i noticed that lots of people read these posts,sometimes thousands of people and

[Ann]

is the poem poster a LTS???   maybe the moderators should move his posts to another area on here like they do with other peoples posts.....just a thought

Yes, he is. If you were that worried about this person's standing in the LTS stakes, you could have clicked on his posting history, skimmed it and figured it out for yourself.

Ann

[lucas777]

 Thanx BT65,
for some reason I thought that you must live with it for 25 years like since 80's. I'm poz. since 93 or 94 can't remember the year but remember the results day the 17 of May.

[hudstar]

This site is American based so I'm wondering if you local guys/girls ever meet face to face after talking on here. I dont post much cause most has been said but I do when I see a subject i relate to. I can never relate to internet chat like a face to face conversation so writing is like giving information and it does become about yourself. I guess I wouldn't say much if I was in a group of people in real life face to face and they were talking about themself so maybe that is why so many lerkers

[Peter Staley]

Hud -- see the "AM Gatherings" forum -- the last forum in our list of forums.

[OneTampa]

I think that it worth noting that several things are going on here.

We must remember that contributors to these boards are quite wonderful and diverse ranging geographically, culturally, ethnically, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, and a host of other categories that form a community just like any other, if one were to use the parlance.  We are just a few clicks away in this virtual community instead of a few doors down. This is a great asset that impacts what you see written here.
 
As to the original question about why people may be afraid to post here, the reasons may be many with several clearly noted earlier by others and, in my opinion, quite true.  Since this virtual community can only approximate the one where you would meet face-to-face, participants may be shy, put off, willing to say something already voiced by someone else but think that there is no need to repeat or simply wish to be a listener (reader--or lurker as I've read is the descriptor--in this case).

Also, it can be difficult to effectively translate to the the virtual the face-to-face dynamics of personal discussions given the absence of physical gestures, audio and visual cues and settings-- a challenge to put into writing. I believe that is one reason why we have those little emoticons to sort of massage the meanings of some posts. In addition, I also believe that this site is American based which may filter some of the intended meanings of posts as well.

And, in a virtual community, as in the physical world, there are different takes on the events and the experiences of life.  Personally, I love the nuance, insights, snap, diverse opinions, moods and tones I see here.  The discussions can often mirror an interesting gathering of friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and strangers--some you agree with and others you may not.

If you search my posts, you'll find that I have found great inspiration and life affirming motivation from this forum. I believe that there is also a direct correlation to a better quality of life and health (I have the labs to prove it!) as well because of the freedom of expression allowed here.
  
I don't drink or smoke.  So my earlier post to this thread and others like it come from what my son calls my very droll--he looked the word up--sense of humor.  I hope that when the occasion calls for it, I can switch tone and signal the proper intent as appropriate. To be quite frank, I simply marvel and am immensely grateful that I am still here after 24 years HIV+ with a generally good life, and can even make my way to a computer, boot it up and type in any tone and intent.

With reference to the discussions around who should be categorized as a long term HIV+ survivor. If we were to take heed of the predictions in the early days, many of us were supposed to be dead after six months to about two years.  So anyone living longer than that puts nearly all of us in the "experienced" survivor category, in my humble opinion.

Finally, as my father used to say, "Lets chat-chat!  Beat those gums!"(or fingers..)

Thank you all for the patience it took to read through my post (or rant...).

Take care.

[hudstar]

Hud -- see the "AM Gatherings" forum -- the last forum in our list of forums.

Wow, heaps of gatherings going on, that's pretty cool. I've never looked further down the list than LTS 

[dgr20002]

I may have a lot of free time, but then again I don't spend every waking hour obtaining a sunburn.

If I am red it's the viagra 

D

[denb45]

If I am red it's the viagra 

D

That stuff is EVIL, it dries up my sinuses, and gives me a terrible Headache , then the next day, I feel like I was hit by a Mack-Truck, and left on the side on the road DEAD  ....talk about a Hangover, Viagra will sure give you one in the worst way