A Sense of Home
Dec. 22nd, 2002 02:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ambitious_wenchOne of the things about the internet that I love is the chance to connect, however ephemerally, to utter strangers around the world, to find common ground with folks far flung from me.
I remember my introduction to the internet, in 1996. Techi and I had just become lovers, and we had basicly moved in together. She was staying in my apartment more than she was hers, at least. I had heard of AOL, and the internet, had begun seeing internet addresses being included in advertisements. It intrigued me. I'd heard that you could talk real time with other users, a vast improvement over the old BBS system my friends used.
"You have a computer? Does it have AOL on it?"
"Yes, why?"
"I hear you can talk to people in real time on it, that's something I'd like to try!"
"Sure, I'll bring it over, and you can subscribe"
Thank god that was the time AOL went to a flat fee. I was hooked in 24 hours. Chat rooms mostly. Later came one particular message board--Ken's Guide to the Bible. (Another long story, and to this day I have online friends from that venue) Usenet was introduced briefly, but I found it bewildering, and too full of hateful messages.
Broadband was next, and still I kept my AOL access, this time as "BYOA", at a reduced rate. I learned how to surf in style at high speed. A friend from Ken's guide (now defunct) introduced me to alt.devilbunnies, and I started lurking there. Briefly de-lurked in 1998 or so.
Developed my online nick of "Ambitious Wench" through a brief foray into the world of alt.2600. Another long story, and if you want to find it, I am sure that you can Google as well as anyone else.
Lurked occasionally on alt.devilbunnies.
Began posting to alt.binaries.pictures.gardens, and became friends with that crew. Discovered that Teresa Wentzler has a Message board of her own, and began posting to it. Made friend with folks there. Discovered IRC in there somewhere. Made friends there.
See a pattern? Making friends, the world over. Japan, England, Canada, Scotland.
This year, I re-de-lurked on alt.devilbunnies. Began writing in earnest, and found that I'm not too bad. IRC became important to me again--the alt.2600 bunch brought me into it, then I brought the TW bunch into it, and now the alt.dbs folks are my regulars. For the second time in my online experience, I went to a gathering. I got to meet some of the most wonderful writers on the internet, good folk all, and had a wonderful time. I laughed until my sides hurt reading "Eye of Argon" outloud. "Wholesome barbarian" is now a part of my vocabulary. As is "Lithe and opaque nose".
In my 6 years online, I have grown, and developed talents I didn't know I had. I can write. I can embroider. I take beautiful pictures. I keep in contact with friends for King Richard's faire, and have even made contact via email with the RI Civic Chorale to be notified of auditions.
I suppose it would be pretty pathetic to say that the Internet is my home. And yet, I do feel at home on it. I have made friends here, connected with like-minded folks, found comfort and support. Now I write my thoughts online, and place them here for you to read.
It's a small drop, hardly worth noting. But I know that someone, somewhere will read it, and say "Yes, I know what she means."
And that is precious.
I remember my introduction to the internet, in 1996. Techi and I had just become lovers, and we had basicly moved in together. She was staying in my apartment more than she was hers, at least. I had heard of AOL, and the internet, had begun seeing internet addresses being included in advertisements. It intrigued me. I'd heard that you could talk real time with other users, a vast improvement over the old BBS system my friends used.
"You have a computer? Does it have AOL on it?"
"Yes, why?"
"I hear you can talk to people in real time on it, that's something I'd like to try!"
"Sure, I'll bring it over, and you can subscribe"
Thank god that was the time AOL went to a flat fee. I was hooked in 24 hours. Chat rooms mostly. Later came one particular message board--Ken's Guide to the Bible. (Another long story, and to this day I have online friends from that venue) Usenet was introduced briefly, but I found it bewildering, and too full of hateful messages.
Broadband was next, and still I kept my AOL access, this time as "BYOA", at a reduced rate. I learned how to surf in style at high speed. A friend from Ken's guide (now defunct) introduced me to alt.devilbunnies, and I started lurking there. Briefly de-lurked in 1998 or so.
Developed my online nick of "Ambitious Wench" through a brief foray into the world of alt.2600. Another long story, and if you want to find it, I am sure that you can Google as well as anyone else.
Lurked occasionally on alt.devilbunnies.
Began posting to alt.binaries.pictures.gardens, and became friends with that crew. Discovered that Teresa Wentzler has a Message board of her own, and began posting to it. Made friend with folks there. Discovered IRC in there somewhere. Made friends there.
See a pattern? Making friends, the world over. Japan, England, Canada, Scotland.
This year, I re-de-lurked on alt.devilbunnies. Began writing in earnest, and found that I'm not too bad. IRC became important to me again--the alt.2600 bunch brought me into it, then I brought the TW bunch into it, and now the alt.dbs folks are my regulars. For the second time in my online experience, I went to a gathering. I got to meet some of the most wonderful writers on the internet, good folk all, and had a wonderful time. I laughed until my sides hurt reading "Eye of Argon" outloud. "Wholesome barbarian" is now a part of my vocabulary. As is "Lithe and opaque nose".
In my 6 years online, I have grown, and developed talents I didn't know I had. I can write. I can embroider. I take beautiful pictures. I keep in contact with friends for King Richard's faire, and have even made contact via email with the RI Civic Chorale to be notified of auditions.
I suppose it would be pretty pathetic to say that the Internet is my home. And yet, I do feel at home on it. I have made friends here, connected with like-minded folks, found comfort and support. Now I write my thoughts online, and place them here for you to read.
It's a small drop, hardly worth noting. But I know that someone, somewhere will read it, and say "Yes, I know what she means."
And that is precious.