Syph, Grosjean, and Arnold

This will be short and sweet.

I thank you for your indulgence, readers. Below, Norm made some misrepresentations that I felt should be corrected. I suspect that squabbles like this drove James away from these sorts of boards, and perhaps RGE as well ... I dunno, I never asked him.

There were always better things to talk about.

In any event, a quick response to Norm's statement:

He [Syph] should read Beyond Counting to get a sense of what AP is all about instead of spending his time attacking people.

I'll mention this to James next time I see him.

I have not only read Beyond Counting, I also have the unreleased chapters that Grosjean gave to me. And I have also had the pleasure of playing with, and learning from, Grosjean. That Norm would attempt to use Grosjean's name against me is laughable, and indicative of the sort of delusion he operates under.

You are embarrasing yourself, Norm.

Get a clue.

Finally, I assure you, if there hadn't been any attacks against my friends, I would not be posting now. It was through Arnold that I met Grosjean, and I am forever indebted to him for this act of kindness and trust.

Best,
Syph

Knowledge and experience are one thing, social manners are another. One can be the "world's best BJ player" or whatever and still be a sociopath. The BJ-related message boards contain the necessary proof of this. But this is an observation equally applicable in other fields, as well, so no surprise there.

You have on one side the so-called "real-world pros", which comprises the self-described "Mafia", Stalker, and a host of others who enjoy flaming, bombing and trolling (it's apparently part of the professional, adult demeanor) and who seem to have a gigantic hard-on for ...well, everybody else! And on the other side you have the recipients of those fellows' wrath, people such as Don S, Norm, Stanford, Curtis, Bootlegger (one can only imagine the depths of paranoia needed to get venomous against good ol' Boot), and others, whose sin seems to be that they discuss the game, engage in some theoretical research, play for small and medium stakes, and generally indulge in it for entertainment and intellectual stimulation.

Horror of horrors, but Cacarulo looks like having fun with the pros' game! :-)

...Your handle, though probably unrelated, gave me this mental image of a small strain of syphilis running through the BJ internet. Y'now -- it's not as terrible as AIDS, but, still, quite a nuisance!

Most people don't like it.

Actually, my handle came about from the Myth of Sisyphus. I tired of typing in all the letters, and felt some abreviation was in order. Later, I was introduced to a professional backgammon player (yes, they exist), he spoke with a refinement and class, and always referred to me as "Sylph".

I thought it was simply a typo, but a quick search online revealed that the term "Sylph" originates in Paracelsus ... "who describes sylphs as invisible beings of the air ..."

Although our co-orespondance was short, I was impressed by his mannerisms, and his tendancy to see the best in people, even those hamstrung by less than steller handles.

(others can only see and bring ugliness)

I was to change it, when I started posting again online, but ... I didn't wish to confuse the multitudes.

You know how it is.

In any event, I have no quarrel with you. To the best of my knowledge you have never attacked my friends, and although I believe you and Stalker had a mutuel bloodletting, I felt you held your own ... more or less.

I assure you, if you feel unsatisfied with your performance, I would be a poor substitute.

Besides, I rather like you.

And believe me when I say, to receive a response from you is somewhat flattering. If I were to be flamed, I'd much rather it be by you than others I can think of.

The ball is in your court.

Best,
Syph

Unfortunately, your post did not address Norm's long-standing concerns, choosing instead to seize upon an opportunity to insult. And your self-laudation and name-dropping would not seem to add anything of positive value. (How would your knowing James Grosjean, Arnold Snyder or for that matter, Cardano, elevate your position in such matters? Is your acquaintance with others such a marketable asset?)

Many people disagree without resorting to insult, a bad habit which more often than not will vitiate otherwise meritorious positions. I suspect the presence of insults are effective in driving posters from Snyder's board. That, and the omnipresent adolescent chest-thumping.

Cyrus had more panache, you'll have to try harder.

FWIW, believe me when I say I don't have a clue what Norm's long standing concerns are.

Nor do I really care.

My friends were misrepresented by a group of BJ tourists, then I was as well ... so a quick response was appropriate.

(Even if it were a touch self indulgent)

Now scram before I start beating my chest again.

:)

Later,
Syph