# I guess I'm back (the long nightmare is over) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 21, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892 "2026-01-21T20:42:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paranoid\_Randroid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paranoid_randroid/32/18_2.png) [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/1 "2026-01-21T20:42:39Z")
Hi. I was never an incredibly prolific or popular poster, a lot of old folks may not even remember me, but I signed up with the original vBulletin boards around … late 2000, I think? Maybe early 2001? My handle was Cheese Monster in the beginning. I was so young then (18/19), and I stuck around through my most formative adult years. But eventually my posting dropped off for no particular reason, and by late 2020 I had stopped coming entirely. It’s funny how often I still think of this place despite the long absence. Every time I find myself having written a list with two entries I have to stop myself from adding a “hi Opal”, and it comes rushing back. I remember so many names … and it’s kind of heartening in a way to see a lot of those names still posting, still moderating. Though too many have passed, going by the In Memoriam thread. That wasn’t a fun read. Anyway. I guess I’ve been nostalgic, now that my beard is gray and the world is going to hell. I’m just relieved to learn that this place is still kicking. I feel like if I had typed in “[boards.straightdope.com](http://boards.straightdope.com)” and saw a 404 or a 500 error – or worse, a server not found error – it would have signaled that a part of me had died and I never even realized it. Maybe that’s why I took so long to come back – if I didn’t check then in my head it would be there, forever, always the same as I had left it. That’s it, I guess. Thanks for reading. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/2 "2026-01-21T20:45:40Z")
You had me at “hi”. Welcome home, prodigal son! 🥹 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/3 "2026-01-21T20:48:04Z")
I think you were probably before my time. But welcome back. 👋🏻 Pull up a stump by the fire. Want a beer? Or something hot? Sooner or later, all the good ones find their way back… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/4 "2026-01-21T21:09:24Z")
Nice to know you. Hey, there!😀 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/5 "2026-01-21T21:19:29Z")
Welcome back! We’ve had several folks from your join era reappear in recent months. Some of us never left. It’s slower & grayer here, but still both silly and civilized. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/6 "2026-01-21T21:25:22Z")
Welcome back! ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/7 "2026-01-21T21:25:54Z")
Welcome back! ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/8 "2026-01-21T21:48:04Z")
I’ve taken some breaks before and this place definitely has a way of sticking with you even when you’re not posting there. Welcome home. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/9 "2026-01-21T21:59:17Z")
Welcome back. I recall the name (both of them), but nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/10 "2026-01-21T22:00:49Z")
Hi. You joined in December of 2002. Nice to see you again. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/11 "2026-01-22T01:35:59Z")
Hello! Welcome back! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/12 "2026-01-22T01:42:43Z")
Hi!, I’m sure you don’t know me, I’m one of the new folks who have shown up since you drifted away. Thanks for coming back, I hope you enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/13 "2026-01-22T01:44:28Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’ve taken some breaks before and this place definitely has a way of sticking with you even when you’re not posting there. The SDMB is like the Hotel California: You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. Welcome back! ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/14 "2026-01-22T01:44:43Z")
Welcome back! ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/15 "2026-01-22T01:50:17Z")
Welcome Beck ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/16 "2026-01-22T02:04:32Z")
> [@Paranoid\_Randroid](#): > > Anyway. I guess I’ve been nostalgic, now that my beard is gray and the world is going to hell. I’m just relieved to learn that this place is still kicking. I feel like if I had typed in “[boards.straightdope.com](http://boards.straightdope.com)” and saw a 404 or a 500 error – or worse, a server not found error – it would have signaled that a part of me had died and I never even realized it. Maybe that’s why I took so long to come back – if I didn’t check then in my head it would be there, forever, always the same as I had left it. > > That’s it, I guess. Thanks for reading. That was beautiful, welcome back! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/17 "2026-01-22T02:18:01Z")
> [@Paranoid\_Randroid](#): > > I guess I’ve been nostalgic, now that my beard is gray Hehe. My avatar shows red hair, which I had for many years (thank you, L’Oreal). During COVID I jumped off the hair coloring hamster wheel (it was not an easy transition), and now my hair is snow white. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/18 "2026-01-22T02:20:31Z")
I’ll add to the chorus of welcome backs, and agree that the board is a bastion of intelligence, reasoning and fact checking given the state of the world. Ease yourself in, or jump in with both feet, both options have merits. Don’t forget to share your experience as well, we can always use a well-reasoned new perspective, or another sympathetic nodding head, or a passionate but polite disagreement if you feel someone is _being wrong on the internet_! I’ll also point out the painful In Memoriam thread, were we’ve seen far too many posts over the years. So always good to get a “hey, I’m alive” counter to such. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/19 "2026-01-22T02:29:48Z")
Welcome back, and yes, I remember you. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892/20 "2026-01-22T02:50:20Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > My avatar shows red hair But IIRC not _your_ red hair. Mine’s gray w hints of residual blonde, and has been for about 40 years now, so no aspersions cast. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-im-back-the-long-nightmare-is-over/1026892.md?page=2)