This is way cool... Rainbow supperstar...

[Craiga 01453]

Ok, I've been hesitant to reply until I read the reply @Gio wrote. Fantastic reply, Gio.

So here's my two cents:

Skyrivers, let me start by saying this: I respect you.
That being said, I've thought for a LONG time you were diving in a bit too fast and if my lousy memory recalls correctly, I suggested pumping the breaks long ago. I stand by that statement.

Although I don't doubt your passion, I do question your motives at times. Based on your constant threads of " Should I or shouldn't i?" or "I have an oppurtunity" it seems to me like your grasping for attention. Same with your "educational" shows. I honestly believe your heart is in the right place, you want to be an advocate. I get that. But I 1000000% in my heart of hearts think you do it for attention as well.

Plain and simple: you're not qualified to be an ambassador for these animals.
Barely a year of experience is just scratching the surface. And you've been doing these shows for months already.

I wouldn't want to learn to play piano from somebody who just started playing a year ago. I wouldn't want to learn to cook from a chef with only a year experience. I wouldn't want to learn to fly from a pilot who just got his license.

Again, I don't doubt your passion, I don't doubt you want to spread the word that these animals aren't the scary, homicidal monsters many people fear them to be.
But, you're just not ready. One mistake could have the complete opposite effect you're going for and paint a black eye on our already misunderstood hobby. Ypuve already had an incident with a key ring, you've had one giant constrictor attack another.
You got EXTREMELY lucky that nothing worse happened.

At the stage you're at in this hobby, you're still a novice, NOT AN EDUCATOR.

So, with all due respect, I say this again. Pump the brakes. Our hobby doesn't need rookies as ambassadors. And quite frankly, you're still a rookie. It takes YEARS to truly know these animals. And all the reading in rhe wotld doesnt provide the most important tool...experience.

So, check your ego at the door. Take a break from your "educational" shows until you're qualified and experienced enough to be a proper ambassador.

As you always say, it's about the animals. So put your desire for attention on the back burner. I'm sure it feels great to see kids touch their first snakes, or to see an adult overcome a lifelong fear. But, leave that to friends and family. Keep your animals at home where they belong. Put your need for a pat on the back on hold. Do what's best for the hobby, and ultimately, what's best for the animals.

[Skyrivers]

Ok, I've been hesitant to reply until I read the reply @Gio wrote. Fantastic reply, Gio.

So here's my two cents:

Skyrivers, let me start by saying this: I respect you.
That being said, I've thought for a LONG time you were diving in a bit too fast and if my lousy memory recalls correctly, I suggested pumping the breaks long ago. I stand by that statement.

Although I don't doubt your passion, I do question your motives at times. Based on your constant threads of " Should I or shouldn't i?" or "I have an oppurtunity" it seems to me like your grasping for attention. Same with your "educational" shows. I honestly believe your heart is in the right place, you want to be an advocate. I get that. But I 1000000% in my heart of hearts think you do it for attention as well.

Plain and simple: you're not qualified to be an ambassador for these animals.
Barely a year of experience is just scratching the surface. And you've been doing these shows for months already.

I wouldn't want to learn to play piano from somebody who just started playing a year ago. I wouldn't want to learn to cook from a chef with only a year experience. I wouldn't want to learn to fly from a pilot who just got his license.

Again, I don't doubt your passion, I don't doubt you want to spread the word that these animals aren't the scary, homicidal monsters many people fear them to be.
But, you're just not ready. One mistake could have the complete opposite effect you're going for and paint a black eye on our already misunderstood hobby. Ypuve already had an incident with a key ring, you've had one giant constrictor attack another.
You got EXTREMELY lucky that nothing worse happened.

At the stage you're at in this hobby, you're still a novice, NOT AN EDUCATOR.

So, with all due respect, I say this again. Pump the brakes. Our hobby doesn't need rookies as ambassadors. And quite frankly, you're still a rookie. It takes YEARS to truly know these animals. And all the reading in rhe wotld doesnt provide the most important tool...experience.

So, check your ego at the door. Take a break from your "educational" shows until you're qualified and experienced enough to be a proper ambassador.

As you always say, it's about the animals. So put your desire for attention on the back burner. I'm sure it feels great to see kids touch their first snakes, or to see an adult overcome a lifelong fear. But, leave that to friends and family. Keep your animals at home where they belong. Put your need for a pat on the back on hold. Do what's best for the hobby, and ultimately, what's best for the animals.

I think I am going to step back from the forum. I think fighting to show people anything they can not see is silly. I respect everyone who posts their opinions. Weather I agree with them or not it is respected. I just don't think I am communicating well. I don't understand that being passionate about something means I am egotistical by any means. Am I suppose to not enjoy working with them and still do it? No.

I hope life treats everyone here well.

Peace.

[Craiga 01453]

I think I am going to step back from the forum. I think fighting to show people anything they can not see is silly. I respect everyone who posts their opinions. Weather I agree with them or not it is respected. I just don't think I am communicating well. I don't understand that being passionate about something means I am egotistical by any means. Am I suppose to not enjoy working with them and still do it? No.

I hope life treats everyone here well.

Peace.

Unfortunately, this exactly the selfish, ignorant, immature response I feared. Rather than taking the advice of people who've been in this hobby for decades, you'd rather take your ball and go home (no pun intended).
So, clearly, if you're continuing to do this your way, it's not truly about the animals. If it were, you'd be more receptive to advice.
You can be passionate and enjoy the hobby while still doing it responsibly. You just choose not to.

I wish you the best. Hopefully your ignorance doesn't get somebody or any animals hurt.

[ladywhipple02]

I think I am going to step back from the forum. I think fighting to show people anything they can not see is silly. I respect everyone who posts their opinions. Weather I agree with them or not it is respected. I just don't think I am communicating well. I don't understand that being passionate about something means I am egotistical by any means. Am I suppose to not enjoy working with them and still do it? No.

I hope life treats everyone here well.

Peace.

Here's something I've had to learn the hard way, because as my husband is fond of reminding me, I also tend to have a bad habit of thinking I'm always right: if I'm fighting against everyone else in a room, it's typically not everyone else in the room that needs to go take a look in the mirror, but myself who needs to. Step back and check your premises.

How can we here not think you're just the slightest bit egotistical (your word, btw) when you won't simply LISTEN to anyone else?? When you believe you are completely right and we - ALL of us - are wrong?

I'm sorry, but if you're going to continue to give out misinformation and bad advice and be so hard headed, I can't think it's a bad thing for you to take a break from the forums. I'd rather the more knowledgeable, experienced folks be heard and give advice that can be trusted.

Unfortunately, I believe this is also a cry for attention sooo, we'll see.

[Gio]

Here's something I've had to learn the hard way, because as my husband is fond of reminding me, I also tend to have a bad habit of thinking I'm always right: if I'm fighting against everyone else in a room, it's typically not everyone else in the room that needs to go take a look in the mirror, but myself who needs to. Step back and check your premises.

How can we here not think you're just the slightest bit egotistical (your word, btw) when you won't simply LISTEN to anyone else?? When you believe you are completely right and we - ALL of us - are wrong?

I'm sorry, but if you're going to continue to give out misinformation and bad advice and be so hard headed, I can't think it's a bad thing for you to take a break from the forums. I'd rather the more knowledgeable, experienced folks be heard and give advice that can be trusted.

Unfortunately, I believe this is also a cry for attention sooo, we'll see.

Ladywhipple02,
Has been a member since 2005!

It might be worth listening to her. You typically don't get a long time member to pipe up and comment in an area they don't usually post unless you are raising flags. She's seen more come and go here than a lot of us.

There isn't anymore I can add.

Hopefully everything turns out for the best.

[Skyrivers]

Sorry everyone is offended by my efforts to provide proper care, educate others, and share my mistakes along the way. Please move on to bash someone else. I am out of here. Peace.

[ladywhipple02]

Ladywhipple02,
Has been a member since 2005!

It might be worth listening to her. You typically don't get a long time member to pipe up and comment in an area they don't usually post unless you are raising flags. She's seen more come and go here than a lot of us.

There isn't anymore I can add.

Hopefully everything turns out for the best.

This a bit of a turn, but did you know that I have been on this forum since I was 20 years old? Still in college and dumb as a box of rocks (though sometimes I don't feel much smarter at 35 either lol). You're right though, if I had a dollar for every person I've seen come and go on this forum, I could probably retire early. It's amazing the advice I was given when I first started vs. what we've learned and know now. There have been stretches where I don't visit for a long time and then I come back - and I have to relearn new techniques all over again because our hobby only continues to get wiser about how to care appropriately for these animals we love.

I rarely post as I prefer to sit back and observe and learn, but I will speak up when I feel a situation is out of hand. I love this forum, I love the people here, and I don't want to be seen as a bully to anyone. I've seen other sites like this disappear due to lack of interest or due to lack of information. I do not want to see that happen to this site that has been so valuable to me and others over the years.