Bonsai-al Hiatus

bonsaial1

Bonsai-Al Hiatus

I have decided to take a hiatus from the forum. In light of the Blog thread, I feel that most anyone that posts anything that has to do with artistry in bonsai will be met head on by the detractors, and made to feel like that are dying the good death for Bonsai Art Martyrdom. I understand why Andy left; he was tired of continually having to explain his position. Too much time is spent defending your honor, while the original message is left in the dust. I have no forum to retreat to, and defend my points of view. I will just use this time for some personal reflection.

BonsaiTALK is a great place to talk about bonsai. It can be a place to talk about all aspects of bonsai, as long as it’s not art. Art is a very serious endeavor. There are many things about art that I do not understand, but I am trying to make an effort to understand them and improve my trees, while not making excuses for poor trees. I will continue to improve while taking some time off, and may well spend this time studying art theory and appreciation. This can only improve my endeavor.

I can only hope that there are others that may seek out new ways to appreciating their trees, and can only hope many of you start to take a look at your endeavors in a new and artistic approach to bonsai. You can only improve, what the hell is so bad about that?

For those of you that felt hurt by that exchange, I apologize. My path has always been clear, and those that have known me for a while surly know that. I have always posted with plenty of pictures to explain my feeling while engaging in discussion about most anything. I will check in from time to time and see just what is being posted, and I am sure that the bickering will still continue, and I am sure that there will continue to be the forum do-gooders out there that will tell these passionate lads to calm down while looking down their nose. For me ..I will just sit back and take it in for a while. Because if there is one thing I have always said.. “ For me, bonsaiTALK has always been about entertainment, nothing more.”


Have a nice winter, Al

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Walter_Pall

Al,

why is it that I don't have such problems with my point of view.

I belive that bonsai is art and to do bonsai not as art is wasting time by and large. I believe that it would be like playing tennis of golf without counting.
I believe that many who say that it is not art are actually performing an art.
I believe that there are many ways of perfoming art. I will always defend my own, extreme to many, way but respect somebody elses. I will not applaud to ignorants, even if they have a big or rather big name. I will call a spade a spade, most of the time, but mainly only when asked.

Is this bellingerent enoug?
So tell me, why I am still around a dozen or so forums in the world in several languages and even have fun that way.

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Walter Pall

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Tony

Al,

Of course it's your decision but I don't see why you have to leave the forum to pursue your art appreciation. I think you could do both at the same time. I don't remember anyone in that other thread saying that art is unimportant to bonsai. There was however alot of bickering about the correct way to teach it. I suppose you include me as one of the forum do-gooders. I've never thought of myself that way but maybe I do come across that way. Something you said in that other thread has been on my mind. Something to the effect that the world is a tough place so get used to it. I can't disagree whith that. The world is a tough place. I think some of us that have been here for a few years were just hoping that the forum would be a little different from the real world. Maybe even that we could become [gulp] friends. Oh well, I've probably said too much already. Take care.

Cheers

Tony

Jay

Al, this is a surprise and an unwelcomed path you are taking. We each make our own minds up, we do what we feel is correct...we come here for ourselves first and Bonsai and other forum members second and third.

If it has gotten to the point that you are not enjoying yourself here you should take a break and reflect on why. Bonsai and the forum is something you enjoy but if it is becoming uncomfortable that is not good.

Should you change? NO....Should you alter your words and watch what you say? Probably not... Should you realize there are those who will disagree with you and may or may not be right

You have grown over the time you have been on this forum, changed in ways and thought.........so has everyone else.

PLEASE enjoy your rest from the forum, enjoy the peace and quite for a time, then come back to us. Come back to us as you are, you may not be my neighbor, you may not be someone I have ever met but you are my (online) friend and I do not choose to loose you. I do not always agree with you or your positions, thats what makes individuals, but I enjoy you and you thoughts....

MY TWO CENTS

Jay

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Will_Heath

That coming from a man who has more than proven his ability, about says it all.
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Al, this place will be less without you. Thank you for upholding the standards here, I for one appreciate it.

Interesting fact for you to take with you... Going back though the art threads I noticed a common thing...almost every person who claimed there was no art to bonsai, they weren't in it for competition, had nothing in their galleries or nothing even being close to a decent bonsai.

Reminded me of kids... "I beat you" "No you didn't because I wasn't racing" Well guess what? They were both racing, everyone knew it. And guess what else?

cbobgo

this is just silly. It's like the kid who doesn't get his way, so he picks up his toys and goes home. wah wah wah.

can't we all just grow up a bit and have inteligent conversations without everyone getting their feelings hurt?

- bob

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EarthgirlOK

Agreed. My question is; why the announcement? Why not just take the hiatus for a while and be a grown-up about it? Or, by making the announcement, are we other "artless" plebians supposed to beg you to stay? Have a nice hiatus. See you when you come back.

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FredL

What I have noticed over the last three years that I have participated on internet bonsai forums is a kind of Gresham's Law (Bad money drives good money out of circulation) pertaining to internet conversation. I don't know why this is, but what I obseve repeatedly is people talking to each other in a way that seems to indicate a lack of concern for maintaining relationships over time. I've done this myself and can't figure out why. Most people don't like it and either fire back or withdraw. I've done both and don't like either.

I think I understand how Al feels. I've felt the same at times in the past. I think he is very wise to take some time to think about. Another thing I've noticed is that internet memories are very short. A couple of weeks go by and everything is forgotten. I'm looking forward to his return when he feels the time is right.

Fred

Will_Heath

Well said Fred!

Before we all start on Al again, this time for how he chooses to say goodbye, we should all take a good hard look at what we lost here.

Abrasive, yes. Outspoken, yes. General over all thorn in the side, yes. But the man had talent and conviction. Go back though the years and you will find thread after thread by him containing valuable knowledge on everything from making your own stands to bonsai training, to display, to appreciating the art side of bonsai.

Who's right, who's wrong, who cares. This forum is no better because he left, it is in fact worse. Not only because he left, but for the reasons he left.

Stand up and applaud if you'd like, I myself am greatly saddened.



And that was a perfect example of how to be "grown up?" I can give you a whole list of people that are down....if you'd like to kick them too.


Will Heath