# I'm different now. Just saying. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 6, 2011, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108 "2011-11-06T22:48:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/81 "2011-11-09T00:52:16Z")
Sorry, the rest of my post disapparated or something. I was going to add that since a bunch of folks dropped in and did the exact opposite of what **Opal** requested, it seems like a pile-on to me. I don’t have a dog in this race - Opal doesn’t know me from the next guy. But I’ve seen it happen before when some poster (contentious or otherwise) posts some fairly personal stuff, and folks come in just crapping on it - it’s happened to me once or twice, although not with something so personal as Opal’s post. It just seems petty, and mean-spirited to me. MPSIMS used to be somewhat of a sanctuary where one could post fairly personal stuff without much fear of reprisal, but it seems the last few years every thread has the potential to become a Pit thread. This forum used to be a pretty fun place to hang, but now, not so much. Oh, and Opal, I have noticed that you seem to be doing better - good on you. ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/82 "2011-11-09T00:54:10Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > In the past, the mods have said that OPs don’t own their threads, and generally have no choice in the direction that it will take. And some of you folks take that as a mandate or something? “you don’t own your thread, so I **physically cannot** butt the hell out and let you have your validation.” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/83 "2011-11-09T00:58:00Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > And one person has done that, with maybe one or two posters agreeing with the viewpoint. Hardly a pile-on. Seems like a bit more than one or two - plus, the volume of posts from the offending naysayers indicates that some folks have an axe to grind. I just don’t get it - if you you don’t think she’s doing better, why bother saying so? You wouldn’t treat a total stranger thusly, why treat a member of our community like that, regardless of who they are? ---
**Author:** ![Mewl\_Dear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Mewl\_Dear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mewl_Dear)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/84 "2011-11-09T01:43:05Z")
I once had sex with a girl named Opal. She gave me herpes. If you are the same girl, I gave you the clap. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/85 "2011-11-09T02:03:11Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > In the past, the mods have said that OPs don’t own their threads, and generally have no choice in the direction that it will take. But why would you intentionally go out of your way to do the exact opposite of what she requested? I agree, that seems like an ax to grind. And as to the Opal’s OP, the only thing that you ever did that bothered me was not taking advice. But I remember a Pit thread following at some point where you seemed to turn that around. Beyond that, I’ve always thought you an extremely ernest person and anybody that tries that hard is good enough for me. Here’s to you keeping on getting better. I’m glad you are happier and more stable. ---
**Author:** ![Shadez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Shadez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadez)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/86 "2011-11-09T02:53:54Z")
Perhaps too lighthearted for this thread, but I’ve been here 10 years and when I think of OpalCat, I think of the [violin in the wall](http://katherinefernie.com/albums/paint_dance_with_violin_solo/paint_dance_with_violin_solo_four_views.jpg) as mentioned in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=467759). ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/87 "2011-11-09T03:24:47Z")
Opal, thanks for your courage to post as you did. I’ve been a member for a long time, and remember the old days. Mostly I read and think, but rarely post. However, I’ve always found your posts to be interesting, and sometimes a bit out there…but who hasn’t been at times? Welcome the changes; they won’t stop. Just keep contributing, and be a part of us. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/88 "2011-11-09T06:22:53Z")
I think people should take this thread as it’s intended, or ignore it. Good luck to you, Opal. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/89 "2011-11-09T15:25:39Z")
Thanks guys 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/90 "2011-11-09T17:03:10Z")
Glad you’re doing better. Who are you again? [sub]I kid, I kid!![/sub] I’m really, really grateful I’m not the person I used to be either. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/91 "2011-11-09T20:59:07Z")
> [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](#): > > Seems like a bit more than one or two - plus, the volume of posts from the offending naysayers indicates that some folks have an axe to grind. #1 and #2 in volume are **CMYK** and yourself, neither naysayers, nor axe grinders. OK, OK, to be fair you are tied with **elmwood** who seems to be both. Me? I just want you all to know I have changed my ways. Just in case you can’t all see it yet. Probably because I changed in ways that were rarely or never displayed here. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/92 "2011-11-09T21:02:12Z")
It’s actually pretty cool that you’ve done this here thread, Opalcat. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/93 "2011-11-09T21:32:36Z")
I remember thinking the buckeye debacle was way overblown … patriotism gone amok (or whatever you call devotion to a state as opposed to a country). Anyway, congratulations on stressing out less! Maybe we could get to follow your lead some of those people who insisted your overly literal interpretation of buckeye was a dread insult to Ohioans. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/94 "2011-11-09T23:14:41Z")
I wasn’t insulted, I don’t like 'em either. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/95 "2011-11-10T04:06:52Z")
> [@Mewl\_Dear](#): > > I once had sex with a girl named Opal. She gave me herpes. > If you are the same girl, I gave you the clap. I just want to call attention to this brilliant non sequitur. Kudos to you Mewl Dear, for making me laugh like a _crazy person_. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/96 "2011-11-10T06:04:37Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I still have my issues (yes, I’m still grossed out by the term ‘buckeyes’ to refer to peanut butter balls–I can’t help it! It makes me think of disembodied eyeballs! If I could think of something else I would!) If it’s any consolation, as a fellow former Ohio resident I never associated buckeyes with anything other than the delicious chocolate peanut butter confection (except the actual tree seed, of course, and college football) until your post about disembodied eyeballs. Now, I think of you and it adds to the jovial spirit of holiday candy-making family fun. I hope that doesn’t bother you, but I also hope you can laugh about that thread looking back now. I might even be willing to send to a tin of homemade buckeyes. 😉 I don’t know you, but I’ve enjoyed your art. I can appreciate growth and past personal struggles. Sometimes, I think it’s brave and cathartic to share, though it can be brutal here. I wish you and your family nothing but the best. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/97 "2011-11-10T06:06:20Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > I remember thinking the buckeye debacle was way overblown … patriotism gone amok (or whatever you call devotion to a state as opposed to a country). > > Anyway, congratulations on stressing out less! Maybe we could get to follow your lead some of those people who insisted your overly literal interpretation of buckeye was a dread insult to Ohioans. It wasn’t so much an insult, it was just perplexing that someone who actually lived in Ohio at one time didn’t associated buckeyes with…well, everything that Ohioans associate with buckeyes, as noted in my post above. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/98 "2011-11-10T14:01:10Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > It wasn’t so much an insult, it was just perplexing that someone who actually lived in Ohio at one time didn’t associated buckeyes with…well, everything that Ohioans associate with buckeyes, as noted in my post above. I only lived there for 2 years in my late 30s. Oh, and I hate sports, so I don’t pay attention to stuff like that. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/99 "2011-11-10T16:47:54Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I only lived there for 2 years in my late 30s. Oh, and I hate sports, so I don’t pay attention to stuff like that. I’d have stopped with the first sentence. The second one just comes across as intentionally inflammatory and ignorant. I don’t care for auto racing, but I know what a black and white number three represents when I see one. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108/100 "2011-11-10T17:21:14Z")
Hm, I never even considered that buckeye was part of a deer’s anatomy. What about cattails and dog ears and bullseyes? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-different-now-just-saying/602108.md?page=6)