Parliament

October 26, 2003

Previous: On Gonzo Journalism, Memoirs, and Friends

Gonzo Journalism, Continued

(Continued from previous entry)

OD was a place where I gained insight and support through some tough timesmy fathers battle with cancer, and the demise of my current relationship to name a few. I met some interesting, intelligent, and fantastic people as a result. Many of the online friendships I harbor outside of OD to this day are with diarists that are long gone.

It was through OD that I met Amy. It taught me that words can cause someone to romanticize and fall in love with you, but words cant keep someone in love with you.

I learned that people generally have a desire to be supportive and good-natured. This is evidenced by the overwhelmingly large number of positive notes weve all received in situations where we really needed a kick in the ass.

Ive also seen that every site, regardless of the quality of its overall membership, can suffer if there is no one around to quell the assholes.

And what do I have to show for all this? In addition to all the wonderful friends Ive made, the past four years and nine months have provided me with a written record of how much Ive grown and matured through the latter part of my twenties. I have insight into repetitive behavior. I can see my strengths and weaknesses more clearly. Additionally, its been a poor mans therapysixty bucks wouldve only paid for one visit to a shrink. And it wouldve likely left me unsatisfied.

If youre reading here now, you are the reason why Ive stayed. I have a renewed faith in humanity because of all of you. Some of you provide me with that kind word, regardless of whether or not I deserve it. And I know that I can count on some of you to kick me in the ass when I need it.

Thank you, Diarymaster. And thank all of you, too.

'Rella

October 27, 2003

It’s been a hell of a ride, that’s for sure. I’m so happy you’ve come back to writing in addition to your insightful notes! Be well,

Chuck

I’ve learned a lot from you, too. —

Insert Alias Here

SilentSignal

I prefer to think of it more as method writing. Heinz or Hunt’s, it’s all ketchup. *g* Thanks for bringing us along for the ride.

Damn straight. Us emotional retards need to stick together. (And no, I’ll never let you forget that) XOXO

Vamp

It’s been a wide ride, to say the least.

Ginger Snap

October 28, 2003

Wish I could say I’ve matured.

bumble

Same reason I’m here. After all these years, and times when I’ve been put off it, I’m still here. Most of us are…

I can say that I am glad to have you as a friend. I only hope that there are many more years to come with you around. Only one thing….could you bring back all of your old entries so I can read them? Please? 🙂

Max

I’ll spank you when necessary. Love,

You are the best thing ever to come out of Rhode Island.

Bridget Jonesing

well said.

You said this better than I could. One of the most valuable thing’s I’ve received from being here is your friendship and your insight, and one or two of those kicks in the ass from you 😉

Lola Stoker

Dammit, Max always beats me to the spankings. Anything left over for a redhead?

EWS

I may have to do this entry in my diary, too. Yours was well thought out and well written. My kick in the ass is that you didn’t write about your sexual escapades. (And some say that I don’t have a sense of humor. ;^) Eric

RYN: Every entry I write is blatantly about you. I’ll change the diary name to “Get Back Girls, Big Daddy is Mine”. Seriously, the first drink of celebration is on me when you get to the break-even point. I’ll give you my cell phone number, you call me from the bar, and I’ll give the bartender my credit card number, anything you want, on me.

Argent D'or

Well, well, it’s been a long time, a few name changes, a few residency changes, but we’ve all told our continuing story, and you know what? There’s still something intriguing about some of us. A few stories, they do get a bit old (I’m afraid mine does on occasion), but truly, I’ve found a bit of ‘freshness’ in your writing that can only come from a love for it. Hugs

Dani

October 29, 2003

I seriously can’t believe its been 5 years. Too weird… I haven’t even known most people in my real life that long. *sigh*

RYN: Attention to detail? *grins* Apparently I wasn’t being too attentive today. Hugs

Jane Says

Yay me! 😉

"That Girl"

October 30, 2003

and my thanks to you as well…

Angela

I’m glad you’re here. (And it’s been amazing to be through all of this with you. =)

JumpyMonkey!

November 9, 2003

we’ve all grown a lot… this place rocks. I am so happy to have the connection. Love you doll,

it wouldn’t be OD without you.

Oh, I know, I look back at some of my first entries from free od five years ago (I deleted my fod diary and saved it to disk, but still have it) and I can’t believe some of the crap I did and said. I still do crazy things, but, you know, I was really *really* odd then. 🙂 I love OD and don’t know what I do would do without it, to “get it out”. Sometimes, just writing helps so much.

I am so NOT trying to be an ass, but I will finish tommorow catching up…….tonight was exhausting with J, we argued alot and what not, I don’t even have energy to write, & just at least wanted to get started reading you, back tommorow……..I can’t wait to find things going, hopefully, better. Night…..:) friday 11pm….(I am getting so old!!! Tired at 11pm!)