You know who I miss? Tr00. Where is she? I came back here because of the people. For many years it was part of my daily life. I think I started posting in 1995 or some ridiculous thing. In the time intervening my life has changed incredibly. I used to be working at the State of Maine, living with a woman for years and my pets were cats. Now I'm living in Idaho, semi-retired and married to a man and my pet is a dog. I have two teenaged stepsons. I shared all of that stuff with the Bored. When I left the state I got out of the habit of posting. I kept trying to come back and not quite committing. I'd like to do that this time.
Think back. How has your life changed since you've been here and what things have you shared with the Bored over those years? Is there someone gone from here whom you particularly miss? What does keeping this forum mean to you, or would you be just as happy moving on?
It wasn't really about needing a search monkey. It was about provoking a conversation. I didn't want people to drag up all their past indiscretions, etc. I was looking to spark a little bit of nostalgia, maybe.
Well, unfortunately, my life has become significantly worse since I started reading this board. Back then, I had a perfect job with perfect co-workers, a very nice income, and an active social life. Now I suffer from horrible panic attacks (although they have improved in the past several months), and I can't work at all because of them. But I did meet my husband shortly after I started reading here, and we've been together for 10 years now - so that's a positive. I'm sure things will eventually get better, and I'm sure people have been through much worse. But I do have pity parties for myself from time to time.
Great question! I started posting in 2004 - had to look it up . In 2004, I was 26 years old and in my 4th year teaching. I was having fun, enjoying new-found freedom after being in a stupid relationship for way too long with the wrong person. Now I am married with a two-year old (sleeping in his crib beside me as I type this). Next week I start my 12th year teaching.
One thing I love about this place is the real friendships I've made. The people here are not just imaginary friends in my computer. They are people I adore, and have had to pleasure of meeting many.
I miss Doc Z. I know he isn't officially gone, but he doesn't post as much as he used to (but then again, neither do I). And VB. She pocket-dialed me the other day and it was kind of nice to "hear" from her, even though it was just muffled voices on the subway .
This message has been edited by Amber633 on Jul 24, 2012 8:50 PM
Hmmm. When I started posting here (2003) I had just graduated from law school and passed the bar and was about to start my first "real" lawyer job. Since then I've been up, down, back around, full circle.... In my first real I realized being a lawyer fucking suuuucks. Got a different job. Floated around, landed where I work now and I've been here for 4 years but I think it's time to jump again. I want to work in-house someplace.
I also met the last guy I want to date 3 years ago and I couldn't ask for much more.
What else. I'm thinking about buying a condo but that's probably a few months down the line still.
I started posting here in 2002. Carson was 3 and Lauren was 1. Since then I have had a third daughter (who is eight now!), we moved into a bigger house, and after eleven years as a stay at home mom, I started teaching preschool two years ago. I AM still driving the same car! My 2002 Mercury Villager with 81000 miles on it.
I don't post here very much anymore either but I still love you guys!!
I found this place sometime around the summer of 2001. I was nearing my ninth wedding anniversary. Now I'm nearing my 20th.
$2 joined us in 2003. It took a few years of his influence but I finally let go of whatever it was that drove me to enjoy confrontation as much as I did. My political perspective has been permanently influenced by the rational and passionate points made by Squid.
As a matter of fact, I've got a new best friend I made in the last couple years. He took me aside one day a few months ago to tell me about some mistakes he made many many years ago that he's been dragging around for nearly 40 years. Turns out I'm the only person he's ever shared that with. When I asked him why me and now? He said its becuase I have an open mind. I can only imagine that my friends here are responsible.
Of course, I still enjoy a heated debate on occasion. But I don't feel like I have to win or whatever. Instead I've focused all that energy and competitiveness into being a dad, husband, and of course my taekwondo. And I'm covered with bruises as result.
I've been really fortunate to have met some of the terrific people here, and they've really impressed me with their generosity and kindness. Dr Zh is high on my list of people who I must meet. Last spring he sent us a really kick ass kite from his collection. $2 and I have had a few turns trying to fly it. I've got it down pretty good, and $2 keeps trying. He'll get it and we've had a ton of fun together. I must also meet Tru face to face.
People I've met:
McScrubs
Ginny
Squid 3x or 4x
Ruby
I've just missed connections with Marney, and Anny.
The opinions expressed above are the sole opinions of the author and do not reflect actual human thought. Any resemblance to intelligent opinions is purely coincidental.
My 10 year anniversary of posting here is sometime in the next 2 weeks. I've gone through a million rides here. I'm a 9 year cancer survivor and got through the roughest parts of that bullshit with the help, love and support of a lot of people here. More so than some people in my real life. I've had a million fights and a trillion laughs. There are people I miss and those that I don't. I've been blown away so many times by the good and the bad it's too much to list. I've learned a metric ton from the mundane to the life-altering important. I've been miserable and crazy and caring and kind and probably everything in between. I've worked for 2 different companies with a year-long layoff between them. I've met quite a few borders and would love to meet some more but am wary now. I met my now husband here, who I've been married to for exactly a month today, and love him more now then when we met. It's been a roller coaster ride for me and I've been through so much but at the end of the day this place is special, at least to me, as are most of the people in it.
I started posting here forever ago and I've had so many laughs. At the time I was in a job I hated and was miserable with my life. I found fast friends here that all felt the same about their lives. I'm amazed how much our lives have all changed for the better, the happier, since we been here. I hope wherever hellbomb is, she's blissfully happy.
I've had some physical ups and downs and checking the board has always been a way for me to temporarily forget my problems. I'm grateful for that in ways I can not begin to express.
Today I love what I do every single day, I'm married to my best friend, my health is good, I have my dream house (in progress) and I still have time to check in here. Usually this place makes me laugh at least once a day.
When I started posting here 10 years ago, I was a woman trapped inside a man's body. Today, I have finally finished the last of my hormone therapies and the last of my surgeries, and...
Ok ok... no.
I started posting here just over 10 years ago. I was in a job that everyone in the world thought was the coolest ever but I utterly hated, and my marriage to my college sweetheart was in big trouble. A friend sent me tOdd's first cartoon, and I loved it. I poked around until I found this place, and laughed so hard at my desk at work, I can't believe they didn't fire me immediately.
I made some seriously great friends, with whom I was able to talk about all the trials and tribulations of my 30-something angst - in ways that I couldn't to my real life friends at the time. Most were about my now ex-wife of course, and I couldn't tell real friends until I was resolved to leave, because if I didn't, they'd just hate her. It meant so much to have the cliche to work it through with.
We all had something going on in the beginning, and I like to believe we all helped each other a lot. It wasn't all wine and roses, of course. There were some fights, some shitty bullshit judgemental crap, some profound disloyalties, and some outright hurtful lies. But we're people, and I guess that shit happens with people.
When my ex-wife started making my not posting on a message board a condition that we stay together, I realized just how insanely silly our lives had become. People here helped me realize that material stuff matters so much less than happiness. I realized that my ex-wife and I were holding each other back seriously from the things each of us really wanted, and that it was time to go. I think if she read this, she'd agree. Neither of us wanted to be the one to give up - and we were really great friends under all the strife - so I think she was honestly grateful that I took the blame for ending it.
Within a year of leaving I had a new, cooler job and I'd met the Mermaid. Eight years later I have three beautiful Children, we live in a great rural area, I have an even cooler job, and we're very happy.
I jokingly call this period Squid 2.0 - but who and where I am now could not be more different than where I was when I started posting here.
I started this forum back in the day almost as a spinoff from Laid-Off Land which was a Yahoo Group and the first forum on the site. (As much as I have issue with Net54-- if this place was a Yahoo group it would have been bad news bears).
I was living in the city and it was probably right around the time I realized that I actually was not going back to the type of work I did before. (Mainly, I had sales-y types of jobs for like a decade before the first cartoon). I was overwhelmed (and scared) about a full career restart.
The first cartoon had already taken off and I was getting interest from media and all sorts of stuff. It was all pretty surreal. I was single (dating here and there but single) but pretty much alone. While it was exciting it was also rattling and I remember really appreciating this forum as a place where there were friends at the end of the day. While Yahoo groups had thousands of people for a stretch it was unmanageable to me. Impersonal. I was glad this place was like a 'nook' of the website. And the people here were great (both on the board and in person). I even hooked up with one of the early poster girls (shh...)
And of course over time this place is like extended family. People come and go (sometimes I even come and go) but when you come back and post again it feels like 'home'. And even with the recent troll-- I think it's nice that we all have enough trust to all work the controls and mind the store. Likely, it's the only board on the net where it's tightknit and trusted enough where so many get editing powers and all that.
Also, no matter where I go-- here it is. New apartment, fiance, 2 dogs, filling a pilot order for an animated tv cable show in the Fall (fingers crossed) will actually have me commuting to an animation studio-- so for the first time in a while I'll be 'out the house'.
But I'm glad this place will be here for me when I get home... no matter where I go
As always, good vibes to all here-- especially to peeps who have struggled through the recent years. Have faith..Bee+
I started posting here almost 10 years ago. I began as Lurkergrrl, and once I stopped lurking and starting posting, I morphed into Truly Scrumptious. I was working at a job I was bored with, so I spent a lot of time posting here and chatting on IM with you guys. I had adopted my now 12 year old. I had a breast cancer scare that the peeps here really helped me through, especially DJ. I quit my job and went to work part time. I adopted another baby. Then I was laid off for three long years, and didn't spend my time here. Looking back, I should have, because the people here are fantastic, supportive, wicked funny, smart and kind.
I met McScrubs, VB, Squid and the Mermaid in person, and had so many laughs. Like Squid said, I'm a different person now than I was back then. I had no idea that I would come to be great friends with so many of you. Appalled may mock us for our "generosity", but I think it's one of the best results of hanging out here. It's more than chipping in to help someone get a kickass prom dress. There is a generosity of spirit here that is amazing.
A new chapter in my life began when I started posting here in July or August of 2002. Just a few short months after, B and I began dating and I started a new job about two weeks later which I'm still currently working. Most of you know my ups and downs from there on out and you have been an extremely huge support system for me.
Whenever I needed advice or had to rant this is the first place I'd run to. Sure, I had my friends and family but sometimes they'll tell you what you want to hear or take it easy on you. Here I could count on honesty and opposing opinions that might make me view my situation from a different angle.
I've grown a lot in the past ten years and I've said some things on here I regret. Some stupid, some mean. I've had the chance to apologise to some people and was forgiven but there are others where I didn't have that chance. I still say stupid shit now and then but I hope I'm not as insensitive as I used to be. The challenges in my life the past decade have definitely made me look at the world with new eyes.
My view has also been rosied by the people here. I'm with Lizz when she said it has restored her faith in humanity.
The Holiday Card Exchange is a small but special event in my life during the holiday season. I was never a holiday card giver or receiver before DJ threw this together and it's something I look forward to every year. (Thanks again, Deej!).
Laughs. Definitely! I love the wit that's thrown around in this place. I love the little games we play (I miss the assassin game) and the debates are always interesting. Even though we can disagree with one another at times there's always something where we can find common ground.
I've met people off the internet from other places besides TDFB but this is definitely the strongest e-family I've ever had.
I wandered over here after being a fan of tOdds toons in February of 03.
Since then Ive stayed working for the same college, but have changed jobs a few times. Back then I was still getting used to a hugely reduced salary since quitting being a public school teacher, and working in an office. In my various jobs here Ive learned a great deal about people, both good and bad. Even with all of the bad stuff I am grateful for the various learning experiences.
I believe it was early 2004 when I met with a Native American Shaman (who is also a psychic medium) who helped me a great deal in advancing my spiritual journey. Ive always been hesitant to share spiritual stuff here, but in 05 I became a Reiki practitioner, and now finally seven years later Im becoming a Reiki Master. Since then Ive also learned a lot of other stuff, and feel that Im becoming more and more of who I really am. Even since just over a month ago when I had my first Reiki Master class I am a completely different person.
The regular people on this bored have shared their lives with me, as well as entertained me, taught me lots of good stuff, and become my friends. I feel closer to many of you than I do to anyone else in this world. When I was home for a week recovering from the dog attack it was YOU all who sent me kind words, flowers, and chocolate.
The fact that many of us send each other holiday cards and other surprises says a lot about our community here. We really are a family.
I am so glad that Ive got to meet several people from here . . . Arwen, Amber, Doc Z., Caps, Aurora and Squid (and mermaid & kids). I hope to be able to visit with all of you again, and also meet all the other people with whom I consider friends. I wish I was better at expressing myself. A lot of times I dont reply to threads for different reasons, but Im always rooting for you all. Anything I can do to help you in any way, I am here for you.
I found the Laid Off cartoons probably around 2003. I didn't look around the rest of the site much. I was pretty new to the internet, not all that savvy about it. Still aren't, as you can see. I used to read the daily facts from the TV and liked the 80s videos, whatever, but never clicked on the CHYATTT or whatever it was until maybe 2005 or so? I lurked for quite a while. There was some drama going on, but boy, was I in for a shock at how much. I read the rules, picked a name, and dove in because I really wanted to be a part of this place. All the things mentioned in these other posts are so great and I have always had a hard time making friends - this seemed like a good outlet to make some. Good god almighty, did it blow up in my face. I took it for a while, then finally exploded and told somebody to fuck off (maybe Lizzlee? I don't know, it was coming from every direction). I made a couple of half-hearted attempts to pick other names after that, because I can't quit you. I finally just gave up and posted anon, much to the chagrin of Squid and several others. I'm still accused of being every past poster under the sun, but I'm none of them because I never "caught on."
I think you all have a great thing here. I enjoy reading about your lives - and I know it's voyeurism, but I can't help coming here. All the good and bad, the ups and downs, how you help each other and care. It's something I just can't stop. Worse than cigarettes, even. I realize at this point that there is no way to get traction when you've all been here for a decade. And I miss Doc Z.
I started posting here around 2001, I think. I had changed jobs from working for a Japanese company to a Finish one in July of 2001. Was in Finland during 9-11, and pretty much all over the country and planet since then.
Gained a lot of weight, lost a lot of weight- stayed more or less sober during this time. Wife came down with breast cancer in 2007, went through chemo/radiation/surgery with her. This was such a stressful time in our lives, we are all (wife, kids and I) struggling with a form of post traumatic stress syndrome. Our first court date was yesterday (I was of town, of course). I guess we have to put the house on the market within the next 45 days. I have no idea how that's going to happen...
Through it all, there is the bored. You guys have been constantly a source of feedback and support, and without you I think I'd be a little nuttier than I already am.
The only way to be part of the community and have people care about you is to pick a name and stick with it, no matter what happens.
And take the socialization people give you.
I'm not half as nasty as I was in the beginning. $8 is downright cuddly. All of us 'grew up' on the Internet on this site. Pick a name, be less black and white in your positions, and join the party anon.
That's what bugs me. It feels like you're not just a voyeur, it's like you're enjoying the club without paying dues.
This message has been edited by SquiddyBoy on Jul 25, 2012 12:30 PM
Plus - We have all said things and done things here we are not proud of at one point or another. Read the above posts for proof. We make mistakes and we move on. Pretty sure no one is mad at you for saying fuck off 7 years ago. They probably don't even remember it. That's the thing about sticking with an identity. But when you shuffle your name all the time, we don't trust you. There are too many certifiable psychos, and you probably aren't one of them, but we don't know.
I only started posting back in 2007 so I'm a newbie by these other peeps standards. I forgot how I discovered oddtodd.com but it was back in 2000 or so. I enjoyed the Whats Happenings, the Daily Fact I Learned From TV, and all that for years and years, several times a week. One day I clicked through to the board to actually post about a daily fact he had had, actually thinking this place was for discussions of content. I lurked for a while before posting at all.
Sometimes I do regret having joined the facebook crowd with the real names and all, as there's been personal and family issues that I'd have loved to discuss over the years with the fine people here, but since RL is so accessible via fb I've hesitated, as often "personal issues" actually are code words for "talking shit". Anybody else ever kinda wish for anonymity again?
My sister had come for a visit the previous Xmas and showed me the Cookay Slots game, which we were both very amused by, and I discovered there was a whole website behind it. I bought tOdd's book and wrote to tell him how much I enjoyed it and his cartoons and mentioned "I looked through your Press/Radio links today and a lot of them don't work anymore." tOdd ended up hiring me to fix up the broken links and to do other site-related stuff for him for a few years. I had no idea about the bored and when I did discover it, I thought I had to ask his permission to post because you all seemed so tight.
My first post was in Nov of 2004.
At that time I was on stress leave and going thru mediation with a co-worker that had been harassing me for more than a year. I was just building my self-confidence back up and met so many nice people here that provided me with positive feedback on my posts and my photos and...me and well, I was on top of the world.
Then my marriage ended. I spent the next five years as a zombie, drinking way too much and making bad decisions. It was my second divorce and I was completely and utterly devastated. Around that time Virgil's board had dissolved and I became hated by quite a few people from there and here and it really affected me. No one knew what I was going through in my real life and a lot of the support and positive relationships I had here fell apart.
In 2006 (I think) I lost my job and was in limbo for a good year. In 2008 I was diagnosed with cervical cancer and lost my ability to have kids. During that time the support I received from here was overwhelming. It still is when I look back at it.
Today I have a new job and a new understanding of myself. I am lucky enough to have met a lot of you and count some of you as some of my best friends, real or otherwise. I hope to meet many more of you in the years to come.
As much as this place sucks some times, I am so happy to be a part of it.
Eclarity
This message has been edited by jeannien on Jul 25, 2012 1:08 PM This message has been edited by jeannien on Jul 25, 2012 1:08 PM
No one said that, but if you often take a perfectly nice thread where everyone is getting along and make it all about you when it isn't - you are right, just stay anon.
Anon, since you have been here so long, surely you recall that Kohs and Rainy took a LOT of flack for a LONG time, but they stuck it out with those names, and look where they are now!
ETA and I'd venture to guess you're not the only one who has told me took fuck off in the past ten years, and I'm cool with that. I'll even own up to occasionally deserving it.
This message has been edited by Lizzlee on Jul 25, 2012 1:29 PM
THAT's combative? Amateur. I've said worse to Squid myself. If you want to accepted here, you have to be able to take the heat. I myself have been told to fuck off, have been told I was fat, have been told I was a pathetic attention whore, have been told I was way less intelligent than I thought I was, and a hundred other slights. I have also told many regulars here to fuck off, that they were dicks, idiots, assholes, asshats, asswipes, assinine, and on occasion, stupidheads. I know for a fact that I told 8 Bucks he was at least half of those.
My personality is gregarious, and I often spill too much. I have been accused of being a bitch, a pity party of one, a schemer, a betrayer of confidences, a behind-the-scenes Machiavelli, and even once or twice a cunt. !! I have been misunderstood in my meanings, judged harshly, overreacted to, and have returned that favor to about everyone here. I have had stalkers, enemies, and relentless badgers after me. I have had bad words with almost everyone here. Because we all behave badly once in awhile, and especially when we are going through shit. And if we keep coming back people eventually get to see where our heart is, even when our mouths overload our donkeys, as my husband would say. So be anon if you want, but if you're looking for traction here, you need to pick an identity and stick with it. Don't bail on it just because everyone hates you on Tuesday. If who you really are is a decent person, we'll like you again by Friday.
Oh, and for all the times I've been called a fat whore or a pig or bitch or whatever else, the worst was being accused of having bad taste in shoes by Appalled. Now that hurt.
Agreed. When you have a name, over time you earn money in the bank. So when you say 40 neat things, and then come out with something less cool, you get something of a pass. Ten years of it, and well, Caps can call me a girl and I smile.
So again, sincerely sorry Anon. I was really trying to show you a path, not make you want to gouge your eyes out. I'm gonna stop now because this is such a nice thread, and I don't want to shit it up by bickering with the anon again.
Too late! Smirk already shitted it up! Just kidding. Actually that little touch was just what the thread needed to make it complete. Reading this thread has reminded me why this place is the perfect forum for imperfect souls who care about each other and have a sense of humor.
*yes, some members have fucked others, and I'm not one of them, but I'm not telling you who! Except I figure probably DJ and Whitey. LOL!
It took me forever to get through this thread because I read what each of you posted twice. I can remember so many of the events that are cited in your posts. I can remember many of you from "back then" and am so happy to know you now.
I started posting right before my move to California in winter of 2004. We had planned the move for a couple of years to coincide with the HS graduation of my younger child. It was exciting to find out that DJ, Ginny, and Ruby were neighbors.
So from desert to beach girl, I entered the new phase of empty nester and new kid in town with the lot of you. So many many funny moments, many touching ones, and sad/tragic ones too. I wouldn't trade a thing. It was quite difficult to break in and establish myself as a recognized individual. The group was very tight and the influx of newbies around the time I joined was large. But I just count those of us who joined around 2004 and the second wave of Toddlers - the class of 2004
My life STYLE has changed so much since I joined but not really my life. I feel fortunate that I haven't been through anything too difficult, and I remain in admiration of those of you who have and triumphed.
I will charice your mangling of the English language and the way you come off really Kookoo for Coco Puffs while managing to make some sort of wild sense. Bless you and we ladies all bless multiple "o" 's!!!!
Work has slowed down a bit, so I've been lurking for a few days. It's about to pick back up again, so I've been waffling about actually posting anything. Posting stuff makes me feel invested and responsible, which is great in down-time, but SUCKS when I'm busy.
While I'm not a big dominant force here, I feel crazy-invested in y'alls lives. I've said it before - it's like watching an extended reality show. People you love to love, love to hate, inspirational in good times and bad. And I absolutely wouldn't be the same person without this board, specifically (and slightly unbeknownst to her) VB.
I started lurking around 2003ish? My first name was "Sunny."
VB's totally pimping hashing all the time was really nutty to me at first. Until it eventually piqued my interest - I thought it'd be nice to have a fun way to exercise. And with enough posts about it from her, I eventually looked it up and joined. And holy shit. I admit it's not for everyone, but for me, it's like the family I never knew I had. And the cheapest cult I've ever joined. I'm so invested now it's embarrassing. And hashers probably make up about 70% of my friend-pool. Whoda thunk it? People actually think I'm a runner. HA!
I used to love getting all the internet memes here first (now they seem to hit FB first). I love the photo threads. One of my favorite pics of all time is the one of Kathleen's kids in the car laughing their butts off. Watching DJ kind of ~become~ a photographer was/in incredible. I love the political threads. I don't usually go looking for stuff to read about politics, but catching up with "cliff's notes" here makes me sound like I know what's going on.
Now I'm married to a fabulous guy, taught myself how to play guitar, and am trying to be a good step-mom, even though I feel like I'm the one getting parented most of the time. heh. Always in St. Louis.
I'd be interested to see what Obscure Poet/OP/Opie, McScrubbs, and Freki were up to now. Maybe Freki not as much, that was a crazy shitstorm. But so weird? Hard to believe that was potentially a real person. And I don't think I was around when McScrubbs stopped posting, although I gathered it was on bad terms...
I feel like I could go on forever about all the positive influences y'all have had on me, but I have to friggin go back to work.
I will say that 2004 through about 2007 was probably the absolute worst time of my life, and I'm thankful that I had a place to vent. Even if I did get called a whiner by Squid.
Sorry Ginny! I'm so sorry we got in that fight that sparked the great Scrubs exodus. Funny that whatever it was between you and I immediately seemed so trivial on that one.
I don't think you're a whiner at all now, for what it's worth.
I started posting here in 2003/probably 2004. I had just (well, a year earlier) lost all my hair, and just been diagnosed with some pretty major depression that had me off work for a year. Posting here and chatting (I actually used to use MSN!) with many of you kind folks kept me fairly sane.
Ginny, it's funny that you say that because I got called a whiner too (I don't remember by who, but I remember being really hurt by it - probably because of the issues mentioned above) and stopped posting for awhile but like most others - I can't stay away. Whoever it was that called me out on my whining - thank you and you're forgiven all at once!
In the time that I've been here I have had so many good times, and some bad. Rob and I got married (six years in August!), I went back to work and am happier than ever with my job after some ups and downs at different workplaces.
My hair hasn't grown back and probably never will but IDGAF to be honest, except for when I'm feeling wig frustration. Three years ago this week we were told that we would never have kids, which sucks major ass, but for the most part we're getting past it. I'm not sure I ever shared that here and if I did it was only in passing but whatever.
We got a couple of cute dogs who are so very sweet. One of whom is currently trying to climb up on my shoulder and be a living fur stole but it's summer and I won't let him.
I've kind of backed off on posting much personal stuff on the Board, esp. photos, because, well, duh. But I get so excited when I read about everyone else's news and see everyone else's photos. I miss that, but I think I'm too much of a wuss to put myself out there, you know?
I've met one Board person (Becka, who doesn't really post here anymore) and would love to meet more so if any of you are ever up here...
Honestly I can't say I've ever met a finer group of computer people. Todd has been very kind to me, as have so many others of you on the Board (I remember Ginny helping me to get my bridesmaids' gifts because I was poor/cheap and they wouldn't ship to Canada, as only one example).
Uh... this is all sappy and I sound drunk so I will stop. Thanks for the thread, Tam.
I forgot to mention, I bought a puppy I obsessed over before buying and then obsessed over training and talked about nothing else and made you all listen and now that puppy just turned 10.
Also to sad sack anon.... Of all people, Squid tries so hard to socialize newbies and teach you how to get along with the group. You see very defensive to constructive critisim and unable to take even the simplest direction and that's whats stopping you from joining the group. If you just take squids advice you won't be a wall flower anymore.
This message has been edited by Appalled on Jul 25, 2012 3:53 PM
I was just a baby when I started posting here! I was 19 and had just moved to Memphis from Okc. It was the most spontaneous life changing decision I have ever made, but also the smartest thing I have ever done. I found tOdds laid off cartoons on another website (black sheep something or other), and shortly thereafter, I began lurking on the bored. My first post, according to the searchy, was Sept 2004. I loved this place pretty much immediately. I remember it as a bright and fun loving place where I could escape for a little while and just have fun. Everyone was fairlly welcoming and I don't remember running into many hateful Anons for a while. The few times they've come at me, though, it's stung enough to keep me gone for a bit. Nowadays I post sporadically at best, but I'm almost always lurking.
When I first moved here, it was just me and my dad and I had a part time retail job. Since then, my dad remarried and my stepmom has given birth to 2 little boys named Carter and Connor. They're 6 and 3 now and they're my best little pals. I have a nice office job now and live with my boyfriend of 3 1/2 years, 3 cats, and most recently, a sweet little puppy. Life is pretty swell.
I've only met one boreder (who no longer posts here). I was young and stupid and I truly regret it. However, I wouldn't be opposed to meeting most of you all if the opportunity presented itself. I'd really like it, actually.
A couple years ago I participated in my first OTTVB Christmas Card exchange. It was so great! I wanted to last year, but it just wasn't in my budget. This year I'm really gonna try to make it happen.
So that's my story, I guess. Tam, thanks for this thread. It's been really neat to go through these posts and remember all these events we've experienced together. I've got a pretty strong case of the warm fuzzies.
"I don't really know, but I suspect the addition of nuts." - Squid
This message has been edited by yayforsquirrels on Jul 25, 2012 5:14 PM
As far as the X-mas card exchange goes, (thanks for the props, guys) we have a slew of little elves around here who love to help however they can so please know if you'd like to participate but can't we'll make the reason why go away. K? K.
This thread really has me feeling sentimental and missing things like 3 way phone calls with Truly and Heidi, shopping with Gin, crazy IM sessions with 10 people, Squid epics, and so much more.
I remember one year I was fighting with Aurora for some reason, and Caps says to me in IM "Hey, we are going to IM Christmas Carol Aurora". And I said "No, I don't like Aurora!" And he said "Stop it, it's Christmas you bitch". So he got a like 4 or 5 people together and we sang a carol to Aurora over IM, and it was fun and suddenly Aurora and I didn't hate eachother anymore. Then we kept on hitting people up with carols and the group kept getting bigger because we had more people each time... good times. A good board memory for sure. Sometimes this place is just super awesome.
This place needs an "I hear ya, Sister (Bro)" button.
It'll get better, and we're all here to watch you succeed and cheer you on. Also to agree when things frickin' suck. And that that person is an asshole, but what that other person did for you was amazing.
And sometimes we'll think to ourselves, "My life is in the shitter right now, but at least I don't have to deal with what XXXXXX is going through."
I'm sorry, Aurora. I am sending you virtual vibes.
The best time I ever had in one of those crazy IM sessions was when JT had his meltdown in the Assassin game. I don't ever think I laughed so hard and so much. I less than three you guys.
OMG I remember that! I wasn't in on IM's in those days, but I sure remember the meltdown! I defended him, I think. Against you assholes! Yeah, it's all coming back!
I started posting in 2005. I'm 90% on that. I had just moved back to Rhode Island after spending the better part of my 20's in Tennessee. I thought I would just start right off where I left off with my old friends, but life is funny that way and after a certain amount of time and change, you really can't go home again. So I had a service job that paid ok and I worked from home. Time on my hands.
I started at the movie board and made my way over here during the first mayoral race. Squid's posts blew me away. It seemed like he took this place so seriously, and put so much thought into some of his posts. And then right after one of his posts, I would read someone else just busting his balls sometimes, and I thought it was great. The back-and-forth. So I lurked for like an hour and then jumped in head first. I made all the newb mistakes, I think. But, the boarders went easy on me. Maybe y'all just needed some fresh blood. I continued to get in stupid fight after stupid fight, inexplicable ones like with David and AC, two men who I've come to respect greatly, along with many others. I'm still an asshole from time to time but what the hell? right?
I've met some of the kindest people I've ever known on this board. I feel like I've definitely made some great friends here. It's a lot like real life. You get what you give, but maybe even a little more with this place.
The Scrubby incident changed it for me, however. I'm different. My posts are different, I think.
As for my life, way different. I'm more of a success so far than I think I really thought I would be. I've grown up. I understand my place in the world, I think maybe.
Anyway, cool thread. Let's all make sure it's not a postmortem.
I could say so much more. But I'm cooking chowder for the first time.
started here in 2004 after searching for a funny vid for a friend who had lost their job. Watched every toon over and over and peed my drawers from giggling too much.
Found this part of the site and loved how funny, loopy and sarky you all were and me; separated earlier that year, needed some major Ha Has. I jumped in. Yep, all loopy sarky and mental......... TRYING to blend. HA! Well after learning and slowing the hell down, I've remained and haven't annoyed too many of you. I hope.
Linds was 8, she is now 16. I am finally divorced. Dated a little but I really like being single and besides I want to be there 100% for Linds. Being a single mom takes work and I'll go to my grave knowing I was the best I could be. I am also a Catmom to 2 beasts (we lost 3 in those 8 years as well).
Freelance work hit a snag last year with the hospitalization and craziness to follow but most of that's resolved now and was overwhelmed with shock and gratitude when a bunch of you sent me a netbook and router to help me stay in touch easier. Words are simply not enough to explain what you friends did for me.
LOVE the card exchange, how we can vent, share, question and console. Love how Bored meetups happen and friendships flourish, and how bridges can be mended.
Like most of you, I found tOdd's site in the early 2000s. I had just had a major breakdown, hissy fit, hate-my-job, my co-workers suck, want to quit meltdown. I did quit my job- I still ten years later have nightmares about it- and went back to school. I somehow managed to get my degree in teaching while losing my mother, two grandmothers, an aunt, and two uncles in three years. Of course, all that loss took a toll, and after I graduated, I promptly sunk into a year-long depression. In that time, I found this bored, but never felt strong enough to join in. Tried once, and scared myself off. But I admit, the laughs I got from you all helped a lot.
Finally, some good!! I had my son the next year, and I get to stay home with him. I'm not here as often anymore, but I still read when I can. I normally don't have much to add to convos, so I don't chime in, but I like to here and there. Like Squid Boy said, it's time I paid my dues for all the entertainment I've enjoyed. I think what I get most from this place is the realization that there are still good people in the world.
Now, please, someone else post so I don't kill this thread!
Ok, I don't even remember my pass,it's been 10 years.
I admit to being a lurker. I found this place, and immediately loved it. Got a log in, and wham, was hit with anon hate so bad. I was so forthcoming, when I said where I lived, the anons just jumped on it and slapped me down.
So, just stayed anon. It was easy. I only commented on threads to be nice (mostly fashion shit, yeah) Wanted to kill Appy on a few occassions when she was just wrong. I think I actually posted Anon just to give her shit about those effing wreaths.
Anyway, I commented so nice as anon to the new pet threads (I have a lovely 75 lb Siberian) I just love dogs, think all pet threads are awesome.
I don't think I have ever had a sexual dream about Squid -- am I in the minority??
Is that enough? Oh, I used to live in the ATL area, have been in FLA taking care of my 78 yr old mother, but I do remember commenting on a thread by AC I think, a year or so ago, about vacationing down here. Maybe Caps, but someone asked about vacationing in the South. I'm originally from Colorado, so miss it there. But I'm buying a house on Jekyll Island (I told him about vacay there) next month, just a stones throw from where Leah was on Saint Simons (I think?? where is she)
Anyway, that's just me. And here is my child, Phoebe:
Stay Ilsa and Skelsea! I mean stay those names. Tough it out. Don't duck and shuck your id as soon as someone takes a shot at you.
Caps, it's obvious to me that this is anything but a post-mortem. More like a check-up. A diagnostic history that reminds the Bored that it might be a bit anemic, but it just needs a shot of adrenalin once in awhile. How's that for a metaphor?
I love the shit out of this thread. I love the humanity here. Everyone who posts has a common thread. We try to get out and the Bored keeps pulling us back in.
Aw, wish we could see the pic! How old is she? What's the last hilarious thing she did?
Hannah, my 11 year old daughter, is cat-sitting for the next-door neighbor I had a falling out with years ago. While she was there, she called me, and quietly asked me if Miss T had cameras. Knowing she's not the snooping sort and IS the sweet-tooth sort, it immediately clicked for me. Miss T always has a bowl of candy out, and Hannah WANTED SOME. She was just afraid if she went ahead and helped herself she would be nabbed by some sort of nanny cam. So, please note: she knew she shouldn't help herself, but wanted to check with me if she would get caught if she did!!! After a few minutes of hemming and hawing and asking why Miss T would have a bowl of candy there, I told her I was sure she wouldn't mind if she took ONE PIECE. It was as if she had struck gold.
Ok, here's my story. I can't recall how I found the site, I just happenstanced upon it. Somehow, I became fixated with how those people seemed to co-exist on the silly tv board. It was a friendly banter I didn't understand, yet enjoyed so I kept quiet and became a daily reader. It was nuts and so much fun. Everyone seemed to joke around, poke some fun at each other and yet when it came down to a serious topic, they were all over it.
While I stink at searching, I think my first post was around December 2004 ish but I'd been reading for a fair while before that.
After a bit, I broke out of my shell and decided to jump into the fray. It was a lot of fun until I learned there was a crapload of devious, manipulative behaviour going on and I wanted no part of that. I got fooled and I was crushed. Dumbass me. Shortly after the giant fallout, my dad died, my best friend on the planet died and my daughter's love of her life blew his brains out.
I still have the signed flower card.
I post now and again but frankly, I don't need to be made to feel any shittier than I do now, thus my resolve to back up into the depths of the lurk.
I will say though, nice to see you back Tam, you sure do add a lot.
"Of all people, Squid tries so hard to socialize newbies and teach you how to get along with the group. You see very defensive to constructive critisim and unable to take even the simplest direction and that's whats stopping you from joining the group. If you just take squids advice you won't be a wall flower anymore."
Thanks for the sage advice, Appy. I never said I wasn't content with my lot. In fact, I like it.
And Squid's advice is what I took the first time I ever posted here - it just didn't work out so well. However, he recently spent a lot of time and energy deleting non-Deng posts, so his advice no longer holds a lot of water for me. Ginny is the giver of good advice - short, sweet, and often funny. Not a slog through eight paragraphs of uggghhhh.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death - wouldn't tell him I was hungry!
Really nice to read these stories and remember some of the past of the Board. I've been at times a big part of the place, and now, more of a lurker. I will say it has influenced my life in good ways and has given me two of my best friends (though we rarely talk outside of IM and the net).
These days, it does scare me a little at times. Just seems to be a lot of bitter people who know a little too much about us...and are anon. Bad mix.
For me personally, I've been happy to see how life has changed for Appy and Squid - the two people I referred to earlier.
Its unnerving either way - as is your baiting of people. If you want to not make people feel that way, then stop doing it and take on some sort of persona...and engage int he give and take. Otherwise, just leave people in peace.
You know anon, I actually think you're right. I really did think a lot of people agreed with me. I was wrong. I was waging my own campaign against you thinking I was doing the board a favor, and that I was being cheered on from the sidelines.
The silence of my friends finally became apparent to me, and then one recently laid it out for me. So I'll stop.
So it really does seem to be just that we don't like each other, so I'm gonna try to swallow my distaste for you as much as possible. I asked you nicely to please stop shitting up this nice thread above, but I'll ask again. Please feel free to start another thread called "Ways Squid Boy sucks."
Great thread. I've enjoyed reading all the stories and remembering being here when many of those events took part.
This coming Oct 30th will mark my 10th year coming here. Todd appeared on the Today Show on (I think) May of 2002, his story intrigued me and looked for his website and toons, a couple days later I found the TV Board. In those days I got NBC through cable and that's how I found this place.
I think I'm the only non-English speaker left here, the other one was Makoto and I miss him.
For the last 10 years, I've remained working for the same company (but not doing the same job) and married to the same guy, we've had our difficulties, but are succeeding in staying married.
I couldn't stop posting in those early days, and made some mistakes. I was not only a n00b, but also someone from another culture. You guys not only helped me to improve my English, but also to broaden my horizon, and thanks pretty much to how much I've improved my understanding of the language here, I now also freelance as a translator from time to time. In fact, I hope that will be my main occupation in the future, which would allow me to work from home full time.
I remember you guys were the first ones to console me when I found out that my Dad had only 3 months to live, I was at work when I got the phone call and you guys were my nearer "friends" in that moment.
I love the fact that I have friends all over the US, Canada and AUS, and that I get to understand better your politics and way of life because of you. I haven't met any of you in real life, but would love to be able to.
I know that I don't post much these days, but I'm always here and I hope this place stays here for us to play I absolutely LOVE to participate in the XMas Card Exchange, all my nephews and nieces think I'm cool just by getting so cards from so many people.
Do you realize we've heard stories from about 30 people, all telling how this place has affected their lives? And the overwhelming majority of them came away with a positive about it. I was telling my brother, who is quite active on Facebook, that I had been posting on and off with alot of the same people on a message board for about 12 years, and he was astounded. He said, "Wow, that's loyalty! You must really enjoy each other!" We are kind of unique in our longevity and in other ways.
Hi my name is whitey. I can barely remember this Tuesday, let alone anything from over a decade ago. So I started here back in, um...Tuesday? I was a young dirty bastard, fresh off the boat from Montana to California: an obnoxious, rock 'n roll drunk junkie asswipe, neck deep in a silly engagement that dissolved a few months after getting here. Determined not to tuck tail and run back home, I found myself inexplicably trapped in a toxic vortex with the most manipulative, egomaniacal asshole I've ever known. While I have always been pretty awesome, this eventually poisoned me in such way as I became uncharacteristically far too involved in - and affected by - the preponderance of drama and people and stuff that was going on here at the time. Things got weird and problematic. I may have become a bit less awesome (although that's certainly debatable). I left the board for some years...but not before I met this cool chick here. I literally starved myself to save the cash to move to her city (and, incidentally, away from the monster that was trying to ruin my life).
I married her the other day. It was cool. Things are good.
Lurkers and Anons: lolwut? Given how long some of you say you have been around, you have obviously seen how nearly all of us have knocked each other around for many years and are still more or less fine with each other (give or take). I still don't get what sort of fanfare people are expecting when they start posting, but that doesn't happen in real life and it doesn't happen here. You earn the "Norm" treatment by regular, identifiable participation. If you say something stupid or act the fool, yeah you'll probably get shit on...just like the rest of us. Deal? Deal.
If you want a special place in someone's heart, you gotta take a few punches on the way in.
*Edited: One too many awesomes (if that's possible).
This message has been edited by whYtee on Jul 26, 2012 7:57 PM
Thanks Whitey. I had forgotten what a way with words you have. I remember some of your writings from days of yore. There was a guy I remember you used this phrase about him that always stuck with me "most people had issues, he had a whole subscription." I loved that! If you're still writing I'd love to see some of your stuff. Between you and DJ you could publish a great story with pictures!
![[linked image]](http://i.imgur.com/gvDdF.gif)
