Then someone commented and I thought “how cool is that? Somebody liked my story!” So I posted another one, and so on until I ran out of stories.
Well, now what? I like this place, I like talking to people, and these people are nice, they’re funny, …I’ll just read them and comment…talk to them.
After a while I noticed more and more people were talking back, being very friendly. So I began reading more, finding my way around the site, discovering posts that I could relate to, commenting more where I could, and not commenting when I had nothing substantial to say, or when someone had already said what I was thinking.
Some posts are totally over my head…although I leave with information or knowledge I didn’t have before, I don’t know enough about the subject to add anything to the discussion.
That’s not a reflection on the poster or the post, it’s just the limit of my intelligence. Some posts are written in such a way that they’re difficult for me to see…I need more white space because of a problem with my eyesight. If I can get the gist of it by scanning I can comment, if only to let the poster know I enjoyed reading it. That’s why I use all the dots and make so many paragraphs, so I can see what I wrote. I have a lot more crow's feet from squinting since I joined SC..lol!
Some of you may have noticed that I have a strange sense of humor. I’ll tell you a secret…I can’t be myself in work. I was asked to temper my humor because some of the people in the department I was transferred to don’t appreciate it. Ok, I can understand that…I don’t get their humor either, but I can do it if I have to.
But with my customers and at home I can be my goofy self.
So I looked for people who have the same sense of humor I have, and I found them here.
I found people who bitch about work, joke about their kids, worry about health problems, love music, enjoy each other’s company, genuinely care about each other. There are so many different personalities here, and yet there’s room for more.
New SC members have to be so pleased with the response they get to their first post. Imagine moving into a new neighborhood and having 30 people ring your doorbell just to say hello! After you settle in, hang the curtains, put a potted plant on the porch, you begin to make friends. You find neighbors with whom you share common interests.
Some are in your age group, others are not. So you smile and wave at some when you see them…others you invite in for coffee, go shopping with, hang out at their house after school.
But you know you can talk to everybody in your neighborhood, no matter how old or young, whatever their faith or politics or income bracket. You don’t think about who’s popular, who’s been friends with who longer. They’re your neighbors, and you can close your door whenever you feel like being alone.
It’s a nice neighborhood with nice houses and nice people.
One neighbor likes to have backyard parties and invite everyone on the block. She plans games so you can all get to know each other.
Some people don’t feel like playing, so they sit and talk together.
There’s the guy who knows everything about computers. You have a question? Go ask him, he’ll help you.
That couple is coping with the loss of a loved one. The neighbors sent a beautiful floral arrangement to show their sympathy.
A few of your neighbors are struggling with health issues that you don’t know about. Maybe you have a sympathetic ear, or maybe you’ve had experience with what they’re going through. They may want to talk about it. You’ll never know unless you make the effort.
Are you shy? That’s ok, lots of people are shy.
You’ll find someone to talk to, someone you feel comfortable with.
Somebody here has been looking for someone just like you to talk to.
Are you younger? Maybe you think there are too many older people at this party?
Look around…the whole neighborhood is here. Lots of younger people came to the party. You don’t have to leave the backyard to find someone to talk to. There’s more than enough conversation to go around.
Ok, I’ve rambled on long enough. I’m ready for a cup of tea and a smoke.
Go Giants!
