Hi everybody! My name is Amber and I've lived in Jacksonville most of my life. To be totally honest I don't like this city very much, but I'm hoping I'll find more things to like about this town. That's why I joined this forum, to be plugged into what's going on.
Now I'll tell you a little bit about myself. :D I'm a feminist and a bleeding heart (but don't call me a liberal!) who tries to volunteer and help people as much as I can. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a job in a long time so I haven't had the means to volunteer very much. I have a five year old son, but his dad and I are divorced now. I'm also a local artist. Not a famous one, but maybe someday! You can check out my deviantArt profile if you're interested: http://gwefr.deviantart.com/ I should mention that a lot of my work has a pagan theme, my being a pagan and all. (Actually a Druid if you want to get specific) I know quite a few Jacksonville residents don't appreciate that sort of thing so I thought I should warn everybody. 8) I would love to meet some feminists and/or pagans and/or artists around here. The first two are pretty hard to find in my experience.
So that's probably enough for now. ;) I'll see you around the forums!
Hello Amber, I am relatively new to posting on the site but have been a regular reader for three years. I am not from Jacksonville but am a frequent visitor, and it's my favorite city and favorite place to visit. I notice you mentioned in another post that you don't see much to do in Jacksonville, so I hope I can help in that department. In particular, I think Jacksonville's many historical assets and parks are under-promoted by the city. This site provides a tremendous amount of historical and cultural information and photo essays that I hope will enhance your enjoyment of living there. This is definitely the place to be to be plugged in on Jacksonville history and current events.
The new culture section promotes the latest news on the arts in Jacksonville. Also, have you visited or considered becoming a vendor at the Saturday Riverside Arts Market?
Welcome, Amber. We definitely need more Druids on this site. And more Buddhists, Wiccans, Scientologists, etc. Diversity of thought is a beautiful thing.
Welcome Gwefr! We look forward to your posts... :)
As long as you're not gay. The bible thumpers on here hate the gays ;)
Whoa... I sense a small amount of hate for the thumpers there Compound... ???
You can sense it but there's no hate in my game! I <3 everyone.
:D cool... I must have misread the innocuous "thumper" reference. Perhaps when a person registers on the site we have a checkmark so people can declare whether they are a "homophobic dick" or "Bible thumper" or even a "name caller" so we can weed out these miscreants...
QuoteThats a great idea!
:D I have a ton of em... :D
Yay where do I sign up. I can probably check a few categories. I also "shack up" out of wedlock, and I'm in an interracial relationship. Oh and we just celebrated our 11 year anniversary yesterday.
Congratulations! Long term commitment is hard work...
I guess I'm in an unnatural relationship. I'm from Atlanta and my wife is from New York.
and I guess we are minorities also, We have been married for 26 years
QuoteBtw, you surely agree that "Thumper" isnt descriptive of Christianity. It describes aggressive offensive behavior towards other people. Like being 'homophobic', or a 'dick'.
I am simply saying that name calling... be it "bible thumper" or "dick" is not needed... especially in this thread where we were simply welcoming a new poster. No need to be hostile or "warn" somebody about something that may or may not occur. Telling a new poster that they are welcome as long as they are not gay is A) untrue and B) implies a homophobic tilt on this website and C) implies fundamentalist christians will attack you here if gay. While (C) may occur rarely it certainly is not the norm and is most definately not tolerated on this board.
Just sayin... :)
To stay on topic I will once again welcome Amber and look forward to her contributions. Check out Gwefr's art at her website...
http://gwefr.deviantart.com/
Just to make things perfectly clear... Compound said...
QuoteAs long as you're not gay. The bible thumpers on here hate the gays
His statement implies the present... not the past. He also refered to those that "hate the gays" to a specific group of people who may or may not feel that way. Seems a bit prejudicial and stereotypical to me. If it needed to be said (and I dont think it was) he could have said... "There are 1 or two people here who hate gays". The entire comment was completely unnecessary...
QuoteCalling out people on their bigotry is not also a form of bigotry.
I agree completely... but... be specific. Indicting an entire group for the actions of a few is wrong and should be called out also.
Can you guys just agree to agree already?
:D ;D :D
Who are the Bible thumpers on here? I have never really seen them.
Well I am sure you have sold amber on Jax by now.
Amber we love the natural gifts that have been given to our area river, beach and warm climate. We love the diversity of industry that exists here. We love much of the cities history and hate how much the good ol boy network has neglected or thrown away. I love that there is a cross section of many individual lifestyles that exist here in the middle of a basically middle America population. I love the progress the real estate boom brought ot our Urban core and am sad the downturn has slowed that progress. I love that you can be friends with the people in this city even if they don't fit what your labels are of what the area needs. That is not a barb just pointing out that this is a friendly city. It has it's share of a holes but basicly a warm welcoming place. I hope you enjoy your time here and find a way to add your own flavor to Jax.
Thank you Jeffrey! :)
Welcome Amber. I'm sure (as you've already read) MetroJacksonville.com is quite the diverse bunch representing many ethnicities, beliefs, religions, and opinions but at least one thing holds us all in common. The interest of the betterment of our city. The more the merrier! :)
Amber, You will also see that everyone on this board loves to argue every point and that STEPHEN always gets the last word! ;D
I'm so amused by how my intro post turned into a debate thread... :D No, really, I love controversy! I would be the type to defend an unpopular group (like Bible Thumpers) so that's nice to see. I do think the person who wrote the "as long as I'm not gay" post was just joking around though.
I have been thinking lately that maybe we should be more careful with our words. Because it doesn't matter how you meant it really, if it negatively impacts others. That's not really aimed at anyone its just something that's been on my mind (and thrown in my face) It seemed appropriate ;)
So! I do want to like Jacksonville, after all I'm going to be here for awhile. It would probably be easier to find things to do if I could actually find a job around here. I mean there's cool stuff sometimes at any rate.
But I'm bored with writing for now...so I'll just say I'm happy to meet everyone and I appreciate the thought provoking debate too...Really :-*
Hi Amber, loved your blog, I guess I would describe myself as a natural 'pagan' always believed I ws a natural Wiccan, Earth Mother. I used to feel really in tune with myself and others as well as my surroundings, I'm the kind of person that JUST KNOWS THINGS....lol, I have always wanted to learn more but have no time, even though I should make time, because the spirit needs nurturing too.
I love writing and painting, although not many people have a clue what I mean, and I spend the majority of my time working, and loving my family with all my heart. (doesn't leave as much time to let it all go) but still a pleasure. I'm the Director of Sales for Executive Food Service, a local Catering Company in town, so working all the time is the norm for me. Luckily, I love details, food and taking care of people. I host several wine tastings and cocktail parties throughout the ear, and I always look for local artist and musicians as well as local authors, to come show their work, network and make new friends or contacts. I will check out your site, and would love to hear more, take care and keep your head up, it cant rain all the time......lol
QuoteI guess I'm in an unnatural relationship. I'm from Atlanta and my wife is from New York.
I think I might be sick. May God have mercy on your souls.