# When I joined the Dope...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [November 24, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987 "2012-11-24T15:31:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/1 "2012-11-24T15:31:14Z")

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_INTRO: I started a similar thread a couple years ago, and just discovered it among my subscriptions. I enjoyed re-reading it so much that I thought I’d try it another one!_

**When I joined the Dope in July 2004…**

THEN: I was about to turn 33.  
NOW: I’m 41.

THEN: I was a technical writer.  
NOW: I’m a proposal coordinator.

THEN: I was just about to start grad school.  
NOW: I’ve had my master’s degree for four years.

THEN: I’d been floundering since my rock band broke up in '99: I had no idea what I wanted to do, or where I “belonged” musically.  
NOW: I’m a working jazz singer. ♫ ❤

THEN: Chronically single (unhappily).  
NOW: Recently single (happily).

THEN: I had an 18-year-old cat.  
NOW: I have a 4-year-old dog.

THEN: I drove an '02 Nissan Sentra sedan.  
NOW: I drive an '11 Honda Accord V6 coupe (and there was an '08 Maza RX-8 in between).

How about you? 🙂

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**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/2 "2012-11-24T16:02:23Z")

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_ **When I joined the Dope in April 2012…** _

THEN: I was about to turn 51.  
NOW: I am 51. And a half!

THEN: The SF Giants were in 4th place, and their record was below .500.  
NOW: The Giants are World Series Champions - _ **again!** _ Twice in three years - after suffering many decades as a Giants fan, my life is more complete.

That’s about it for me.  
😉

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**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/3 "2012-11-24T16:03:25Z")

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Okay, I’ll play.

When I joined the SDMB in mid-1999…

Then: working as a technical writer.  
Now: college student studying web development.

Then: 36.  
Now: 49.

Then: Living in Toronto, working in Mississauga.  
Now: Living in Whitby, studying in Oshawa.

Then: single.  
Now: single.\*

Then: no car.  
Now: no car.\*

Then: monolingual.  
Now: bilingual.

\*though, in between, things were different.

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**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/4 "2012-11-24T16:04:01Z")

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Depends a bit on what you mean by ‘joined the Dope.’

If you mean this website forum, I joined right about the time it was created but drifted away when it went pay-only. (A blessedly short status, but by the time non-subscribers were allowed to post again I’d lost the habit.) (I think my account must have been purged, as I was unable to recall/locate it; hence the noob join date.)

If you mean the AOL predecessor, I never did AOL.

And if you mean AFCA, let’s see, what \*was \*I doing in 1988… erm, I’ll take the Fifth here.

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**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/5 "2012-11-24T16:05:35Z")

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> [@echo7tango](#):
>
> THEN: The SF Giants were in 4th place, and their record was below .500.  
> NOW: The Giants are World Series Champions - _ **again!** _ Twice in three years - after suffering many decades as a Giants fan, my life is more complete.

Sing it, bro.

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**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/6 "2012-11-24T16:14:36Z")

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> [@Sunspace](#):
>
> \*though, in between, things were different.

That made me laugh. Each time. 🙂

> [@NitroPress](#):
>
> Depends a bit on what you mean by ‘joined the Dope.’

However you choose to define it: those who were around during the AOL days can certainly count them, if they’d like.

I don’t know what AFCA is/was… 😕

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**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/7 "2012-11-24T16:35:19Z")

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When I joined the SDMB in 2002…

**Then:** Working at the puzzle factory  
**Now:** Wordsmith for hire (freelance writer/editor/social media maven)

**Then:** Had one cat (Elvis, 1988-2007, RIP)  
**Now:** Have two cats (littermates Zebulon and Jezebel, b. 2007)

**Then:** Single but dating pretty regularly  
**Now:** Can’t be bothered

**Then:** Needlepointer  
**Now:** Knitter

**Then:** Just a faceless member of the TM  
**Now:** Much-loved/much-hated moderator

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**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/8 "2012-11-24T16:46:13Z")

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When I joined the SDMB in 2002:

Then: I was 16 years old.  
Now: I am 27 years old.

Then: I was in high school, finishing up the 11th grade.  
Now: I’m four and a half years removed from graduating from university.

Then: I made something like $6 an hour as a softball umpire.  
Now: I’m salaried, but it works out to about $44 an hour.

Then: I didn’t have a cell phone, and wouldn’t be getting one until 3-4 years later. I had a couple friends with cell phones.  
Now: My (much younger) cousin got her first cell phone when she was about 13 years old.

Then: I think that my computer had a 50GB hard drive.  
Now: I own a computer with 96GB of _RAM_.

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/9 "2012-11-24T16:54:09Z")

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In January, 2000…

THEN: I had a secure job with a multinational corporation.  
NOW: The multinational corporation off-shored my job, and now I work for a 113-year-old nonprofit corporation.

THEN: I lived in L.A.  
NOW: I live in Northern Washington.

THEN: I was flying helicopters.  
NOW: This activity is precluded by a mortgage and a car payment.

THEN: I was a 13 years younger than I am now.  
NOW: I am 13 years older than I was then.

THEN: The economy was doing well.  
NOW: Not so much.

THEN: The World Trade Center was still standing and I could fly commercially without taking off my shoes.  
NOW: The towers are gone, and I feel I should wear pyjamas and slippers when I fly commercially.

THEN: I used a 233 MHz PC.  
NOW: I use a 2.2 GHz MacBook Pro.

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**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/10 "2012-11-24T16:57:27Z")

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I was around in the AOL days. Mostly for Cecil’s columns. I know I asked at least one stupid question. I know I lost my way for a while before I found this place again. I could have sworn it was earlier but my profile says 4-2003 so there you go.

When I joined the Dope in April 2003…

THEN: I was about to turn 36.  
NOW: I’m 45.

THEN: Police officer.  
NOW: Police officer.

THEN: Married with two daughters  
NOW: Separated for more than three years with the divorce final next month. Also in an almost 2 year relationship.

THEN: I drove an '01 Mazda Protoge  
NOW: I drive an '12 Subaru Impreza. No car in between

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**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/11 "2012-11-24T16:58:39Z")

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When I joined the Dope…

THEN: I was a six-or-more-year lurker on the message board, who finally decided to join.  
NOW: Not much has changed. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/12 "2012-11-24T17:01:33Z")

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I joined in August 2003

I’ve been here almost ten years!

Then: 23, single, living with Mom in Montreal  
Now: 32, married, homeowner in Maryland

Then: About to start med tech school because grad school applications were rejected  
Now: Working for the Red Cross and making more money than I was in my stressful hospital job two years ago.

Then: Public transportation everywhere  
Now: Honda Fit

Then: Trying to fit in with the cool kids  
Now: Content to be a geek

Then: Listening to Norah Jones and Beyonce  
Now: Listening to the Black Keys and Jonathan Coulton

Then: Taking great precautions against pregnancy  
Now: Trying my damnedest to get (and stay) pregnant

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**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/13 "2012-11-24T17:14:05Z")

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When I joined in Aug 2000:

Then: Working as an aerospace structural engineer for the Dept of the Navy  
Now: Retired from gummint work, instead, I’m a temp doing drafting for a company that makes systems for UAVs

Then: Living just south of Jacksonville, FL in a crowded development  
Now: Living in southern Md on 3 acres in a mostly rural county

Then: Driving a 1997 Ford Aerostar van (I sold it in 2010 with 231K miles on it)  
Now: Driving a 2006 Scion xA that I love - it’s just over 103K miles.

Then: Had 2 dogs (one ran away, the other was put down in 2011)  
Now: Have 2 cats (there were 3 other cats in the interim) and a new pug puppy, plus a 125 gallon salt water aquarium

Then: Had a 37’ sailboat  
Now: Boatless for the first time in 29 years.

Then: 46  
Now: Closing in on 59

All in all, life is good.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/14 "2012-11-24T17:14:53Z")

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> [@NitroPress](#):
>
> Sing it, bro.

I’m singing! _ **I’M SINGING!** _

Let’s sing it together!

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**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/15 "2012-11-24T17:47:31Z")

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> [@echo7tango](#):
>
> I’m singing! _ **I’M SINGING!** _
> 
> Let’s sing it together!

“It was a VERY good year…”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/16 "2012-11-24T17:53:50Z")

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Joined in 2000.

THEN: 40  
NOW: 52

THEN: single, never married  
NOW: widowed and engaged to be married again

THEN: psychologist, working at a hospital in MI  
NOW: psychologist, private practice in TN

THEN: renting, moving every 2 to 5 years  
NOW: homeowner, here to stay

THEN: 2 cats  
NOW: 6 cats

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/17 "2012-11-24T18:57:44Z")

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Joined September, 1999

Then: I was 33  
Now: 46

Then: My son was 9 and in grammar school.  
Now: My son is 22 and in the Navy.

Then: Single but living with someone  
Now: Married. Same someone

Then: Worked as an administrative assistant for a large, mulitnational company.  
Now: Work as a temp doing adminstratrive stuff for a large, multinational company.

Then: Lived in a townhouse in Palatine, IL.  
Now: Live in a townhouse in Palatine, IL. Different townhouse.

Then: Had a black, half Coyote, half German Shorthair dog that I adopted from a roofer friend of mine.  
Now: Have a huge German Shepherd that I adopted from a shelter. He moos.

Then: Drive a 1985 Chevy S-10 pickup.  
Now: Drive a 2000 Chrystler Town and Country van.

Then: Husband was working fairly steadily.  
Now: Husband not working hardly at all.

Then: Favorite TV Show was Bonanza.  
Now: Favorite TV Show is Adam-12. And Bonanza.

Then: Had never attended college  
Now: Have about a 1/3 done towards a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/18 "2012-11-24T19:55:02Z")

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> [@Misnomer](#):
>
> That made me laugh. Each time. 🙂
> 
> However you choose to define it: those who were around during the AOL days can certainly count them, if they’d like.
> 
> I don’t know what AFCA is/was… 😕

The Usenet newsgroup [alt.fan.cecil-adams](http://alt.fan.cecil-adams.narkive.com/).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/19 "2012-11-24T20:46:18Z")

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Joined August 2003 (lurked before that)

Then: 23  
Now: 32

Then: Living in a condo in Chicopee, MA  
Now: Living in a log cabin in Southbridge, MA

Then: Working customer service for a hydronic baseboard manufacturer  
Now: Working as a necropsy tech (work study)

Then: One time college dropout  
Now: Community college graduate and current University student

Then: Had a bunny  
Now: Have 3 dogs and a goldfish

Then: Engaged to Sweetie  
Now: Engaged to Sweetie

Then: Drove a 1993 Geo Metro  
Now: Drive a 1989 Jeep Wrangler

Then: Fat  
Now: Fatter

Then: Never had surgery  
Now: Lower back and elbow surgery

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-joined-the-dope/641987/20 "2012-11-24T20:57:42Z")

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When I joined the Dope in June 2000

THEN: I was about to turn 21  
NOW: I’m 33.

THEN: Substitute teacher, bouncer, and security guard.  
NOW: US Army Drill Sergeant.

THEN: Completed my AS degree in criminal justice and graduated the police academy.  
NOW: Working on my BS as a full-time student.

THEN: Unable to get a job after the academy. I would soon be working at a gun range, eventually becoming a manager. About a year later I would get a job selling machine guns and tactical gear. No money; living paycheck to paycheck.  
NOW: Successful military career. Own two houses, two late model cars, a motorcycle and jet ski. Not rich, but living comfortably. Traveled around the world to over 30 countries. Would never have guessed it 12 years ago.

THEN: Happily Single.  
NOW: Very Happily Married.

THEN: No pet.  
NOW: No pet.

THEN: I drove a 1994 Camaro.  
NOW: I drive a 2010 Tahoe, a 2012 Mini Cooper S Conv, and a 2009 Buell 1125R  
How time flies.

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