[ATM] starparties and astronomy gatherings?

[lance clarke]

Mike,

I didn't mean to be antagonistic, actually my intention was more to relate my excitement and passion for such gatherings.

I guess I just expressed myself poorly.  

Not all star parties are equal in quality, and even the best can constantly strive for improvemnt.  But I think the vast majority are well worth the cost and time spent attending.  I've never had a major complaint about a star party I've attended, and certainly didn't mean for my email to come off as telling you to stay home, or imply that you don't like socializing.  I have, however, seen the occasional person who finds fault in every little thing at a star party, and holds the volunteers to account like they were running the thing to make money.  To those people, I would suggest volunteering themselves in order to make the improvements themselves, or learn to enjoy what already exists.  

 

Once again, sorry for expressing my thoughts very poorly, my intentions were actually quite positive, but I guess the words came out negative.

 

Lance
 
> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:16:44 -0400
> From: mjc5 at psu.edu
> To: atm at atmlist.net
> Subject: Re: [ATM] starparties and astronomy gatherings?
> 
> On 8/31/10 10:25 AM, "lance clarke" <alaskawolfjoe at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > Of course, not everyone will enjoy a star party. If you don't like people
> > asking to look through your scope, perhaps you are better suited to observing
> > alone. If you don't like meeting new people who share your interest, perhaps
> > you should stay home.
> 
> That's a tad antagonistic, Lance. The other fellow notes the prices have
> gone up, I note that expenses are up, and I have some issues with them. We
> aren't saying that there's anything wrong with people that go to star
> parties.
> 
> I don't mind meeting new people or socializing.
> 
> And most respectfully, no, I won't stay home. And I think I've got the war
> wounds to comment on star parties with some authority. Both as attendee and
> organizer.
> > 
> > Star parties are very much about sharing, and if your event doesn't suit your
> > needs, look for another one, or perhaps give up on the concept for yourself.
> 
> Sure, but did I like touch a nerve or something? The above sentence
> effectively says. "If you don't like star parties, stay away, and be quiet".
> Let's play nice here.
> 
> > For me, my star parties are the highlight of my year, and as long as I can
> > raise the funds, cost is no object. It's why I bother to get up and go to
> > work the other 11 months of the year!
> 
> And that's great! I'm really glad you like them.
> 
> But am I out of line that I don't want to step in doggie doo? That actually
> happened at the BFSP. The Park Ranger and I then found the owners and
> confronted them. They said they specifically got approval to bring their dog
> from the Party Chairman. The ranger said, "I don't think so, he's standing
> beside me." Dogs were specifically prohibited. They came from pretty far
> away, and I didn't want to just make them go home, so we had them move to
> the edge of the viewing area. Pretty nice of me when they disobeyed the
> rule, lied to the ranger and myself, and I got poopoo on the shooshoo's,
> wouldn't you agree?
> 
> Or the green laser battle, in which the people who liked them insisted on
> using them during the star party. Obviously putting an end to
> astrophotography, unless we want our photos to look like they're inhabited
> by Star Wars light sabres. That one only was settled when one of the
> observers got hit in the eye with a laser beam. Liability issues get things
> done pretty quick.
> 
> So there can be fun, and there can be problems. And for some folks there can
> be a significant expense.
> 
> And as a person who did run a party, if every complaint was met with answers
> like:
> 
> "Of course, not everyone will enjoy a star party. If you don't like people
> asking to look through your scope, perhaps you are better suited to
> observing alone. If you don't like meeting new people who share your
> interest, perhaps you should stay home."
> 
> Perhaps you might be surprised at how short lived that star party will be.
> 
> 
> - Most respectfully, Mike -
> 
> 
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