members get the best quality information they can.

Please join me in congratulating our new Forum Leaders
The Leaders are:
Amphibious
Fat Walrus
Veriann

Thanks to all of you for your effort, dedication and love for this hobby and site

Reserved.......

Congratulations Guys! We're soooo happy and proud to have you on board!

You have gone out of your way to help others and to make information available. We are truly lucky to have you sharing your experiences, knowledge and humor (most importantly) with us!

Oh my, I am humbled. Thank you, Rob and whoever it was that brought this to light. If I may borrow the soap box for a minute...

I join every fish related forum that comes along and there are many. Mainly to "reserve" my on line user name, Amphibious. I'll spend an hour or so reading threads that interest me. I might even respond to a couple that first visit. Then I put the forum into my "favorites" file under Fish Forums. Some, I've never visited again and recently was reminded of that when an e-mail came in from an obscure fish forum announcing some changes. Not even remembering that particular forum, I went to the site and tried to log on. The message I got back went something like this, "You can not log on due to inactivity". WOW! They banned me because of "inactivity". Hmmm, that's pretty astonishing to me. So I checked the Membership list. Sure enough, I was on it. Joined date - June of '03. Number of posts - 0. They had me dead to rights! So I wrote the Admin, as suggested, and asked to be re-instated since they chose to include me in their mailing. We'll see what happens.

Some forums are more a place to get battered than to get or give information and I avoid those, now. Who needs to be flamed for a personal view of a topic being discussed or, ridiculed because a "newbie" has a "dumb" question? I don't visit that forum any more, either.

And then along came Talkingreef. Hmmm, funny name, I thought. What interest could I possibly have for a "Talking Reef". Reefs don't talk. But, I joined because, that's what Amphibious does. And, I lurked for a bit, not wanting to "talk" just yet. Then I began to realize, there wasn't any flaming, bashing, ridiculing or any other demeaning practice. So, I gave a first, short, response to a thread and I got the usual "welcome" too TR. Then I became bolder and started offering advise based on my extensive experience. I've had no formal education in marine aquariums but tons of practical, hands on, "school of hard knocks" kind of education. I don't "know it all" but I know what works for me and if applied correctly will work for others. I found that I was accepted on TR. People thanked me, encouraged me to speak out. And now, today they can't silence me even if they wanted too. At least not for "inactivity".

I remember a great debate we had on a TR thread that pitted two great aquarists with two different theories on one subject, at opposite ends from each other. The debate got a bit heated and included input from many of you. In the end, it was decided, by default, that both methods worked and it was a matter of choice, individually, which method was "best". The best thing about this debate, while heated at times, is that the other main character and I remain friends, in fact better friends now than before. We both learned, I think, to respect each other's diversity and embrace each other's differing knowledge and experience. This could have sunk into a flame throwing, bashing thread on a different site, not TR!!!

This "Talkingreef" thing that Rob created is addicting, as many of you have expressed. I concur! I have one piece of advice for anyone lurking on the site, post something so you don't get banned for "inactivity". :rotfl:

Just one more thing, recognition is one of the most powerful motivators known to mankind. Recognize achievments however great or small in your children. It will motivate them to do even more.

So, how do you get me to stop talking on Talkingreef??? You jerk the soapbox out from under me, that's how.

Thanks again, Rob.

See! That's why we love the guy!
http://www.smileygenerator.us/community/html/emoticons/group.gif

Congrads guys! i am sure other people feel the same way when saying,.. you guys are so cool!!!! :)

this is abit of a shock, where did this come from? :roll:

ok so its like kangaroos and bud, looks kinda weird um... yeah....but it works!
dont question it.... just run with it, and thats exactly what we have done!!!
http://www.beersign.com/eng_taphandles/images/boxingkangarootap.jpg

its kinda hard writting your own speeches, esspecially when the dude holding the que cards is off having lunch! lol.
no in all seriousness its been fun mixing it with your guys, im still a novice along with the rest of you, cause the hobbies pretty big, it would take many many years and far less booze to take it all in and understand everything remotely related to what we do! we've got a good thing going here, robs put on a great bbq for us all and whilst he's turning the steaks im spiking his non- alcholic drink just for kicks!
http://www.deafsports.org.au/external_websites/adt_2001_rome/images/boxing_kangaroo.gif and honestly who could ask for a better crew to totally confuse with upside-down speak! so its my hat of to all you guys :hat: instead!

woops, :madmad: rob's caught on to my glass tainting *run's away ducking schruken steaks*

AND....

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/sehrgrosse/large-smiley-030.gif

THAT'S why we love THAT guy! :)

Thanks, RB and wwest.

this is abit of a shock, where did this come from? :roll:V, you are such an upside down HAM! How could we not love an Aussie. I would like an Aussie dictionary to decipher some of your upside down speak, though. I couldn't down enough collies to understand it. Come to think of it, if I had enough coolies I might begin to sound like you. http://www.theculturedreef.com/12A91C~1.GIF :rotfl:

Oh, RB, you're becoming quite a ham yourself.

I am flattered and speechless. Just one question, what is starting pay? LOL

I will be spending more time here again as soon as I get my head straight, :)

Gosh,

What a well deserved honor. You 3 have so much knowledge and have been a great help so many of us. Thanks for your wisdom and your humor too.

I think this is a wonderful thing. You three have helped me so many times since I started as a reefer. Keep up the great stuff!

OMG, I got so excited I forgot to congratulate my two partners, Blubber and the Bloke from Down Under. Congrats you guys. The three Musketeers together again, one for all and all for one.

http://www.theculturedreef.com/clapW.gif

Gosh, What a well deserved honor. You 3 have so much knowledge and have been a great help so many of us. Thanks for your wisdom and your humor too.I think this is a wonderful thing. You three have helped me so many times since I started as a reefer. Keep up the great stuff!I feel honored to be of service to you guys and all on TR. What a privilege! Thank you, so much.

Dick

OMG, I got so excited I forgot to congratulate my two partners, Blubber and the Bloke from Down Under. Congrats you guys. The three Musketeers together again, one for all and all for one.

http://www.theculturedreef.com/clapW.gif
Good catch old-timer. I too was overwhelmed with my new found status and sudden increase in power that I overlooked congratulating my cohorts.

CONGRATS, MUSKETEERS!

BTW, have anyone looked into new uniforms? I'm sick of the puffy shirt, balloon pantelones, and sissy stockings.

Ooops, my bad.

Thanks also for the kind words from all members. :heart:

Good catch old-timer. I too was overwhelmed with my new found status and sudden increase in power that I overlooked congratulating my cohorts.

CONGRATS, MUSKETEERS!

BTW, have anyone looked into new uniforms? I'm sick of the puffy shirt, balloon pantelones, and sissy stockings.Being the oldest among us, I'd delegate veriann to picking out the new uniforms but upon reflection of that idea, I'd be afraid of what he'd come up with. :rotfl:

Dick, I see that RB and gwen have gotten to you to post lots of smileys.

Congratulations to everyone

Congrats you three.

I can see it now, you 3 in Star Treck outfits!

I can see it now, you 3 in Star Treck outfits!
Erhhhh.........

Carmie, butt cracks and beer swollen bellies just aint gonna look too pretty in those StarFleet tights. :eek:

more like the 3 Stooges, I'd say! :)

more like the 3 Stooges, I'd say! :)
take that back!

the guys, before Rob found them and gave them a new meaning for life:
https://www.imgag.com/mobile/media/graphics/previews/color120x80/24602.jpg

the guys, when seeing their new salaries:
https://www.imgag.com/mobile/media/graphics/previews/color120x80/24563.jpg

and now, they all take their jobs very very seriously:
https://www.imgag.com/mobile/media/graphics/previews/color120x80/24565.jpg

hey hey the 3 puperteers are back...:o musk, must remember the musk part..lol yes i have indeed enjoyed the other 2 as well, Amps a super trooper to which i have total respect for, both wisdom & personally. and my old mate blub, well, besides being ugly & pink nail polished, he's turn out to be just as steamy off set as he was on! thanks for expanding your vip circle of friends to include me buddy!

you know when rob handed me the backstage pass i was like yeah, till i walked into a room with no other doors or windows with the mind numbing "click" sound of the door behind me locking! guess he didn't find his drink i tainted very tasty...lol

anyways.... we're all here to help each other so go easy on me people when im proding for information>cause god knows need it with my failing memery. so jump in & lets all get our hands dirty with some serious topics.;)

hey hey the 3 puperteers are back...:o musk, must remember the musk part..lol yes i have indeed enjoyed the other 2 as well, Amps a super trooper to which i have total respect for, both wisdom & personally. and my old mate blub, well, besides being ugly & pink nail polished, he's turn out to be just as steamy off set as he was on! thanks for expanding your vip circle of friends to include me buddy!

you know when rob handed me the backstage pass i was like yeah, till i walked into a room with no other doors or windows with the mind numbing "click" sound of the door behind me locking! guess he didn't find his drink i tainted very tasty...lol

anyways.... we're all here to help each other so go easy on me people when im proding for information>cause god knows need it with my failing memery. so jump in & lets all get our hands dirty with some serious topics.;)
All that fancy gab, but no new uniforms. Didn't you get the memo, dude? :rotfl:

sorry, i sent a request of to get some 1986 Alf suits made up...lol

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Mptv/1060/10802-0037.jpg

nice round table discussion night planned...!

haha, great photos RB

more like the 3 Stooges, I'd say! :)RB, no fair hitting us where it hurts, in the Pantaloons.

Congrats to all three of you.. lol I love humor!
Victoria

And we three love thee, Lady Victoria.

The best thing about this debate, while heated at times, is that the other main character and I remain friends, in fact better friends now than before.

Is that what you think??????????


































ok fine, now give me a
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_67.gif and http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_3_15.gif






http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_1_86.gif Congrats you guys!!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_17_4.gif

God Almighty Gwen, you about caused me a broken heart. Then you mended it again. Thanks.

http://www.theculturedreef.com/hearts2W.gif http://www.theculturedreef.com/kissW.gif




If/when we ever meet I'm going to give you such a squeeze, like you've never had!!!!!!!! I'm going to collect that kiss, too!

wow Gwen! You gave yourself away! he he he :)

Amp - Ich hätte Dich auch in die Hose treten können! :) :)

hey there we go, dodo speak:p

RB,
Thank you! I think. http://www.theculturedreef.com/thinkW.gif

wow Gwen! You gave yourself away! he he he :)Yeah she did, cause she loves me. http://www.theculturedreef.com/winkW.gif