Any of the old school members still lurking?

[skeebo1969]

   I don't want to name any names, that way it doesn't seem like I am favoring anyone.  But, are there any old timers still lurking around like I am?  I'll be honest, I miss a lot of the friendships I witnessed on here.   I never really added anything of substance about.... well anything.  However, I sure enjoyed watching everyone else.

  Some of my fondest memories after diagnosis has occurred with people I no longer know about. 

  Like the time I got Baker Acted... or, the night my left testicle grew to the size of a grapefruit.  The birth of my youngest, who is now going into the fourth grade. 

  I think about you all often, even the ones I didn't always get along with.  I admired all of you, and still do.

  Thomas

[BT65]

Hi Thomas, I'm still here!  It's good to see you, how's everything going?

Betty

[whizzer]

I remember when you were SadTom, eleven or so years ago I reckon.  The forums were a different place back then - wilder, naughtier, less delicate, and far less balkanized than what we have today, which led to a lot more interaction amongst the members. I too wonder what has become of many of them.  Some, I know, have died, or are in the process of doing so.  Others have removed themselves - or have been removed - and some seem to have simply drifted away - I suppose they took what they needed and moved on.

Time only moves forward.  I'm still around.  Reading, rarely posting, and occasionally reminiscing about the way things used to be.  I miss those times (but not my newby neuroses), and have fond memories of the people who helped me so much back when I was in great need.


-Whizzer

[joemutt]

Hi Thomas
I am still around and I'm glad you are too
Joe

[OneTampa]

Hello Thomas,



And slowly coming through recent challenges.

Take care,

OT

[bmancanfly]

Hey Thomas, glad to see your post.

The forums certainly have changed over the years.  This is a much quieter, and more tame,  place than it used to be. 

Hope all is well with you.

[leatherman]

how long have I even been here? I know it was in the previous version of the forums and I know it was back in the early aughts, maybe the late 90s. It was a year or two after aidsmeds.com first became the place to be. When was that?


I think I miss the cabal most of all 
(Not. LOL )

[mecch]

Just wondering what long-time members are now "in the process of dying".   

[CaveyUK]

I would imagine very few (if any)

One of the advantages of modern HIV meds, is that it has largely become a manageable, chronic condition which simply put means that for many people, they do not need to spend all their free time talking about it. For some, talking about it constantly is actually a negative thing for them.

So my guess is that a lot of folk are just getting on with their lives, and occasionally surfing the forums to see whats up without the need to directly contribute.

I'm still in that first year of hyper-vigilance and borderline obsessing behaviour regarding HIV so do visit a lot. I'm not certain that in 5 years time I will still be on here religiously reading threads about anal warts and the latest paranoia-of-the-day. Perhaps I will, but I rather hope I won't

[skeebo1969]

Hi Thomas, I'm still here!  It's good to see you, how's everything going?

Betty

Hi Betty!!  My wife and I weathered the storm, and we've been back together since the end of March.  My oldest daughter (25) is about to move out, we've been helping her since she graduated from college, and we are so excited to turn her room into an office!   I never would have dreamed that the prospect of some file cabinets and a desk would excite me so.

I remember when you were SadTom, eleven or so years ago I reckon.  The forums were a different place back then - wilder, naughtier, less delicate, and far less balkanized than what we have today, which led to a lot more interaction amongst the members. I too wonder what has become of many of them.  Some, I know, have died, or are in the process of doing so.  Others have removed themselves - or have been removed - and some seem to have simply drifted away - I suppose they took what they needed and moved on.

Time only moves forward.  I'm still around.  Reading, rarely posting, and occasionally reminiscing about the way things used to be.  I miss those times (but not my newby neuroses), and have fond memories of the people who helped me so much back when I was in great need.


-Whizzer

Whizzer,  your sharp wit and sense of humor was missed a long time ago.  I had forgotten about Sadtom, that sure brings back a lot of memories.  It's good to see you.

The old forums were great, and I think we knew some changes were coming when POZ took over.  I just never figured it would become so censored.  A part of me understands, this is supposed to be a support forum.... however, it's come at a price.  The sense of community is not as strong here as it once was.   

As the years go by, Moffie's wisdom makes more sense now, and I am not just talking about his sage advice on living with HIV.   

I also know members like him cannot be replaced.   The void left after so many beloved people died is huge, and I can't ignore how much that plays into the night and day difference around here.

Don't get me wrong, it's still the best place for support and answers. 

I guess everything changes, I know Miami did....lol

Oh well.

Hi Thomas
I am still around and I'm glad you are too
Joe

Hi Joe!  I hope you are doing well!

Hello Thomas,



And slowly coming through recent challenges.

Take care,

OT

Hello brother!  I work out in this terrible heat we've been having and I think I'm melting.  We only have two seasons here, Summer and Not Summer, the latter last 2 months.   

Thomas

Hey Thomas, glad to see your post.

The forums certainly have changed over the years.  This is a much quieter, and more tame,  place than it used to be. 

Hope all is well with you.

   I hope all is going well on your side too.

how long have I even been here? I know it was in the previous version of the forums and I know it was back in the early aughts, maybe the late 90s. It was a year or two after aidsmeds.com first became the place to be. When was that?


I think I miss the cabal most of all 
(Not. LOL )

I think it was 2002-03 maybe.....

I miss doing mercenary work for the cabal.... ok, I'm joking.

I hope all is well with you.

Just wondering what long-time members are now "in the process of dying".   

I would imagine very few (if any)

One of the advantages of modern HIV meds, is that it has largely become a manageable, chronic condition which simply put means that for many people, they do not need to spend all their free time talking about it. For some, talking about it constantly is actually a negative thing for them.

So my guess is that a lot of folk are just getting on with their lives, and occasionally surfing the forums to see whats up without the need to directly contribute.

I'm still in that first year of hyper-vigilance and borderline obsessing behaviour regarding HIV so do visit a lot. I'm not certain that in 5 years time I will still be on here religiously reading threads about anal warts and the latest paranoia-of-the-day. Perhaps I will, but I rather hope I won't

I understand your point.  And, I guess you kind of validated my thoughts on the place at the same time.

It is what it is...

[BT65]

Thomas, it's wonderful to read you and your wife are back together!  I know how that was effecting you.  And hey...I totally get the thrill of kids moving out (even though it's a little bittersweet) and using the rooms for other purposes.  When my roommate's son moved out we turned his room into a guest room.  Now people don't have to sleep on the couch lol.  Continued well wishes to you!

Betty

[OneTampa]

Thomas,

I am so happy to read you and your wife have reconciled.

Wonderful news!

Take care,

OT

[wolfter]

That is most excellent news.  Sometimes in our worst journeys we need to sail away.

[mecch]

Good news, congrats. Get a good chair for that office.

[weasel]

Weasel is alive and well 

   I am missing the old bitchy at times forums 

  So many have passed , I try not to dwell to much 

                        Wishing us all health and happiness ,
                                                                          Carl

[GSOgymrat]

I still check in occasionally.

Ford

[tednlou2]

Not sure if I qualify as an old timer.  Joined in 2009. 

Good hearing from ya and glad to hear about you and your wife. 

[Basquo]

Yo! Still here.

[Regretsafew]

I just pop in once in awhile. 

Hope all is well with you 

[wolfter]

Perhaps many of us have started living a life that we throught we'd never experience.  Turning 50 and being the healthiest I've been during any adult period of my life changed my mindset.

Also, witnessing the neurotic concerns of people gets really old.  It's like they ignore the advances of knowledge we've acquired over the last 30 years.  MY AHA moment came while reading the "Am I" forums.  A dude bought a dildo at a sex shop and went home and used it on himself.  He then starting worrying that perhaps some HIV+ person had previously purchased and returned this same dildo and it perhaps was tainted with HIV.

Those are the types of posts when I truly wish MTD and Ann were still around.   

[skeebo1969]

Perhaps many of us have started living a life that we throught we'd never experience.  Turning 50 and being the healthiest I've been during any adult period of my life changed my mindset.

I agree.  Once I got my head out of the sand I started realizing there is still a lot of life to live.  I'll occasionally come on and peruse some of my old posts from way back, a lot of it makes me smile.  Some of it bums me out though....  you kind of hold a lot in when it comes to the members we have lost through the years.

I don't exactly know how to vent about that kind of stuff.

It is really nice seeing a lot of the old faces and knowing you all are doing okay.

Thomas

[wolfter]

I agree.  Once I got my head out of the sand I started realizing there is still a lot of life to live.  I'll occasionally come on and peruse some of my old posts from way back, a lot of it makes me smile.  Some of it bums me out though....  you kind of hold a lot in when it comes to the members we have lost through the years.

I don't exactly know how to vent about that kind of stuff.

It is really nice seeing a lot of the old faces and knowing you all are doing okay.

Thomas

Thanks, I wasn't sure when arriving home from work if I'd have a warning for bruising someone's delicate sensibilities.  My first loss here was the Captn.  He and Mikie were the two I connected to the most.  He was planning on Seattle then we got the news.

And since, we've lost so many that were dear to us. 

[Jody]

I'm still standing. 

[Buckmark]

This old skool / old fart member is still alive and kicking, and being a pain in the ass.

Cheers,

Henry

[Jeff G]

I lurk .

[mecch]

I was remembering Miss P this weekend.

[Denver Toad]

Mecch-I too have had Philly on my mind. He, and many others, walked with me through the early years. We didn't talk/IM often, but when we did it was golden. He always found the words I needed to hear. What I wouldn't give to hear from him just once more.

To piggyback on what others have said, the forums indeed have grown pedestrian. There's plenty of practical advice to be found, but at least for me, little emotional involvement. Our world here is lacking in passionate role models. It's a huge mistake not letting MattyTD moderate.

Thanks for the post Skeebo. With the daughter now moved away are you a DINK?

Todd

[harleymc]

I wonder if that sex shop got a premium for that dildo I sold back to them.

[skeebo1969]

I was remembering Miss P this weekend.

Me too, it's coming up on the one year mark since his passing.  I was looking through some of my private messages and chuckled a bit at one from him.  I was moving to Boston, and as a typical Floridian was ill prepared.  He sent me some links for Winter coats "you must have".  They were all way out of my price range.

Of course, I didn't tell him that.

Thanks for the post Skeebo. With the daughter now moved away are you a DINK?

Todd

Not quite yet, still have a nine year old to raise.

I wonder if that sex shop got a premium for that dildo I sold back to them.

Things that make you go, "hmmmm".


Regarding the changes through the years on the forums.  I personally feel they are finally what they were originally meant to be.  A safe place to discuss issues living with HIV.  Not that it wasn't before, however many of us almost looked at this place as a sort of escape, kind of a home away from home.  There were many nights I spent here with "friends", and my physical circle of friends suffered because of it.   It wasn't healthy for me.

I do miss it though..... I met some great people on here.  And, those people changed the way I think forever.

Skeebo

[thunter34]

I flare up like herpes now and again.

[Jerry71]

I'm still here! Just spend time on facebook! I miss the good ole days when I met so many back in San Francisco! Just not the same so many have died!

[anniebc]

Hi there

Haven't been in for a while, but Nick has sent me a few Pm's since we had the quakes an so thought I would come in and have a wee sneaky to see how everyone is doing, good to see a few of he old faces still lurking, spend time chatting on FB now....don't judge me I'm retired...

Hugs
Jan.
(Anniebc in case you have forgotten.. )

[skeebo1969]

I flare up like herpes now and again.

LOL  Come and go, but always there.

I'm still here! Just spend time on facebook! I miss the good ole days when I met so many back in San Francisco! Just not the same so many have died!

Jerry?  Is it really you?  My god man, I haven't seen you on in ages!  I hope all is well.

Hi there

Haven't been in for a while, but Nick has sent me a few Pm's since we had the quakes an so thought I would come in and have a wee sneaky to see how everyone is doing, good to see a few of he old faces still lurking, spend time chatting on FB now....don't judge me I'm retired...

Hugs
Jan.
(Anniebc in case you have forgotten.. )

Jan, no reminder needed...  We'd never, ever forget you!!  I wanna ask how the goats are but I think you had camels... or, was it llamas?

[minismom]

Wee One and I are still here. Life has been a bit crushing lately and neither of us has been on for a while. I do try to stop by and catch up, although I rarely post.

Wee One was the key note speaker at a WAD conference. I'll post the link as soon as Hubs posts it on YouTube.

Mum

[Irish Eyes]

I'm far from "old school" and haven't even been lurking for eons.
All is well with me, just busy with work and life.
Tho nice to see some familiar names.
I went to update my numbers on my profile and i don't even know how to read my results or what results to enter :-/

[anniebc]

I'm still lurking

First time I have actually logged on in a long time.

Glad to hear you are doing well skeebo.

BYW...it was goats Alpacas and pigs 
Cheers
Jan

[Hellraiser]

I'm still here about once every year or two.  Does 7 years count as old?

[bocker3]

I'm still here about once every year or two.  Does 7 years count as old?

I'd say 7 years old puts one just past toddler age-- that seems appropriate here.   

Good to hear from your Trey!!

Hugs,
Mike

[skeebo1969]

I'm still here about once every year or two.  Does 7 years count as old?

Good God Trey, you come back posting Algebra questions.

Edited to add:  It's great hearing from you brother, and good to know you're still kicking! 

[leatherman]

Does 7 years count as old?

posting Algebra questions.   

that's 49 in dog years 

[3DollarBill]

Boo!

After I found out about David's death I wanted to see when he last logged in, which can be done only with an account.  Now that I know I'll log off and allow the moderators to end this charade. 

My apologies to all.

[MSPspud]

Just signed on today after SEVERAL years - Facebook had taken over.  So many hours spend on here and memories. 

[OneTampa]

Thinking about that "free spirit" Matty the Damned.

 

Has he joined a Convent and become Bobo the Blessed?

[skeebo1969]

Thinking about that "free spirit" Matty the Damned.

 

Has he joined a Convent and become Bobo the Blessed?

He posted a thread a few months back.   Calling on old friends to drop him a line, or something along those lines. 

[peteb]

I'm still kicking its been rough like a heart attack,and shit don't gett on here to often I miss it sometimes

[skeebo1969]

Just signed on today after SEVERAL years - Facebook had taken over.  So many hours spend on here and memories.

So many people gone.   All of those who were here when I joined have pretty much left us..

[skeebo1969]

  I guess this is an every two year things now..  Please give a shout if you are a long term member of the greatest cliub ever.  well, sorta anyways...

[aupointillimite]

I guess I'm one of those people. I logged on a while ago and read that a couple of old friends from here have since died, which was sad.

I do miss a lot of the good times I had with people here, but there was also some absolutely horrific shit that went down. I guess I ended up feeling burned and just sort of left. I was absolutely no angel, trust me. But it got bad, and I ended up spending time elsewhere.

In any event, I hope everyone here is doing well! I've been poz for sixteen years now, which is pretty wild. On balance, this place was a valuable resource when I was a newbie. So thank you for that.

[skeebo1969]

I guess I'm one of those people. I logged on a while ago and read that a couple of old friends from here have since died, which was sad.

I do miss a lot of the good times I had with people here, but there was also some absolutely horrific shit that went down. I guess I ended up feeling burned and just sort of left. I was absolutely no angel, trust me. But it got bad, and I ended up spending time elsewhere.

In any event, I hope everyone here is doing well! I've been poz for sixteen years now, which is pretty wild. On balance, this place was a valuable resource when I was a newbie. So thank you for that.

I remember you, we joined around the same time.  It's been 16 years since I was diagnosed as well.  I agree there were some pretty bad situations arise on the forum and I was probably entrenched in some of them.  I was no angel back then and I recognize I was a fairly bitter person at the time and way too opinionated.  It's okay to be opinionated when it's founded on something close to being factual..  Time has shown me just how wrong I was.

There were more good times than bad and as the years have passed there is one thing I do miss, and that's the love of the community that was here.

I think today forums are rather a dinosaur of sorts, social media has taken it's place.  Life moves on...  Thanks for posting Aupointlllmite.  It's good to see an old face is still around.

[Delby]

Hey Skeebo

Great to hear from you. My gosh, doesn't time fly. It's frightening. I remember joining the forum when I was diagnosed in 2006 and it was such a support. So many people reached out and helped me through that period. Great to hear from you and to see some of the old names on this thread. Hello to everyone and keep trucking on!

Delby xx