# Have I made any friends on this Board? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 16, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064 "2003-01-16T21:15:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/21 "2003-01-17T00:42:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monstre \* > > > [@](#): > > > > from Meatros > > I mean, for all I know, you’re sitting in a cubical somewhere, in clown make-up holding an ak-47, chuckling to yourself, and thinking about killing people who abuse run-on sentences… > > \*\*And here I thought that’s what _you_ were doing, **Meatros**. 😃 \*\* Whew! My secret is safe… And Metalhead, we MADs have 'fests in DC/NOVA all the time, it’s a 90 minute drive, c’mon up! Next one is Opals b-day party in NOVA somewhere in about a month, there’s a thread in MPSIMS about it. Ryan, sorry to hijack your thread. I dunno about 'fests in Manchester, but going to a dopefest is the best ( not the only ) way to become more “real” to people here. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/22 "2003-01-17T03:57:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by //\etalhea|) \* > \*\*I’m up for it, but how do I PayPal you a can of Easy Cheeze? \*\* Sheesh, if you have to ask…:rolleyes: EVERYBODY knows you can’t paypal Easy Cheese. You must send it via telegraph. Or, for your convenience, I will also accept coupons for my chlamydia medicine. Your choice. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/23 "2003-01-17T04:52:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crusoe \* > \*\*What inner circle? Three and a bit years, 5,000 posts and I’m in no inner circle, that’s for sure. \*\* Tell me about it! 😃 I even buried $3125 in my backyard and the underground agents never contacted me. The money _is_ gone, though… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![\_etalhea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/779978/32.png) [@\_etalhea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_etalhea)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/24 "2003-01-17T05:06:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weirddave \* > \*\*\*\*And here I thought that’s what _you_ were doing, **Meatros**. 😃 \*\* Whew! My secret is safe… And Metalhead, we MADs have 'fests in DC/NOVA all the time, it’s a 90 minute drive, c’mon up! Next one is Opals b-day party in NOVA somewhere in about a month, there’s a thread in MPSIMS about it. Ryan, sorry to hijack your thread. I dunno about 'fests in Manchester, but going to a dopefest is the best ( not the only ) way to become more “real” to people here. \*\* [/QUOTE] 90 minutes? I’m in Roanoke. We have friends in Manassas, it takes 4 hours. 90 minutes gets you to Harrisonburg from here. But I might make it to one of those anyway, cool. ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/25 "2003-01-17T05:12:32Z")
**Ryan\_Liam** , I happen to like your username as well. Aren’t they both Irish names or something? I’ve always liked England for some reason. Never been there, but that’s the way it is. You’re perfectly all tight in my books… I remember going through the exact same thing a few months ago, wondering whether I’d made any real friends on the board. Now, I’m aware that my posting style may be not quite what some people like, but some people have liked me despite that. 🙂 I used to wonder about an inner circle or a clique, but nobody will admit to its existence. Oh well… F\_X ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/26 "2003-01-17T05:17:22Z")
Of course, that should read “… all **right** in my books…” :smack: F\_X ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/27 "2003-01-17T05:48:37Z")
Well, _I_ like you, **Ryan**! As for “how you go about breaking into the inner circle” – there really isn’t one, but there are a large group who have become close friends through the board. And there’s a very simple solution to becoming part of it – \*\*share yourself \*\*. Express your sympathy at **DaveW** ’s father’s illness, your joy at **Bomb Bay Doors** ’s birth and babyhood, your sympathy at the regularly scheduled random-teenager-feeling-angst-at-what-a-crappy-world-he’s-expected-to-live-in thread (and you’ve **been there** , so nobody else’s perspective will be quite as good as yours). Pop into Cafe Society and talk about the book/movie/TV show that really gets you involved; wander into Great Debates and take a (reasoned) position on an issue that interests you – or start a thread on something you feel strongly about and make a case for why things ought to be changed (I’m comfortable suggesting this one – there hasn’t been a teenager since Abel who hasn’t had strong feelings about _something_). Give of yourself, and you’ll find people who agree with you, share your interests, and come to care about you. I’ve forgotten the count, but there are at least half a dozen romances, at least two of them resulting in marriages, from couples who met just that way. And based on past performance, you’re the _last_ person on this board that might be accused of being too shy to voice your opinions! 😉 C’mon, dive in; the water’s fine! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SilentSpeak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@SilentSpeak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SilentSpeak)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/28 "2003-01-17T05:52:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ryan\_Liam \* > \*\*I was wondering has anyone considered me as not a close friend, but y’know, someone who they can get along with. I don’t know… I just like to know my place on the boards. > I brought this up because it has been a couple of months that I’ve been here and don’t seem to have made any ‘proper’ friends, only caused annoyance with incessant posting and waffling on about rubbish. \*\* Ryan Liam, [Yes.](http://ryan.liam.youaremyfriend.com/) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Tir\_Tinuviel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tir\_Tinuviel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tir_Tinuviel)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/29 "2003-01-17T08:44:18Z")
Awww, **SilentSpeak** , that brought a tear to my eye… 😉 Hey Ryan, I sent you a crimble card! And my friends know I love you, I guess I just never got round to finding the words to tell you… 😃 You’re doing fine sweets, chill. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/30 "2003-01-17T08:53:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SilentSpeak \* > [Yes.](http://ryan.liam.youaremyfriend.com/) That, sir, madam, whatever, was just FREAKY. ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/31 "2003-01-17T09:08:55Z")
You know every once in a while I wonder the same thing. I mean it totally took me by suprise a year back when Algernon mentioned like a sig line of mine. I’ll have to find that thread cause it kind of made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to realise a new person who had been lurking for a while noticed me! I know I’ve got friends out there. Stuffy and Chef Troy are two of the best. Others like WeirdDave and EvilBeth whom I used to chat with quite a bit got caught up with life. And what wonderful lifes to be caught up in. I’m so happy for both of them! And it is kind of nice that even though I am rarely seen in chat that when I do pop in I’m recognised. One of the biggest threads I was involved with was Guy Stuff and what a ball that was. But I am rarely mentioned in “hot doper” threads, or flirted with, and I’m guessing that if we dopers were the only ones left on the planet that I would be the old maid. And then again with popularity you can be put under a microscope and I am too much of a creative speller to make it to far without being called out on that. That and most of my post ramble and don’t make sense. Back on topic…Ryan you are a-okay in my book. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/32 "2003-01-17T09:20:55Z")
There are too many names to remember everyone, but when I saw your name come up, I recognized that I have a tender spot in my heart for you. I like honesty and vulnerability and you have that down in spades. You will find your way through teenage angst just fine. Then you will find twenty-something angst. 😉 (Then it gets better.) By the way, I like the way the Brits use the word “rubbish.” It’s such a _good_ word. We Yanks ought to use it more. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/33 "2003-01-17T09:27:29Z")
SilentSpeak, that was so cool! Now please tell me how to make the music stop. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/34 "2003-01-17T10:34:56Z")
You’re one of the dopers who sticks out in my mind amongst all the myriad other user names. And I think you’re all right, buddy! ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/35 "2003-01-17T11:05:27Z")
> [@](#): > > To the Doper Elite - how does one break into this inner circle? > > Does it involve sheep? If so, Mods please delete this post, I’ll just lurk, thanks. No. But becoming a mod involves goats. More specifically, one goat. We should probably get another one, that poor thing has been traumatized enough. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/36 "2003-01-17T11:12:57Z")
**Ryan Liam** , I rather like you. My father’s family’s even from the Rochdale area, up north of Manchester, so chances are I’d even like and understand your accent. I certainly understand insecurities. When I was your age (sorry about that phrase!), I wouldn’t even ask if anyone liked me; I’d just assume nobody did. Follow **Polycarp** ’s advice – he usually knows what he’s talking about. It’d be nice to get some fresh, young minds in Great Debates telling us how to save the world! Hang in there, kiddo. Oh, and **Polycarp** , while you’re talking about board romances, is there any chance you could set me up with one? 😉 CJ ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/37 "2003-01-17T11:24:31Z")
I had about 600 posts before I noticed that people started to occassionally reference something I had said. But I still felt like nobody knew who I was. Then I went to a doper gathering (about 1000 posts at that time) and I discovered that people _did_ know me quite well. I was extraordinarily flattered and surprised. I had no idea that the name would even have registered dimly in people’s minds. Now I’m comfortable that I **do** have friends on these boards (and dammit **Matt** , that includes you, yellow-tube-lines be damned. And the **kabbess** still listens to that Goldfrapp album you recommeded, so there). The moral of the story is this: just because nobody ever _seems_ to register a word you say doesn’t mean that they _don’t_. Think about how many names from the SD you know, remember, recognise. Now think about how many times that you have let those people know this. As for actual _friends_ - it’s hard to really be a _friend_ without actually having met someone IRL. But I’d like to consider that a few such as **Spritus, eris** and **wring** \* that I’ve taken part in a few debates with at least care whether I live or die. I know that I certainly do about them. pan \*example only. I hate to name names as it is always a top of the brain thing and one inevitably misses many people out. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/38 "2003-01-17T12:01:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by //\etalhea|) \* > \*\* \*\*To the Doper Elite - \*\* how does one break into this inner circle? > \*\* The straight dope starts over the ocean. In the Atlantic it’s known as " The Straight Dope", in the Pacific " A Message Board Community" and elsewhere it is called " A Bulletin Board System." Once the MB water is heated to 81F the Straight Dope has begun to form. It’s not really a community, though, until it reaches post speeds of 75 posts per minute. The Straight Dope can become massive, covering 1,000 miles, and reach post speeds of up to 200 posts per minute. The Straight Dope rains down massive amounts of words and sarcasm, which can led to flooding. A Straight Dope this size can cause massive coastal damage, as well, bringing post surges that can cause even more damage than the words already had. However, because of the swirling nature of the straight dope, some 10-30 miles of message board remains unaffected. This is the Doper Inner Circle. The inner circle is still, cloudless and word-free. Some people fail to realize that the Inner Circle is only a temporary reprieve from the Straight Dope, and that it moves along with the Dope; if you are lulled into thinking things are safe during the inner circle and resume your normal activities you could be hurt or killed. Once the Inner Circle has passed you by posting picks up and you’re in the midst of the Straight Dope for the second half of the storm. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/39 "2003-01-17T12:31:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by //\etalhea|) \* > \*\*90 minutes? I’m in Roanoke. We have friends in Manassas, it takes 4 hours. 90 minutes gets you to Harrisonburg from here. But I might make it to one of those anyway, cool. \*\* I’m in Fairfax, VA. Which is about 20 minutes from Manassas… I just felt like saying that… ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064/40 "2003-01-17T12:34:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flamsterette\_X \* > \*\*Of course, that should read “… all **right** in my books…” :smack: > > F\_X \*\* Uh…oh…someone made a Freud… All “tight”, eh? ::Whispers to **Ryan** :: I think she likes you! 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-i-made-any-friends-on-this-board/149064.md?page=3)