Message to Nor Cal NECO

[MrFroge]

:disgust: Hey guys.. have you wondered why so many people have come to one or two meetings and you never hear from them again?? I think you deserve an explanation of why I no longer care to participate in the Club.. I don't know if they felt the way I do, but I want to post my opinion of the club and this forum in particular.. I hope you will take this seriously and maybe do something about it..

I have enjoyed some of the meets and drives that we have had but I am embarrassed to recommend the Club and the NECO web site to potential members.. Before I'd recommend this club to anyone, the childish trash talk mast be taken off the Club forum, and the rude behavior and language gone from the meetings.. this has gotten ridiculous .. (can't you find a better place to piss than behind the dumpster??).. There is an Off-Topic area for those of you who just can't grow-up with your posts.. I don't know what YOU do with the juvenile behavior at the meetings..

If you wonder why the ladies don't join the club.. duh.. just take a look at yourselves and this Forum and its content.. I'd like to help out the club and attend meetings but as it stands now, it appears to be a hopeless cause.. If this is what you want you're Club to be, then fine, enjoy it but don't expect new members to flock to the club.. you'll have to do better and polish the Club image if you want guys with wives and GFs to attend.. and bring their friends to your NEXT meet..

As you may know, I've joined the Cougar Club Of America in an effort to promote enjoying our model Cougars in this area .. I'll also continue to spend time on the Contour Club forum from time to time..
:banghead:
BTY NorCal.. how about someone fixing the NorCal web site, with its obsolete calendar and dysfunctional chat area.., it looks worse than the NCCC web site .. ;)
That's it.. End to my venting.. :wave:

[vizual]

wow. Speechless. I dont think I'm even gonna touch this one. But I did get a weird feeling in the bottom of my stomach.

[DEVIOUSDEV]

No Rich you are 100% correct.... We don't ever really take this seriously, and are constantly goofing off, (some more than others, and some more inappropriately than others). This is kind of a serious wake up call, and I hope everyone reads it, and doesn't just blow it off.

Just in our defense though, and I'm using a blanket defense for our generation, most of us are all around the same age, or within a few years of it, and so we are kind of in that time in our lives when we DO act like complete raving idiots most of the time... Joking around with each other, and goofing off is just part of our nature.

That doesn't excuse it, but I hope it might give you some better understanding of why we do.

In all honesty though, I'm sorry for anything that has been done that has offended you, and thank you for giving us that little :slap: to bring us back to reality :)

[vizual]

Ok maybe I will dive into this. How many have actually showed up for 1 or 2 meets and not anymore? Um Ben and Jay come to mind, I guess you could throw Mark in that mix too. Ben sounded like he was selling/getting rid of his car. Jay never really checked the forums much to keep up on meet info and seemed like he has/had a busy schedule. Mark opened his own business and works another job; lack of time for things like this.

I do believe some of the actions of this WHOLE BOARD are childish at times, but I can not say that how we act at meets is the same. Maybe an occasional bad word, but its not like we go out our way to curse. Rude behavior? Because Joe 'took a leak' behind a dumpster? :shrug: We had been drinking for a good 2-3 hours at TGI Fridays and were in an industrial area to take pics. He told people not to take pics, but some found humor in it, so they did. If that is your only example of rude behavior than I think that statement is lacking because I think NO ONE in NorCal NECO is rude. Off-topic area for posts? Ya there is, but there is also a thing called comradery that this chapter has, posting jokes and the like in off-topic would not go over well and look out of place. Once again 'juvenile behavior at meetings'? PLEASE?! Its mostly car talk and talk relating to the forums, etc. It's not like we go around yelling at or making fun of people, we just aren't that ignorant.

I have another idea why females don't join this club and its not because of how NorCal NECO acts. How many girls are on car forums? Seriously, not trying to be sexist, but if that number isn't proof enough for you, how many girls would want to hang out with a bunch of guys they don't know talking about cars? Not many girl/women's idea of a fun time. It's hopeless to help out? If you think so than fine, but most of us enjoy the meet (hence why we are trying to meet more regularly). Some polishing of the 'club image' could be done but are we trying to make it look upscale and upclass? As it sits now its at face value, and I personally like that. I feel we aren't trying to appeal to g/f's and wives and if that offends anyone sorry, but sometimes its more fun to just shoot the **** with the guys, since the girls seem to get bored and act like they don't want to be there :shrug:

[Cougarholic]

first of all i wanted to say that I personally like attending our meets eventhough I can't come sometimes but I try to. I can tell why Rich is saying that we are not taking it seroiusly and this maybe because most of us are busy and have other things or maybe some of us are just having fun and meeting other people.

the girls issue, I think vizual is right. I know that the web site needs a little bit of work and that's what Mike is doing. He just added pics in the Gallery

anyway that's all what I wanted to say

[ShinyBlackCat]

Rich, I have nothing but respect for you, so please don't take offense to anything I say.

I'm sorry you feel the way you do, but you have to realize (what Devin's already pointed out) that this is a rather young car club, and for the most part, owners of cars such as ours tend to be younger. Thus the reason we act the way we do. I'm sure you were a little hellion when you were in college... ;). Anyway, that's the reason I enjoy going to meets, and posting in this forum, because it's fun, and laid back. If I were expected to act "mature" or whatever, I would probably attend far fewer meets and post far less frequently than I do.

And as far as female members go, it's all about Mars and Venus. We just have different interests. My girlfriend is about as likely to attend one of our meets as I am to attend one of her charm bracelate parties...

[DEVIOUSDEV]

ON the subject of Female participation, or lack there of, (with the obvious exception of I-Ting;) ) I think we should maybe try and organize a cross meet with the NorCal Focus Club on FocalJet, as one of my friend's best friends is in that club (they are both female) and apparently they have actual female members that come to hang out and talk the talk with the Guys:shrug: (maybe cause its more of a chick car than the coug, but who knows;) )

[LostRacer]

Originally posted by: ShinyBlackCat
for the most part, owners of cars such as ours tend to be younger.



:bs:90% of the owners I see outside of our own club have been middle aged to older, but split between men and women. Very few younger folks interest have been sparked, unless they're matured.

[ShinyBlackCat]

Ok, you're right. But, most that are going to actively post on the internet are younger. For the most part, older generations don't use computers at home. That's why companies like planetrx.com(which I had stock in:flushed: ) failed so miserably. Thier market was older people (who take medications more often and more regularly than younger people) who would rather just go to the store.

But I'm getting off-topic. Sorry.

Bottom line is, NECO, or anyother internet forum for that matter, is going to be predominantly comprised of teens, 20, and 30 year olds. Beyond that, numbers are gonna fall dramatically.

[NorCalCoug]

Well.. I have to say, I do not understand a single bit of reasoning behind any of this. And while I have nothing but respect for you Rich, I'm going to have to pick apart your argument and rant bit by bit and then follow up with my feelings on the entire situation.


Originally posted by: MrFroge
:disgust: Hey guys.. have you wondered why so many people have come to one or two meetings and you never hear from them again?? I think you deserve an explanation of why I no longer care to participate in the Club.. I don't know if they felt the way I do, but I want to post my opinion of the club and this forum in particular.. I hope you will take this seriously and maybe do something about it..

Much like Josh stated, there are very few people who have 'joined' and come to one or two meets and then that's it. And, again, they're a bit too busy with life to even enjoy taking time to hang out with us at a meet. In fact, if you can name 3 more than those that Josh named, I'll give you an award. :biggrin:



I have enjoyed some of the meets and drives that we have had but I am embarrassed to recommend the Club and the NECO web site to potential members.. Before I'd recommend this club to anyone, the childish trash talk mast be taken off the Club forum, and the rude behavior and language gone from the meetings.. this has gotten ridiculous .. (can't you find a better place to piss than behind the dumpster??).. There is an Off-Topic area for those of you who just can't grow-up with your posts.. I don't know what YOU do with the juvenile behavior at the meetings..

Childish trash talk? Since when has any of this 'trash talk' ever been serious? I don't know a single person in NorCal NECO who honestly trashes on anyone else with any level of seriousness. For the most part, I had assumed we're all just a bunch of smartasses. And like Josh said, there was nothing that could really be done about the dumpster. He had to go, and we weren't near a bathroom since we were shooting pictures for some 'club spirit'. Next time, you may wish to ASK and FIND OUT before you MAKE ASSUMPTIONS and JUDGEMENT CALLS. 'Grow up' with our posts? Sorry, I plan on staying and acting young my whole life as best I can. Just because I know how to kid around and have a good time with my fellow friends from NorCal NECO doesn't mean I'm incapable of rational and mature thought.


If you wonder why the ladies don't join the club.. duh.. just take a look at yourselves and this Forum and its content.. I'd like to help out the club and attend meetings but as it stands now, it appears to be a hopeless cause.. If this is what you want you're Club to be, then fine, enjoy it but don't expect new members to flock to the club.. you'll have to do better and polish the Club image if you want guys with wives and GFs to attend.. and bring their friends to your NEXT meet..

I'd like you to go ahead and poll through every member on NECO from, say, a 'respectable' chapter, and show me what their percentage of active female participants is, THEN you can come and tell me why things are the way they are. Back it up with some evidence before going off and making claims. If we were hopeless, we never would have attracted new members at all, such as Sean or I-Ting, Tyrice and his buddy (Damnit, I keep forgetting his name :tongue: ), etc.



As you may know, I've joined the Cougar Club Of America in an effort to promote enjoying our model Cougars in this area .. I'll also continue to spend time on the Contour Club forum from time to time..
:banghead:
BTY NorCal.. how about someone fixing the NorCal web site, with its obsolete calendar and dysfunctional chat area.., it looks worse than the NCCC web site .. ;)
That's it.. End to my venting.. :wave:

Good, great. Promote the New Edge Cougar all you want. We all support you in what you do. We love the car just like you do, and we enjoy making people recognize it as much as you. For the website? Well, as soon as I can get a working copy of Adobe GoLive! on my computer again (since I hate Frontpage) I plan on it. Anyone else who wants to fix it is welcome to offer their suggestion, make pages, and email them to me so I can put them up on the server. I've always lived by the mantra of 'If it's broken, don't complain, ask what you can do to fix it.. fix it yourself. Complaining doesn't fix anything.'

===================================

NOW THEN.

Here's my opinion on the entire thing.

NorCal NECO has been and seems to be a rather dynamic group of individuals who seem to get along well. Most of us are in the same general age group (or at least mentality), and we all share not only commonality in our senses of humor and fun, but in our love of the New Edge Cougar. NECO is by no means a huge formal club. We don't have an organized structure of representation or leadership, and down on the chapter level that is reflected. But by no means can you say we don't get things done. Members of NECO are diversified and enriched; we have folks who live paycheck to paycheck and others with a healthy income. We have people who suffer the tragedy of a Ford Automatic, and we have the few elite MTX'ers (See, that was sarcasm ;)). We have members who hang out with each other a few times a month and others that only come to meets. So why should we frown upon the fact that most of us seem to get along with each other due to our common mentality?

Sit and think for a moment. What is the goal of a meet? Is it for us to get together, check out each others cars and see what's new and discuss ideas, enjoy the company of your fellow enthusiasts and have a little to eat and drink, and maybe indulge in the group activity of enjoying your automobile? Or is a meet solely for promoting the New Edge Cougar, and sharing ideas? I'd like to think it's the former rather than the latter; the latter would best be accomplished by parking in a huge line on a busy street while waving signs, and then having drinks in a restaurant and talking about car parts. The former is.. well.. it's what we're doing already.

You claim that our club appears to be a hopeless cause. Why? Heck, our last meet had 6 Cougar owners and 1 Contour owner, and would have had 2 more Cougar owners had they not been in Southern California at the time. Sure, the pictures don't look spectacular because 1 cougar owner's car was in the shop (rather than in pictures) and mine was in the TGIF parking lot thanks to my brake pad being worn down to the point of the backing plate helping 'machine' my rotor :rofl:, but that's still a decent turnout. I know Ricardo would love to come to more meets, but he's pretty far away. Same thing with other members we've had, like Dawidowmaker (Who's never even been to a meet). But the fact that a good majority of us are willing to make it to meets even when we don't have our cars (Such as when I took Dev with me to a meet while his car was busy leaking gas and blowing up a dealership, and Tyrice while his car is in the shop), and some while their cars are actually beyond the point of rational drivability (Hey, I used engine braking and the hand-brake to slow my car to a halt at the most recent meet), I'd say that shows a lot of promise for 'club spirit'. Lost cause? Hardly.

How many other chapters actively advertise? Pass out cards and have stickers? And they've got about the same amount of members that we do! We don't hand out anything, for the most part! Now, just imagine if we did. Just imagine if we contacted Jesus to get the chapter stickers made (I'll tell you why we didn't get them made at the other place some other time as it involves someone's personal problems with prescription medication ;)), and we actually show them off?

Hell. Fazed isn't even active on these boards anymore and he's still been to a meet.

So, the big question is, What is NECO to you?
To me, it's a place to make friends who share common interest in the car they own, and hopefully they click on a different level. I can honestly say I've made friends here and I hope those people think the same of me.

[hamill]

I'm going to comment as an outsider....b/c obviously I am. I come to the Norcal and Socal boards quite often because I am actually drawn to the lighter side of the boards. Respecting your opinion, I have to say one thing that comes to mind. These boards are becomming increasingly busier and alot of people are jumping on everyones backs or repeating posts over and over. You don't see to many people who are "regulars" but when you post in Norcal and Socal.....someone out there will read it. I think the jokes are what brings everyone to this section on the boards.

As for meets, I haven't been to any but was allmost going to, unfortunaly had some buisness to atttend to. I did meet up with JJennings (again) and Mprtklr this year and am looking forward to meeting everyone in Norcal and Socal as I feel they would be a fun group to hang out with.

Another point which must was addressed allready is the age group. Most of the owners on this board are in their 20's and yes, we can act immature, but the whole point of these boards are to be yourself amongst other car enthusiasts.

As stated, I see your points, but in actuality....what is there to be expected?

[phant0mzero]

well, I know I've been immature on the boards, but I'd like to believe in between those times I am immature, that I do help fellow members, and many norcal people have helped me when doing mods and getting idea's (dev {intake}) Like most others here, Rich, I respectyour opinion and what you've done to your car and some of the info you've given out, when hanging out at the meets I did attend, and the short chances we did talk, it was great to hear what you had to say, especially since you renewed my faith in the devil atx of doom. but I also believe that many jokes go on during meets and every conversation, except for discussion about moddingis usually taken light heartedly by all, even Kodiak, my friend who doesn't own but does like the cougar, enjoyed all the company of the NorCal group. I know Lisa hasn't had the time because she's been busy, and that she lives by me and are both a few hours away from most meets. but you must remember, this is directed towards those who like to talk and sometimes modify their cougar, not a lot of people are going to be able to hold that interest in a car. I'm sorry to see you go if you do. I believe you're a great part of this chapter of neco, but stuff happens. best wishes.

[bzcat]

I think NorCal NECO is suffering from the same kind of growing pain as SoCal NECO. At the beginning, most of the SoCal NECO members were older... as in late 20s to mid 40s. Then Devin showed up... (just kidding). No seriously, as more members found their way to our corner of the world, we made a conscious decision not to exclude anyone. Although SoCal NECO is the oldest "chapter", we never had any sort of formal structure or organizaiton. The message board was and still is our only method of communication.

Of course when you have lots of people coming and going, it dilutes the club and sometimes you have people who are just pain in the butt. Female participation too has been rather low in SoCal but I would hasitate to attribute that to any behaviors of members online or during meets.

The buttom line is that NECO (not just SoCal or NorCal NECO) has evolved into more than just a car club. It is a social club more or less driven by personality. That's why I had on my signature that NECO is the new edge cult of personality for so long... we no longer discuss modding our cougars but spent most of our time chatting. This really is an irreversable trend and I have made my peace with it. Perhaps Rich... uh MrForge should reconsider your particiation in a different light. You are extermely knowledeable and it would be sad to see you go.

And you youngster... show some respect damnit... :biggrin::bowdown:

[Fazed]

But Cougar Club Of America seriously couldn't give a damn about New Edge Cougar. Seriously Rich man you should have seen the way the we were perceived at 'Cougar Fest West' meh. I am sure you have heard it anyway. I actually spent half the day just listening/overhearing to gripes and groans about the New Edge contingent. Even the MC (omg hahaha ;) ) seriously had a crack over the PA system more than once. I think it could have been smart assed tho, much like NECO ;) These guys are seriously Old School, if it is not a RWD V8 forget it....... Infact if it is a 'Hippy Cougar' (1973 on) forget it also. Oh and the ugly ass early eighty's Cougars don't exist either OK.

The New Edge Cougar is in a different class again, it's GEN-X if you like! There are plenty of smart asses on NECO :naughty: edit(WTF I mean :wiggle: ) Taking the place of us in the Old School world are the ricey ass Cougars. Even though they still outclass their rice brethren simply because it is a 'hella' (smrik) sexy *****!

I can't stand quite a few facets of NECO, particularly the 'Police' oh wait 'Triad' hahaha :tongue:

Fazed

PS. Better get shot of your front grill badge man, cause they will tear you a new one for that. Perhaps they prefer it to the 'Ford' SVT Cougar rice :shrug: ;)

[frenchblueC2]

I would kill to get the opportunity to come to NorCal meets.
you Norcal m'fers are the best.
In my opinion, the wit, intelligence and MATURITY of norcal NECO members is unsurpassed by most other branches (heh pretty big statement there huh?)

all my lovin's to the norcal people :kiss:

[DEVIOUSDEV]

You are more than welcome to come out here too kim;)

[NorCalCoug]

Originally posted by: frenchblueC2
I would kill to get the opportunity to come to NorCal meets.
you Norcal m'fers are the best.
In my opinion, the wit, intelligence and MATURITY of norcal NECO members is unsurpassed by most other branches (heh pretty big statement there huh?)

all my lovin's to the norcal people :kiss:

I feel the love.

:kiss::grouphug:

[frenchblueC2]

Originally posted by: NorCalCoug

I feel the love.


that's not love you're feeling...
that's more like lust and a warm erection

(oops did I just trip the line of immaturity and indecency)

[vizual]

Originally posted by: frenchblueC2

Originally posted by: NorCalCoug

I feel the love.


that's not love you're feeling...
that's more like lust and a warm erection

(oops did I just trip the line of immaturity and indecency)

naw u just Owned (http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/OwnedByNorCalNECO%2Egif) Mike :biggrin:

[frenchblueC2]

Originally posted by: vizual

naw u just Owned (http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/OwnedByNorCalNECO%2Egif) Mike :biggrin:

he's such my *****...