...the politics are so fierce because the stakes are so low...
Holy cow! I didn't know I was the center of such controversy! I'm amazed...and appalled...with what I've seen today. Nonetheless, I'm also encouraged.
For those who don't know, I've apparently honked off Kevin Cormier. Now, I've met Kevin a couple of times, and found him to be an affable, decent guy. He even gave me the gift of a towel from his house. I thought it was a nice gesture. But for some reason, he's turned into this hurricane of vitrol toward me. It's unfortunate as I believe I've done no wrong here.
Awhile back, some of the regular visitors to CG will recall we had pictures from Putnam Street Lanes in Fitchburg. It's actually a neat little house, that dates back 100 years. My father actually bowled in that house when he was pastor of a church there. It's unique as the place is actually on the 2nd floor of the building, and it's sort of like going back in time when you walk in. And that's not to say that's a bad thing...I like rememberances of the old days.
Unfortunately, after being given permission to put those pictures on CG, the owner and his house manager became upset with me for doing so, saying the pictures made the house look bad. While I didn't think so, nor did others who saw the pictures, I agreed to remove the pictures on the premise that Kevin would send me a few more. They never came, and I never heard from him again.
Fast forward a few months. I've had the opportunity to express my opinion on a few topics, and apparently he and I don't agree on these opinions (and I'll be damned if I can remember half of them, anyway...so they must have been important!). Therefore, he has now decided I'm nothing short of the anti-Christ. He and his boss apparently hate my ever lovin' guts. Kevin now feels it's appropriate to delete posts regarding my website, and has made it quite well known as to why he does it.
What bothers me is he's never walked up to me, emailed me or called me to tell me he has a problem with me. In fact, at the Mason's tournament in which I bowled, he actually walked up to me, greeted me warmly and shook my hand! I find that to be dubious as when he's safely behind a keyboard, he types things such as, "is he the bowling god's gift to the candlepin community?" and making comments that twist my words. That's unfortunate, wrong and obviously something I'll never be able to do anything about. In today's world, once someone has his or her mind made up, that's it. You're either with him/her or against him/her. This partisan society has fractured horribly. We can't disagree without making enemies. Hell, if that were 100% true, my brother in law would hate me forever...he's a Yankees fan.
This has provided me an education, that's for sure. A very good friend of mine keeps teling me about the "clique" in the industry, and how he and I will never be a part of it. Why, you ask? Well, it's simply because, according to him, we do more for the game than anyone else. Great new ideas. Exciting stuff. I'm not so sure I do more for the game than anyone else, but I'll sure take the compliment! However, CG is a fun project I don't plan on abandoning. I'm here to stay, and will be here as long as I can do it. In fact, the site pretty much stands on its own with little work on my part anymore.
What's amazing to me is my inbox is full of well wishers and bowlers who think the site is fun, well done and an asset to the community. And I find two people, who were so very nice to my face, have decided I'm the devil in a bowling shirt and make sure they tell people just that when I'm not around to defend myself. How typical of low level thinkers!
I've got tons of email, today, from those who frequent the house in question. They're telling me I'm the primary topic of conversation by management there, that they can't let it go. The vitrol and anger that has been spewed from said representatives has caused a few bowlers to leave as quickly as they can! Honestly, why? Have I really touched that sensitive a nerve?
Yet where do I gain my encouragement? From the literally hundreds of emails in my inbox, telling me how great the site is. That's all I need to know...I'm glad to hear it's a hit.
I must say I am terribly sorry to see Kevin and his boss so upset with me. It's unfortunate as I don't believe I've ever been outwardly mean or nasty to either of them. But to hear that I'm the primary target of negative rumor mongering and gossiping conversation from them is disturbing at best. Maybe someday I won't be viewed as such as terrible person. But who really cares, anyway? I'm really only responsible, at the end of the proverbial day, to myself and my God.
And it sure ain't the "bowling god." Like I said, if I'm his gift, he's got a great sense of humor.
