Posted by beardedlady on March 13, 2002, at 14:37:31
In reply to Re: Mea Culpa, posted by Lini on March 13, 2002, at 13:42:42
I came to pb for some med advice and got it. I checked out the psb board and thought it was kind of neat to share ideas and advice. But I never took it so seriously that I got offended by something someone said.
The definition of support is a tricky one. Does it mean that you rah-rah-rah someone's ridiculous decision? Or does it mean that you help someone over tough times? And does that "help" mean saying only what the person wants to here?
I am certain this board is inhabited by some nice folks, some intelligent people, some caring individuals. But--and I mean no offense by this--if I want "support," why would I ask strangers? If I need crisis management, why would I come to this anonymous board and post my cry for help? I don't even know where any of you live!
Our families and our friends and our neighbors should be the ones we trust with the intimate details of our lives, the ones we go to in our times of need. I thought this was the place to commiserate, the place to be to not be alone, the FREE place to get an unbiased opinion from people who don't evaluate our situations by using our own histories against us.
I say this because I don't think people should be blaming themselves for another's decision to leave the board. I suppose I could see it if a bunch of people said, "We don't like you; go away." My feelings would be hurt a little, I guess.
But this has gotten out of hand. Because I have a DSL, it's easy for me to check the board a dozen times a day. It's easy to sit in front of the screen typing until my eyes blur. It's so easy, in fact, that I haven't done some really important things in the past two weeks. (And boy does my breath stink!)
So I'm blocking myself for an indefinite period. I will have to resist the temptation to give advice and express my bizarre political views and instead brush my teeth, shower, see the world.
I worry, too, that this board might hurt some people. I have noticed a few folks here who really need help (!), and I don't think this forum is healthy for them--either because they are too sensitive or because they seem to be missing life. But that's their business, not mine. It's just an observation.
Anyway, thank you so much for all of your glad tidings and good arguments and fun poems (sue doe) and great advice (JohnX2, Ron, Colin, and others).
I wish you all the best!
bearded lady : )>
P.S. The name is from an Ani Difranco song, "'tis of thee," from "Up Up Up Up Up Up." It's an excellent song, and I hope you can check it out. Here's the section:
"i ran away with the circus
'cuz there's still some honest work left for bearded ladies
but it's not the same going town to town
since they put everyone in jail
except the cleavers and the bradys"We are all bearded ladies on this board. It's hard to hide how special we are.
poster:beardedlady
thread:19517
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020305/msgs/19778.html