Just a Message Board...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

Well, I beg to differ...

I keep seeing people say this is just a message board, after all...

No, it's not...

It doesn't have to be just that, anyway...

There is considerable power here...

For good, or ill...

I want all of you to know that being here has changed my life in some very real, tangible ways...

I've had the enormous privilege to meet several people here who have become 'real life' friends, very dear friends to me...

Without their influence, their love and caring, I would not be who I am today!

I am not exaggerating ...

DU, and more specifically, the Lounge, has affected me beyond any idea I had when I joined...

It's not just a message board....

I love it here...

I love you all!

:grouphug:

[lightningandsnow]

1. I love you too!

You are amazing, and have affected my life in a positive way.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear AsieGrrl!

I am so glad, sweetie!

I know you're counting the months...

Thank you...

:pals:

[Inchworm]

2. I love you too Ms. Peggy!

Tell it. Tell it. :)

:hug::loveya::grouphug::loveya::hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear Inchworm!

Wow, sweetie!

I've been wanting to say this for a long time...

Today I felt coherent enough to do it...

Thank you...

:hug:

[Inchworm]

6. Quite liberating, huh?

hehe

:woohoo:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. You have no idea how liberating!

:woohoo:

[Inchworm]

9. I do! I do!

:rofl:

My thing was I seemed to do it when I was 2.8 sheets in the wind and couldn't remember what I was doing after the 4th or 5th reply :D

:loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. I got ya!

I rarely drink, so this is not a problem!

:loveya:

[TZ]

4. I agree with you Peggy

Its done some of the same for me too. BTW..Is there isn't anyone who doesn't love you?
:yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear turtlensue!

I'm so glad it's had the same effect on you!

Alas, there are some here who don't love me...that's life, sweetie!

Thank you!

:hug:

[DarkTirade]

11. Just a message board?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. My dear DarkTirade!

Ooooh, great graphic!

That is very cool....

But Sparta this is NOT!

Silly...

:hug:

[DarkTirade]

15. Yeah, if I had any animated gif software I woulda changed that to DU. :P

I used to have a little freeware program... musta uninstalled it to save harddrive space or something. Ah well, c'est la guerre.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

13. we see things differently

no problem.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. My dear Tuesday Afternoon!

No problem indeed, sweetie...

We bring different things to this place...

We take different things from it...

I'm having fun, and I hope you are as well... :hug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. My dear CaliforniaPeggy

sometimes I have fun. Other times, not so much. Not everyone loves me like they do you. I am ok with that.

[puerco-bellies]

17. You are so right Miss C-P

I landed here just after the selection under a different name. This place is a place of refuge and I am grateful to Skinner and the DU community as a whole for the entertainment and information it has provided for the last 8 years.
:grouphug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. My dear puerco-bellies!

It is (or can be) a real refuge...

It's an amazing experience, and I too am grateful!

:grouphug:

[ThatsMyBarack]

19. DU has changed my life, too!

I've learned to stand up for myself and not be treated like a doormat!

:loveya:, CP!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. My dear danagsk8!

Atta girl!

That is such a great thing to learn...:hug:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

21. DU is fascinating, but I do ultimately try to play the "It's just a message board" game.

Not to be nasty towards other people, or to excuse my own shitty behavior, but simply because, well, for me it is--my investment in DU has lessened over the past year or so. Sort of amusing, to watch all the regulars cavort around, interacting so deeply with other people--just nothing I've ever truly been a part of, for better or for worse. For me it's best to keep reminding myself "It's only a message board; it's not anything to worry about."

:)

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. My dear WIMR...

I thought I'd seen less of you these days...

You do what works for you here...

That's the great thing about DU...

It is many different things to all of us!

:hi:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

35. Thank you for this WIMR

That is the way I take it as well.

[RainDog]

22. My Dear Ms CaliforniaPeggy

You are one of those souls who make everyone feel comfortable and blessed by your presence.

I love to come to the lounge too, to read the poetry threads and to commiserate when someone needs a good word, and to find things to laugh about.

(and hey, Tuesday... I feel the same about you! I always like to see your "face" on the poetry threads.)

and I enjoy reading what just about everyone has to say if I can ever get around to reading things... I can't keep up most days.

I think we had a moment of that "chaos theory" thing - the posting of pixels in one ether caused all sorts of people to talk about different things - but all related to the desire to be a group who cares for one another.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. My dear RainDog...

Thank you for your very kind words...

This works for me...the desire to be a group who cares for one another.

:hug:

[Writer]

25. CalPeg, I don't think that term is meant as an insult.

Back 10-12 years ago, when we Gen X'ers were in college, sites like these were called "bulletin board sites." In other words, a person would "pin up" a question or comment, then other people would "pin up" responses to that comment. DU very closely follows that format.

Certainly DU has some enhancements... personal messaging, and the ability to capture messages you post into your "journal" page, but otherwise it's of a different nature than the more evolved social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook.

I don't think that a comment like that is in any way meant to disparage people's activities on here. It's obvious that relationships are made, as they've always been on the Internet, regardless of the format.

DU has been a great source of support for me, particularly, during my darker days, and I'm appreciative of the fact that we are all able to gather together under one common purpose: that we are all Democrats.

:hug:

~Writer~

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. My dear Writer!

Ah, a bit of helpful history...

I hadn't realized about the internets of 10-12 years ago...

I wasn't involved then...

Thanks for your insight!

:hug:

[bridgit]

27. It isn't "just a message board", here elitism/social stratification is often encouraged...

out-right in the course of mean girls & boys running round 'the message board' with public aspersions of "You're a psychotic!!" that skirt the rules themselves if only by the slim-est of margins. Or is it donations, as has been suggested.

Where some, such as yourself Peg, continue to experience this warm wholesome inclusion to which you refer (who can be mean to CaliforniaPeggy?), others, in that I see them; are being dragged about by their hair kicking & screaming so yeah...it very much depends upon your perspective.

Du is a board, a message board. Though can be tasked with more than it's share of trolls, disruptor's, and a cadre of ever present elitists...like me & Sugar Smack :bounce:

Oh, and snobs that think the ignore feature is just another way to be mean to people, though they mostly live in Boston :spray:

[Sugar Smack]

28. I need a cigarette after that post, Goo-goo.

:rofl: :loveya: :D :smoke:

[bridgit]

77. you can call me "goo goo" every day of the week you know that...

but do you know why i lurve The Foo Fighters, well...it's cause they're always fighting 'foo' :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

29. My dear bridgit!

I see the elitism/social stratification too...

I guess it's inevitable...:shrug:

I agree too, that a lot of what you get here depends on your perspective...

And you are not an elitist! Nor is Sugar Smack! :hug:

I appreciate your good thoughts!

[WritingIsMyReligion]

42. Jesus, I just laughed at that.

:D

:spray:

:rofl:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

30. Love you too California Peggy

You're always a positive light on DU, you have a HUGE heart :loveya:

As with all things in life, message boards are what we make of them.

And you Dear Lady, make the best of them.

:hug: :yourock:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

31. My dear SalmonChantedEvening...

Oh, thank you...

Yes, message boards are what we make of them...

I do try to make the best of what life presents to me...

You are a positive sweetheart!

:hug:

[GCP]

32. Peggy - you are a very classy lady

And a real asset to this community!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

44. My dear Godlesscommieprevert!

Thank you...

It's always great to hear compliments...

I try to live up to my sigline...

:hug:

[kwassa]

33. To me, it is only a message board

I enjoy this place, but it is only high-tech entertainment, as far as I can see.

I don't believe what happens here results in life changes or great friendships, except for a small number of participants. I think you are one of those. Occasionally I learn something new, but there is a lot of wasted energy and anger and bad behavior, if one only looks at GD P. It is hard to compete against the sheer volume of participants unless someone is here a lot so I, like thousands of others remain largely unknown.

This board probably also works as a lifeline for lonely Dems stranded in major red state territory, but I live in an uncontested blue state, so I can find like-minded people quite easily.

I wouldn't be here if I didn't like it, but it is, ultimately, only a message board. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

see my sig line....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

45. My dear kwassa...

I understand what you're saying, believe me...

I think it's great that you like it here, and that you get some enjoyment from being here...

Yeah, I see your sigline! That's exactly the sort of thing I was talking about!

We all take (and bring) different things to this place, don't we?


:hug:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

34. I've said it before and I'll say it again.

You da babe.

:applause: :woohoo:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

47. My dear Prisoner_Number_Six !

Thank you so much, sweetie...

:hug:

[SarahB]

36. It affected my life too.

If not for this place, I'd never have met my husband. What's weird though is so little of our relationship was here. We were friendly, but never all that flirty. The one day he asked if he could call me. I had known him here for two years here and felt comfortable with him. We met 3 weeks later and any online aspect was essentially not much of a part of our relationship.

I've met real life friends here, some still a part of my life, some not-so-much, but I still like as people. I've noticed some people seem to have entire online/phone relationships and for me, it's hard to understand, especially in terms of romantic relationships. I was briefly involved in something like that before I met my husband and for me, it felt pretty empty. I'm not trying to judge, but I really need that human connection to feel close to people, be it in terms of friendship, but especially in terms of something more than friendship.

I think it's great to meet (in any way) like-minded people, but we have to be careful to not use it as a substitute for living life.

[Sugar Smack]

37. See, that's a good story.

I like it, also, because in the beginning it was kind of goo-goo for me (bitter lass) but y'all's re-emergence here is splendid.:D Mature, thoughtful, kind and generous.

[SarahB]

38. Thank you.

:)
Sometimes we look back on that time with some fondness, but other times we're both like, "I can't believe I said that. How stupid could I have been." In all honesty, we were (are) so compatible that we were just floored I think. We are very lucky to have found each other.

[Sugar Smack]

39. I'm happy for you, too. I have some

posts I regret as well. They're all out there in the ether. If someone wished us harm, they could always pull them back up. I remember during that time of *ze blossoming love* I was so cranky I posted Sam Kinison's "Wild Thing". I think that you & FinnFan are very good for each other.

When you find a thing that good, being floored is the most natural reaction in the world. :D :D :D :D :D

[CaliforniaPeggy]

48. My dear SarahBelle...

What a wonderful story and I'm so happy for you both...

Everyone operates differently, and my long-distance friendships work wonderfully...

I agree about not using this as a substitute for living life...

Thanks for your input...

:hug:

[SarahB]

58. I hope you know too

that I meant no disrespect toward anyone. Relationships work differently for different people. I guess I was speaking from my own point of view remembering a time where I felt so unhappy and trapped in my real life, that I did use the internet as a means to escape that. As my real life became happier, my internet life diminished. I know everyone has different experiences though and I respect that. The last thing I want to do is come across like some a-hole to you, Peggy. You're a very awesome and sweet person. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

62. Ah, no worries!

You came across as your own sweet self, with your own life experiences...

I understood you completely!

:hug:

[SPKrazy]

40. No it isn't just a message board

here are people that I care about deeply, you for example, and some that I don't (no examples).

I have had the experience of having libelous things passed around about me

but that is far counterbalanced by the wonderful people I meet here who know me, and dare I say love me, and I them.

It is not just a message board, no indeed.

It is a living, breathing, virtual community.

I love a lot of people here.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

:grouphug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

49. My dear Southpawkicker...

Well, you know I agree!

It is indeed, for those of us who want this, a living, breathing, virtual community...

And that's because of the folks here who make it so...

We make this virtual house into a virtual home...

:hug:

[Angel]

41. Like life, a message board can give you

only what you take from it. If all you want is the anger and bad news, then thats what you will take away from here. If you want daily laughs,hugs, and great people to help make life a bit more tolerable..the lounge is the place to be. Life is serious enough, we all need to laugh more.

I am not the most educated on political aspects, but I love the "family feel" of the lounge. Forkboy showed me the lounge many years ago,and I'm forever grateful to him for bringing me here.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. My dear Angel!

And you can give to a message board and its people, and that can enrich you...

Laughter is a very good thing, and we sure can use more of it!

I didn't find the Lounge either when I first joined, but I'm extremely grateful that I came in here...

:hug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

43. most places are what you make of it. to some its a message board to others its their major source

of social interaction.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

51. My dear pri!

Indeed, true enough!

It depends on what brought you here, and on your own POV...

:hug:

[stuntcat]

46. I'm glad to know *you're a real person Peggy!

:hug: I have real-life good feelings about some people here!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. My dear stuntcat...

Oh, I'm real, all right!

This reminds me of a story: I was in Ohio for the meetup a couple of years ago, and Lizziegrace and Lelapin met me at the airport. When we caught sight of each other, she called out..."Peggy! We're real!" I started laughing and agreed with her!

When the cyber meets the 'real'!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

53. **Major Update**

Today marks my third DU anniversary!

I had forgotten it until just now...at least consciously...

No wonder I wanted to post this today...

[Haole Girl]

54. Thank you for writing this Peggy

There are "real" people behind the user names. It seems like such an obvious concept. Well, I'll just stop right there. I'm running on about 3 hours of sleep and probably shouldn't say too much more.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

56. My dear KC2!

Thanks, sweetie...

Yes, there are real people behind the usernames...

It's easy to forget that, though...

:hug:

[leftofthedial]

55. Peggy,

I'm so glad you're here!

:loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

57. My dear leftofthedial!

And you know I'm glad you're here!

:hug:

[kid a]

59. you are awesome!!!! =)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

64. My dear asSEENonTV!

Thanks...

Takes one to know one, I always say...

:hug:

[libnnc]

60. Love you too, Peggy!

You're the best!

:toast: :yourock:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

65. My dear libnnc!

Awww....thanks, sweetie!

:hug:

[applegrove]

61. You are always so uplifting Peggy. Always.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

67. My dear applegrove...

I try to be that way because I know how it is to be lonely, hurt, scared, in pain and all the rest...

I hate to see anyone go through any of those negative things...

That is why I chose my sigline...

Thank you, sweetie...

:hug:

[applegrove]

70. Well you uplift very well. Must have lots of practice. n/t

[Xipe Totec]

63. Not just...

It is the board where we had the privilege of meeting you.

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

68. My dear Xipe Totec!

No, sweetie...

It's the board where I had the privilege of meeting all of you...

Thank you so much...

:hug:

[malta blue]

66. Peggy...

You always bring a smile to some otherwise boring or bad days and make them better, and you make a good day GREAT!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

69. My dear malta blue!

I am so glad that I can do that!

Thank you for your positive contributions to my thread, and to my life, sweetie...

:hug:

[UrbScotty]

71. My dear CaliforniaPeggy!

I have to agree! In the 5 1/2 years since I joined DU, it has become to me like a real community.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

72. My dear ih8thegop!

I am glad!

It's a wonderful, living, breathing thing...

An online family...

:hug:

[libodem]

73. You are a sweet, kind soul

California Peggy. You are nice to everyone and treat all of us like long lost friends. You make this a nice place to be. Thanks for being so friendly.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

74. My dear libodem...

Well, I can be sweet!

And normally I am...

Just trying to live up to my sigline...

Thanks...:hug:

[emilyg]

75. Love you, too.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

76. My dear emilyg!

Back atcha, sweetie...:hug: