I just wanted to share with you guys that I reached out to Chils yesterday by PM, email and FB Messenger. I just wanted to make sure everything was good over there. He responded by email and to paraphrase... he says the board does not make him happy because he ends up in the PH or HotSpot and that certain people create a lot of dark clouds. I hear what he's saying. He had not been active on the board since August 29 and it sounds like this may be a permanent thing. As far as I can tell, he's fine otherwise. Chils, we will miss you brother. IMO, you're one of our core group and you brought a lot great brewing knowledge to the rest of us. Of course we'd like to see you back here but if that doesn't happen, I think we all get it.
That is all.
I get where Chils is coming from, big-time. That said, I do miss him being around and posting here. Good dude and I hope he comes back someday, if only to the beer forum, but if not, I too wish him well.
All of that said, let me vent a moment: The PH, and especially the Hot Spot, in my opinion, are becoming more toxic by the day.
Most of the PH'ers seem like decent folks, but anymore it's the same personalities that create most of the tension, arguments, divisiveness, etc. It's no wonder to me why Chils, Seagis, and who knows how many other PH'ers have left and not returned; unfortunately, it seems like the personalities who leave are those I'd wish would stay, and the personalities causing the trouble who tend to stick around, instead of going somewhere else.
I've made it a point to not post nearly as much in the PH, and certainly not in the HS, for some time now, and there've been several times I've considered doing as Chils did: just leave and not come back again. The only real reason I visit this site anymore is because of the beer forum, and the people/content in it. I'd much rather talk beer and brewing with you all than deal with the bullshit that the PH/HS have devolved into.
For my part, I appreciate the civility and camaraderie that the beer forum provides and hope it continues to stay that way.