Has DU changed you?

[Haole Girl]

Just wondering if anybody else feels they've changed from their experiences on DU...

can't sleep & thought I'd toss this question out.

:hi:

[PaddyBlueEyes]

1. Yeah

Im grumpier now :rofl:

[Haole Girl]

2. Hey Paddy!

You grumpy? Never! lol

[PaddyBlueEyes]

3. Hey

pm me, I gotta ask ya a ?

[Haole Girl]

5. K

:hi:

[OmahaBlueDog]

4. What it has done is caused me to waste lots of time on the internet..

of course, maybe it's because I feel a connection here. Outside my family, I don't get a lot of that.

[Haole Girl]

8. I hear ya there

:hug:

[Breeze54]

6. No way!

I like to think I changed some of DU members thinking

or some of the members RW thinking.... I hope.

Maybe that's just a fantasy... I hope not.

[Haole Girl]

9. I feel I've become more open-minded...

since I've been here... on many issues. So, hey, maybe it's not just a fantasy! :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear KC2!

I have been changed a lot by being here!

And I see it as a vast improvement...

All my poetry stems from being here...

And now I have a lot of friends that I didn't have before, and they have made major contributions to my awareness of the world...

A lot more street smarts, if you will...

Good question!

:hi:

[Haole Girl]

10. Thanks, Peggy!

Writing and taking pics again, as you know, for me too... and most of it I owe to you! :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. I'm glad I've been able to do that for you, sweetie!

Thank you for telling me...:hug:

[Lil Missy]

11. No, not at all. n/t

[Haole Girl]

14. Fair enough.

Thanks for the reply.

[Lil Missy]

19. Allow me to restate, as I did not mean to dismiss your inquiry like that.

I have always been cynical by nature, and often described by others as rather aloof.

I didn't mean to imply that I felt DU couldn't be a positive or negative force in anyone's life, or that I was judgemental about it either way.

[Haole Girl]

20. I knew you didn't... really.

But that was kind of you to follow up.

I'm finally sleepy now... think I'll try again to go to bed... g'night! :hi:

[Lil Missy]

21. Nite.

:hi:

[Shine]

12. Yes, I'm much more popular now.

:D

[Haole Girl]

16. Hey gf!

As if you aren't popular IRL! lol :D

:rofl:

[Shine]

18. Yeah, but now I've even MORE popular!

I have even MORE friends in my cyber community! :rofl:

I'm just soooo Precious!

[auntAgonist]

15. No I don't believe it has.

I'm just me. Too old to be changed I think :)

:hi:

[Haole Girl]

17. I used to think I was too old to change...

never say never!! Hey.... hope you are ok. :hug:

[Kitty Herder]

22. No.

[Haole Girl]

48. Thanks

Didn't mean to miss you, earlier. This is why I try to respond in chronological order, after I start a thread!

[Godhumor]

23. I get annoyed that the other forums I frequent don't have the equivalent of DUzy awards

I actually find that happens relatively often, to be honest.

[Skittles]

24. create your own, Godhumor

who is stopping you? :D

[Godhumor]

45. Thaty would require a lot more time on the forums than I have to give n/t

[Mezzo]

25. It practically shaped who I support in this nomination contest.

[Haole Girl]

37. Really? Now, that is an impact. nt

[datasuspect]

26. i have better hair now

[Haole Girl]

49. I don't think I've ever seen your hair

Mine is beyond help!

[stuntcat]

27. I've learned a lot about my fellow Democrats

That has changed me.

[Haole Girl]

40. Hopefully for the better

:hi:

[stuntcat]

41. more yes's than no's really!

Most everyone's great around here! I have been very disappointed a few times but not shocked really, after all we're humans here.. all proud monkeys :) I've lowered my expectations for people the past few years :party: it's been better for my nerves, it's cleared up my skin.

[Haole Girl]

42. Thanks for the skin care tip!

No, really.... I should try it again (lowering expectations, that is). :hi:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

28. yes.

not necessarily in a good way either.

[Haole Girl]

33. I was wondering if anyone would say that.

:hug:

[Guava Jelly]

29. Nope

Still wearing the same depends that i had on when I came here.

:rofl:

[Haole Girl]

51. Ick

I think it might be time for a change then!

[JCMach1]

30. Yeah, I used to throw things at the TV

[Haole Girl]

34. So do you throw things at your computer now?

;-)

[JCMach1]

66. No, just a more effective place to rant

and to keep one's sanity after the sElection

[Fleshdancer]

31. I research more

I'm less inclined to debate something either online or in person until I know I've researched it enough to sound somewhat intelligent.

Google is now truly my friend.

I second guess the spelling of moron which is annoying

I have a healthy distrust of the MSM

Kitty pics have grown on me :D

[Haole Girl]

39. I agree, on all counts!

Oh, but I always loved kitty pics. :-)

[raccoon]

57. Agree with everything Gloria said, and also, I learned the work "snarky"

and derivations thereof,

To snark

Snarkiness

Any others? Yall chime in.

Seriously, I like DU. Over about the last few months, I've started spending more time here in the Lounge and less on the other Main forums. I almost never go to GD-P.

[Haole Girl]

73. Yes...

I've learned quite a few new words! lol

[Fleshdancer]

90. oh yes, "snarkiness" and "to snark" are very important on DU

Sad but true. :rofl:

[DarkTirade]

32. Hmm. Hard to say.

I have a couple of places to go and waste time around like-minded people online now, but I've always gotten my news and whatnot online so the serious bits haven't changed me much. It WAS easier to stay informed by hanging out at DU, but now the serious forums are so nasty I don't bother to go in them most of the time. :\

[Haole Girl]

38. Yes, the serious forums have gotten nasty

So has the Lounge, at times, for that matter.

[DarkTirade]

76. Yeah, I've run into bits and pieces of it here in the Lounge... but nothing like GD or GDP.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

35. yeah i have seen a whole lot more bitter and insane and stalk-y people

on du than i have in real life.

[Haole Girl]

36. Oh God... I know what you mean

:crazy:

[Fran Kubelik]

50. thank God!

:hi:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

52. yup and keep in mind my father is bipolar and i was stalked when i was 13 & 15

still, du beats real life on crazies and stalkers

[DS1]

43. I don't make transvestite "Ann the Man Coulter" jokes anymore

and am more likely to do something about anti-gay activity elsewhere on the net. I used to be completely indifferent towards it.

I can hammer out a "decent" photoshop in record time, and some of my animations with 15 frames are done and uploaded in under 7 minutes.

[Haole Girl]

47. Wow... good you have perfected your software skills!

That's more than I can say!

[bigwillq]

44. I learned more about politics

since I've been a member here.

I also learned that some people who call themselves Democrats and liberals could still be very ignorant.

[Haole Girl]

46. Hi bigwillq

Yes, people will be people...regardless of affiliation.

edit: spelling :eyes:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

54. excellent point. i have been very disappointed in my fellow dems and liberals

[DarkTirade]

74. I find myself using this quote more and more during the primaries...

There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it.

:)

[Haole Girl]

89. Good quote. nt

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

53. Yes, I've learned a lot

Delaware is covered with tollbooths.

Boxed wine is great for any occasion.

George Bush doesn't know how many is a Brazillion.

Chicken should not be breaded with cornflakes, or something.

Rick-rolling is a form of torture.

I am a freeper, and a moran.

There's probably more.

[Haole Girl]

58. Don't forget kudzu!

:-) :hi:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

65. Hey!! It's going places!!

:rofl:

I've also learned not to smoke while breast-feeding at Olive Garden. (probably some danger of my ash falling on her breast)

[Deep13]

55. Everything in my life changes me.

It is a property of the linear nature of life.

[Haole Girl]

59. You know...

you are so right about this.

[sakabatou]

56. Made me more liberal and realize issues were important

[Haole Girl]

60. Thanks

I believe I'm more liberal, now. too. :-)

[Deja Q]

61. Yes

[Haole Girl]

63. In a good way, I hope

:hi:

[Deja Q]

75. In most ways...

:hi:

There are some who are too... one-dimensional to even bother with, but that is inevitable regardless of which forum websites exist.

[Chan790]

62. I used to be a severe introvert.

Yes, it's true. Me...introverted.

[Haole Girl]

64. Do you consider yourself an extrovert now?

Just curious.

[Chan790]

67. No...a pervert.

Had to do it.

Sometimes, I think I'm an extrovert. It's also my job, it's impossible to work in any sort of tip-driven field and be that withdrawn and introverted.

I'm still uncomfortable around women I find attractive...and unfortunately I'm naturally-flirty so I'm flirtatious to women who I have no interest in...or worse, those that I am actively-not-interested in. I'm constantly accused of leading people on.

Reality is...that sort of thing (Intro/Extroversion) doesn't change...I've probably been right smack in the middle all along. I've just learned social skills in the Lounge...Cthulu help us all.

[BarenakedLady]

68. I've met some really good friends.

And realized that a lot of people experience similar things. I don't feel so alone anymore.

[Haole Girl]

69. Aww...

You are too nice to ever be alone. :hug:

[RainDog]

70. lessee

[Haole Girl]

71. That is quite a transformation!

:crazy:

[SPKrazy]

72. Yes

I never spent so much time online before coming to DU

I've met some really good friends

and I'm maybe more cynical about people

[Lyric]

77. In more ways than one.

The Lounge made me more social, more willing to laugh at myself, more concerned with friendships. But GD-P in the past few days has made me resentful, aggressive, and yes, bitter.

I really should just stay out of there. I'm *this* close to just leaving DU for good over some of the idiotic crap in there. Trying to reason with some of those people is like trying to reason with a brick wall, assuming that a brick wall had the ability to mock, belittle, and question your integrity. :(

[Haole Girl]

80. Aww..

Just stay away from GDP for awhile. :hug:

[NewJeffCT]

78. I'm much more conservative now

because of the centrist nature of DU

[Haole Girl]

79. hehehe

:rofl:

[NewJeffCT]

88. well

This is Democratic Underground, not Communist or Socialist Underground...

[datasuspect]

81. DU makes my hair smell delicious

[Haole Girl]

82. You and your hair!

lol

[datasuspect]

83. before DU i was a 98 pound weakling, now i am super buff

[Haole Girl]

84. Ok..

I'll just take your word for that! :hi:

[datasuspect]

85. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

ACT NOW AND WE WILL SEND YOU TWO, THAT'S RIGHT, TWO EXTRA DU SCRUBBERS FOR THE INCREDIBLY LOW LOW PRICE OF 19.99.

[datasuspect]

86. before DU i held out hope for humanity,

[Haole Girl]

87. And...

now?

[applegrove]

91. DU reminds be of sitting around the dinner table and talking when I was growing up... Nice memories

[Haole Girl]

92. Really?

It never quite reminded me of that. But it often reminds me of getting together with high school friends! :hi:

[applegrove]

93. We talked politics at the dinner table growing up. When I found the DU - I felt like

I'd "come home".

[TK421]

94. Nah...I'm pretty much the same since I've joined, but I did have nightmares

about Kudzu and cornflakes many, many nights :-(

[Haole Girl]

95. lol!

:D