Reflections Of My (Cyber) Life

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:34 am

What am I doing here?

Is a question most of us have probably asked ourselves at one time or another. No ¦ I don’t mean here on planet earth ¦ although I’m certain we’ve all pondered that question many times as well.

I mean what am I doing here on Forum Garden?

I have seen this question answered here many times on various forums and on many threads in countless variations.

The Internet ¦ though only existing when we boot up our pc ¦ is nonetheless to most of us as vast and as unexplored as the galaxy in which we live. So when we come upon a site like Forum Garden it seems like an oasis in the desert, like a familiar face in a sea of strangers at a party or maybe like landing on an inhabited island after weeks of being adrift in the ocean.

So we take up residence in our little cyber compartments here from where we read, post and reply ¦ we send and receive private messages, we laugh, cry, we moan and groan, we cheer, we boo, we hug and we kiss each other with gay abandon and we make many friends and hopefully very few enemies.

The members of Forum Garden represent many different countries thru many diverse time zones around the globe and generally we get on fairly well together with thankfully only the odd exception to the rule.

Being a writer I make it my business to observe people. In the case of FG “observe being reading peoples posts and profiles, in some instances seeing their photographs and talking to them by various means in which they are comfortable.

Since the advent of the changes Tombstone has made, I have tried in a very random way, to take a peek at as many member profiles as I can. Some people are quite happy to include many paragraphs of detail in their biographies and to include photographs of themselves and their family. Others ¦ including myself ¦ much prefer to keep their real and cyber lives separate and remain a little more private, mysterious and even enigmatic.

At the end of the day does it really matter how much or how little information about ourselves we choose to make public? In my humble opinion it doesn’t and I am happy to be cyber mates with any person ¦ male or female ¦ who cares to be my friend.

After a long and often stressful nine to five day at the office ¦ and whenever I have the time ¦ I like to relax and have fun at Forum Garden. Fun is the operative word in my case so I tend to avoid controversy and conflict as much as possible.

I also try to help others in whatever small way I can ¦ be it just by being a shoulder to cry on ¦ by saying well done or take care or don’t cry it’ll be okay to someone ¦ or simply by giving them a cyber hug and a kiss.

So when I log out or leave Forum Garden, if there is one less lonely person in the world at that time ¦it will all have been well worth the effort!

Mwaaaaaaaaaaah!

Jj :-4

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:48 am

:yh_hugs:yh_hugs A very good post Jj and it does gets me to thinking also. And I find myself sometimes thinking of my cyber friends and thier lives in other countries around the globe also.

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:53 am

qsducks;886046 wrote: :yh_hugs:yh_hugs A very good post Jj and it does gets me to thinking also. And I find myself sometimes thinking of my cyber friends and thier lives in other countries around the globe also.

thanx ducks honey ... life is so so short so why waste it by not being nice and having fun?

Jj :-4

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:04 am

koochikoo;886052 wrote: Nice post Jj, I think it may be apt to a few of us here

I understand about some prefering to keeping private and internet lives separate, I just hope that it's not too separate, that what we see here is a true reflection of the person. I don't doubt otherwise, but you never know. :-6

I sometimes tend to mention things here to people in my 'real' life and they look at me as if I'm some crazy cyber-geek who can't separate reality from the 'fake' internet world, that the people I talk to are only pretending to be who they say and they are all crazed predators out to get me! They don't understand that we are all real people here, just like everyone else, only we communicate by text. If we spoke on the phone, they wouldn't have a problem. Have you ever found this or is it just my internet-illiterate acquaintances? :wah:

hi koo honey ... everything in your post is perfectly relevant and true ...

one decides who to befriend and who to be wary of just as we do in our every day

lives in the "real world" ... of course to many people .. especially those who are

alone or lonely ... and one can not be alone and still be lonely ... the internet is

their real world and it is often kinder and more loving and gentle than their so

called "life" ...

do what makes YOU happy is a good axiom to live by ... so if you are not very

comfortable with a person on the internet then avoid them at all costs ... the

choice is up to you!

Jj :-4

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:13 am

For me, I am a semi-private.

Nice post.

It is a chance for me to just escape into a different world. I read more posts than I reply to. I feel that I don’t always have to give my 2 cents worth, some just make good reading.

I love the global-ness of it.

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:17 am

mikeinie;886084 wrote: For me, I am a semi-private.

Nice post.

It is a chance for me to just escape into a different world. I read more posts than I reply to. I feel that I don’t always have to give my 2 cents worth, some just make good reading.

I love the global-ness of it.

thanx dude ... your right ... exactly the way i feel about it ... no other way we could ever come into contact with so many people from so many diverse lands!

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:43 am

Great thread Jj!:-6

you don't know how many times i have thought about that if not for the internet and discovering Forum Garden, that all the lovely friends i have made here, i wouldn't even know existed!

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:49 am

Hope6;886135 wrote: Great thread Jj!:-6

you don't know how many times i have thought about that if not for the internet and discovering Forum Garden, that all the lovely friends i have made here, i wouldn't even know existed!

thanx honey ... when push comes to shove ... we all all pretty similar which makes it so weird that so many wars are being fought around the world!

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:11 am

JAB;886150 wrote: I think the regular citizens of the world get along far better then we give ourselves credit for. It's when it gets in the hands of politicians that things seem to get screwed up!

that's such a true statement! i think the regular people of the world would get along fine, it's the governments that are a different story!

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:31 am

jones jones;886147 wrote: thanx honey ... when push comes to shove ... we all all pretty similar which makes it so weird that so many wars are being fought around the world!

yeah we are pretty similar, well except maybe the language!:wah::wah:

i never knew that there were so many differences in the way we say things when we'll supposed to be speaking the same language!:wah::wah:

i irritate everybody by constantly asking what things mean!:wah::wah:

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:37 am

Hope6;886197 wrote: yeah we are pretty similar, well except maybe the language!:wah:

i never knew that there were so many differences in the way we say things when we'll supposed to be speaking the same language!:wah::wah:

i irritate everybody by constantly asking what things mean!:wah::wah:

honey thats cos american english is ever so slightly different to commonwealth

english!

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:40 am

jones jones;886203 wrote: honey thats cos american english is ever so slightly different to commonwealth

english!

:wah::wah: you're just being polite when you say ever so slightly!:wah::wah:

we've changed so much of it, it's almost like another language, in particular down here in the south!:wah:

woppy71 · Post by **woppy71** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:17 am

I love the web and I have been around it in one form or another for the best part of thirteen years or so.

Up to a few years ago, I had never been one to use forums much, if at all, but after finding FG a few years back, i Have discovered a whole new world, within a world.

Previous to this, i used the net for research purposes, with cyber-socialising restricted to the cut and thrust of the IRC world.

I now find that the online friends I have made are as important to me as my real life friends, I treat them as friends I havn't seen in a long while. With the advent of web cams, skype and such things, the physical gap that exists in cyber friendships can be easily and often are overcome.

As far as privacy is concerned, I think that if you take some reasonable and sensible precautions with what you divulge to people, then you should be OK. If anyone asks me online about my private life, I treat the request like one which I receive in real life.

I try to be the same person online as I do off-line, it just seems the natural thing to do for me.

Best wishes,

Gary :-6

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:15 pm

You guyz!!!!:-4

I look forward to my visits to the Garden to see what's new, who replied to a post of mine, learn something new, to have a bit of fun, to laugh, to give a little comfort................well, to visit with my buddies. Ofcourse we all have lives away from the computer, but this is where we meet for a little while to be together.

Attached files

pinkchick · Post by **pinkchick** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:17 pm

Up until last April, I had never heard of internet forums. I was looking for a medical forum one evening and stumbled across this place.

I can honestly say with my hand on my heart....Since I've been a member of FG, I have made some of the most wonderful friends anyone could ever ask for!

I know more about some of my fg friends than others but as time goes on you learn more and more about each other don't you?

I personally don't see a big difference in cyber friendships and real life friendships - friends are friends where ever you find them.

Hang on....does that make sense?

You know what I mean right?

ok - I can here you all shouting shut up now so I will

Good thread JJ - you've got me thinking now

:-6;)

kayleneaussie · Post by **kayleneaussie** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:41 pm

I rarely used the computer until a very good friend of mine told me about FG and how good it was. Still it took me a few weeks before I actually decided to come have a look. Now I log on every day to chat with friends and read a few threads that interest me. Being in Australia I seem to miss a lot of people because of the time difference but I make the effort to get up early so I can catch people.

I tend to be a bit private as you dont really know the people you are talking to but I have one friend I have spoken to on the phone so I trust her and we have been there for each other in the good and bad times and I would never of got to meet her if it wasnt for the internet:-6 and then there are my special friends who now i chat with on msn who I have met here on FG:-4

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:56 pm

FG has been my " only " cyber experience. It was such a good experience for me that I became very attached to it, and never really wanted to go anywhere else.

I invested so much of myself here, that I wasnt interested in floating around gathering up more and more people to know. In order to get to know someone, you need to have the continuity of the relationship. And the relationships Ive formed here, over the years, have been as uplifting and emmotionally real, as those Ive had in my " real" life. For me, my time here has been a truly valuable life lesson. That I could grow to love the hearts and minds of strangers... oblivious to what they looked like, and truly learn that looks do not matter at all. I have come here at times to cry, and have been uplifted and supported and comforted. I have tried to make others laugh, and I have had a great life adventure, taking a trip over the ocean to meet some of the members. Hopefully, I will have the chance to do it again. Whatever happens, I will never regret a moment I have spent here, and hopefully the site will continue for a very long time

pinkchick · Post by **pinkchick** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:06 pm

weeder;886462 wrote: FG has been my " only " cyber experience. It was such a good experience for me that I became very attached to it, and never really wanted to go anywhere else.

I invested so much of myself here, that I wasnt interested in floating around gathering up more and more people to know. In order to get to know someone, you need to have the continuity of the relationship. And the relationships Ive formed here, over the years, have been as uplifting and emmotionally real, as those Ive had in my " real" life. For me, my time here has been a truly valuable life lesson. That I could grow to love the hearts and minds of strangers... oblivious to what they looked like, and truly learn that looks do not matter at all. I have come here at times to cry, and have been uplifted and supported and comforted. I have tried to make others laugh, and I have had a great life adventure, taking a trip over the ocean to meet some of the members. Hopefully, I will have the chance to do it again. Whatever happens, I will never regret a moment I have spent here, and hopefully the site will continue for a very long time

Weeder - I know I have said ths before, many times...

You have such a lovely way with words :-6:-4

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:18 pm

Thank You Rosie.... and yhank you for contacting my son when he was in Ireland. Im so sorry you missed each other.:-4

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:21 pm

pinkchick;886441 wrote: Up until last April, I had never heard of internet forums. I was looking for a medical forum one evening and stumbled across this place.

I can honestly say with my hand on my heart....Since I've been a member of FG, I have made some of the most wonderful friends anyone could ever ask for!

I know more about some of my fg friends than others but as time goes on you learn more and more about each other don't you?

I personally don't see a big difference in cyber friendships and real life friendships - friends are friends where ever you find them.

Hang on....does that make sense?

You know what I mean right?

ok - I can here you all shouting shut up now so I will

Good thread JJ - you've got me thinking now

:-6;)

i'm like you, until February when i found this place, i had no experience with forums either when i stumbled across FG and decided to take a look and joined up that very day.

i also agree with you completely that friends are friends wherever you find them!

i have laughed and cried with my friends here on FG just like i would a friend in the "real world" i worry about them when things are going wrong just like a real life friend and are happy for them when things go right!

and i actually have confided in my friends here more than my real life friends.

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:23 pm

weeder;886462 wrote: FG has been my " only " cyber experience. It was such a good experience for me that I became very attached to it, and never really wanted to go anywhere else.

I invested so much of myself here, that I wasnt interested in floating around gathering up more and more people to know. In order to get to know someone, you need to have the continuity of the relationship. And the relationships Ive formed here, over the years, have been as uplifting and emmotionally real, as those Ive had in my " real" life. For me, my time here has been a truly valuable life lesson. That I could grow to love the hearts and minds of strangers... oblivious to what they looked like, and truly learn that looks do not matter at all. I have come here at times to cry, and have been uplifted and supported and comforted. I have tried to make others laugh, and I have had a great life adventure, taking a trip over the ocean to meet some of the members. Hopefully, I will have the chance to do it again. Whatever happens, I will never regret a moment I have spent here, and hopefully the site will continue for a very long time

that was beautiful!

i don't know how it could be said any better!:-6

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:08 pm

along-for-the-ride;886382 wrote: You guyz!!!!:-4

I look forward to my visits to the Garden to see what's new, who replied to a post of mine, learn something new, to have a bit of fun, to laugh, to give a little comfort................well, to visit with my buddies. Ofcourse we all have lives away from the computer, but this is where we meet for a little while to be together.

exactly honey mwaaaaaaaaaaa!

Jj:-4

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:12 pm

pinkchick;886441 wrote: Up until last April, I had never heard of internet forums. I was looking for a medical forum one evening and stumbled across this place.

I can honestly say with my hand on my heart....Since I've been a member of FG, I have made some of the most wonderful friends anyone could ever ask for!

I know more about some of my fg friends than others but as time goes on you learn more and more about each other don't you?

I personally don't see a big difference in cyber friendships and real life friendships - friends are friends where ever you find them.

Hang on....does that make sense?

You know what I mean right?

ok - I can here you all shouting shut up now so I will

Good thread JJ - you've got me thinking now

:-6;)

you are a wonderful friend to all here at FG rosie honey! a real live angel here in

the garden!

mwaaaaaaaaah!

Jj

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:13 pm

kayleneaussie;886457 wrote: I rarely used the computer until a very good friend of mine told me about FG and how good it was. Still it took me a few weeks before I actually decided to come have a look. Now I log on every day to chat with friends and read a few threads that interest me. Being in Australia I seem to miss a lot of people because of the time difference but I make the effort to get up early so I can catch people.

I tend to be a bit private as you dont really know the people you are talking to but I have one friend I have spoken to on the phone so I trust her and we have been there for each other in the good and bad times and I would never of got to meet her if it wasnt for the internet:-6 and then there are my special friends who now i chat with on msn who I have met here on FG:-4

mwaaaaaaaaaah! my special aussie friend/babe!

Jj :-4

pinkchick · Post by **pinkchick** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:58 pm

weeder;886486 wrote: Thank You Rosie.... and yhank you for contacting my son when he was in Ireland. Im so sorry you missed each other.:-4

It was my pleasure hun - I am very sorry that we missed meeting too :-5

pinkchick · Post by **pinkchick** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:00 pm

jones jones;886530 wrote: you are a wonderful friend to all here at FG rosie honey! a real live angel here in

the garden!

mwaaaaaaaaah!

Jj
You are much too kind JJ!

Thank you very much :-6

Valentin Selezynov · Post by **Valentin Selezynov** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:01 pm

I'm only here because Myspace banned me.

I hope i don't get banned from here. The people seem so nice.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:04 pm

Hi. This is a really nice group of people here, I'm sure you'll like it here. Why did Myspace ban you?

mrsK · Post by **mrsK** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:08 pm

Hope6;886197 wrote: yeah we are pretty similar, well except maybe the language!:wah

i never knew that there were so many differences in the way we say things when we'll supposed to be speaking the same language!:wah::wah:

i irritate everybody by constantly asking what things mean!:wah::wah:

Don't worry about asking questions Hope that is how we learn.

Good read JJ very interesting observations:-6

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:20 pm

mrsK;887136 wrote: Don't worry about asking questions Hope that is how we learn.

Good read JJ very interesting observations:-6

yeah i guess your right darlin!:-4

i just hope i don't irritate people to badly!:wah:

Post by **jones jones** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:19 pm

mrsK;887136 wrote: Don't worry about asking questions Hope that is how we learn.

Good read JJ very interesting observations:-6

thank you very much for the kind words mrs k :-4

Post by **jones jones** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:20 pm

Hope6;887176 wrote: yeah i guess your right darlin!:-4

i just hope i don't irritate people to badly!:wah:

long as you understand that a mwaaaaaaaaaaaah! is a kiss georgia! :-4

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:26 am

jones jones;887238 wrote: long as you understand that a mwaaaaaaaaaaaah! is a kiss georgia! :-4

i definitely understand that one!:wah:

mwaaaaaaaaaaaah! :-4