Serious concerns about how CougarFest treats some people

[ov3n]

Disclaimer: I am posting this for myself based of conversations and observations/eavesdroppings by me. I am not posting this on behalf of the other non-cougar people. They can chime in if they'd like to.

The timeframes may now be a bit off, as I wrote this on Saturday night. This is why I disappeared from the bar.

This is a post directed towards the people who have been organizing CougarFest. This is not directed towards the attendees, whom we love.

Those of us who attended CougarFest this year without Cougars have some serious concerns about the event and the way it is organized and ran after the way we have been treated this year.

Those of us who attended with GTOs, Mustangs, Pontiacs, Contours and Lincolns were made by the organizers to feel that we were unwanted and unwelcome. We were all repeatedly harassed (and publicly called out) to not park in the roped-in section with the Cougars. Some of us were harassed several times over the weekend (and even within the course of an hour) to move our cars, as if we are not good enough to park amongst our friends.

We receive no recognition on show day during awards or voting, but we work just as hard to make sure our cars look beautiful so people enjoy looking at them. Not even one of the 'funny' awards ('Don't have a cougar but still come to fest' awards?). We felt completely ignored.

It would not be out of the realm of reasonability to include a small 1st/2nd/3rd general non-cougar category. We were told by a few fest attendees that some of us should have received some kind of award for the work we've put into our cars. As a result, this was the first, and probably last, CougarFest for one of our non-cougar attendees because of how they were made to feel by the organizers of the event.

The Cougar is a dead platform. NECO and Cougarfest are no longer about the Cougars. NECO has made a very improbable, but natural, evolution. NECO is a family. WE are a family. You don't exclude a family member from the potato sack race (or game of cornhole) because he changed the brand of shoes he/she wears. We paid our entry fee. We got to vote -- but we were not able to be voted FOR. We should get some representation for others to vote for us. We got no recognition during the awards, not even some kind of special mention.

Yes, we no longer have Cougars. Who cares? From who we've talked to, it seems that the CougarFest organizers are the only ones who do. We still support NECO, both financially and personally. I have given a significant amount of money to the board and the event since 2000 through donations, registration fees and raffles. And what's the thanks I get? "Dont park by any of the Cougars!" I'm sorry for sounding like a dick when I say this, but kiss my ass.

CougarFest used to be a lovefest. But now it seems that there is a significant elitist attitude with some people who seem think that the event should be restricted to nothing BUT Cougars. Like most of you, I generally suffer post-CougarFest depression on Sunday. However, I'm sorry to say, but this Sunday I am going to be relieved to be going home.

You have made us feel like outcasts. You have made us feel like the nerds in middle school who had no friends. You've made us feel like the kid at lunch that was made to sit at a table by himself. Your negative attitudes and lack of humility towards those of us who still support the organization have left a very foul taste in our mouths.

You are breaking up the family and it's tearing us apart inside. Please reconsider how you treat your family at next year's reunion, because there will most certainly be even more of us "outsiders" as the years pass by.

Now... Having said that... You may be thinking "He's whining and moaning because he didn't get an award?" No. That's not it at all. I'm whining and moaning because of how we were treated by the organizers, overall, during the event. I want to start some kind of discussion here as to what has been wrong with CougarFest and what needs to be done to save it in the future.

Like I said before : CougarFest is NO LONGER about the Cougars. I think all of us realize that, except for those who are organizing CougarFest. And if they DO realize that, it certainly didn't show.

I got an apology from John (who was the one organizer I felt welcomed by the whole time) which I appreciate. I also told him that I will still be making my post, regardless. So let's talk about this now.

[JayZee]

Those of us who attended with GTOs, Mustangs, Pontiacs, Contours and Lincolns were made by the organizers to feel that we were unwanted and unwelcome. We were all repeatedly harassed (and publicly called out) to not park in the roped-in section with the Cougars. Some of us were harassed several times over the weekend (and even within the course of an hour) to move our cars, as if we are not good enough to park amongst our friends.

See, you are there to socialize with your friends then and not show your car if that is what is of most importance to you. This is, after all, Cougarfest. I wouldn't bring my new car, say a 2007 G6 to show, even if I had spent a lot of time working on it. The only reason why I may still come to Cougarfest is to see the ones of who had voted for my Cougar when I owned it, and the people of who I care about.

If I want to show of my G6, I'll go to an 'all car' show or a G6 meet.


We receive no recognition on show day during awards or voting, but we work just as hard to make sure our cars look beautiful so people enjoy looking at them. Not even one of the 'funny' awards ('Don't have a cougar but still come to fest' awards?). We felt completely ignored.

Then why do you care where your car is parked? If people want to look at the blue Mustang, people will at the end of the lot.

People aren't out to get you Nick, it's just how life goes and things change. You got a Mustang and it's sexi.

And, in all honestly, the three non-cougars in the line kind of ruined my walk by video of cougarfest. I had to throw in a comic innuendo so it wouldn't be like, "hey, there was some other cars there!!..?!

We love you Ov3n and I think this is just too silly to even be concerned about. Would you like a Cougar parked next to you Mustang in an 'all mustang' meet? Be honest.

The Cougar is a dead platform. NECO and Cougarfest are no longer about the Cougars. NECO has made a very improbable, but natural, evolution. NECO is a family. WE are a family. You don't exclude a family member from the potato sack race (or game of cornhole) because he changed the brand of shoes he/she wears. We paid our entry fee. We got to vote -- but we were not able to be voted FOR. We should get some representation for others to vote for us. We got no recognition during the awards, not even some kind of special mention.

I honestly don't even know why we still have awards anyway... Like was said during the awards, the person who redoes their car each year just wins them all anyway. If we're there for like you say, friends, awards should be meaningless and unnecessary.

[skater]

It's CougarFest. If I showed up with my Impala (which is not out of the realm of possibility), I wouldn't expect to be parked in the middle of the Cougars, nor would I expect to receive a car-related award. That's just how it works. It's a Cougar club. If I showed up to ImpalaDay with the Cougar (also not out of the realm of possibility), my car certainly wouldn't be in the photo lineup.

I don't agree that it's not about the Cougars any more. Even for those who don't have Cougars any more, it's still what brought us together, and it's hard to ignore that.

Moreover, the comments I heard were meant to be in good fun. Apparently you didn't take them that way though.

[CodersCougar]

Hey i dont know it might just be me but i didnt see John's Yukon or GrayBush's Minivan parked in with the cougars. In my opinion Sureif you take the time to make ur car look nice to show and you want to show it it doesnt hurt to move it to the side having a pack of cougars and then one or 2 odd cars randomly all over the place looks how do you say unorganized. All you needed to do was go down and park them all on one end to show support and commitment. I dont know thats just me.

[burton160w]

i wasn't at Cougarfest, but I have to say: as a community, Cougars are a dead brand, and we should still embrace anyone who's willing to stay committed, even as they go on to purchase new cars. It wouldn't have hurt to put a comp. for best non-Cougar or something in that realm.

I do hope when I get a new car that I wouldn't be alienated from the group, cause NECO is one of the many reasons I love my car.

However, again I'm conflicted. If it's about showing off your car, I wouldn't find it unreasonable at a cougar comp to be placed at the end if it not a Cougar.

In the end, if I was to ever come to Cougarfest and make the trek - it's certainly not cause I'm looking to show off my Cougar or her mods... or lackthereof. It's because you guys are all seemingly chill on here and understand why I tell my friends my car is like crack.

[marinofan]

I have to say I agree with Ov3n. I'm the newb that made my first cougarfest, I've owned my cougar for about 1.5 years and I love my car. I'm not a mustang fan.. Sorry George and Ov3n, however, the things that Oven did his mustang was amazing.

I know its a Cougarfest meet but the non cougar were left out of alot of things. Why didn't we ask them to get a picture before we took the cougar Picture? It would have been an extra 10 minutes and they would have been included too.

I guess being the new guy, and being Mario, My opinion doesn't count for alot but My feeling was Cougarfest is about a lot of groups getting together. Sat night the only time we had ONE group of people was when me, Coder and Cameron tried to make ourselves puke. After that was over we had 5 circles of people.

I guess its expected with some people getting along with each other better than other people. I had tons of fun so I'm not complaining about that but I think I probably got to know about 10 people even though there were about 80 in attendance.

And there were alot of comments made about the non cougar owners. Heck George still owns a cougar but he wasn't invited to stand in the pictures of everybody. Just because he drove his mustang doesn't make him no longer a Cougar owner.

Just my opinion and I know what its worth.

[CodersCougar]

I do hope when I get a new car that I wouldn't be alienated from the group, cause NECO is one of the many reasons I love my car.

Ok I was there and i had a great time sure i had a cougar, but its not like we said hey you you dont have a cougar go to ur room and stay there. We all sat out side chatted while we drank joked arround and had a BLAST. Sure there were jokes made about the other non cougar cars but were all friends right im sorry were not all serious all the time. We joke arround and have a good time. No one there was perposly alienated in the way he made it out to be. Perhaps he felt that way but i mean we went out to eat he sat at a table with myself and Pyro and my g/f she doesnt have a cougar. We ate we didnt tell them oh wait you 2 dont have cougars your seats are at the other end of the resturant.

[JayZee]

In the end, if I was to ever come to Cougarfest and make the trek - it's certainly not cause I'm looking to show off my Cougar or her mods... or lackthereof. It's because you guys are all seemingly chill on here and understand why I tell my friends my car is like crack.

True that.

[burton160w]

I have to say I agree with Ov3n. I'm the newb that made my first cougarfest, I've owned my cougar for about 1.5 years and I love my car. I'm not a mustang fan.. Sorry George and Ov3n, however, the things that Oven did his mustang was amazing.

I know its a Cougarfest meet but the non cougar were left out of alot of things. Why didn't we ask them to get a picture before we took the cougar Picture? It would have been an extra 10 minutes and they would have been included too.

I guess being the new guy, and being Mario, My opinion doesn't count for alot but My feeling was Cougarfest is about a lot of groups getting together. Sat night the only time we had ONE group of people was when me, Coder and Cameron tried to make ourselves puke. After that was over we had 5 circles of people.

I guess its expected with some people getting along with each other better than other people. I had tons of fun so I'm not complaining about that but I think I probably got to know about 10 people even though there were about 80 in attendance.

And there were alot of comments made about the non cougar owners. Heck George still owns a cougar but he wasn't invited to stand in the pictures of everybody. Just because he drove his mustang doesn't make him no longer a Cougar owner.

Just my opinion and I know what its worth.

I wholeheartedly agree, at the end of the day, car meets are about bringing a like-minded group of people together from across distances to have a good time. If you plan to alienate non-Cougar owners, then don't take their money.

[LostRacer]

Just my opinion and I know what its worth.

More than you lead yourself to believe.

[azbobbybooshay10]

I see what you guys are saying, but I see what ov3n is saying too. Instead of making them park away from everyone else, how about having a "Used to have a Cougar but moved on to something that doesn't break all the time and is faster" row? (Obviously not named that exactly, but you get what I mean, have some fun with it.) They won't mess up the "organization" of all the Cougar's, but also lets these guys be right there with everyone else. Obviously I wasn't there so I don't know the exact circumstances, but IMO there can be a "medium" between "keeping the Cougar's organized" and "including all the non-Cougars" in the the event.

[BigBalledOX]

I'm going to toss this out there, as I was told the only reason why people were being asked to move their cars is because there were other owners complaining about non-Cougars being in the lineup . . .

So, who *****ed about the non-Cougars being in the lineup? Anyone? Anyone got the sack to be an adult and admit it?

[LostRacer]

Not necessaary.

[marinofan]

So, who *****ed about the non-Cougars being in the lineup? Anyone? Anyone got the sack to be an adult and admit it?

I can guarantee it wasn't me and I parked away from the cougars Sunday night after all the griping about the non cougar's being parked there.


As for Bobby saying have a spot near them and it isn't "organized" with them in the middle. It wasn't organized anyway with 2 or 3 empty spots between some cars and other cars parked at the end of the lot. To be organized, like alot of car shows, similar cars get parked together, reds, whites, custom paint. If we had done that and not had empty spots scattered willy nilly then the non-cougars (if they have to be seperate) Could have parked at the end of the cougar line. The way we had our cars if they wanted to park with us they had to park in the middle of the packs.

I would love to see if somebody has a pic of the parking lot. Our cars were not parked in an organized manner.

[Mike]

Why is everyone getting so defensive about this? It was brought up and now, hopefully, we can resolve this for next year. Maybe it was handled wrong this year. Maybe we can figure out a better way to make everyone feel more welcome. But just *****ing about it and calling people out isn't gonna solve the problem.

How about working on a solution instead of complaining? Might be more productive...

[JayZee]

I see what you guys are saying, but I see what ov3n is saying too. Instead of making them park away from everyone else, how about having a "Used to have a Cougar but moved on to something that doesn't break all the time and is faster" row? (Obviously not named that exactly, but you get what I mean, have some fun with it.) They won't mess up the "organization" of all the Cougar's, but also lets these guys be right there with everyone else. Obviously I wasn't there so I don't know the exact circumstances, but IMO there can be a "medium" between "keeping the Cougar's organized" and "including all the non-Cougars" in the the event.

there was a section exactly for that, and really, it was in a section that was closest to the hotel, AND on the way to the cougars. so to say they were out casted is completely wrong. hell, they were in the exact next spot to the cougar on the end.

[azbobbybooshay10]

I will also add this. Here locally, the Cougar, Contour, and Focus groups all hold meets together because its a small enough group to do so. When we have group meets, we try to organize the "group photo" so that all the different cars are "together" but they are still in one big group. So anyone saying "But it doesn't look right with non-Cougars" needs to just open their minds a bit and think of creative ways of incorporating them while keeping the Cougar's organized. Especially if its less than a half-dozen cars, you can work that into the group in some capacity (i.e. group photo, 3 on each side with the Cougar's in the middle, or the 6 non-Cougs along the back row, or something).

These guys traveled a fair distance and made a commitment to the event just like the rest of you, they deserve a little more than "park over there, away from us".

[BigBalledOX]

Not necessaary.

What's not? Asking someone to take responsibility for what they said? I'd really like to know what their reasoning is. Maybe I'm missing something here, I don't know, but I do know that of all the "trolls" only one had never attended a Fest prior to this year and I think all of them had been to at least three of the last four or more, not to mention they are all people who are integral parts of NECO, people who have been around for a long time and still care a LOT about these forums and the people who frequent them.

Just because someone has a different car doesn't mean they should get hassled for still giving a good goddamn enough to come to Cougarfest.

[JScullin]

I gotta disagree to some extent with ov3n.

Like others have said, it's Cougarfest. Not Familyfest, or Friendfest, or RandomCarfest. So the activities and events are aimed at the Cougars. Yes it's a dead platform, but so what? Not everyone has moved on to other cars and for some people this is a "new to them" car.

Now should any former owner who wants to go be shunned? Absolutely not. They were a part of the community and still are welcome. But your cars are not the show for those few days. You'll have groups that celebrate your model to welcome you with open arms. We welcome you as friends.

Your not family anymore. You're like that Catholic cousin that goes and marries a Protestant ***** and sullies our good Italian name. But so what if she's black, I love her for who she is and the fact that she has a shallow vageen that makes me feel like a big man when I bottom out....


oh wait. no.

[JayZee]

Why is everyone getting so defensive about this? It was brought up and now, hopefully, we can resolve this for next year. Maybe it was handled wrong this year. Maybe we can figure out a better way to make everyone feel more welcome. But just *****ing about it and calling people out isn't gonna solve the problem.

How about working on a solution instead of complaining? Might be more productive...

I got an idea, why don't we drop the name cougarfest then. since it doesnt have a meaning apparently. we'll replace it with something like, May-or-May-Not-Have-A-Cougarfest. And graybush can park his minivan there too.

[Lunar Limelight]

My opinion here if it matters at all.

The awards are silly. The same people win the same things year after year. I don't really care but its very perdictable.

It is Cougarfest. So the show should just be cougars. So line up your non cougars at the end. If I took my cougar to a mustang or GTO show I doubt they would let me anywhere near their cars. So next year have a spot just for non-cougars.

It is cliquey and sure I'm guilty of that. Times in the agendas mean nothing. The awards for example. We all knew they were at 7:30 but a group of 10+ still left for dinner at 6:30 knowning they wouldnt be back in time. So everyone else just stood around and waited. Things like that. Go to dinner earlier or after. Just an example. If we want things to work out easier. Fix the schedule. If you want to be involved in the planning speak up. I want to help out as much as I can next year. Put me on the committe. Anyone who wants to be involved should be.

Okay thats it. I have to go back to work.

[Mike]

I got an idea, why don't we drop the name cougarfest then. since it doesnt have a meaning apparently. we'll replace it with something like, May-or-May-Not-Have-A-Cougarfest. And graybush can park his minivan there too.

Easy there new guy... did I say that? :rolleyes:

I suggested we at least try and incorporate the people that made an effort to come out.

I think the whole award thing is stupid anyway. But I think these guys should be recognzied for coming out.

[BigBalledOX]

Why is everyone getting so defensive about this?

Because a lot of people don't have the guts to say something publicly that other people might not like, so they'd rather run around complaining behind people's backs and whining until they get their way, then try to explain away their actions when they get called on them.

I'd completely respect someone who stood up and said "Yeah, I didn't like having a few non-Cougars mixed in and I didn't because (fill in the blank)" as long as it was a legitimate reason. Stuff like "oh I had to make up funny comments while I was doing my video walkthrough" doesn't really cut it, y'know?

Tell me WHY this is worth being made an issue in the first place, to the point where some people were repeatedly harassed about it.

[marinofan]

And graybush can park his minivan there too.

Theres a very important feature to Graybush's Van that none of us can comfortably do in our Cougar.... :cover:

[Mike]

Because a lot of people don't have the guts to say something publicly that other people might not like, so they'd rather run around complaining behind people's backs and whining until they get their way, then try to explain away their actions when they get called on them.

I'd completely respect someone who stood up and said "Yeah, I didn't like having a few non-Cougars mixed in and I didn't because (fill in the blank)" as long as it was a legitimate reason. Stuff like "oh I had to make up funny comments while I was doing my video walkthrough" doesn't really cut it, y'know?

Tell me WHY this is worth being made an issue in the first place, to the point where some people were repeatedly harassed about it.

Hey bud, i'm on your side here. ;)

I just don't understand the *****ing. I'd rather we (or the organizers) work on a solution.

[CincyZetec]

not trying to dog on the non-cougar people, but weren't you only asked to move to the end of our roped off section only for the show? i admit i don't know all the circumstances but all i heard was please go to the end.

i understand both sides of this but again it is cougarfest so in my opinion the name should imply that cougars are the main focus of the event (after hanging out and drinking). i know that there are a lot of people who spent a lot of money on other cars that came and it's great that even though you've moved to another car you are still a supporter and active member of the cougar community, but i don't think it's fair to be complaining that a couple people asked you to move your cars a couple hundred feet.

i had no problem with anyone or anything about the event or how it was handled. i think it is a little unfair that because a couple people had an issue with a couple of other people that EVERYONE there is now being grouped together as a "non-cougar owner hater." really i think that point is COMPLETELY disproven by the generousity of the community by pooling a collection for aries for his window and gps when his NON-COUGAR wa sbroken into. there is no doubt in my mind that if that happened to anyone else there or regardless of the car, the community would've shown the same togetherness and support.

granted i think it would be cool to recognize the non-cougar people w/ a non-cougar award becasue they did take the time and effort to come, but i think complaining about where you park is a little much. as far as i know, there wasn't anything more than some harlmess, non-serious jokes about the non-cougars. from what i've seen this is an amazing group and as was said, we are a family and love each other no matter what car we drive. this is a great group of people and i am honored to be associated with this group. this "issue" seems to be trying to stir up some s*** for honestly, a poor reason.

[BigBalledOX]

I gotta disagree to some extent with ov3n.

Like others have said, it's Cougarfest. Not Familyfest, or Friendfest, or RandomCarfest. So the activities and events are aimed at the Cougars. Yes it's a dead platform, but so what? Not everyone has moved on to other cars and for some people this is a "new to them" car.

Now should any former owner who wants to go be shunned? Absolutely not. They were a part of the community and still are welcome. But your cars are not the show for those few days. You'll have groups that celebrate your model to welcome you with open arms. We welcome you as friends.

Your not family anymore. You're like that Catholic cousin that goes and marries a Protestant ***** and sullies our good Italian name. But so what if she's black, I love her for who she is and the fact that she has a shallow vageen that makes me feel like a big man when I bottom out....


oh wait. no.

Good attempt at bringing levity to the situation. But you're missing the point.

Nick is upset at the disrespectful manner in which he and other members were harassed about where they parked their cars. When you have someone going around yelling at people to move their cars because "we don't want them by the Cougars", then I can understand being upset about it.

Moreover, it seems to me like a small issue was being used to harass select individuals. What's the rule here on the boards again? If you don't like it, don't read it? Well if you don't want to look at a non-Cougar, DON'T LOOK AT A NON-COUGAR.

[JayZee]

Easy there new guy... did I say that? :rolleyes:

I suggested we at least try and incorporate the people that made an effort to come out.

I think the whole award thing is stupid anyway. But I think these guys should be recognzied for coming out.

Oh, I know mike, i was just making a suggestion ;)

Anyway, they were recognized. They were recognized by each person who talked to them, shook hands with them, hugged them, humped them, etc.

Just because they weren't handed a piece of glossy paper with ink on it, doesn't mean we don't appreciate their support.

Also, nothing says they have to pay $35 for registration. that was their choice. And obviously, we're all glad and happy they did pay it :)

[BigBalledOX]

Hey bud, i'm on your side here. ;)

I just don't understand the *****ing. I'd rather we (or the organizers) work on a solution.

I know boss. :) I wasn't trying to slam your post or nothin. I want a solution that leaves everyone happy. I was just giving my thoughts on why people are so quick to get defensive. :tongue:

[JayZee]

When you have someone going around yelling at people to move their cars because "we don't want them by the Cougars", then I can understand being upset about it.

See, HERE IS THE PROBLEM.

we want them by the cougars, NOT IN BETWEEN THEM.

/thread; everyones happy and it all makes sense now.

[kustomcougar]

why not have non-cougar owners pay less $$ for regestration?

[BigBalledOX]

See, HERE IS THE PROBLEM.

we want them by the cougars, NOT IN BETWEEN THEM.

/thread; everyones happy and it all makes sense now.

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: WHY DOES IT MATTER?

why not have non-cougar owners pay less $$ for regestration?

This is not an issue about money.

[marinofan]

See, HERE IS THE PROBLEM.

we want them by the cougars, NOT IN BETWEEN THEM.

/thread; everyones happy and it all makes sense now.

But how many times do they need to move? Everytime the Cougars drove to go somewhere we parked in different spots.

For a solution when you register online you tell what color car you have. The day/morning/or night before the show we all are assigned spots based on color and unique paint schemes.

Then the problem is solved because everybody will pretty much have to move to get in the right spot.

I will Officially Volunteer to get the spots organized for that next year.

[thousandlegs]

But how many times do they need to move? Everytime the Cougars drove to go somewhere we parked in different spots.

For a solution when you register online you tell what color car you have. The day/morning/or night before the show we all are assigned spots based on color and unique paint schemes.

Then the problem is solved because everybody will pretty much have to move to get in the right spot.

I will Officially Volunteer to get the spots organized for that next year.

this seems to be the best solution to giving some organization to the way that things are laid out. it will look really good that way.

i know i'm super new but that doesn't mean that i like my car any less or that i don't want to be included and made to feel as welcome as, say, bbox or wade or anyone else who's been involved for a long time.

i'm with mario on this one and i'll help him lay out the parking diagram if necessary.

[Tygerr]

But how many times do they need to move? Everytime the Cougars drove to go somewhere we parked in different spots.

For a solution when you register online you tell what color car you have. The day/morning/or night before the show we all are assigned spots based on color and unique paint schemes.

Then the problem is solved because everybody will pretty much have to move to get in the right spot.

I will Officially Volunteer to get the spots organized for that next year.

That's silly. We're all adults. I think we should park where we like. I think it would be nice only during the car show if the other cars would move to the end (which they pretty much were) since I always assumed the voting awards was for cougars anyway. Otherwise, I don't really care. I enjoyed looking at Ov3n's sexy mustang. If there was a non-cougar award, he would have won hands down.

[BigBalledOX]

But how many times do they need to move? Everytime the Cougars drove to go somewhere we parked in different spots.

For a solution when you register online you tell what color car you have. The day/morning/or night before the show we all are assigned spots based on color and unique paint schemes.

Then the problem is solved because everybody will pretty much have to move to get in the right spot.

I will Officially Volunteer to get the spots organized for that next year.

I appreciate the effort and the willingness to help, but - and this is not meant as a slam against you at all man - the day we need a ****ing parking chart to figure out who goes where, you can count me the **** out of Fest.

[soldier989]

My opinion is my opinion, just remember that through reading this. Im not out to make anyone mad, or want to scratch my car or even face.

Its Cougarfest. The platform being dead is not news to anyone here. It may be a sinking boat, and has been since 2002 when they discontinued the car. But we sure arent any Titanic here. Definately arent going down without a fight which shows the charactor of such committee leaders and followers who attend the fest. For them to do this, in my eyes, gives them every right to control how its played out.

We have all seen this. Here's the scenario. We have are area roped off, then suddenly a guest at the hotel in their Honda decides to park inside the roped off area. What happens then "Who the eff is this guy?" Right? Oh wait, I know why this happens, we dont know the driver. Im not sure being who you are gives anyone the right to just park in a roped off area.

Ever sanded down a peice of body kit or maybe bondo and find a knick in it or other blemish? That sucks, I know for one it does. Its about consistancy. When there's 5 Cougars, a GTO, then 2 more Cougars, then a Pontiac, It just doesnt look right.

About the attitude that was received, keep this in mind. Ever been to....say a MOPAR event and driven a FORD to it then stuck yourself right in the middle? I doubt it. Ive seen this, and its nasty. We are talking about people 'persuading' that person to leave. Sure they arent apart of the family that is NECO, but I could think of a lot worse things that could have been done rather then just being asked to move.

If you want to parade a non-Cougar at an ALL Cougar event, dont. Its just not in the cards and doesnt make sense. Im all for people popping their hoods and giving rides and such cuz that will certainly happen. People will enjoy the prescence of it, but I would NEVER vote for a non-cougar anything on that ballot, its not what Im there for. There are much better oppurtunities for you to get recognized at a all Mustang or standard car show for your mods and time put into the car. There is no award for sticking out like a soar thumb in the middle of a bunch of Cougars. Thats to easy to do, and not an achievement.

Respect is simple, when asked to do something, do it. If its not done the first time then frustration sets in. Its no wonder why things got a little more aggressive. I know I got spanked when I talked back to my parents, and I know who the Father of Cougarfest is no doubt. Granted he shouldnt be spanking people.

So I dunno, Cougarfest should be a no brainer. If I didnt take my Cougar to fest, then I would be going for the people. But would still enjoy the attention my car brought in the middle of the non roped off parking lot that looks terribly obvious not to park in.


Either way I love you all still, and dont have any issues with your parking. But it would have been a little nicer if it wasnt so scattered :-P

[JScullin]

Good attempt at bringing levity to the situation. But you're missing the point.

Nick is upset at the disrespectful manner in which he and other members were harassed about where they parked their cars. When you have someone going around yelling at people to move their cars because "we don't want them by the Cougars", then I can understand being upset about it.

Moreover, it seems to me like a small issue was being used to harass select individuals. What's the rule here on the boards again? If you don't like it, don't read it? Well if you don't want to look at a non-Cougar, DON'T LOOK AT A NON-COUGAR.

I agree about the disrespect in handling the matter. It's not like once you get rid of the car you all become lepers.

[jaged]

how bout this.

there is a few of us that had this conversation in lot sat night, for 3-4 hrs, it may be more i dont remember. there were a lot of things that didnt go right this year, we realize this, we are going to fix it next year. some of it had to do with weather, some of it had to do with planned things not taking place because we missed it, some of it got looked over because a large chunk of the people werent in the right condition to do something, like go on a cruise, but i digress

what ov3n is talking about is that we all know that neco is a bit different when it comes to car shows and forums. in other clubs once you sell your car you are basically kicked out. that doesnt happen here, we still welcome them with open arms, and actually want them to still come to meets and things like that. they become family. while it. normally you dont bark orders out to your family members. that was done by some members that were there, committee and non committee, and that isnt the way that things should be done. There was a huge lack of communication this year on everyones part, and that was a big part of this. the other part of it was that there were a lot of people that made huge issues about non cougs, and even cougargurls car b/c it was on a trailer. lot of people didnt know that it physically couldnt get off the trailer, otherwise it would have been, but that was an issue before she even got all the way into the lot, but thats another post.

I think that there are a lot of member that need to journey out of their respective "home chapters" and meet others, that is what fest is about, coming together to meet all of the people, why else would someone be crazy enough to drive 2300 miles to see a bunch of cars

[marinofan]

I think that there are a lot of member that need to journey out of their respective "home chapters" and meet others, that is what fest is about, coming together to meet all of the people, why else would someone be crazy enough to drive 2300 miles to see a bunch of cars

I agree with that 100%. I think I looked at every bodies Car once. I'm not really a "car guy" to begin with and ADHD sets in fast but I got lots of neat ideas from the little looking I did.

I had a blast in George's room... I'll just leave it at that. I had fun laughing ad joking with people. I think the only thing "car" related I brought up was that everybody has Z3 fenders and I don't know if I want them now, but I didn't see any other fenders that look like they would go well with my car.

Oh and the RSTB HOLY CRAP huge noticeable difference when i got back home I took a curvy road that I knew would show me a difference. 30MPH curves at 55 with no squeal and very little roll are a blast.

[CincyZetec]

why else would someone be crazy enough to drive 2300 miles to see a bunch of cars

well i know one guy did that to come hang out w/ his ohio 4 banger friend :biggrin:

[skater]

Instead of making them park away from everyone else...

Stop right there. Brad's request was that the non-Cougars park at the end of the line. That's it. They were still right next to the Cougars, still in the middle of the action. In fact, my Cougar was farther away than most of the non-Cougars.

If you plan to alienate non-Cougar owners, then don't take their money.

You make it sound like we held them at gunpoint. :)

My opinion on the show is that it'd be nice if the non-Cougars were at the end of the row or something like that but I'm not going to make a big deal out of it. If that were the biggest thing I had to complain about for CougarFest, it'd be the best CougarFest EVER. :)

[ND4SPD]

wow...

:grouphug:

[sonza68]

...the other part of it was that there were a lot of people that made huge issues about non cougs, and even cougargurls car b/c it was on a trailer. lot of people didnt know that it physically couldnt get off the trailer, otherwise it would have been, but that was an issue before she even got all the way into the lot, but thats another post.

This is the part that disappoints me especially considering that most of the non-cougars were owned by long standing members. Yes, ideally the non-Cougars would have been grouped together at the end, but ideally, the Cougars would have been parked in an orderly manner as well. I really couldn't care less about how it gets organized because, but it should be handled in a respectful manner and I get the impression that is the heart of ov3n's complaint.

I think that there are a lot of member that need to journey out of their respective "home chapters" and meet others, that is what fest is about, coming together to meet all of the people, why else would someone be crazy enough to drive 2300 miles to see a bunch of cars

Definately. For me, CF stopped being about cars about 3 years ago.

[BigBalledOX]

Definately. For me, CF stopped being about cars about 3 years ago.

Thats when it started being all about me for Tom. :rofl:

[GR02XR]

The fact that people with long time ties to NECO and who make continuing contributions to this site and organization would be ostracized just because they didn’t drive up in a Cougar is sad. I would have expected this from a NECO/CEG get together, since while there are some cross site members, the majority stick to their own particular car and the people they know.

But here we have past Cougar owners who still care enough about the people they’ve met that even though they no longer have the car the still have the love. I can understand for a group photo only wanting the Cougars at Cougarfest to be in frame but aside from that who gives where anyone parks? We‘re not talking about strangers here just dropping by in whatever the hell they are driving. We’re talking about people you most likely converse with on a daily basis on this site.

I was in Indy on Saturday, my wife and I took our daughter to the Children’s Museum. We were debating whether we should swing by the hotel on the way back up to Michigan and see if anyone was hanging out. We ultimately decided not to since we were all tired, hungry and still had a 5 hour drive ahead of us but this makes me wonder how I would have been treated , pulling up in a bug and road grime covered Cougar. Would I have been welcomed or would it have been “damn that sh*t dirty, don’t park by us dude”?

[EternalOne]

I've been talking with Brad about this today at work most of the day, and we had come to the conclusion that next year there will be non-cougar related "awards". Not even a problem there. HOWEVER...

As I told you Nick, I thought it was funny with the chalk, but after thinking there is more to this. You talk about disrespect, yet you showed us NO respect by leaving your car there and basically saying "I don't care that you just spent thousands of dollars and 6 months planning this, I'm parking here anyways because I'm me"... This is not your first fest, you know that non-Cougars belong at the side of the show because it is, after all, a Cougar event. Don't talk about respect unless you're willing to give it. I didn't see Adriano complaining about being at the end (I actually saw more people at his car because it wasn't blended into the Cougars).

You do realize that even I parked away from the group, and once the show was coming up I moved my truck FAR away, so that I didn't end up in everyones photos of other cars. I would have done the same if I was in my DSM's.

During the group shot I wanted all Cougars in the first photos so we could get a nice kickass calendar cover shot. We had planned on getting the others moved into place, but before we could do that ya split all pissed off. (I didn't even personally stand in the photo at all... I'm not crying...)

And those talking about registration money, that money is used to buy two things, a shirt and a meal ticket. You got both, if you don't want a shirt or to eat with the group then not paying is always an option.

I'd say I am more pissed at people who were talking trash about Cougargurl's car on the trailer -- her car is absoutely BEAUTIFUL and it was a shame we couldn't get it off there w/o risking the bodywork. I'm just glad it was there and I got a good chance to sit and chat with her... (And tell her I wasn't ignoring her PM's I'm just a busy man, lol...) ;)

In the end it comes down to the fact that most people are there for the people anymore, the cars are secondary. That doesn't mean we don't still want some organization and to keep the show as "Cougar-oriented" as possible...

I still have yet to see a single example of real disrespect towards you, although I that "middle-finger in my face" of your chalk is in photos all over the place.

Sorry if I made anyones pussy hurt, but I've got two kids at home to worry about, I don't need to wear kid gloves @ CF.

E1

[skater]

...but this makes me wonder how I would have been treated , pulling up in a bug and road grime covered Cougar. Would I have been welcomed or would it have been “damn that sh*t dirty, don’t park by us dude”?

Don't believe everything you read here. A number of the people posting in this thread weren't even there and are just making assumptions based on what ov3n wrote.

We have NEVER excluded anyone because of the car they were driving. Picked on them occasionally. But NEVER excluded them. And I can say this with certainty because I was at CF '05 with a Pontiac Vibe (rental car).

Moreover, my Cougar looked like **** for most of the week, because first I towed it to Indianapolis through the rain, then I was staying in a campground that had gravel roads and potholes galore - we had a little rain and it was downhill from there. Also, there are a number of spots of body damage on my car due to various problems in the last 9+ years - my car is most definitely not a show car. Yet no one said anything derogatory to me about the condition of my car.

[Nemesis]

Here is my 2 cents, you all can take it or leave it.

Ive gone to Fest 03/04/05/07/08, so personally I feel that I can have a pretty strong feeling towards this and post how I see things. And those talking that werent event at Fest this year or any other year need to STFU and GTFO.

Ever since I decided to stop bringing my Cougar to Fest, I started noticing "non-Cougar" owners have been left out of the group. Yeah, I dont drive my Cougar 1200+ miles for the trip because I dont see the point, when I have a car that's way more comfortable and faster. I really go to Fest personally to hang out with people I only get to see once a year (as do many of you guys Im sure). However, I really could care less about not being able to park near the Cougars. My BIG problem with the event organizers is the lack of inclusion in the group photo. No, Im not asking to have had my WRX/Mustang parked in the middle, but how hard would it be to place the non Cougars in the back where we can stand and be included? Thats pretty low in my opinion, and goes along with the elitist viewpoint Ov3n was talking about. I didnt even bother standing in the group photo this year, whats the point, and I sure as hell am not going to waste my time taking photos in a place I dont feel invited, hence why I never took my camera out of the bag the whole weekend. If it had not rained I would have had a group photo for all the non Cougar owners. Guess what, I still own a Cougar, and a pretty damn nice one at that, and I still don't feel it was right what has been done in the past few years to non Cougar owners.

Whether you guys want to admit it or not, as the years go by more and more people will be trading in their Cougar to get something else. Times change, people occasionally change, and if the events focused on a single platform dont change, then the event is going to die (or at least not be as good as it used to be). I have a good bit of other things Id like to say about the event this year but this conversation is focused on a certain subject so Ill keep it on topic.


BTW, I got a serious kick out of the "vote" that was held on whether or not to wait for the people on their way back from a restaurant before the ceremonies. Half the people voted not to wait, stand up show there guys.

[Topik]

I completely 100% agree with ov3n, especially as I was one of the outkasts if you will. HOWEVER this thread is too solve problems so when I think of some great solutions I will definitely post them.

[Pyro81]

I don't know, the 3 years i brought my truck i never once felt excluded. Not in pictures or in the show.

[Nemesis]

I don't know, the 3 years i brought my truck i never once felt excluded. Not in pictures or in the show.


Come on man, Im not trying to be an ass but its like the other guy said about the van and some other car not parking in the roped. You cant really consider a stock Ranger or minivan on the same level as a GTO/WRX/Mustang GT. It isnt your primary "cool" vehicle that you put serious money and time into as much as your Cougar, like we have.

[Topik]

Also alot of people seem to miss the fact we were told originally to put our vehicle on the other side of the tape where non cougarfest(i.e other customers for the hotel) people could park where either A.) you couldnt see our cars well and B.) can get damaged or something else done to it. Just a detail I thought worth mentioning.

[CodersCougar]

Ok from all i herd. Friday night there was an anouncement made that i herd. It was that all the Cougars be parked together, and all the others parked after them in more words then that. To me that doesnt mean to have them park away by the other customers only that for the one day to have the lot look somewhat organized.I have no problem with any of you guys hell i look forward to seeing the other people that dont have a cougar that i know aside from my chapters (Micha, George, and all the others that cant make the trip with their car) Sure i know all the other people and you all awesome people to hang with. I dont care where you park but when it come to a cougarfest show and shine. In my opinion they should be grouped better then they were. I am not blaming one person more then another. Some cougars could have parked closer but they didnt. They have their reasons. I didnt hear people yelling at ppl to move the non cougars i was doing other things at that time. Im not trying to cut anyone down but when people put tons of hours and money into making this work.... as well as it did. I will admit this year was hard due to people of doing their thing and weather. We made it though and i think all and all it was a good time.

[Honzo]

You're like that Catholic cousin that goes and marries a Protestant ***** and sullies our good Italian name. But so what if she's black, I love her for who she is and the fact that she has a shallow vageen that makes me feel like a big man when I bottom out....


oh wait. no.
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::r ofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
/thread

[Mike]

I guess in the end, it all depends what you expect CougarFest to be. For myself, I could care less where everyone put their car in a parking lot... hell, I got stuck all the way at the end, closest to the road! Did it ruin my weekend? Not one bit.

The important thing is that a group photo was taken of all the Cougars and that should have been enough... at least it was for me. The rest? Honestly, who gives a **** if a Cougar was parked beside a GTO parked beside a Mustang parked beside a Lincoln? Is it really that important?

Now i'm gonna finish watching TopGear... :rofl:

[Nemesis]

I guess it takes a non cougar owner to actually understand what's being said. :shrug:

[Mike]

I guess it takes a non cougar owner to actually understand what's being said. :shrug:

I've been on both sides, so I get what's being said. I've been to Fest as both a Cougar owner and a non-Cougar owner and now a Cougar owner again. So I definitely get it. But did I feel 'left out' when I didn't have a Cougar there? Nope. Not even a little.

I get what you guys are saying. I do. A mistake was made and needs to be corrected. I'm all for it. What harm would be done to have 2 GTOs, a WRX, 2 Mustangs and a Lincoln in the back of the picture? Absolutely none. But did anyone say anything about it before the picture was being taken? Did anyone step up and make it known? Did any of you guys say, "hey, we'd like to be in the picture... can we see what everyone else thinks about it?" I don't think you did... at least that's the impression i'm getting. It would have been as simple as taking a damn vote in the parking lot... had someone said something.

[BigBalledOX]

I guess in the end, it all depends what you expect CougarFest to be. For myself, I could care less where everyone put their car in a parking lot... hell, I got stuck all the way at the end, closest to the road! Did it ruin my weekend? Not one bit.

The important thing is that a group photo was taken of all the Cougars and that should have been enough... at least it was for me. The rest? Honestly, who gives a **** if a Cougar was parked beside a GTO parked beside a Mustang parked beside a Lincoln? Is it really that important?

Exactly. I can't understand why this was such a big deal that some people felt the need to complain about it.

Thats what REALLY boggles my mind . . . not that people were asked to move their car, but that people had their panties in such a wad over a couple of non-Cougars being mixed in with Cougars.

Like I said before, if you don't want to look at a car, DON'T LOOK AT A CAR. I don't see why its that hard.

I'm pretty sure all of the cars in question had been modded to some degree (not clear on the Solstice or Tour but I know the Lincoln, Mustangs and WRX all were) and their owners should be allowed to show off their mods as well.

I'm just kinda stunned that some people felt the need to make this an issue to begin with. Put yourself in someone else's shoes and think how would you want to be treated in that situation, then ask yourself, is this REALLY worth making an issue over? I think its not.

As far as respect and being disrespected, all that stuff . . . whatever. Anyone willing to take the time and money to show up for this event deserves respect.

If someone showed up in a 1986 Yugo and parked their **** right next to mine, I wouldn't care in the least as long as they had been a contributing part of the community.

[Nemesis]

And there were alot of comments made about the non cougar owners. Heck George still owns a cougar but he wasn't invited to stand in the pictures of everybody. Just because he drove his mustang doesn't make him no longer a Cougar owner.

Exactly man, there were some people upset because I won the raffle for the spoiler, since " I was a non Cougar owner". :facepalm:

[BigBalledOX]

I've been on both sides, so I get what's being said. I've been to Fest as both a Cougar owner and a non-Cougar owner and now a Cougar owner again. So I definitely get it. But did I feel 'left out' when I didn't have a Cougar there? Nope. Not even a little.

I get what you guys are saying. I do. A mistake was made and needs to be corrected. I'm all for it. What harm would be done to have 2 GTOs, a WRX, 2 Mustangs and a Lincoln in the back of the picture? Absolutely none. But did anyone say anything about it before the picture was being taken? Did anyone step up and make it known? Did any of you guys say, "hey, we'd like to be in the picture... can we see what everyone else thinks about it?" I don't think you did... at least that's the impression i'm getting. It would have been as simple as taking a damn vote in the parking lot... had someone said something.

I personally did not say anything about being in the picture. To be honest, to me? Not that big of a deal. By the time the group shot was set up I was kinda tired of the bickering and didn't want to add to it, and my Lincoln was filthy.

I *DID* still go out and stand next to the cars when there was people in the shot. I'm the good-lookin dude in the front row. :cool:

I do believe other people had mentioned it and it was roundly rejected when brought up but I can't speak for them.

Moreover, I think it would have been completely reasonable to have a Cougar-only shot, then add in the handful of non-Cougars who want to be a part of it.

Nobody is seeking to see the Cougar taken out of CougarFest . . . but it wouldn't hurt for some props to be given to the non-owners who still show up.

[ov3n]

As I told you Nick, I thought it was funny with the chalk, but after thinking there is more to this. You talk about disrespect, yet you showed us NO respect by leaving your car there and basically saying "I don't care that you just spent thousands of dollars and 6 months planning this, I'm parking here anyways because I'm me"... This is not your first fest, you know that non-Cougars belong at the side of the show because it is, after all, a Cougar event. Don't talk about respect unless you're willing to give it. I didn't see Adriano complaining about being at the end (I actually saw more people at his car because it wasn't blended into the Cougars).

Hey there two-face. Batman doesn't come out until friday, whatcha doin here? It's pretty funny how you were apologizing to me Sunday morning about how we'd been treated and you completely agree with our position and whatnot and now you're in here talking sh*t instead. Now I can see that the reason you did that was only to make yourself feel better; not us. Hello, guilty conscience. As for respect? You need to give a little before you get a little. How about a, "Hey guys, think you could group your cars together so things look a little more even?" I would have felt far less insulted that way and would have moved my car without argument. Instead, we were tactlessly TOLD to just move our cars to the end, all Rosa Parks-style. You seem to demand respect, but not command it.

During the group shot I wanted all Cougars in the first photos so we could get a nice kickass calendar cover shot. We had planned on getting the others moved into place, but before we could do that ya split all pissed off. (I didn't even personally stand in the photo at all... I'm not crying...)

You are missing the point of my post so much it's not even funny. But when you go around telling people how you completely wasted your vacation on planning CougarFest, I guess the meanings of things can get a bit lost. I don't know what you mean about splitting all pissed off, because I stuck around until all the cougars were re-parked. So if you were really planning on getting the other cars into the shot at the end, maybe you should have mentioned something at the beginning. I believe you're just trying to cover your ass right now. So move your smear campaign someplace else.

I still have yet to see a single example of real disrespect towards you, although I that "middle-finger in my face" of your chalk is in photos all over the place.


??????????????????????????????????????????????

[JScullin]

Again, I fail to see how those who no longer own a Cougar don't see the problem with people not wanting random cars peppered amongst the car the event is named for.

As a person, you're welcome to be there. I don't see why you need to park in the "show". I would expect and show the same respect if I rolled up to a Mustang meet in my Cougar.

Maybe it was the tone people were asked to move or park elsewhere. Or the real life ribbing that was taken to seriously.

[Nemesis]

Guys I have a solution that might help this problem, why not place a "Non Cougar" owner on the Cougarfest Committee? That way all of our problems/suggestions/and issues can be addressed and taken care of.

[Nemesis]

Again, I fail to see how those who no longer own a Cougar don't see the problem with people not wanting random cars peppered amongst the car the event is named for.

As a person, you're welcome to be there. I don't see why you need to park in the "show". I would expect and show the same respect if I rolled up to a Mustang meet in my Cougar.

Maybe it was the tone people were asked to move or park elsewhere. Or the real life ribbing that was taken to seriously.

Have you ever been to a Cougar fest?

[JScullin]

Yea. The Cougars all parked together and the other cars somewhere else.

And we all got drunk and had good times in the parking lot. Together.

[Nemesis]

Yea. The Cougars all parked together and the other cars somewhere else.

What? I mean, is that supposed to be a Joke? Ive gone 03/04/05/07/08 and never saw you there at all?


Just funny to see someone putting in their two cents into something they never have even gone to.

[ov3n]

I seem to recall the only non-cougar back when scullin came was the Ford Superduty that towed James's trailer and maybe a Mountaineer. Cars that were there NOT to be shown off.

[JScullin]

What? I mean, is that supposed to be a Joke? Ive gone 03/04/05/07/08 and never saw you there at all?


Just funny to see someone putting in their two cents into something they never have even gone to.

Didn't have the car in 99, didn't have the resources or time in '00, went to the '01 and I tried going to the others even to the point of registering & paying for registration on 2 but never making it. Car tends to have a nice set of expensive problems come this time of year.

[AtomicInternet]

Wow this blows my mind. I'm $300 in the hole from this and people are claiming to have been ripped off. I wanted a photo of Cougars for Cougarfest and now I'm excluding people. I just asked non-Cougars to park at the end of the line, and those that did got plenty of traffic and attention.

Special awards are elected by fellow attendees on the bottom ballot you got. I don't make them up, and you'll remember Adriano got best vehicle weapons. He drives a BMW.

Yes we should have had official non-Cougar awards, but nobody mentioned this during the 6+ months I was throwing up vote after vote about what we should do. It was only mentioned after the awards were given, and I've yet to invent a time machine that would have allowed me to correct that.

A better post would have been "Hey we should have non-Cougar awards next year" to which a vote would have been made and approved. Instead it's turned into yet another drama post, which even though I'm floored by it, gives me some comfort because only people who are dedicated and passionate about an event would take the time to write such emotional opinions. I'm glad an event for a dead platform has such dedicated members, and it only goes to show I (or the "committee") have absolutely no impact on whether it survives or not. It's entirely a matter of how many dedicated fans continue to attend.

To avoid a long pointless rant, I'll simply end with some points to consider:

1. I have a great respect for people who show up year after year, as was demonstrated in my initial "stand up if you've been here for x years."

2. As I have stated countless times, I don't care where Cougarfest is held, or what we do. I don't even fart without putting up a vote for everyone to approve it first.

3. There is no "committee" to exclude anyone from the event. There is simply a group of
people who organize what needs to be organized. I eliminated "organizer shirts" in pursuit of this goal. My jokes about VP of PR and Operations were meant as sarcasm, since none of us get paid or hold any amount of power whatsoever.

4. Since I'm apparently oblivious to this exclusion feeling (I shared a laugh with everyone on this thread at some point) I apologize if this feeling was strong, but request that next time you march right up to me and say so immediately. If you tell me when I can do something about it rather than after the fact I can help correct the situation.

[marinofan]

It was only mentioned after the awards were given, and I've yet to invent a time machine that would have allowed me to correct that.


Ron has the Flux capacitor...:cover:

[Aries]

I, personally, do not feel left out in any way, but that is only because of the incident that occurred during Cougarfest and the display of friendship and support Mary & I received from everyone after the incident.

That aside, I DO understand exactly what you are saying. This community has become more of a Car Club than a Cougar Club as of recently. I do believe that a Non-Cougar category placed on the ballot or having an event that involved non-cougar owners would have alleviated a part of that feeling of being left out, but this is the first year I feel that it has been an issue. 2k4 we had the dragstrip, AutoX, and Cruise. 2k5 there was drag racing and a cruise. 2k6 there was go-karting and a drive-in movie.. 2k7 we had a nice grill-out. This year, due to weather and other issues, there was only the car show. This year can be used as a learning lesson, so that subsequent years will involve the non-cougar-owning NECO members into the festivities as well..

But still, we still need CougarFest to stay COUGARFest, simply because that is what we all have in common, and what brings new people to us every year. If CougarFest starts to become an all makes/models show, there will be no more need for CougarFest, and it will become just a Car Show.. which is something people will not travel cross-country to attend. Then our base will start to become smaller and smaller until eventually it is dead. It needs to stay a Cougar-Focused event in order for it to survive, but yet somehow incorporate those of us that know the joys of owning a cougar and knows the car just as well as everyone else does. It requires a light touch that I don't think anyone understands how to deal with yet, but will need to be addressed for the future.

[MagicHallucinations]

Thats what REALLY boggles my mind . . . not that people were asked to move their car, but that people had their panties in such a wad over a couple of non-Cougars being mixed in with Cougars.



agree.....

[ND4SPD]

During the "show" I don't see a problem at all with non-cougars being mixed in. I would also agree with making a second 'section' for non-cougars - but if, and only if everyone is okay with it. Most organized car shows try to keep like-cars together right? No one should be forced though, it should be a mutual agreement (obviously)

So my opinion, during the show/parking lot... not a big deal.

During the group photo, there should be one with just the cougars first. But then a second with ALL attendees/cars.

For the second year... I've loved hearing the 'fun' awards more than the real ones, so there should definitely be more for all cars and people. :)



:shrug:

[BigBalledOX]

But still, we still need CougarFest to stay COUGARFest, simply because that is what we all have in common, and what brings new people to us every year. If CougarFest starts to become an all makes/models show, there will be no more need for CougarFest, and it will become just a Car Show.. which is something people will not travel cross-country to attend. Then our base will start to become smaller and smaller until eventually it is dead. It needs to stay a Cougar-Focused event in order for it to survive, but yet somehow incorporate those of us that know the joys of owning a cougar and knows the car just as well as everyone else does. It requires a light touch that I don't think anyone understands how to deal with yet, but will need to be addressed for the future.

I dunno man . . . I'd drive, no I'd ****in walk, to the moon, for you, Mary, Reagan, Jen, Nick, David, Tiffany, Rob, Matt, Ty, Wade, lots of people. And I couldn't give a damn less about what you guys were showing up in.

[COOGAH]

i feel the longer this thread gets, the more things are gonna get skewed and misinterpreted and further the bad feelings.

maybe people think that the people on the committee all gather together and plot things like we are some evil organization from a james bond movie r something. this is only my second cougarfest and honestly i'm surprised we even get this pulled off. (jason brad john, i meant that as a joke/exaggeration of sorts).

also members of this forum have to remember that all decisions made by the committee are made in the best interest of EVERYBODY. so if there is an issue where a handful of people feel strongly and another are indifferent, the people who feel strongly need to make sure their feelings are conveyed to the committee. if you dont say anything, the committee will think its ok.

like i was telling ty, (i think it was ty) because we all come from different backgrounds and different parts of the country, we all understand words in a different way. while i observed some of these discussions in person, i could see that people were saying things but others were not understanding them with the true meaning they were intended to have. AND a little bit of "its not what you said but how you said it"

so basically what i am saying, is, because we are a family, forgive and forget, BUT lets learn from this and just work it out. so everyone just shut the **** up and lets get this straightened out. don't just assume someone else is going to react a certain way to what you have to say. just say it.

also (i know i'm all over the place here) the committee has to make things more clear. perhaps we need to do that by putting a non cougar category or just letting people know that if they like the interior on the BMW better than any of all the cougars, then they need to vote that car number 1 in that category. so yes, the committee is guilty of not educating everyone, but lets not chastise them.


this is easily solved. ok people are upset, but lets take a deep breath and make it work. i love all you guys, well not mario, i just like him (:ty:) and i hate to see ANY of you upset.

[marinofan]

i love all you guys, well not mario, i just like him (:ty:) and i hate to see ANY of you upset.

You know you love me.. How many others saw your underwear? :cover:

[bensenvill]

I read the first 20 posts and felt I needed to post immediately before I have ANY knowledge of what happened or who was involved.

nick, you know your loved around here. Some times arm jabbings go on too long and get too hard. Reguardless, you have to realize the shows all about cougars, and yes, the few we have left from this very dead platform. I'm personally sick of being ostrasized at every single local car show and cruise night I go to... that gets really hard after a while. Please you have to keep in mind, this is the only show I get to go to a year, where I know I have one of the more *****in cars in the lot.... and not have to be parked next to a mustang.

[bensenvill]

btw I was planning on bringing my 96se, I wouldnt have expected any difference of treatment even though its still the same platform and pretty trick in its own right.

[B3NN3TT]

I actually was talking to someone this weekend that we need to start the "Best Troll" vote, like the CEG group does at their Spring Zing. Now that there are more than 2 or 3 "trolls", it would make for a better competition.

And as George mentioned, maybe you just have to be a NON-Cougar-owner to understand, but... it makes perfect sense to me to keep the non-cougars together. That's the way CEG does it, and their platform has been dead longer than ours has. Not EXCLUDED, by any stretch of the imagination; but having them all together at the end of the row (the NEAR end, actually, not the far end) seemed to be a great way to showcase them, personally.

[Nemesis]

Yeah, parking at the end wasnt a huge deal to me, was kinda cool actually to have an area for us during the show. I think the biggest problem was being told by a certain someone to park outside the ropes. We wouldnt have even had that area unless we spoke up.


For a while we had 4+ non cougars parked towards the center two days before the show day, then when we decided to go out to dinner we came back to find two cougars (which I wont call out) double parked intentionally to block us from parking in them again. That was really tasteless in my opinion and quite childish.

[B3NN3TT]

I think anyone who registered should be welcome to park within the roped-off portion of the lot, no question about it. Whether they are driving a Cougar or a lawn mower, or whatever. I just don't think it's too much to specify that anything that ISN'T a Cougar park together.

Seems like a lot of this is a matter of not communicating, really. It's nice to get it out in the open, though; thanks Nick. At least we can keep it in mind for next time.

[Bigtime2112]

I wasn't able to make it out for the fest, and i can see both sides, but my question is, has anyone not affiliated with NECO ever gone to the Cougarfest? Has any outside advertising ever been done for Cougarfest?

If not then it's not a Cougar oriented car show open to any cougar owner, it would be a NECOfest open to any member of NECO.

If this fest wasn't open to the "most hated cougar" or any other person unaffiliated with NECO that has put time and money into their car then it becomes less about the car and more about the boards, and if it is more about what is on the forum and the people on the forum then i can't see why active members would be excluded based on the vehicle that they drove.

If it's all about the cars then the non cougars should be in a different section and not be included, but if its about meeting people and having a good time, with the cars being a common point of interest bringing people together, then some definite thought needs to be put into rectifying the events that took place.

[Smitty2430]

For a while we had 4+ non cougars parked towards the center two days before the show day, then when we decided to go out to dinner we came back to find two cougars (which I wont call out) double parked intentionally to block us from parking in them again. That was really tasteless in my opinion and quite childish.

I really hope that wasnt aimed towards me....I doubled parked most of the weekend. I normally park like that where ever I go! I dont like people trying to squeeze next to my car during a car show.

The only thing I have to say is that for the "show" there should be a seperate section for the non-cougars, but still in the roped off section! Give them an award section too. There should be 2 group photos too...one with just cougars and then one with everyone's car.

[Lunar Limelight]

I can't believe this is 9 pages about parking. So have non-cougars park in a roped off section at the end of the cougars. A space over. Take a second group photo with everyone like Smitty and others have said. Have an award for non-cougars. Both sides are being disrespectful. Dragging this out as long as it has been is disrespectful. Sure we all were disrespectful at some point, myself included. So we know what needs to be done next year.
And yes cougar owners need to park better. Double parking is silly. We're not going to ding each others car. so double parking isn't needed.

And I do not like being told off via PM.

[streetracer8605]

I agree w/you nick on some things. When it comes to the show it would have been nice to have some type of awards given in a "non-cougar" category. I specifically made sure to clean my car to show it off to people. However, that doesn't bother me all that much. For those that may said/thought something about the fact that I parked next to nick's mustang, if I wouldn't have done that I would have had to park in the other lot because there was no spaces near the cougars and non-cougars. Parking all non-cougar owners in a given area is fine by me, however having something like that set-up is a lot better than telling us to just go to the end "all rosa parks style".

What irritated me the most was that I drove not as far as some, but over 5hrs to get there and when I did one of the first things that was said to me was to keep my car on the other side of the ropes.

When it comes to the group photo, I have no disagreement with taking an all cougar picture. However, how about either A) have the non-cougar cars around the cougars in a picture afterwards or B) have a separate shoot of the members gathered together.

Oh, and John (E1)...if you were going to have a shoot w/non-cougar owners why in the world would you wait till the end to say something to people about it? I could be wrong, but that seems like a major cop out to me after being called out on it. One thing that definitely rubbed me the wrong way about you was the fact about the whole go-cart situation. You COMPLETELY ruined it for some people. Those who went had a really good time, but you took it upon yourself to bad mouth something and drag others along with you all because you didn't like it for what ever reason. Why not let those who wanted to go just go and have fun. Are you that afraid people will have fun without you? Would you then feel excluded yourself?

Last time I checked, some of the most knowledgeable members on this forum no longer have cougars. If you'd like them to leave or become excluded simply because they moved on to different cars, you'd lose ALOT of the knowledge from this forum. What amazes me is that you, jake (jayzee) have the nerve to step on someone's toes that has been one of the original members on this forum that is an integral part in more ways than you could ever imagine being worth. So while my opinion is useless most likely when I say this, STFU FNG! I would never try and step in on someone that has contributed so much to this place.

Now, while reading through everyone's post I wasn't mentioned once. To be honest, that in itself makes me feel slightly excluded but I'd like to think it was a lapse of memory or something...who knows. I just own a saturn anyway...right? :cover: To everyone that had a comment about my car, or anyone's car that was there that wasn't a cougar...I'm sorry that I realized the amount of money that I was losing in the cougar and moved on to a more reliable and powerful car...wait, I'm not sorry. The only thing I'm sorry for is that I dropped so much money into my cougars trying to make them into something their not. They just weren't designed to compete w/the likes of the wrx's/evo's/mustangs...etc. Big deal, get over it and stop trying to compensate for the something the car just wasn't designed to do. I was one that took the plunge into a 3L because I wanted so badly for the car to be powerful, my Redline has that power and that was with out spending a dime on it other than the cost of the car. I have the utmost respect for those who mod their cars as I am a huge car enthusiast myself, however to exclude those who move on by saying things such as "park on the other side of the rope" is ridiculous. I realize myself that my Redline will NEVER be a Roush or Saleen or Shelby mustang or any type of Corvette, but I still love it and will continue to mod it so I completely understand those who want to mod their cougars. However, that doesn't mean that I get my undies in a wad when I show up to a Redline meet or Cobalt meet and there are other cars there. As a matter of fact, one time I even asked Dan (nadthoms) to bring his GTO to a Redline/Cobalt meet. That same meet aaron (jamallot) brought his cougar and ...correct me if I'm wrong aaron...but you weren't excluded in anyway. While that group is different, they treat non Redline/Cobalt owners no different than the rest of them.

I realize my opinion is most likely near useless because I've been put down and flamed quite a few times on quite a few different things. However, I just wanted to voice an opinion that shows that nick isn't just being paranoid. I gave only a small suggestion, but I guess at leas it's something. From what I gathered from nick's post was not so much that he was "b****ing" about not having a car category in the show, but more over the number of things such as the photo and all. Thats the way I feel at least, I could care less about a category in the show but I'd like a better way to be included with the "trolls" and not told things when I get there like "park on the other side of the rope". I guess the last thing I have to say is this, I've been to 'Fest in 05', 07', and 08' and I could have swore that one of the whole points of 'Fest was the gathering of those with a common interest to set differences aside and just have a good time. Maybe I missed something :shrug:

[MaverickFlyer]

Wow, I haven't seen this many whiners since I dropped my kid off at day care. :rolleyes:

Some people really need to get out more and see how the rest of the world really works. Take your car to any other car show that isn't planned around it and see what they say about parking in the middle of the other cars..
The whole idea about this not being about the cars is going to kill it faster than anything else. I agree that that is how it is now, but how will a group grow or get any new members when the whole idea of the show/group is ignored. There are a few groups of people that go and hang out with their friends and that's it. Even new members that own cougars are left out because they're not in the little cliques that have formed over the years. People vote for their same friends year after year so awards mean nothing.
So you may think it's all about seeing your friends and not about the cars but I think that's a selfish way to think. All you care about is yourself and your friends not the group as a whole. You may still have your little group of friends but the club will die. Personally if this was my first year and I didn't know anyone i don't think I would ever go again.

[Lunar Limelight]

+1 Mav.

[EternalOne]

It's pretty funny how you were apologizing to me Sunday morning about how we'd been treated and you completely agree with our position and whatnot and now you're in here talking sh*t instead.

No, I apoligized because I was told you felt left out. I told you if I had directly done anything that I was sorry. Then I had a nice and relaxing 5+ hour ride home to think on everything, it really bothered me that you felt that way. (Ask Ty...) I was TRUELY trying to understand it, and I couldn't come up with a single reason why you would have felt that way. Not one.

Being asked to move a non-cougar out of the main section for Cougars is a normal year to year thing. I never heard anyone say to move them out of the roped area, I had just assumed you knew where to park them -- after all you all have done it before. (I remember last year I helped get George and Micah's cars under the back rope so they would be in, yet off to the side...)

How about a, "Hey guys, think you could group your cars together so things look a little more even?" I would have felt far less insulted that way and would have moved my car without argument. Instead, we were tactlessly TOLD to just move our cars to the end, all Rosa Parks-style. You seem to demand respect, but not command it.

Again, you state this like it was me that said this. I know for a FACT I did not do so.

But when you go around telling people how you completely wasted your vacation on planning CougarFest

I don't remember saying that, especially since the ONLY vacation I get every year IS CF. Maybe I was drunk and misspoke but I do not remember that at all. Or maybe it was once I got pissed off outside, drunk, 5am, and surrounded by people where I finally had to SCREAM to get Ty to stop yelling at me -- that was also when I decided I would not help with CF next year unless Brad directly requests the help from me.

I don't know what you mean about splitting all pissed off, because I stuck around until all the cougars were re-parked. So if you were really planning on getting the other cars into the shot at the end, maybe you should have mentioned something at the beginning.

In the beginning I was inside doing other things, at this point I really don't remember what (I think we were tally'ing votes and printing awards). By the time I came outside 99% of the Cougars were parked -- when the shots were taken I looked around and didn't see any of the other cars around at all. I then got sidetracked with getting something to eat before we started the awards...

As I told you on Sunday, I am glad you all come -- I could care less what you or anyone else drives into the lot. I am sorry if I did or said something through the week that offended you, but it was never an intent. However, after thinking on the way home I totally feel it is unwarranted. I don't feel any of this was intentional, but I also feel you were FAR to sensitive on the subject.

I didn't hear it directly nor would I had even known there was a problem except for Ty, who then comes out and gets into a heated argument with me (I still love you Ty) and ends with me feeling like **** because of something I was told I did to you, George, and Micah.

Oh, and John (E1)...if you were going to have a shoot w/non-cougar owners why in the world would you wait till the end to say something to people about it? I could be wrong, but that seems like a major cop out to me after being called out on it.

As I said above we were in counting votes and printing certs. And as I typed this I remembered why I had to vanish at the end -- Jenny and I ran in with Brad's room key to secretly print him an award. It was the ONLY time I could guarantee he wouldn't walk in on us printing it since he was on the roof. When we came out all was finishing up, I stood for a sec and we split for food... (We also ran in and counted then stashed the money from Micah for Brian/Mary...)

One thing that definitely rubbed me the wrong way about you was the fact about the whole go-cart situation. You COMPLETELY ruined it for some people. Those who went had a really good time, but you took it upon yourself to bad mouth something and drag others along with you all because you didn't like it for what ever reason. Why not let those who wanted to go just go and have fun. Are you that afraid people will have fun without you? Would you then feel excluded yourself?

I was asked by my friends to go karting, I gave my VERY strong opinion on that **** track. They are adults, they made up their own mind.

Ryan, how are your feelings on the track? Would you not say, "Hell no I wouldn't go back to that track"? That's what I said. When asked why, I explained why I hated it -- I talked about 10 seconds and then I headed into the bar. I didn't try and talk them out of going, I explained why I refused to go when asked. So if by me telling Micah and George why I hated the track COMPLETELY ruined your fun, then I'm sorry for that too.

Hell I'm sorry for it all, lets all hug in a big circlejerk and be done with it.

Anyways, I've said my peace to people. Nick, Micah, George -- as I said I'm sorry if I excluded you on anything, and Brad will make sure everyone is included next year... I, on the other hand, will enjoy staying drunk the entire time and wandering whatever hotel we end up at spending time with my friends...

E1

[Topik]

I really hope that wasnt aimed towards me....I doubled parked most of the weekend. I normally park like that where ever I go! I dont like people trying to squeeze next to my car during a car show.

The only thing I have to say is that for the "show" there should be a seperate section for the non-cougars, but still in the roped off section! Give them an award section too. There should be 2 group photos too...one with just cougars and then one with everyone's car.

Completely agree with you. That is all I would have needed to be happy.


I didnt let the incident ruin my weekend but it still left a sour taste in my mouth. I will be there wherever it is next year however I hope we can get the seperate non cougar awards and picture to happen because we are a family and we need to do whats needed to stay together.

[nadthomas]

It looks like I'm one of the last ones of the non-cougars to join this thread. As numerous people saw at the bar Sunday morning I'm very passionate about all you guys/gals, cougar, CougarFest, etc. I love the cougars and Cougarfest. I knew last year after Cougarfest that Cougarfest would not be the same without a cougar which is why I took my car down from being for sale. Then after PCD wore off a little, and I made a bad choice on a winter beater to save the cougar from winter weather I decided that they all had to go. I still think it was the right choice for me to make at this point in my life, but I painfully want another cougar and to return to Cougarfest with it. I knew I would be excluded from some things at CougarFest because I saw it happen last year, and its obviously a Cougar oriented event, and I believe it should stay that way as well. I tried to ignore the things I was excluded from, and focused on the good time I was there to have, but honestly some of the things stinged a little more then I expected.

I like to consider myself and optimistic and easy going guy so I assumed that some of the things were simply an oversight or mis-reading someones joke. I can say for myself I think the reason why I am a little sensitive to the whole thing is because I have no better friends then the ones I have made through NECO and CougarFest, and I longingly hoped that I and my car would have been accepted the same as it was last year when it was built at the right plant, with the right engine, wore the right badges, and looked similar the rest. You can ask my fiancee, I balled(yes, I'm emotional little girl) last year after Fest at the thought of returning to CougarFest without a cougar, and being an outsider. I can say I still had a good time and for the most part I did not feel like an outsider, but unfortunately I only realized as it was happening that I was being left out of a few more things then I thought I was going to be this year. I think this was partly because when I was a cougar owner at CougarFest I didn't even realize some of the things non-cougar owners were being left out of because I assumed that they would have been included. I'm not blaming Brad or anyone one the planning group, actually I commending you for taking your time to put on the event but after being a non-cougar owner at Fest here are the things that I think should be considered and voted on next year for Fest next year and why just to help clean up this thread, to make everyone happy, and hopefully put this to bed, and allow the love making to continue(but only if Goldie is around - Sorry just one last carry over comment from the weekend :biggrin: )


Non-Cougar Parking
For those that want to park near the cougars there should be a dedicated area within the roped of sections that is allocated for non-cougars starting the first day of Fest. I think it looks best this way for both showing off the cougars and non-cougars. This also allows us to fell like we are apart of the event without stepping on anyones toes. This also allows us to park in a safe space away from the common joe that doesn't give two ****s if they open their car door into our cars. It also helps keep our closer to our night time "supplies" that are stowed away in the trunk. In turn non-cougars will stick to those spaces and appreciate that fact that CougarFest is the one show a year where some cougar owners fell it is the only show they can go to to show off their cars without being ridiculed by other more popular cars. (I'm sure the non-cougar owners remember that feeling and can appreciate it.)

Show Voting
In show voting a category for best non-cougar/troll's car. Although we may have purchased a different car we still respect and are very much interested in NECO's opinions of our cars. If not we would have never posted pics of it on the forums in the first place. There is obviously some competition between non-cougar owners in the category, and bragging rights are awesome. As I'm sure some(this guy) of the non-cougar owners only attend CougarFest as their only car show.

Group Photo
Absolutely, I agree with having an all cougar photo, but have a second photo of all CougarFest attendee and their cars if they would like to be included. Non-cougar owners are just as proud of being part of the NECO and CougarFest group, and would like to have a nice photo to see everyone and show their friends/family.

Most importantly once these things are decided upon it needs to be communicated as best as possible so that the non-cougar people know what is expected of them and so they know they weren't intentionally left out, but instead specifically thought about.

Don't worry if you happen to mis something in your sun burnt drunken haze, us non-cougar guys will just have to take on a new moto so you remember next year. "I'm not saying I won't go to CougarFest with you guys, but when it comes down to it, it all ends with me putting your cougar into a wall" :rofl:

(That last statement is a pun on a funny commercial if you haven't seen it. Meant to be funny)

[nadthomas]

Wow, I wrote a small novel there, and 10 other post have been made since I started. Hopefully its not a re-hash.

[TrackCat]

Even new members that own cougars are left out because they're not in the little cliques that have formed over the years.

I've always felt excluded from the meets and I own a coug. So I stopped going easy as that I don't hang out where I'm not wanted. I just create my own meets with my friends and we own different cars and have fun. I check up on things here and there on the forum and thats it.

[Crispy]

Unbelievable... what is this high school?

Who freakin cares... its CougarFest, let them be in the spotlight - you should take second stage and I cant believe people are making it such a huge deal. Yes, I wasnt there and second, I'm glad I passed after reading all this whining...

Your car is worth about 3 times or more than theirs... whoopity doo, it almost seems like you want to rub their noses in it and seem like your better than them.. If they want to continue sinking their money into an aging dead platform let them and be quiet. CougarFest has always been very clicky and your just making another one regardless of what vehicle you drive.

sheesh... this board needs more NASIOC attitude, beotching and moaning like this would never fly... LOL

[skater]

I agree the non-Cougars should be parked inside the rope, but at the end. I had not heard any requests for them to be parked outside the rope at any point before this thread was started. I know Brad asked for them to be parked away from the Cougars (I believe his comment was, "Until CougarFest is 50% non-Cougars I'd still like the Cougars to be separated from the other cars") but I didn't interpret that to mean "outside the rope"; I just thought he meant at the end of the line.

I loved what happened last year with the show, actually - the Cougars were (mostly) in the two lines in the center of the lot, then the other cars were around the outside edges. That was really cool - they were still right there but not 'mixed in' with the Cougars. It probably wouldn't have worked in Indy but I thought it worked really well in Boardman.

As for the year when the only non-Cougar was James pickup, Nemesis, if it's the year I'm thinking of ('04), I can think of several cars that were there that year that weren't Cougars - Lil'Feisty had her Maxima, there were two Echos, Trevor had his Explorer, I believe Kim had their truck from towing the Cougar, and so on. But they didn't park with the Cougars during the show so few realized they were with us. :)

[MagicHallucinations]

Unbelievable... what is this high school?

Who freakin cares... its CougarFest, let them be in the spotlight - you should take second stage and I cant believe people are making it such a huge deal. Yes, I wasnt there and second, I'm glad I passed after reading all this whining...

Your car is worth about 3 times or more than theirs... whoopity doo, it almost seems like you want to rub their noses in it and seem like your better than them.. If they want to continue sinking their money into an aging dead platform let them and be quiet. CougarFest has always been very clicky and your just making another one regardless of what vehicle you drive.



That is 100% wrong....We are not trying to rub anyone's noses in anything. But, simply, trying to be a part of something we love.


mmmm.....I fear this is all lost in translation.


I guess my point is that we are NOT trolls. I rather hate that term. We're paying memebers who love this board and everyone on it. We're still here! We didn't join with a different car, which IMO is the proper definition of a troll. We've gone through the same things most have with their cougars.........ah **** it.....

[BigBalledOX]

I've always felt excluded from the meets and I own a coug. So I stopped going easy as that I don't hang out where I'm not wanted. I just create my own meets with my friends and we own different cars and have fun. I check up on things here and there on the forum and thats it.

And uh, exactly WHICH meets have you been to?

[marinofan]

Even new members that own cougars are left out because they're not in the little cliques that have formed over the years. People vote for their same friends year after year so awards mean nothing.
So you may think it's all about seeing your friends and not about the cars but I think that's a selfish way to think. All you care about is yourself and your friends not the group as a whole. You may still have your little group of friends but the club will die. Personally if this was my first year and I didn't know anyone i don't think I would ever go again.

I guess I sort of have to disagree there. It was my first year and I will say there are several "cliques" but over all I was welcomed to tag along with several of those clicks. Ron and Jenny and maya made sure I knew where they were eating and what they were planning on doing on the first two days there and invited me along for everything.

The next 2 days I spend hanging out with George, micah, Kitty, and Kevin. Sat night/sun morn. Jayzee and the ohio crew talked to me after mos of the others went to bed for reasons that won't be hashed in the public forum.

I'm really looking forward to CougarBash and if that group invites me I'll be flying down for the weekend. I'm looking forward to Pyromania, Gonna have to pass on hamillfest, I won't have vacation days and Dan and Brett are gonna call me out on something if I go. LOL..Stupid drunk talking mouth.

But over all, If NorCal Fest is at a time when i can fly out there and they invite any NECO members I would definitely try to make that trip as well. I know this weekend doesn't show it much but I'm not an outgoing, talkative person. I would have to admit, spending the 4 days in Indy with you guys was the most fun I've had in several years. Not sure if that shows what a sucky life I have or how great everybody made me felt. But I will definitely be back.

But even the "clique" groups welcomed me and talked to me if I butted my nose into there conversation. I wish it wouldn't have been 5 circle of people soI could talk with everybody at once but with so many people I can also see what would have happened in a circle of 80 people if it wasn't broken off into groups. I did feel left out on the head rubbing.. My hair is soft like Jayzee's too damnit. :(

[frenchblueC2]

And as George mentioned, maybe you just have to be a NON-Cougar-owner to understand, but... it makes perfect sense to me to keep the non-cougars together. That's the way CEG does it, and their platform has been dead longer than ours has.

CEG has never forced any of the "trolls" to park outside of the group during the show and shine. Trolls always get sprinkled in here and there.
Some of the trolls try their best, on their own, to park at the outskirts of the show area, but it's hard when the location is different every year and not everyone is familiar with the parking lot. Plus people are too tired by that morning to have parking lot organizers, so the sprinkling of trolls just happens.
Ideally, it is a good idea to have the trolls grouped, but it can be a difficult thing to organize, especially if not done tactfully and politely.

[AtomicInternet]

http://mail2.someecards.com/filestorage/cfh_54.jpg

sheesh... this board needs more NASIOC attitude, beotching and moaning like this would never fly

If I wanted NASIOC attitude I'd go to a NASIOC board. If I ever get that serious about my car shows I'll simply sell my car to someone who wants to compete with it.