Vip growing pains

[SheerLuckHolmes]

I am sorry EVERYONE is caught up in drama. But, I guess, this is to be expected. All people, things, groups grow / evolve. VIP has gone through its infancy and now is moving into & through adolescence. If you are a parent, you know what adolescence is all about. Lots of fighting, testing of limits, struggling to find independence. That is what I see VIP going through right now. We are large enough now that divergent personalities are clashing with each other. That is a shame, but a stage of growth.

Try not to take all of this personally. This is a stage and we will all get through it. We will look different, but we will all be more mature as a result. Just as at family get together's, the different members will separate & form little sub units. The mothers will get together in the kitchen for awhile. The dads will gather around the Bar-B-Q pit. The kids will gather around the Xbox. But in the end, all will gather around the table and share the meal.

I see the same happening within vaping In Phoenix. We are all family. But there is evolution going on. Limits are being tested. Some are resisting the change and growth, others are accepting it and rolling with the punches. I hope all can see this for what it is... growth, expansion and ultimately a good thing for all concerned. Let the little sub groups gather as they will. It does not need to be seen as a splintering or damaging thing, but it does allows those with differing view points to share with others out in the kitchen or the barbi or the TV. Then when it is time again. Let's all sit down together and share a vape.

 

[blindmice]

We were thinking about going to one of the meets, since we are new to this state and miss friends and vapers we had back home. Its sad to see all this happening. Most of the meets were very far from us, we don't use facebook and it looked as if everyone got along. Plus I was a little worried that since we were out of towners we would not be welcomed. I'm glad to read this post because maybe this was just a few people starting trouble. We thought maybe we could meet some nice people. We hate drama I just wish some of the meets were closer for us. We don't care who has the best this and that. It was kind of nice to think that nice people were getting together to just enjoy conversations over a vape.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

That's what our group is about and what we've done for 4 years, meet, make friends and vape. Like Barry said, this all will pass, and none of this goes on at the meets. I think this is an internet kinda deal. Not fun, but some folks join groups called "vaping drama" or similar groups or forums where there are no rules, and when they come to a group or forum that has them, it's difficult for them.

Out of towners and new folks who just want to check it out are always welcome to meetings. The central meet is getting so big, that it can be little difficult to get to know many people your fist time there and can be overwhelming to someone who isn't really outgoing. Back in the day, we had maybe 20-30 people there each month, the last one we had around 55-60 at the Central meet (though summer vacations and weekend to get out of the heat usually lower the head count). We're working on a larger venue to handle the new crowd, which we hope will make it easier to mingle and get to know people easier. There is also a West and East meet every month.

What area are you living in? Perhaps I can help you to find some local folks to vape and hang out with. Usually there is someone nearby who'd want to get together for a coffee, beer and/or a little food and talk vaping. I post and call out to folks here and on our Facebook group for west-side people to just come and have a little mexican food and vape, or help me learn a new atomizer, etc. all the time. *grin* It's a fun and really good way to really get to know a few people in a one-on one setting before going to a meet.

I hope to get to meet you at one of our socials soon.

 

[blindmice]

We are in the Fountain Hills area.

 

[IMFire3605]

Well, I myself really hate drama. First started posting here, it was a nice, warm, friendly bunch of folks, for the most part those core people are still here. However, throw drama into the mix, I step back into the perimeter, just my nature, always has been always will be, lurk from the perimeter, feel the crowd, join in, drama enters the picture, I retreate back to the perimeter. I've met a couple of the group here in person at a couple of the shops, Jay I've met at Vapor Vortex and the new shop Ghost (Dave) opened up. Met Kieth and Barry at Dave's opening as well, was a pleasure to chat a bit and put faces to the nick/handles here. So in short it takes me a little while to open up to people, in person, or especially over the faceless internet. Like I posted in another thread, woke up Thursday, seen couple threads deleted, wonder what the heck was going on, then boom, total drama bomb, not my cup of tea or comfort zone being an ex-addict of other things and now cig-free, don't need the stress to build on top of what I have to deal with rest of the day. Still, I'll chip in a note here and there, or if you want to talk outside this sub-forum send me a PM.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

We are in the Fountain Hills area.

Wow, waaaaaaay out there! Awww phoey! Well, I'm pretty sure that you're only the 2nd member we have ever had from Fountain Hills in over 4 years! The other guy hung out a little on VIP, mostly on ECF for around a year, but never made it in for a meeting. He hasn't been back to ECF since 2012 (I looked for him). That happens. People learn what gear/liquid makes them happy vaping, and then move back on with life.

However... One of the local suppliers here has an associate here on the forum that lives in Fountain Hills. I'll double check with him to see if she vapes (not everyone who works with e-cigs or liquids does), and if so, see if maybe I can get you guys together?

Hope you'll take a trip in to see us all one of these months! If you find yourself in the Phoenix area in between our meets, let me know. I would try to drive in to meet up with you and see if we could find some other folks available too!

 

[blindmice]

Yeah, we've been surprised at some of the reactions out here. We have seen a few others with cig a likes, but most do it on the sly. We haven't had a lot of positive reactions with it. When out we use our cig a likes and people react the same way as if we were smokers. We both have bottom feeders and like those best, but would never use them in public out here. When we first arrived here we asked if it was allowed and we were informed, "You might not want to use those in public", it's really frowned upon. We were both a little surprised coming from CA and it being no big deal there. So we keep it hidden. I don't know how accepted it is in Scottsdale either. We're trying to figure it all out. We figured if we met a few others out here that vaped they could tell us about the friendly places and the not so friendly places.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

Wow, interesting. With the Arizona legislation reviewing e-cig use here (and not adding any restrictions to indoor use, only restricting sales to 18 and over) I'm a little surprised. I just try to act like I know what I'm doing, LOL and nobody says anything. I don't blow it straight up in the air (mostly down at the table) when I'm out in a restaurant. If possible, but rarely, I try to explain to a manager or owner what it is (and isn't) and the legality. I have yet for someone to say no. Haven't heard anything about Scottsdale either, as far as I know... all the cities have no problem with it. It's usually up to the owner of a place.

Starbucks (booooo ) is the only place across the board that I've heard of that bans it indoors AND outside in their seating area (though, I hear it's not enforced in all locations, I've vaped outside at one one here in Surprise with all the SMOKERS. LOL)

Well, we'll keep an eye here for vapers in your neck-a-da woods Blindmice. Lemme know when you find yourself in mine.

 

[Aubie80]

Unfortunately AMF bowling centers have banned the use of ecigs as well. They are saying they don't know what the harm of the boiling liquid could cause to other customers. I have contacted corporate and told them it is essentially the same thing as what we use in our fog machines that we have hanging from the ceiling. I was pretty much told to shove it. I work for AMF(@ AMF Deer Valley Lanes, Northwest corner of I 17 and Thunderbird Rd. Behind the What-A-Burger) and they were formerly bank owned but we just got bought out and I do not know if that restriction will be lifted or not. I'm doing my best on this, really I am.

The first meet I went to I stayed by the entrance door and stood and watched the way the crowd reacted, I only spoke to a few of the vendors, so I could purchase products(I'm what I call an observer). The second meet I went to there were many more people, and after seeing how everything was done at my first meet, I got my feet wet(so to say) and talked with many people, and had a BLAST!

Most everyone that I have come in contact with at the meets has been super friendly and willing to give or receive advice or a story or two. We are a bunch of people who gather to vape. Some do it to watch sports, play sports, we do it to vape with our like.

With all the recent commotion going on with this group, personally I think its like trying to drive a nail with your forehead. We all started this to get off of traditional tobacco cigarettes, why do we need to argue. Sure we wont always agree with what other people say or do but let it be and eventually everyone will calm down and cooler heads will prevail.

I always look forward to any meet that I can attend, and sorely miss the ones that I cant make. They are a blast, come on in and introduce yourself and have a good time. I'm sure anyone will be willing to chat it up with you, if not and I'm there I'll chat with ya.

I know this post jumps around here and there, sorry for that. I typically only interject when I see fit, and I hope with the recent activity it doesn't make you not want to come to a meet, they are a fun ride, wish they started sooner and ended later. So with that I'll bid you farewell til next time.

James

 

[Aubie80]

We were thinking about going to one of the meets, since we are new to this state and miss friends and vapers we had back home. Its sad to see all this happening. Most of the meets were very far from us, we don't use facebook and it looked as if everyone got along. Plus I was a little worried that since we were out of towners we would not be welcomed. I'm glad to read this post because maybe this was just a few people starting trouble. We thought maybe we could meet some nice people. We hate drama I just wish some of the meets were closer for us. We don't care who has the best this and that. It was kind of nice to think that nice people were getting together to just enjoy conversations over a vape.

By the way welcome to Arizona, and the ECF V.I.P.

 

[PhxLadyBell]

Hello Blind Mice! Hang around VIP there is so much info here. I myself have not been to a meet. I work crazy hours and am usually after church am pretty laid back, but one day

 

[Magan]

Starbucks bans vaping outside, too? When we meet Craig/Kidney Puncher at Starbucks in Mesa (Power/McDowell) we vape while we are sitting out their tables outside the door & they've never said anything. Blah. Now I'm going to start feeling self conscious vaping there.

 

[afullmargin]

With Starbucks I think a lot of it depends on the staff and where you're at - I've vaped several times outside the one by the AMC 30 in Deer Valley with no issue. Not huge plumes or anything, but very obviously doing it.

 

[EagleTa2]

I have vaped INSIDE Starbucks even after the ban was put in place. I have been told by several Starbucks employees that the ban is really just a' corporate thing"

As always, I avoid stealth vaping, but I choose to vaoe with courtesy...the same courtesy I kept in mind when I was a smoker.

Welcome to Phoenix and ECF! I hope to meet you at the east valley meet...I'll be there

Thanks
Geo