March 18, 2022 - This thread is old.
Howdy!
For all of you saddened and freaked about the impending loss of ATS, I feel your pain, anger or disappointment and you’re not alone. You’ll get through this.
I lurked for years but officially joined over there in 2007. I rarely posted feeling somewhat intimidated and out of my league with all the smart, worldly and intelligent people there but came to know the members, the personalities and what was what. ATS was my home. I was addicted and was there continuously during my waking hours. I know many of you have been the same.
During my tenure there, I met someone that had a lot of influence on my attitudes and I did begin to post a lot and it began to seem like my life on the boards was a much a part of me as my life in the flesh. It was so important to me having a place to be heard even if nobody listened and my opinions weren’t popular.
Then my bestie there threw a fit and got herself banned. In solidarity with her and her reasons, I got myself banned too.
I cried. I felt empty and lost and lonely and sad. It was like a failed romance that leaves a burning hole in your heart. My desire to come back caused problems between my also banned friend and I so there were a lot of things weighing on me. We didn’t speak for almost a year because of ATS.
Maybe a year later, I did rejoin with a new account and got right back into the swing of things. 1000 posts and another year or two later, I was banned again and went through all the same grieving and loss process.
I continued to visit the site 500 times a day anyway. I just couldn’t give it up or stay away. I asked to have my account reinstated but after a staff vote, it was decided I was not welcome back.
Time passed and I tried a couple new accounts briefly and I was banned like lightning. Another nine months or a year later, dumbass me signed up once more. Nearly six months in and 100 posts later just when I started feeling safe, a couple weeks or a month ago, I was banned AGAIN! Saddened yes, but not truly surprised. I could still visit 99 times a day to be with my family and my community even if I was an outsider.
When SO made his announcement and word spread, I was dismayed at not being able to reconnect one last time, say my goodbyes and figure out how to stay in contact with my friends. Over the course of the last week as it has begun to look like the site may go dark in days, the feelings of loss of something I’ve had a love/hate relationship for thirteen years is really beginning to set in.
This time though, after putting my hand in the fire and getting burned again and again, I’m a little more able to cope having been through this rodeo a time or two before.
If they do turn out the lights, I just wanted to say to those that are also reeling from this impending loss I feel you and hear you. It doesn’t help much but you’re not alone. When ATS was great, it was the best.
They say home is where you hang your hat and with all the familiar faces showing up here every day, soon we’ll all be Rogues and our hearts will heal. I know it isn’t easy though.
Howdy!
For all of you saddened and freaked about the impending loss of ATS, I feel your pain, anger or disappointment and you’re not alone. You’ll get through this.
I lurked for years but officially joined over there in 2007. I rarely posted feeling somewhat intimidated and out of my league with all the smart, worldly and intelligent people there but came to know the members, the personalities and what was what. ATS was my home. I was addicted and was there continuously during my waking hours. I know many of you have been the same.
During my tenure there, I met someone that had a lot of influence on my attitudes and I did begin to post a lot and it began to seem like my life on the boards was a much a part of me as my life in the flesh. It was so important to me having a place to be heard even if nobody listened and my opinions weren’t popular.
Then my bestie there threw a fit and got herself banned. In solidarity with her and her reasons, I got myself banned too.
I cried. I felt empty and lost and lonely and sad. It was like a failed romance that leaves a burning hole in your heart. My desire to come back caused problems between my also banned friend and I so there were a lot of things weighing on me. We didn’t speak for almost a year because of ATS.
Maybe a year later, I did rejoin with a new account and got right back into the swing of things. 1000 posts and another year or two later, I was banned again and went through all the same grieving and loss process.
I continued to visit the site 500 times a day anyway. I just couldn’t give it up or stay away. I asked to have my account reinstated but after a staff vote, it was decided I was not welcome back.
Time passed and I tried a couple new accounts briefly and I was banned like lightning. Another nine months or a year later, dumbass me signed up once more. Nearly six months in and 100 posts later just when I started feeling safe, a couple weeks or a month ago, I was banned AGAIN! Saddened yes, but not truly surprised. I could still visit 99 times a day to be with my family and my community even if I was an outsider.
When SO made his announcement and word spread, I was dismayed at not being able to reconnect one last time, say my goodbyes and figure out how to stay in contact with my friends. Over the course of the last week as it has begun to look like the site may go dark in days, the feelings of loss of something I’ve had a love/hate relationship for thirteen years is really beginning to set in.
This time though, after putting my hand in the fire and getting burned again and again, I’m a little more able to cope having been through this rodeo a time or two before.
If they do turn out the lights, I just wanted to say to those that are also reeling from this impending loss I feel you and hear you. It doesn’t help much but you’re not alone. When ATS was great, it was the best.
They say home is where you hang your hat and with all the familiar faces showing up here every day, soon we’ll all be Rogues and our hearts will heal. I know it isn’t easy though.
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.