bonfire forum, not a fish camp forum

very insightful! Forgive me for bringing up anything beyond your little realm of reality.

Please tell me why so many people, especially those on the GB, think so negatively of fish camp and staffers based on their behavior, and why that same basis of judgements does not apply to you.

Don't get me started on Viking Night.


If you, as a dorm, as an organization, as a whatever, want to participate in a Viking Night where you provide the location, cook the food, provide the trays, and clean up the mess then by all means go ahead. It DOES sound like it would be quite the entertainment and a bonding experience for a group of people that are responsible or putting on and cleaning up after the event, as Mommy and Daddy are in the blog. The difference between your dorm activity in Sbisa/Duncan is that it is not your location, you did not cook it, nor did you clean it up. Instead, you took advantage of the men and women that earn their living cooking your dinner and picking up after your food fights and made a complete mess of their work (that is for your benefit!) and left it for them to pick up like children.

If you guys want to have a Viking Night in the future, try volunteering beforehand and planning it with the staff, offering to help cook and absolutely clean up afterward, rather than take advantage that they are going to wipe your ass or you, too.


/end rant

but that's what bonfir---err---dorm people do dammit!

We're Vikings! Yeah! 20something year old men and women who eat their food that other people graciously made for them like ****ING VIKINGS!!

Not trying to split hairs on this, but more for curiosity sake... what's it matter who cooked it if it's being eaten? Mind you, I'm not saying to have a food fight, I'm specifically referring to eating your food with your hands (Medieval Times seems to make a business of this). I don't see why it would matter who cooks it.

You're splitting hairs on this, but that's ok, go ahead and try to deflect the heart of the matter that for some reason bonfire people think it's acceptable behavior to eat in a public cafeteria like a bunch of heathens.

I'd like to thank Stephen R.C. Hicks for writing "Explaining Postmodernism", because otherwise I never would have been able to fully appreciate []1's argumentive style/mindset.

Keep up the "good fight", comrade.

Square, I find it interesting that as soon as there's an opening to rile people up, you think its necessary for you to "make an appearance.

Just an observation.

you thought me showing up was a coincidence?

I'm seeing several similar comments, but nobody really answering my questions/points. What's goin on there?

It must be a 6th sense...there's ruckus..on the..Bonfire Board...I'm feeling...pulled..../William Shatner

quote:

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You're splitting hairs on this, but that's ok, go ahead and try to deflect the heart of the matter that for some reason bonfire people think it's acceptable behavior to eat in a public cafeteria like a bunch of heathens.

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Actually, if you'd gone back and read this thread like I told you to, you'd find that the "heart" of the matter is what day the Baylor game is. Keep your trolling to the gyn board where it belongs.

didn't you admit to splitting hairs, you hair splitter?

Telling you thing that you don't agree with isn't trolling. You're new to this game aren't you?

im not a fan of fish camp... but not because of their behavior... they are college students and usually you are suppose to have the time of your life and have fun in college. if the 'fun' things they do is considered 'rowdy' or 'inappropriate' than you must have some kind of problem...

and fyi, as long as there are students, community folks, and aggies who loves bonfire... bonfire will never die... and until a&m gets the bonfire situation on campus situated CORRECTLY... student bonfire will never die.

lets build the hell outta bonfire this coming fall. whoop!

so why don't you like fish camp?

i just think its more about the counselors than the freshman. which will be taking away from the concept about fish camp. thats all. im ok with them having fun, its college... have fun.

let me ask these questions...

for those who went to fish camp as a freshman, how many of those folks became your friend you hang out with at a&m?

now for those who does bonfire, how many of those folks become your friends you hang out with at a&m?

finally for those who participates in dorm activies, how many of those folks become your friends you hang out with a&m?


just for kicks. for those who participated in both fish camp and bonfire/dorm activites (since we are already linking the two together according to the troll)... who do you trust to have your back and be there for you?

Good point. I went to fish camp, but once getting to A&M I didn't hang out with any of the people I met there. Most of my friends I have met here at A&M have been through bonfire. And after getting to know these guys so well through bonfire, there is no one else who I'd rather have my back.

so you're making the argument that bonfire forms tighter bonds than fish camp. That's gonna go pretty far...I'm sure the fc people would be more than happy to make the exact same argument and tell you how they married their fish camp sweetheart or met as counselors or some such nonsense.

The fact of the matter is there really probably isn't THAT much of a difference between the two as far as the bonds forged are. I'm not a huge fish camp proponent for the reason stated above, but again, I think the same argument could be made about bonfire as well and it only serving "bonfire people" instead of the "aggie community" as a whole.

I will give props to fish camp people for being far less destructive and disruptive though.

It seems like nearly all pro bonfire discussion is centered around shooting down possible criticism and walling yourself in to your own reality and choosing to ignore certain realities. Meanwhile I've witnessed that bonfire criticism, generally speaking, isn't a "I hope you all fail!" like you seem to read, but rather providing different insights on the matter.

It just seems to me to be a very...narrow minded, tunnel vision sort of approach that isn't welcoming to an outsider's point of view or criticism whatsoever. It looks like the indoctrination has worked though as evidenced by waltonloads11 and neeleyangel12's involvement in this thread.

Cue "You're just an anti-bonfire, know-nothing, only negative thinking/speaking troll!"

squareone...

the thing is, you have no idea until you actually participate in it. i've done both fish camp and student bonfire and i got more out of student bonfire. the end.

tell me that you have done both and than you could make educated posts on this thread. otherwise, do not bother my time with this argument any more. please.

student bonfire is amazing bonding experience and i recommend everyone to give it a try. i am gonna say it is not for everyone and if you do not like it there are many other organizations on campus and you will find one that will fit your likings. and if i dont agree with the organization you decide to participate in, i promise that i wont go to a forum or a message board and bash it. I PROMISE

quote:

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The fact of the matter is there really probably isn't THAT much of a difference between the two as far as the bonds forged are. I'm not a huge fish camp proponent for the reason stated above, but again, I think the same argument could be made about bonfire as well and it only serving "bonfire people" instead of the "aggie community" as a whole.

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The difference is that SB makes an effort to include everyone that participates part of a bond. I know fish camp tries, but as waltonloads11 said, it serves the counselors more than the fish. Bonds are made between the counselors, and not fish. In SB, bonds are made between everyone.

And although the bonds do not go through the whole aggie community, we still have something to show for it at the end of the day. We serve the aggie community by buildin the hell.

you got it friend.

I was in fish camp, not really my thing, but I did it, so I feel it's fair for me to speak to it.

Additionally, and something maybe you and your other friends here may or may not know, I did do bonfire for 2 years. Not only did I do bonfire for 2 years, but had several friends involved with it and lived/live with one of your senior officials as well. I'd say my experience with bonfire is qualified by my experience, wouldn't you? And never have I said that "bonfire is not a great way to meet people", I have no idea where you're getting that from. Could you perhaps provide evidence of me saying that?

I think the point that Square is trying to make is that those that are active participants or have been tightly knit to Student Bonfire refuse to listen to any criticisms offered and automatically assume that critics are against the organization as a whole, when this is not the case. Square is not against Student Bonfire, but rather the attitudes that a lot of the members seem to carry, as I was trying to explain earlier.

i have laughed so much reading through this. not only has there been a rapid fire of responses made, the arguments made read SO MUCH like they did last fall. and the year before that.

my advice to anyone who hasnt been on this board for at least as long as Burn has been down pin oak road: read what he's saying, objectively try and figure out if it's an actual problem, then talk about something else! bite your lip and don't fan the flames. or ignore me, for all but a few of y'all I'm just words on a screen.

anyways.... speaking of fish camp; Square, do you like fish sticks?

Fitch, I hear []1 likes em with the tartar sauce.

In the Bonfire vs Fish Camp line, having partaken in both, I will have to say that Fish Camp did not inspire me to come back years later and still be part of it, like I still do with Bonfire.

I welcome constructive criticism and I have responded many times to it in a thoughtful manner. However, to your point []1, you do not provide insightful information in your posts, and therefore, do not warrant the same responses, thus resulting in fish sticks posts which are more to your level.

And Jayci, I'm still waiting for an answer to my question.

If you're asking if I like fish sticks, then my answer is yes. I love fish sticks in my mouth.


Remind me what it was pwease?!

quote:

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for those who went to fish camp as a freshman, how many of those folks became your friend you hang out with at a&m?

now for those who does bonfire, how many of those folks become your friends you hang out with at a&m?

finally for those who participates in dorm activies, how many of those folks become your friends you hang out with a&m?

---

I don't think that he's negating these points. What Square is trying to say is that the attitudes are similar in that their is a holier than thou mindset that turns people off to the organization, and when people like Square address it, people just shake their heads and wave him off as being a troll.

SQ1
What meaningful questions did you ever propose that have still gone unanswered?

And now doing two years of Bonfire and living with a "Senior official" (HAHA) makes you the know all end all offical on how Student Bonfire should run their day to day business? I'll agree you've had a good idea or two in your time (although I cannot recall them) but if your approach wasn't so almight know all maybe more would listen instead of calling you the all too appropriate troll. But maybe, afterall, thats your goal not so much helping to better the great organization.

jayci, than why shall people address it? if they wanna go join such organizations than let them. it is their life.

what argument was presented in the first place? i pretty much forgot it. was it that there are idiots involved in student bonfire? there are some folks who are rowdy, agreed.

t.o. walton hall. very rowdy dorm? yes. but if you havent been paying so much attention to their REPUTATION... they won RHA's Hall of the Year. Yes, out of all the dorms on campus, T.O. Walton Hall was named the BEST. Who are involved with their hall council and their hall events? BONFIRE folks.

jared fuller aka magnetron. he was the walton hall council president and he won the RHA's award for student of the year.

jonathan nguyen aka sonic. a proud and vocal member of student bonfire, i wouldn't be surprised if he was reading this now, ran for jr. yell leader. he openly stated that he was involved with student bonfire.

phil purpich aka pongo he's a high ranking officer in engineers council.

keith weatherford. past fhk's yellowpot. last year fhk's hall council president.

and if you look around campus, there is MANY more.

i guess the point i am trying to make is sure, bonfire folks are rowdy, but they are also great people. great student leaders. and a great image for student bonfire.

and to those name's i used. i am sorry if you didn't want me to use your name, but a point needed to be made. just say something and ill take it off if you want me to.

i just hope everyone sees the bigger picture. student bonfire is an organization that promotes "unity, hard work, leadership and camaraderie" and "achieving a college education." also, there are members of student bonfire who among the many student leaders on campus. if yah are kind enough to look past the rowdy behavior, you will notice that student bonfire is creating great leaders.

p.s. i love fish sticks with tartar sauce.

[This message has been edited by waltonloads11 (edited 6/25/2009 11:05p).]

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phil purpich aka pongo he's a high ranking officer in engineers council.

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Okay, okay. I didn't read your post because this name jumped out at me. Class of '11 I figured that we would at least know of each other, but I guess not if you are telling me about Mr. Phil Purpich.

I've been reading this thread for awhile now and well, I guess since my name is officially brought up I will go ahead and put m $0.02.

I am the kid who's shoulder got dislocated two years ago that Jayci and waltonloads11 mentioned. And yes, I ran for Jr. Yell Leader and it was an amazing experience. I met a lot of people, and they told me that my involvement with Student Bonfire was a great thing. They could be lying, but as we all know Aggies Do Not Lie.

I admit to being rowdy and loud at SBISA and other public areas. I admit to playing a few pranks on other dorms. On Crocker, Hart, FHK, HHH and so on, but I also know that when push comes to shove those guys will have my back and vice versa.

Sure, we could be less rowdy, less noisy, and less "idiotic." I think I could speak for a lot of people when I say this, especially for waltonloads11 because his username means he is my fish buddy, that the way we act will not change. We were this "rowdy" before 1999 and chances are we will be the same way for awhile to come.

Just think of it this way. When you are with your friends, especially guys, you will do some stupid things. In dorms, you are with your friends practically 24/7 and chances are you will do some stupid things. Its just the way we act.

I hope this back and forth attacks could come to an end now. People will have opinions and most likely opinions will not change no matter how much you attack each other. I support Student Bonfire and will always will.

I will also continue to strive for a better A&M. In many of my campaign speeches I stated that bonfire gave me a lot and I will stand by what I say when I said that with what bonfire gave me I will use to give back to this campus.

Thanks and Gig 'Em,
Jonathan 'Sonic' Nguyen '11

AND we just won three National Championships. Four total this year if you count equestrian. A few minutes ago, we got another player drafted to the NBA... CHIME ELONU!

We should definitely stop arguing and just prepare to BUILD THE HELL OUTTA BONFIRE this coming fall! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

[]1,

Of course you won't think the questions are answered if you don't read anyone else's post.

Are you seriously arguing that you cannot find one single example of somebody that has never participated in Bonfire doing something "destructive" on campus? Just one example throws your whole argument to the fish sticks.

Did any of your examples happen during the 1999.5-2002.5 Bonfireless stretch?

Does EVERY dorm/organization follow this trend, or is it isolated to a few specific groups in which the ruffians are a mix of both participants and non participants of Bonfire?

It's a shame that you got onto someone's bad side, and the two of you had a fight that had nothing to do with Bonfire except that you had quit, and he had not.


Oh and by the way, read the blog post on the link provided an you'll find nothing about Bonfire, only the corps.


One other thing to look at is the maturity level of the members of Student Bonfire (you included) before and after participation...

Jayci, no, it wasn't about fish sticks. It was about who makes the dinner for viking night. You mentioned it several times in the post, so I was curious what difference it makes if food is eaten with fingers versus a fork, provided food fights are not a result.

Well said, Waltonloads. Obviously I am from the pre-SB era, but have supported the group from the beginning (somewhere in my closet I have an old Unity Project t-shirt) and have attended a couple of burns when I am in Texas that time of year.

Bonfire people have always been rowdy, but so are the frats and so are the athletes. What I have seen since college days is that the people that were really involved with any of these (and other) activities went on to very successful lives. There are countless former redpots that are now lawyers. I knew a dumb kid with a sideways mohawk (Dunn crew chief)that is now a doctor, etc, etc. Almost all the folks I ran around with went on to get graduate degrees and more. College is supposed to be fun. Pranks should be pulled. Hijinks are to be had. This is the one time in your lives where you really only have to answer to yourself, so live it to the fullest and fight against anyone that wants to stifle the ol' army bonfire spirit. Work hard and play hard.