Well I've seen a few of these around lately as EF grows older and more people reach the dizzy heights of 1000 posts or even in some cases approaching 10000! (I sware we should line him up and shoot him!)
I suppose these posts aren't too common I count (x2) 2 thousanders in the last year, so that warrants something a little more than "thank's, wheres the nearest bar?!"
This is my attempt at 2000 posts to say thanks for the laughs, advice and support many have given. Hopefully some of the stuff I've posted has been useful and not just useless drivel.
I joined EF back in 2007 where it was a very different place to what it is today, sometimes I miss the characters, the sarcasm and the open and free nature to the forum as it was then. I think EF in those days was not just wild on the forum but also at the events. Perhaps I'm getting too old, or I'm looking back with rose tinted specticles.
I remember thinking as many newbies do now "what the hell have I gone and joined this place is carnage", perhaps that's the appeal with EF, the random collection of opinions, people and ideas.
There is one thing that seems to be consistant is; the trust and the honest help people offer and the way that the community rallies in any crisis. The openess that people have at EF events encouraging others to attend and making them feel welcome.
It makes me believe that people on here are something special to offer this to a true stranger, it makes me believe perhaps there is more to society than greed. That fundamentally human nature is good. (Enough Fluff)
I have a lot to thank EF for over the years since I arrived in Basel as a fresh faced newbie to the Swiss scene.
That first night I drove from Cornwall in the UK to Basel dumped my stuff where I'd rented a room and attended an EF event 2hrs "after landing." I'm not one to do things by halves never have been.
What a night, great people, a beautiful place and "eyebrow" raising beer prices. I had so much fun when I eventually arrived home at 4am I'd forgotten about the 16 hr drive and gained another 10 friends. I knew from that point on Switzerland would always hold a place in my heart, and not just through beer goggles.
I met a lot of people in my time in Basel, some near and some further apart (Zurich, Zug, Luzern) some I still speak to today, others I lost contact with and would love to know how they are doing, how they are and to talk about the madness even if I don't wish to re-enact it. (I know you're lurking I've seen you, so say hello!)
Fate had it that I moved from Basel to the Netherlands for a couple of years,(not through choice) but I always kept an eye on EF to see what was going on.
What people were doing, who was getting married, who was having kids. I don't know why but it just seemed the most natural thing that EF not only delivered information, but relationships and children too! If anyone can explain this to me please do!
I went on holiday to Italy whilst living in the Netherlands (I drove through CH on the way down) and this obviously planted a seed to what could have been. I met up with a EF member in Zug that I knew well and the cogs started to tick. I used to love the chilled out drinking session that we're held down there in Zug and I used to make the effort to come down from Basel.
I suppose it's some what fate that January this year I arrived back in Zurich. There's only so long you can leave Switzerland without it drawing you back in.
The job had to be there and the opportunity came to move. I took it and I have to say I haven't regretted the decision since.
It's a very different life I now own to the previous stay in Basel, I suppose I've become older, wiser and a lot calmer. I gained a fiancee in between my Switzerland stays who I love more than anything.
I love the work I do, the place I live (god it's so pretty in rural Zug I stare at the view each morning) and I'm becoming truely appreciative of the natives and their daily toils and problems.
There's so much I try to fit into my life I wonder how I'm going to do it all.
I love the Swiss as people and the expats who complain about them have not truely found the time or the smiles to get to know them. A smile and a laugh goes a long way too. Try it you might find life easier
A lot has changed in my life and I'm eternally grateful to those who have helped me through my time in Switzerland not only in Basel but in Zurich/Zug also.
This applies to those still with us, those that have moved on and those we've unfortunately lost in tragic circumstances.
I suppose after 2000 posts I could take it a lot further, I'm not in a hurry to reach the "forum legend" tag, I don't need too. One day I suppose I will. Perhaps then I will consider my job done and I've contributed enough as a ratio of contribution vs what I have gained.
I will try however to be more useful and targetted in my postings. Protect the "innocent" and annoy the older generation who seem to have lost patience at times.
Perhaps this is me semi-leaving it to a new generation, to pick up where many left off. I have no doubt that newbies will contribute yet more valuable information, and that's what makes EF work.
As always if you need me I'll be there.
Muchos Gracias, and all the best
Cat x
Mods on high up and above - Why is it in the xtra section there isn't a report to see total postings per member? (top 100) Ordered by highest first?
- You really summed it up..
) but it is also about the relationships that are forged through the contacts made here. I think it is truly something amazing and am thankful to be a part of it! I hope as a noob here I can strive to follow in the footsteps of the Forum Legends who stroll about with a comfortable attitude in knowing they have made a positive difference 
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