I've seen providers come and go and I've seen hobbyist come and go. But there are, for one reason or another, hobbyist and providers who just choose to lurk in the shadows, watching the conversations happen, but never commenting or getting into the mix.  

Personally, I've fully enjoyed the past 8 years of being on the TER NYC board scene. I've mentioned before about my methodology of how and when I hobby. The shorthand of my hobbying is that I don't do it often. Some of the other hobbyist are very fortunate to be in the financial position where they can hobby often. All I can say is, good for them. Hey, if I were in the position to hobby as often as I'd like to, I'd do it too.  

My encounters are very deliberate as I get to know providers with fun banter on the boards, by chatting off line, seeing what others say about a provider that I'm interested in. And usually, I like to remain cordial if not quite friendly with the providers I've spent time with. I'm not a wham, bamm, thank you ma'am kinda guy. It's just not in my nature.  

So that's my .02 cents on the question. I might have veered off course from the subject a little bit, but it's what comes to mind.  

nycad