Quote by Liz
*stands up, looking nervous*

Hi, everyone. My name is Liz, and... and I'm an addict.

Everyone: "Hi, Liz."

Hey. So, I've been using effects pedals for quite a while now. At first, it was just a bit of a cheap thrill, but more recently it has started to affect my bank balance. What started off as a few pounds here and there is now quite a bit more. The Mooer and Tone City stompboxes were good to begin with, but over time they became a gateway to harder stuff. You all probably know what I'm talking about. Before I knew it, Boss, Electro-Harmonix, and MXR boxes had become Strymon, Origin Effects, and Walrus Audio masterpieces glimmering in oceanic turquoise, oxblood red, and sun-fire yellow. The only pedals that give me the fix I need now are high-end and boutique.

Stranger #1: "How do they make you feel?"

Oh, don't get me wrong, they make me feel fucking great. I can run some delicious overdrive into my Big-Sky reverb, add a pinch of delay and I am gone for a whole afternoon. They are the most incredible, ethereal, atmospheric sounds you can imagine. If God played electric guitar, that is what it would sound like. Warm, chewy, driven-tube notes with sustain that rolls on and on forever until finally fading into nothingness like a wisp of intangible cloud.

Stranger #2: "Woah."

I know, right? Anyway, my fiancée said that I have to come here to get some counselling and I think that's probably for the best, so here I am.

*sits down and fiddles with sleeve of jumper*

Quote by lafayettemister
Yet another prospective new paying customer run off by the welcoming committee. Here yesterday, gone today.

Imagine if you joined a club and the first time you opened your mouth, the members mocked you. Would you go back?
Think if you went to a church for the first time, and the regulars there jumped your shit the first time you made a comment. What would you think of those members? How badly would you trash that church as a whole?
Imagine if you went to a new high school and the cool kids teased you for your clothes or outfit or accent, would you feel welcome there?

Lush is a great place, I've enjoyed my time here, but sometimes we can be really fucking mean. Especially to newcomers that don't know the "unspoken" rules of the forum. What is gained by being so cruel for no good reason? And really, that's what it is.. undeserved cruelty. I'm not talking about some new dude joining and throwing his dick around in a chat room or sending dick pics to unsuspecting women. He posted about a kink that lots of folks have. On a site devoted to kinks. The horror!

There was a time when Sprite would welcome new members posting on forum. She'd thank them for joining, and if the newcomer's post was questionable, she'd politely suggest they roam around and get a feel for the place. I think Lush needs more of that again. Seems like we'd get a lot more members that way than by virtually pointing and snickering... look at the new moron, he's so dumb. Not exactly welcoming.