Four Years Today ......... sexypenguin

I logged on this morning after my morning coffee and news, and sure enough ... I have been here four years to the day. So, I went through and read some of my old posts ... It's really amazing, going through those posts, to see posts as they are relevant to both the cultural attitude and time of personal growth. As far as the site goes ... well, that goes without saying the amount of change it has gone through. I first came here on accident (just like about 80 percent of you), only to find me being talked about on a post --- I am looking at YOU Anabel. And, it all took off from there.

I have seen fake deaths, alternate sites set up, people banned, accusations of inappropriate behavior, etc. That being said, I have seen unity, prayers, stories, beliefs, feelings being shared. I have seen a community stand admist changes (for the better or the worse), I have seen a rare on line community of several personalities ... all binding together to weather whatever storm trying to swallow it. I have made the kind of friendships through this website that are unforgettable friendships. The kind where years down the road, you do not have to reintroduce yourself --- although the time of absence may be great. The kind of friendships where one sentence can describe an entire emotion or describe an entire situation. Perhaps, if not that emotionally in depth, I have met friends that with a quick quip and a verse, that are quick to understand exactly what I was saying. The fact that a select few poets here even read my poetry means a lot to me.

My life the past 5 years has been full of changes. When I first came to this site, I felt as though I was decaying at work. I worked to afford fixes and not for the future. I denied myself substantial friendships and shunned those that would ask for a commitment. I am now active in my community, active at school (making dean's list 3 semesters, now), have sponsored several non-profit activities, have been asked to work for research committees for grant money, and have allowed myself to accept and love my dearest partner in life -- my girlfriend Heather.

As deliciously sappy as it would be to thank the site for all of these changes, it would be a bit much to thank a single website for. That being said, the purpose of this post is to acknowledge the changes that I, myself, have gone through and see the changes that the site has gone through. The purpose of this post is to give praise to such a site that has kept me around so long as to see these changes.

Some of you have taken me in, some of you have ... well .... not. Some of you have promised me free beer --- I am looking at YOU BCAR. And many of you do not know me that well (as it has been quite a while since I was here on a regular basis).

But, to all of you -- regardless of what category you fall into, thank you. USM would not be if it wasn't for each and every one of you.

Matthew.

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