This is my 2000th post, and its my hope that you all find me worthy to be accepted into the Brotherhood. I joined this site a couple of years ago thinking it would be a good spot to learn about a hobby that I love, and a good place to market the cars I buy and sell from time to time. I have done just that, learned much and sold many. What I didn't realized back then, was how much this place would change my life, and man has it ever.
It started with just learning and being able to ask questions without somebody acting like they where better than you, or what an idiot I must be to ask such a dumb question. I never had anything like this ever happen to me. I have always felt welcomed, and found many willing to help. I've made some great friends on this site this way, many I've never met face to face, but good friends none the less.
I've made my living buying and selling things most of my life. I've always hated the title "Salesmen" because of its negative common stereo type. I have always tried to be as honest and factual as I can be with my customers to overcome this. I'm proud to be able to post my real name as my screen name for this main reason. I have many customers here at GD.com that are now also my friends. Friends I would not have met anyway else, thank you to all of you.
The rest of this post has to do with how this site has impacted my personal life. I've read so many posts from people reaching out for help of some kind, and then seeing so many be there to give it in an instant. I admired those that could do this, and decided that I too would like to be that kind of person. In the process of trying to help others, what indeed happened was many of my own skeletons came out of the closet. By reaching out to others, I opened up publicly to some of my own challenges that life has thrown at me. I can't begin to tell you all how it changed my life to get it out in the open and deal with it once and for all. This all happened while trying to help other members that where going through major trauma. So many thought I was helping them, when in reality it was really them helping me to move past things I've locked away all my life. Again, thank you to all, the keys ones know who you are.
I've never been a person that was very involved politically, and this has also now changed. This site has opened my eyes to so many different issues. From the people trying to close down the lands that we all love to play in with our families and friends, to government fraud and abuse, to human tragedy right here on our home land, getting little or no help while we send billions of aid around the world. Gun rights, taxation, economy issues, all of which I'm way more involved in and up to date on for no other reason that I logged on the GD.com and started reading what others felt they wanted or need to share. Amazing!
I'll end this by saying that I have tried to be an asset to GD.com. I've tried to be a glass half full vs a glass half empty member. I try to help others when I feel I have something that might indeed help that person out be it mechanical help, business or economical advice, or help with some type of family drama or loss. I try to bring as much to table as I can, but to be honest I have taken away much more than I feel I have been able to give back to all of you. So.....
Slappy and all the Members of GD.com. I'd like to take the next step and join the Brotherhood if you'll have me. Please accept my thanks to all of you for the last few years. I would be very honored to continue being a part of something that really has been a blessing in so many ways to me and my life. Again, thanks to all of you! Here goes, this is number 2000 !!!
Welcome to the BrotherHood Mr John Bishop, you are a valued member for sure. Thank you for being you and doing what you do.. 
to the hood.
Seriously though, one can learn a lot from your posts due to the nature in which you deliver the message. And just as you stated, you are one of the very few that use your real name as your screen name which in my book garners a little more respect than the next guy 
Welcome to the Hood John!!!
wow i have along way to go...
