Out of the shadows...

[Maxmars]

I'll be humbly presuming to respond in the spirit I want to be inline with...

Thank you always.

I hope that as this moment resolves itself, and we find the means to regather as friends and fellow members, we might once again, find you among us.

Our plight is always temporary... since the community is not a business front.
the vehicle may no longer be available to use as we have... but we are still on the journey...

I encourage people to be engaging, to climb on and dig in.
But there is such great value in simply appreciating the opportunity to speak. ask, and share...
that we forget for every member there are many (many) people interested, but not speaking.
And many of those are 'lurkers'... which is where the gold is.

I've seen well established professionals and "elites" grind their teeth wishing they could simply participate...
they stop themselves.  I think we have more than "something" as a community.

This community is not one of complacency... yet;
Amassing information the media won't "share" seems to have taught us patient resolve.
DI may fade... it will remain a glorious success...
We are "the community that wouldn't lie down and die."

WE didn't give up.
AND we proved that 'this community' didn't actually have an "owner."
I find that inspiring... hopeful... and full of potential.

Most other places are what the owner let's them be.

"We" on the other hand... we NOT under a "squeezing" paradigm of existence since "commerce" is not the object of our existence as a loose association if disparate individuals.

No "extraneous damaging connections to those who tweak your presence on the internet.

Stand ready for us to return somehow...

at least one of the thousands of us will care enough to try to make this work.
our community itself is the treasure...

Not apps, gizmos, widgets, bells nor whistles...

It's you and everyone else.

I'm on a vibe to remind everyone...
somehow we are to face another one of these ... 
and it's not a matter of if, but of when... we can be together again.

Off to close this long goodby...

I'm gonna write a "You've all inspired me" short story....

[AccessDenied]

I'll be humbly presuming to respond in the spirit I want to be inline with...

Thank you always.

I hope that as this moment resolves itself, and we find the means to regather as friends and fellow members, we might once again, find you among us.

Our plight is always temporary... since the community is not a business front.
the vehicle may no longer be available to use as we have... but we are still on the journey...

I encourage people to be engaging, to climb on and dig in.
But there is such great value in simply appreciating the opportunity to speak. ask, and share...
that we forget for every member there are many (many) people interested, but not speaking.
And many of those are 'lurkers'... which is where the gold is.

I've seen well established professionals and "elites" grind their teeth wishing they could simply participate...
they stop themselves.  I think we have more than "something" as a community.

This community is not one of complacency... yet;
Amassing information the media won't "share" seems to have taught us patient resolve.
DI may fade... it will remain a glorious success...
We are "the community that wouldn't lie down and die."

WE didn't give up.
AND we proved that 'this community' didn't actually have an "owner."
I find that inspiring... hopeful... and full of potential.

Most other places are what the owner let's them be.

"We" on the other hand... we NOT under a "squeezing" paradigm of existence since "commerce" is not the object of our existence as a loose association if disparate individuals.

No "extraneous damaging connections to those who tweak your presence on the internet.

Stand ready for us to return somehow...

at least one of the thousands of us will care enough to try to make this work.
our community itself is the treasure...

Not apps, gizmos, widgets, bells nor whistles...

It's you and everyone else.

I'm on a vibe to remind everyone...
somehow we are to face another one of these ... 
and it's not a matter of if, but of when... we can be together again.

Off to close this long goodby...

I'm gonna write a "You've all inspired me" short story....

❤

[argentus]

Before the lights go out, I would like to leave a small note of gratitude here.
To the moderators and members alike, thank you.
It has been almost two decades since I learned your names and found kindred spirits in many of you. 
It has been a wild ride of friendships, growth and enlightenment.
I may not post much, but I can assure you I read. 
When questioned why I still come here, I say it's because I have known some of these people for so many years and I trust their opinions over anyone else. 
There has always been a unique camaraderie amongst members, and I have always been grateful to be a part of it. 
I will not be following to other forums as a member. This will be it for me. But to be sure I will be reading, and looking for the familiarity of old friends.

Take care everyone. These are the crazy times we all speculated would come to pass.
Best regards,
AD
[Image: https://denyignorance.com//images/addsmi...ndance.gif]

I have learned to never close a door that isn't painful or detrimental.   My Grandmother used to say "look backward fondly, but don't stare", when talking about memories.   She was always a forward thinker, like you AD.   Our collective past was love, creativity, growth, discovery  and was a special thing.   This place is special also.  The present is evolving.   Hope to see you in the future.  

All best, friend

[Sirius]