Your in my head but why?

[½ ¡Ñ§ÅñË ®]

In the very limited time I’ve spent posting on this board I’m aware I’ve spoke open minded about sexual urges and other crazy crap but the Internet is kind of a playground for me. I watch a few message boards like this one and visit a few others that I’m guaranteed to get a good laugh out of.

I enjoy watching what you people post and how you interact with others on the Internet. I’m guilty of judging a few of you and I profile members that I find interesting. I believe that although our actions and the way we characterize ourselves online are one way, we probably act differently in the real world.

Recently I’ve pondered on what is the core reason our lives have been brought together on this board. The music and drama are one thing but the world is full of that. The lyrics in the music are just words. Although I find Stevie gorgeous the world is full of beautiful women. We’ve been touched deeply by something these artists have done at some point but we’re touched hopefully every day by something more realistic then what is going on here.

My question isn’t why are you a fan but rather why are you here? I would love to see responses to this thread remain without opinions toward others responding and will start first. I have what I think is a great relationship with Jesus but I find organized religion fake. Those knowing him might know fantasy and the surreal are frowned upon.

I’m a big Stevie fan and her career character should be something I frown upon but I find myself attracted to it. I enjoy anything ghostly or haunting but you would never know it by meeting me or seeing things I own. I’m single and would love to meet a woman Stevieish whatever that is but I’m comfortable being single.

There are plenty of other things I could be doing besides typing this but I’m curious to see your responses. I’m attracted to a few of you on a level we share but what are we sharing and does it really matter. What is the core reason were all here on this board? I know my mind doesn’t operate like the majority but I’m not insane. Why do I like watching you people? Do I want to know? :shocked:

[amber]

. I believe that although our actions and the way we characterize ourselves online are one way, we probably act differently in the real world.
:
not me! at least, not very :wavey: Can't really respond to the rest of your post. It was interesting, though.

[AliceLover]

Ill agree with Amber on this one. I once called someone an ass just because of their opinion and i do that in real life all the time lol.

Jimmy

[skcin]

I don't really know. I came here for Mac at first, to find people as in love with the band as I am since none of my friends & fam "get it."

But that doesn't explain why I'm still here or why I post on other subjects, now does it? :shrug:

I do find myself saying to friends & fam "people on the board are really upset about such & such" or "there was a big fight on The Ledge last night" or "this girl I know from the internet told me blah-blah-blah."

I know this doesn't answer your question at all. I guess you just got me thinking. I just don't know what the hell it is we all want - do we just love to debate? Meet other people? (although not usually in person) Gossip? Joke around with one another? Try to prove our point, whether it's supporting gay marriage or supporting Stevie wearing a different dress? ;)

That's all - it's Friday night, I should be drinkin', not thinkin' :D

Paula

[jadegypsy]

I'll agree with the others on this, as to what you "hear" from me is what i am, although a bit more polite and "clean minded..." but otherwise my beliefs are what they are...

As for why I'm here, hey I get all the music news I can handle, some great laughs, some different viewpoints, some interesting stories and overall I just find the people interesting...Of course I'm not a notoriously "social" person, I prefer a good book over a good party most of the time so this forum is kinda like social hour without having the problem of having to "dress-up" and go out...

[amber]

I don't really know. I came here for Mac at first, to find people as in love with the band as I am since none of my friends & fam "get it."

But that doesn't explain why I'm still here or why I post on other subjects, now does it? :shrug:

I do find myself saying to friends & fam "people on the board are really upset about such & such" or "there was a big fight on The Ledge last night" or "this girl I know from the internet told me blah-blah-blah."

I know this doesn't answer your question at all. I guess you just got me thinking. I just don't know what the hell it is we all want - do we just love to debate? Meet other people? (although not usually in person) Gossip? Joke around with one another? Try to prove our point, whether it's supporting gay marriage or supporting Stevie wearing a different dress? ;)

That's all - it's Friday night, I should be drinkin', not thinkin' :D

Paula
:laugh: why not do both, like me? hehehe. But, I like it because of all the things you mentioned. It's fun to talk to people about "other stuff", still knowing that they love the Mac. Plus, i do love hearing different people's opinions...

[GateandGarden]

Hey 1/2 Insane,

(If I knew your real name I would call you that, since I'm sure it's kinder :laugh: ).

I found your post very interesing. A lot of what interests you interests me as well, yet I still don't know exactly how to respond to it. :blob1: But I'll try.

I often wonder if the people around here are like they are in real life. In some ways, I'm not. I'm much more shy and loath to express how I feel in real life, unless I'm with very close friends or family. When I can write to people and I don't have to look them in the eye, I tend to be more honest, and I'm much more capable of debating/arguing. I almost always shy away from that in real life. But you can look at it another way--I am more myself on these message boards, because I am not nearly as afraid to speak my mind. But I am also more open to people in real life because I refuse to share certain things on the Internet, such as photos of myself and information about where I live (beyond Louisiana I don't narrow it down more than that). Sometimes I think I come off as too vocal and blatantly honest, and I often wonder if others who could also be perceived that way are being that way only because this board is an outlet, and its sometimes their places to vent as well.

I came here because I love Stevie and Fleetwood Mac, and because I heard all kinds of interesting things about this board when I started posting on the BuckinghamNicks and Legboards. Everyone made this place sound fun. I found that it was even better for me when I found out how liberal so many of the people are. So, this place has become more than a place to talk about my favorite band--it's a place of comfort. I can't even go to a public bathroom at my university without seeing "Kerry is Evil--He's 4 the Fags" scribbled on the walls. I'm surrounded by hateful, ignorant people, and I come here and realize that the whole world isn't like that. And I know that there are people here going through what I'm going through who can understand. It's a wonderful feeling.

And I was very interested in your comment about being attracted to certain people on the board. I doubt I know exactly what you mean, but I've found myself drawn to people on message boards for the couple of years I've been active on message boards in general. It's amazing how some of these people get me through the day, and I find myself thinking about them when I'm not on the board. I think I would like to meet some of them because I really appreciate and understand many of the things they say. I often find myself wondering what people look like and trying to picture them. But I feel that it's a little hypocritical in a way, since I don't want to post pictures of myself, and I just don't think of it as appropriate to meet people I talk to online, regardles of what kind of relationship I'm after. (I guess that's the traditional side of me coming out). Compared to real life relationships, these are quite superficial, yet, at the same time, the people on these message boards have the power to make my day much brighter when things have gone wrong.

Hillary

[amber]

Hey 1/2 Insane,

(If I knew your real name I would call you that, since I'm sure it's kinder :laugh: ).

I found your post very interesing. A lot of what interests you interests me as well, yet I still don't know exactly how to respond to it. :blob1: But I'll try.

I often wonder if the people around here are like they are in real life. In some ways, I'm not. I'm much more shy and loath to express how I feel in real life, unless I'm with very close friends or family. When I can write to people and I don't have to look them in the eye, I tend to be more honest, and I'm much more capable of debating/arguing. I almost always shy away from that in real life. But you can look at it another way--I am more myself on these message boards, because I am not nearly as afraid to speak my mind. But I am also more open to people in real life because I refuse to share certain things on the Internet, such as photos of myself and information about where I live (beyond Louisiana I don't narrow it down more than that). Sometimes I think I come off as too vocal and blatantly honest, and I often wonder if others who could also be perceived that way are being that way only because this board is an outlet, and its sometimes their places to vent as well.

I came here because I love Stevie and Fleetwood Mac, and because I heard all kinds of interesting things about this board when I started posting on the BuckinghamNicks and Legboards. Everyone made this place sound fun. I found that it was even better for me when I found out how liberal so many of the people are. So, this place has become more than a place to talk about my favorite band--it's a place of comfort. I can't even go to a public bathroom at my university without seeing "Kerry is Evil--He's 4 the Fags" scribbled on the walls. I'm surrounded by hateful, ignorant people, and I come here and realize that the whole world isn't like that. And I know that there are people here going through what I'm going through who can understand. It's a wonderful feeling.

And I was very interested in your comment about being attracted to certain people on the board. I doubt I know exactly what you mean, but I've found myself drawn to people on message boards for the couple of years I've been active on message boards in general. It's amazing how some of these people get me through the day, and I find myself thinking about them when I'm not on the board. I think I would like to meet some of them because I really appreciate and understand many of the things they say. I often find myself wondering what people look like and trying to picture them. But I feel that it's a little hypocritical in a way, since I don't want to post pictures of myself, and I just don't think of it as appropriate to meet people I talk to online, regardles of what kind of relationship I'm after. (I guess that's the traditional side of me coming out). Compared to real life relationships, these are quite superficial, yet, at the same time, the people on these message boards have the power to make my day much brighter when things have gone wrong.

Hillary
I know you weren't talking to me, but...awww, you're so sweet...and i don't think anyone thinks you're too opinionated, or whatever...but look who's talking! :D I just always thought you were sweet...

[GateandGarden]

I know you weren't talking to me, but...awww, you're so sweet...and i don't think anyone thinks you're too opinionated, or whatever...but look who's talking! :D I just always thought you were sweet...And I've always thought you've been so sweet to me! :xoxo: Thanks so much! I don't know what life's going to throw at me in the next few years and how busy I'll be, but I really hope I continue to have time to hang out here for years to come because you guys really do rock.

Hillary

[takenbythesky]

So, this place has become more than a place to talk about my favorite band--it's a place of comfort. I can't even go to a public bathroom at my university without seeing "Kerry is Evil--He's 4 the Fags" scribbled on the walls. I'm surrounded by hateful, ignorant people, and I come here and realize that the whole world isn't like that. And I know that there are people here going through what I'm going through who can understand. It's a wonderful feeling.

Compared to real life relationships, these are quite superficial, yet, at the same time, the people on these message boards have the power to make my day much brighter when things have gone wrong.

Hillary

:) I'm glad that the people here have given you a respite from the hatred you've experienced. I, too, experience difficulty with people over my "difference": being temporarily disabled. And, as for making people's day's brighter? Hillary, you've done that with your post for me. :wavey:

-Justin

[amber]

:) I'm glad that the people here have given you a respite from the hatred you've experienced. I, too, experience difficulty with people over my "difference": being temporarily disabled. And, as for making people's day's brighter? Hillary, you've done that with your post for me. :wavey:

-Justin
Takie, check PM's

[GateandGarden]

:) I'm glad that the people here have given you a respite from the hatred you've experienced. I, too, experience difficulty with people over my "difference": being temporarily disabled. And, as for making people's day's brighter? Hillary, you've done that with your post for me. :wavey:

-JustinWow! Thanks Justin! :xoxo: I'm really glad that I could be helpful.

Hillary

[strandinthewind]

Personally, I'm a schizophrenic, multi-personalitied serial killer. I find my lust for human suffering a bit draining from time to time and Number 6 in particular likes to unwind and catch up with some gravely deceived FM fans. I enjoy their acceptance of my grotesque flaws and disturbances cravings. They recognise that while I might be a blood thirsty, knife wielding maniac, I too have a spirit. A spirit I've learnt to let them touch, sometimes even grope. And that is why am opened wide and always back for more.

Put down the bong darlin :p :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :laugh:

[amber]

Personally, I'm a schizophrenic, multi-personalitied serial killer. I find my lust for human suffering a bit draining from time to time and Number 6 in particular likes to unwind and catch up with some gravely deceived FM fans. I enjoy their acceptance of my grotesque flaws and disturbances cravings. They recognise that while I might be a blood thirsty, knife wielding maniac, I too have a spirit. A spirit I've learnt to let them touch, sometimes even grope. And that is why am opened wide and always back for more.
:lol: :laugh: :lol: :laugh: :lol:
Stop!
Bwah!

[hayley]

Hillary, you're a sweet girl. Don't lose that. Don't lose heart, and don't lose faith. Good things come to good people. Call me naive, but that belief hasn't been beaten out of me yet. Even if things in the world aren't right- you still have the ability to make things for yourself alright, and that's all anybody in this world can ask for- find comfort and happiness in yourself, and if the rest of the world doesn't come along for the ride? That's alright.

That's probably better suited for a P.M., but, hey- I don't do that whole P.M. thing. Bah.

Why am I here? The Ledge is a hard habit to break. I started posting here pre-Dance. I was fifteen. I haven't grown out of this place yet. Even if I don't fit in anymore here, even if it's not the same- there's something that keeps me coming back. I've loved the political discussions here, too, in the last year. Oh, how. Keeps the spirit up to know there are people fighting the good fight, and singing "Gypsy" while they do it.

[amber]

Put down the bong darlin :p :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :laugh:
no, that's me. I think she's au natural in this case :lol: :laugh:

[strandinthewind]

Sleep deprivation to the point of delusion is a wonderful substitute for when you've forgotten you have a stash and have unknowingly let the freakin stuff go dry. Goddamit.


Can't you rehydrate :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

In any event, sorry about the stash and get some sleep!!!!!!

[estranged4life]

What ya see from my posts is what ya see in the real real, Just rather "santitized" to not offend anyone (I can be an asshole in the same amount of time it takes to type it out on a keyboard...But as I posted along time ago, "I tend to hold back".) I basically post what I feel about the real world...Online the words dont convey the intent.

Friendly? No, In the real world (What ever that may be) I am rather anti-social more than friendly...But, I am approachable and talkative, But only to people I am truly comfortable with and online that would be here with my "online" family.

Brian "We must kill the heart of Wall-Mart" j.

[takenbythesky]

Sleep? Never. It is for the weak. And it for those who resist to become weak and collapse after walking into no less than 3 walls (and nearly driving into oncoming traffic).

........hello? Where'd you all go? You're not sleeping are you?

Sleep is rather overrated. Why sleep when you can stay up all night and still be awake at 5 o'clock the next afternoon, slurring your words? I've tried it, and it's good fun!

-Justin

[amber]

Sleep is rather overrated. Why sleep when you can stay up all night and still be awake at 5 o'clock the next afternoon, slurring your words? I've tried it, and it's good fun!

-Justin
:laugh:
I think being awake is overrated, but...i've been awake for long time. you start to exist in an alternate universe...

[½ ¡Ñ§ÅñË ®]

Interesting responses. I do lurk almost daily on this board and find the members here interesting but I guess I’m trying to say it’s not because of the topics or that I share the same opinions. I enjoy the artists and the music but I find watching your reactions to they’re careers and lives fascinating.

I do the same thing at concerts. Thousands of people gathered in one place but I find myself wanting to be with the fanatics up front. Something about Stevies fans is surreal but I’ve never been able to pinpoint exactly what it is. I thought about it before and after starting this thread and the closest thing that makes any sense at all is I became a fan in the 70’s. I met a lot of fans in the late 70’s and into the 80’s. It’s quite possible I’ve met a few of you before, and in an odd way I’m hanging onto those memories hoping to meet some of you again.

Those were the good old days. One of the best fan gatherings I attended was a Macers convention in North Carolina but even then a certain group of fans just fascinated me by showing they’re fanatic love for mainly Stevie. It was like we knew each other our whole lives but in the end we lost contact. I could be hanging on to those memories by watching you here. Back then we wrote to and called each other. There was no Internet. You didn’t have a real time connection with other fans like we have here.

I’m much older now and though I enjoy watching you I choose not to get involved with discussions because I find I act crazier then I did back then. Kind of strange huh? I guess I am crazy LOL. If we ever met in person I would be the guy everyone stayed away from because I talked about masturbation on the board, but I’m not like that in person. I’m very open-minded and nothing surprises me. I could laugh with you over a conversation about ass hairs but the ass hairs would do me little favor in person.

When I’m not acting crazy I’m very professional. I’m rigid and a perfectionist. I’ll continue to watch you here and use your conversations for whatever the hell reason I do but if I got involved in the board your in for a crazy ride. I’d be banned in 2 weeks with no hard feelings because I know what I’m like on the Internet. I’m rambling and its late. Nighty night.

[½ ¡Ñ§ÅñË ®]

Daddy. Mommy. Is that you? Personally, I'm a schizophrenic, multi-personalitied serial killer. I find my lust for human suffering a bit draining from time to time and Number 6 in particular likes to unwind and catch up with some gravely deceived FM fans. I enjoy their acceptance of my grotesque flaws and disturbing cravings. They recognise that while I might be a blood thirsty, knife wielding maniac, I too have a spirit. A spirit I've learnt to let them touch, sometimes even grope. And that is why am opened wide and always back for more.

[Johnny Stew]

I guess I'm here for the whole kit & kaboodle.
I first started posting in the early part of '97, because I was THRILLED to find an amazing site and message board dedicated to Fleetwood Mac.

After having completely exhausted any possible shred of interest my family could muster in relation to my discussions of this band, it was a huge relief to find a BBS where there were actually other people who got why I love this band so much, and wanted to discuss and debate them the way I wanted to.

Right away there were people who blew me away with their simultaneous admiration for and comprehensive knowledge about FM. Especially David O. and a fella named Surf City Steve (hey, chiliD, remember him? ;) ).
Those were the guys I wanted to talk to, and learn from. At times I kind of felt like a little kid who wanted to impress the "big boys," so I could be in their club too.

But I didn't really set out to make friends, necessarily, my desire was chiefly to talk about Fleetwood Mac, et al.
In the process though, I did make some really terrific friends. We emailed each other, sent CDs or cassettes to each other, shared our collections, sent Christmas cards (and wedding invitations!), and so on.

Some of those people eventually moved on with their lives in different ways... marriages, divorces, moving to new cities, new jobs, having children, etc.... and we lost touch. But some of them I still talk to on a regular basis. And many of them are still here posting right alongside me.

So while my interest in Fleetwood Mac remains as unabated as ever, I guess the main thing that keeps me coming back has become the people here. The varied (and often mercurial) personalities, the senses of humour, the thoughtful (and sometimes wonderfully absurd) conversations, the vast knowledge and wildly varied opinions regarding this band and its members, the raging (and sometimes pointless) debates, and so on and so forth.

There are some really terrific message boards on other Mac sites, that I enjoy visiting and sometimes participate on, and which each have their own group of wonderful people, but The Ledge always feels like my cyber-home. :nod: :)

As for who I am offline compared to online (as if this post wasn't already long enough!)... I think I'm basically the same person here as I am in "real time."

I didn't used to be an outspoken person, but I have become one in the past several years.
Thinking about it, maybe expressing myself on the Ledge emboldened me in some ways, and added to that.

Offline, I'm not 100% out of the closet. I'm out on a "need to know" basis. This is partially out of respect to my family, but also, mainly, because I feel my romantic interests are of no business to anyone unless I want them to know.
Still, I no longer lie and pretend to be "between girlfriends" or anything of the sort. So if someone happens to put two and two together, that's fine with me.

On the Ledge, I often like spoofing gay stereotypes, or just having a self-deprecating laugh about the stereotypes that DO fit me. I do that in "real time," too, with my friends, but maybe not as much as I do here.

But, other than that, I think I'm basically a "what you see is what you get" kind of person. (Though I have been told by Ledgies who've met me in person, or chat with me away from the Ledge, that I have a much better sense of humour than I seem to have here. Which is a compliment I appreciate, but I thought I had a good sense of humour around here, too, so go figure! :laugh: )

Anyway, I hope in all of that babbling, I somehow managed to answer your question, Mr. I.

[Sugar]

I've been a fan since 1982. I had a favorite used record shop that carried bootlegs like the Uncirculated set, and I would go to rock shows and buy other paraphanalia, but for the most part I was the only FM fan I knew. In fact, to the great annoyance of my friends, I was the only one I knew who was into ANY band the way I was into FM! :]

Being a bit of a techno-phobe, it took me a while to get a computer ('96 I think) and even longer to get online ('98, maybe). Not sure when I had the bright idea to do a search on FM...

I found a bunch of other sites first, some wich are now gone, and started downloading bootlegs. Then I took the gutsy step of joining another message board. But it was very cliquey, I would respond and invariably be ignored, so I backed off.

But as you all well know, on the other board they often reference "THE LEDGE", so I had to check it out. And now this is where I post primarily.

There's a lot of different people here and a lot of different perspectives. Like Johnny said there are posters here that floor me not only with thier FM knowledge, but their musical knowledge in general (yes, David, ChiliD...). Also there are those on this board who offer really cool industry insight as well (John Run, hayley...). In my opinion, this is the most informative board out there.

But, yeah, then there's the people. I found myself coming here for comfort after the election, because I knew there would be people talking about it. I was genuinely disappointed when I couldn't get on.

You guys are often endlessly entertaining. Like when tommer simply posted a chicken picture after Strand said he wouldn't argue with him! How ingenious and completly effective!

I think the people here as a group are more intelligent and eloquent than those on the other boards, generally speaking. I enjoy that level of conversation. I don't mind weird. Stupid bothers me way more than wierd!

The board is called THE LEDGE, and it always conjures this image for me of people sitting along a high Grand Canyon-type cliff. You're sitting there swinging your feet as they dangle over the edge, then someone else walks up and sits down and talks as someone else pulls their feet under them and stands up to leave. So maybe it's just the name. :shrug: :laugh:

[Serrart]

I needed to know as much as I could about a band that was so rapidly becoming my favorite. That brought me to Nancy's board and The Ledge. And I'm grateful to both because I've met there and here many people who shared their knowledge about FM, music in general, reports from concerts, bootlegs, photos. The bonus I wasn't expecting was the huge amount of great discussions I've had the chance to read and in some cases partecipate in the last months. They can be about the band or poilitics, Stevie's hairstyle (okay, I don't get very much the problem there) or movies, but it's always fun, extremely informative and very interesting, even when debates become heated. Coming here is also helping me to get a more multidimensional view on what Americans experience every day and believe. Most of our media give us, especially after the Iraq crisis a flat image of your Country, that doesn't help us to go over the stereotypes.

Am I different on the board from the real life? Not really. I'm reserved, very curious, often too opinionated and radical in my ideas, afllicted by a rampant dumbness in some occasions, self-critical, with a sense of humour (I hope!) that helps me to get through bad days. :)

Romy

[sara1998]

I really don't know how long I've been on the ledge... 3, 4 years?? This is the first and only message board I've ever posted on. I know what's going on here, and I feel at home. I don't get to post as often as I'd like, but I just enjoying reading everyones "stuff."

As far as me off line, I guess I'm about the same. I can be quiet, and, depending on who you are, I express my opinions quietly. The big difference I notice is that I'm pretty funny in person, but I can't type out my humor, and make it come out funny, so I may be thought of as dry here on the ledge, but I don't know!

And, in my case, attraction is probably not the word I feel for certin people online, but maybe I just sense an instant "click" in personalities, and tend to gravitate towards those people.

What an "off" topic!

[GateandGarden]

Hillary, you're a sweet girl. Don't lose that. Don't lose heart, and don't lose faith. Good things come to good people. Call me naive, but that belief hasn't been beaten out of me yet. Even if things in the world aren't right- you still have the ability to make things for yourself alright, and that's all anybody in this world can ask for- find comfort and happiness in yourself, and if the rest of the world doesn't come along for the ride? That's alright.Aw. :xoxo: I'm sorry it took me so long to notice this post. Thanks Hayley! :wavey: I haven't lost faith yet; I do feel the same way you do, and I hope we're not naive! I tend to look at life that way, but sometimes I really forget to. Thanks for reminding me. Wow, y'all are the sweet ones.

Hillary

[dissention]

Put down the bong darlin :p :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :laugh:

Yeah, but don't you know that Miss Dixie Carter is quite the Republican? She whores with the best of them, I was shocked. :shocked: :laugh: