well first I'd like to admit that I am a certified, wet behind the ears newbie, and I haven't contributed a lot to this site as of yet. However, I have an idea of what might be going on, so I'll share anyway.

I don't know about you guys, but myself and my family are struggling financially. Gas is 3.17 a gallon for regular, our Adjustable rate mortgage is going from $500 to $700 in less than a month, winter, and along with it, $300 a month gas bills are fast approaching. I know I'm not the only one who is affected by these types of things, hell, it is a problem on national scale. Our money for the first time EVER is worth less than the Canadian dollar, worth considerably less than the euro...and it will only get worse. These things are stressful, and even if we aren't thinking about it consciously, we are still in heightened state of stress, worry, fear and denial, leading to rudeness, insensitivity, testiness, and outbursts. I'm seeing it everywhere in everyday life...at the wal-mart, at work, when dealing with the kids teachers...not just on this forum.

Maybe I am way off base here, and you guys are all multi-millionaires, but I doubt it. I don't what the solution is, but at least maybe if we're aware of the cause we can understand that we're all in the same boat, and try to take a deep breath and think about what we say and how we say it. Just my 2 cents (or 0.13628 Euros) Have a great day, and remember that although it'* not perfect, this is still one of the friendliest, most helpful and most fun forums on the net!

+5

#1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, I have seen you guys around just as much as I normally did

Chugg, I think you're onto something there, and I think it'* definitely a major chunk of it. But when things started getting tight a few years back, the forum didn't go all neurotic like this.

Yeah, but that'* normal.

#2-5, what are you guys plusing?

:?:

Really, i was on before 7 days a week atleast 3-4 hours a day lol. Now i check in maybe 5 days a week and i only check what is new. I dont even really check all the new stuff like i use to

I am plusing that the forum has been going through a big power trip lately. And it making many veteran members not spend as much time as they would normally on here. "Not naming names or pointing fingers or trying to start any trouble just agreeing with a member".