So this morning, I told my mom "I'm turning four today!" I knew she wouldn't get it. I just felt like saying it to whoever was around. She asked me, "Is this some idiot computer thing?" It's proven impossible to get her to understand what you all mean to me, and how special this day really is to me.
Four years ago today, I joined PPT Forums. And truthfully, I never expected this. I never would've guessed that I would end up making so many great friendships on an online forum. Actually, I never really stopped to think about my future on here, so it's not like I expected to hate you all or anything like that.
![Cheeky Tongue :P](./images/smilies/icon_tongue.gif)
The concept of online friends was not entirely new to me. I'd had a few before. I used to hang out on IDNQ, back when the comments feature was mostly used as a mini-forum-ish-thingy, and I had two good friends on there. Still, I never thought that my definition of "social life" would change so much.
![Cheeky Tongue :P](./images/smilies/icon_tongue.gif)
Most people don't understand it, but it really is just like an offline social life. I go to a place to hang around and chat with friends and acquaintances. What's so weird about that? Different, yes. But in a good way. I can come up with reasons why it's actually better than doing it offline.
You guys
are my friends, no matter what my parents say. You're not "some idiot computer thing". You guys make me happy, and I have so much fun hanging out with you all. Over these four years, I've definitely changed for the better, and I think you people may have played a part in that. I seriously think PPT is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I have close friends I love, and I have not-quite-as-close friends I like, and I don't care if I can't see you face-to-face (in fact, it's better that way, because I have a twitching problem, but that's beside the point.) It doesn't matter if people don't understand. It doesn't matter if it's not "normal".
You matter. I've found you all, and that's all I care about.
Four years. It's been four whole years since my life really began. *dramatic* It's so hard to believe...it feels like I posted my third anniversary topic just yesterday...it really does. I can't help but wonder how many pre-reset members actually remember their join date. Heh.
Speaking of last year's post, I went to look at it, and laughed at the contrast:
Tymaporer wrote:
It's April 5, 2006. I joined PPT on April 5, 2003. Do the math.
![Cheeky Tongue :P](./images/smilies/icon_tongue.gif)
I don't feel like doing a big, long, corny speech that would sound fake even though I would mean everything I said. So just go do your respective things that you do when it's someone's PPT anniversary. You have permission to throw things at me.
![Cheeky Tongue :P](./images/smilies/icon_tongue.gif)
That permission still stands, by the way.
So I just gotta say...thank you.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Image](http://tinyurl.com/6pdqzw)
No, I never officially left; yes, I am gone forever. I have also permanently left AIM. If you need to contact me, drop a line on LJ. Same username.