I'm Not Attending the ACA Convention in DC Because...

[Gruff Master]

A DC convention is too far for me. I'll have to visit the next one in Florida. And about "Old School" hobbyists, most of what I know and continue to learn comes from people that have been keeping and collecting fish in upwards of 40+ years. Most of my disagreements and problems come when speaking with rookie keepers that refuse to learn anything from the older keepers. There's always room for improvement and education in the hobby at both ends of the age spectrum.

 

[Pharaoh]

You'd be surprised J. I've had a good time and met a lot of really cool people at the ACA.

 

[Peacock Rey]

I will be in Puerto Rico.....if not I would of made it.

 

[buddha1200]

I have to agree with both sides,i have meet good hobbyist old and new,and i have meet a@#$$hole's both old and new,i will be at the convention this year dont really have any expectations trying to keep an open mind. i think the convention will probably be just like mfk(you get along with some folks and not others)there is always some people that think they know it all and like to feel superior to others and there is some that are humble about it. It is what it is. i have sucessfully breed every fish i have kept but i still admire the skills of others(frshwater predator(have some of the healthiest fry i have ever seen),peansther(no one in my opinion touchest him on earhtheaters),balton(his festae speak for them selves),Ira harris(seems to have the best eye for quality fish),gruff master(one of the most humble dudes on mfk always encourge folks) just to name a few. but of course there are the ones on here that constently act like they are superior because of how long they have been keeping fish or how much knowledge the have learned by reading or internet(of course i will keep that list to myself as this is not the time or place)but i hope that all will have a nice time at the aca and that evryone will enjoy and learn. sorry for the derail

 

[jcardona1]

Ok, I was just going to gloss over this since I just don't give much of a damn any more about internet forums, but I'll bite. So you're saying old school cichlid keepers are pretentious? I've met way more pretentious ass hat "new fangeled" keepers that think they know everything and no one could improve what they do than the old timers I've met. Many of the most humble, knowledgeable cichlid keepers I know were keeping cichlids before I was born, while most of the douche bags I've met have been keeping them just long enough to think they know everything (2-5 years I'd say). You're making generalizations and assumptions.

Matt asked what is keeping people from conventions, I gave an honest answer about how I feel. If it bothers you, that's your problem. And I never said they didn't have tons of valuable information to offer back to the hobby. I simply stated I don't wish to socialize with them. And this holds true for any hobby about anything you can think of. I see it all the time. Biking, photography, cars, shooting/guns...not just fish.

 

[Aquanero]

I am, as of now planning to attend the biggest problem I'm running into is getting everybody to agree on a weekend in DC. They all want to go down the shore.

 

[Ram301]

Will be in attendance for sure will be my first convention

 

[buddha1200]

I am, as of now planning to attend the biggest problem I'm running into is getting everybody to agree on a weekend in DC. They all want to go down the shore.

aquanero hope you make i will be there,be good to hang with you again and shoot the breeze.

will be my first convention also.

 

[Aquamojo]

So......

....am I one of the old timers? Lol

 

[Aquanero]

Thanks Budda, always a good to spend time talking fish with you, good friends and cold beer! Livin La dolce vita!

And I'll add, I'd put your stock up against any on this site, you have some amazing looking fish!