I don't think I can do this anymore.

I'm not asking for pity, just someone to step forward as the moderator.

Why?

It took me 4 minutes to post the mast 2 sentences. I am not askig for pity - just someone who can see with both eyes to noderate this forum.

I have hole in the retina of my left eye, and a bunch of floaters in the right. Seen the races where thae camra is in the cockpit & the wiper moves from left to right to clear the lens? What I see in ONE eye is the wiper moving back! The other eye is close to dead. Hole in the retina.

As much as I'd love (really) to continue being my asshole self......I can't do it!

Why, at the mere age of 61 am I losing my vision? Who knows, but I can no longer be trusted to drive a car. Along with the other very trying things that have happened this year. (95 year old mother moved to a nursing home/86 year old mother-in law with a stroke), I can no longer concentrate on this forum. It kills me!

914 hasn't been touched in3 months - losing interest quickly. '73 T has't been touched either - sad.

I've kept these problems from my best friends during this period, because they are MY problems. I've also been a bit confrontational during this period, because I'm a private person & I am really pissed.

I just wanted you good people to know what's been going on......& why I've been testy.

Not asking for any pity (PLEASE!). Just wish someone will step forward as a new moderator of this forum. Have to keep the the purpose going. I can't do it anymore. Sorry.

Pat

Pat,

If the proposed moderator need not be an expert on originality and history I'd be happy to take the reins. I imagine I'll learn from the people I'd be moderating than they would from me...

Skip Montanaro

Pat, you, (and I to some extent), came from an era where a man is a man, you hold shit in, you don't cry, you drink your burdon straight... on and on and on.

Times they be a changing. Take some time. Talk to a professional. It will help you clear your head. It will help you unload some of that anger that simply DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU. The anger doesn't hurt others... but it's killing you.

For those of us who can see through the crusty exterior (you're really not a very good bad guy ), there's a heart of gold in there. Be well my friend and take care of that heart.

Take care of yourself Pat. All us teeners stick together. I hope you find a way to vent your frustrations as life get's hard sometimes. I hope someone as qualified as yourself can take over for you and ease some of your stress. As little as I come in here I do consider the Originals section to be like a library of knowlege on the 914. It is very valuable and needed. Thanks for doing what you have thus far

Take some time, and get well.

Ferg

Get well bud. You did a fantastic job here! Take care of yourself and let us
know how your doing. Maybe in the fall you can make it out to the VW fest
out in Flanders NJ. Should be relatively close for you. You were here for us,
we are here for you too.

Take care, man! let us know if there is anythng that we can do.

Zach

Pat, Eric is right on the money.
I had to learn this lesson from some very dear freinds. One put it perfectly, "for some reason, people will go to all sorts of specialists for any and all that is bothering them - from a broken arm to a runny nose. Yet when emotions are involved/hurt, for some reason we all avoid them like the plague"

Made sense to me. I am not saying this is what you need and I totally respect your privacy. Just saying that it can really help just to vent to somone.

Best wishes for the absolute best end result. With all of the amazing medical breathroughs that seem to be happening, hopefully there is a remedy right around the corner for you.

Take a drink, and fire up the pipe, we got the forum it'll be alright. I'll make sure you get a beer or 5 at the ECC

You guys!

Dammit, just when it felt good to be sorry for myself - you people come through with words of wisdom.

I really didn't want to drag you people through my personal messes. Just felt that it might be better if someone who could be here most days would be a better choise for moderator.

Aside from the other "minor" probelems this year ( & this year really does suck), I'm probably going to have to have some sort of "bubble" surgery to my left eye that will leave me laying on my fat gut for weeks, with no ability to use a computer. That's why I thought it might be best to find a new guy (as in Skip?). Moderating a forum here is simple - read thye posts.

Have a fourth opinion on my eyes coming in2 weeks. Will make a decision from there. In ther meantime, forgive any misspells, etc - can't really see well.

This post timed out twice before I could finish it. Hint, hint - Skip?

Pat

Over the past 10-15 years or so I've been pretty active in the open source software community in one way or another. My involvement varies as my time permits. Some times I'm active in various bits of actual software development. When time doesn't permit the chunk of focus time that requires I might clean up some documentation or fall back to the most basic level of involvement - managing mailing lists and responding to help requests. Almost everyone in the open source community has ebbs and flows in their involvement. Some folks ebb so much you never hear from them again.

This is sort of the same thing. I don't think anyone expects anybody else, Pat, Andy, or any of the other moderators or admins to maintain full steam ahead all the time. You come and go as your time and other obligations permit. For that simple reason it's probably a good idea if each forum has at least two moderators, maybe three for the garage and classified forums because they are so busy. That way, with a little sidebar communication a moderator can say, "hey guys, I need a little time off to spend more time with this balky transmission" or "sorry, I just can't do this anymore" or "i'm not leaving for good, but my wife and I are going on a second honeymoon to
Fiji, can you cover for me while I'm away?". That will make the inevitable transitions easier to handle for all concerned.

Skip

Pat-
I'm sorry to hear about your condition. Having suffered through my own eye dilemas I can understand your frustration. I can only wish you well & ask that you take care of yourself as everyone recommends. Good luck brother.


Al

1. I love you, man.
2. You're way more than a moderator, you often instigate topics of discussion, just to keep the place going. You're amazing and are an inspiration.
3. This eye thing explains your avatar. CHANGE IT NOW.
4. Trouble seeing? Your car, Fritz, has extensive rust and I'll be willing to take it off your hands for 1000 bucks, just 'cause I'm a nice guy....

Paul

Thanks Al - means a lot!

Paul,

I don't care what anyone says - you ARE a nice guy.

I'm humbled by number 2. But, that was then - this is now. I have about 30% total vision. Two doc's say I need a "bubble", which means I'll be on by belly for 4 weeks, or more. Going to the 4th doc next week, who indicates that that may be extreme. Either way, it's time for someone to step in to moderate this forum.

I have way more things on my plate, and, in a very short time will be missing for quite a while (regardless of the eyes thing). Can't live up to my committment with this forum. Hate it, but it's a fact.

Sorry.
Pat

Somebody gonna be around to read and transcribe for you while you recover? You can't get away from us, you know. We will somehow muddle through without your inspired prose, until you are back to claim your rightful title:
"CW AND PROUD OF IT"

Until then, take care of yourself first.

To my very good 914 friend Pat Garvey.

I am so distressed to hear about your eye issues. Please do whatever is necessary to get your eye sight back or whatever percentage of sight the docotors can correct. You are a special 914 friend to me and all the others on this forum. I have been off the site for about a month due to a plate full of things going on in my life & didn't know about your serious eye issues. You are in my prayers & thoughts for complete recovery. I wanted to send you a get well card, but you can't see it, sooo I am saying "please get though this crisis in your life" we love you Pat & looking forward to getting you back on the forum.

Your 914 friend.
Tom
BTW: I can't take over the forum for you at this time, too busy with family & my business. I also need the time to finish my motor rebuild on the 914. It went to the machine shop this week & I need to get it finished for summer driving.

take care of yourself pat.

as people here have stated, your an asset to the community. Take care of yourself now but get back here as soon as possible.

who else is going to debate things like proper sheetmetal screw finish?

still expecting to finally meet you at the ECC.
-chris

ps. your new avatar creeps me out.

Pat,
Get well quickly !!

Before you know it you"ll be polishing up and driving Fritz with reckless abandon !!

p.s. Your avatar creeps me out too....Babe the pig on crank

Working with a patch over the left eye tonight. Pain not haveing full vision. Takes so ling with my face at the screen to make a post.

The new avatar is nothing more than a reference to my initials - PIG. I like it & will keep it.

Reference to your 4. Fritz is still rustfree. The car is unchanged, but the owner is degrading. Your offer is kind, but unless you throw in 150,000 sponges - the deal is off!

Seriouslt, the next 2 weeks should be important for me. My best case id that I'll have laser on the vitreous humor. Next case could be replacing the vitreous. Worst case is that I'm going blind in one eye. Scaring the crap out of me, but I'll deal with it.

Still say this forum would be better served with someone who can see.

My problem is compounded by familar things, you know, famly problems (this eye patch works OK when you get used to it), and trying to get a house ready for sale - so we can move back to the midwest. My model railroad, which I spent tn years building,has been torn up & packed/pitched (broke my heart). You know the other stuff.

Life is hard for those of us who just cruise along for years, with a smaile on out face, and then get a littany of ugly wakeup calls. guess it happens to most everyone - I was unprepared!

Still thin a new modrator is necessary.
Pat

At 100 bucks for 240 sponges, that means Fritz is 62,500 bucks!!!!!

Paul

Yeah, I guess that is little steep. We could make it 50,000 sponges, but then I'd have nothing to do with them. Probably not one of my better ideas.
Pat

BTW, Pat, my dear aunt had the bubble thing going in the mid 90's. Soon as she had it done, my father (her brother) died and she had to come to the funeral holding her head face down on a pillow! Despite all the crying she did fine and has pretty good vision today at 83. I'm sure they're way better at it now.

Paul

Pat, you rock.

Your work for the CW section has been great, and your love for the 914, they way it came from the factory is great. Go original/concours cars! (yes, my car isnt completely correct)

I hope you feel better.


Ditto on the idea of 2 moderators though. If you need someone that will be willing to check things out, and willing to learn more about the concours 914, I might want to help fill in the (2nd) moderator position. I have alot to learn, but I want to learn, so it works.

Ben,

Thanks! You and Skip have both stepped forward, and I sincerely appreciate it. I'll go to the powers-that-be & get thier opinions.

Pat

ps: I'll change my avatar when Naberhaus loses the Euro VW plate on the front of his perfect 914.

Sorry to hear. Hope you're able to correct the eye issues and work through the other things the best you can ...

Mark,
Thanks, and thanks for making it easily visible with my right eye. Others may think you're yelling, but I appreciate it.

Things will hopefully work out, but the Admins are helping select a new moderator. Think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

My sincerest thanks for all the positive comments from all of you. Someday some of you will go through negative things also. I hope we're here to help, as you have been.

Not leaving, but relinquishing the command - for the best of everyone. Hope to be back in the near future in my cantankerous best.

Let's let the forum get on with more important things. Soon!

Pat

Well I guess I am the third from Colorado to be 'bummed' of your news......
I have been off of this forum for months----And see your post......
A big prayer for you tonite coming your way.....
If I could CLONE myself would love to help out here...
But my wife REALLY would not want 2 of me at this time!!
Let Skip take the 'Wheel' and drive for a while..
while you relax
Good Luck and God Bless yah Pat!!

Pat I truly wish you well, getting old sucks...

I've always respected your knowledge of the orginality of these cars. I will constantly refer to the insight and wisdom of this forum when I begin the restoration of my LE.

Between you, this forum and Steve Gaglione, I know I'll put the car back together as it was originally...

Again Pat, I hope you get better...and thanks for everything...

-- Rob

Update!

My eyes have been abused by four different Opthomologists at this point. Three of the four have said that all I have is a case of severe "floaters", and that I'll need to live with them. The other one was quick to subscribe to laser surgery, which is dangerous at best and unproven.

Because I am so nearsighted, I have these things & will have to live with them. Haven't fully adjusted, but I guess i will - ultimately.

During this period I've realized that this forum, though not as exciting as it once was, is ddoing just fine without a moderator.

Could use some more traffic, but it IS a wierd forum.

I'd like to seriously thank all of you who have expressed concern for me! I mean that! It's meant a lot to me.

I'm a person who's never had a health problem & this was sever enough (to me) to throw me into a panic! Other than having my tonsils removed in 1954, I've never been in a hospital. Rarely needed a doc's attenetion. Life just went on. So it scared me - a lot!

Thanks to those who expressed concern - you know who you are.

And I guess I should apologize for overreacting without enough info - sorry, I was scared!
Pat

Glad you're feeling better Pat!

...great to hear your feeling better...now could you please change that scary avatar!!

What's "scary" about it? I'm agressive & my initials are PIG.

I think it's a perfect fit, but if it bothers too many people - or scares them away......

You guys tell me.
Pat