I'll probably miss the chat too, not that I stopped in all that often, but it was a place where you could hang and make random comments and even though you could be brilliant, you could also say dumb things and not have to worry that your inannities would hang out on the internet permanently ensconced world without end.

The informality lended it self to developing a casual element to relationships with the other denizens of GA. I suppose I could start a blog, but I'd never get the instant feedback I got while chatting.

-----

One thing bothers me about your description of Scott's behavior. Where do you live that one goes OUTSIDE to take a leak? Outhouse? Fertilizing legumes? --But thanks for making us privvy to your being pissed off. Better, I suppose, than being pissed on.

--Rigel

I never actually visited the chat room 'cause I was too shy.

I never know what to say (wallflower), and humour can be mis-interpreted. That being said, can I be sad to lose a facility I never used? Well, yes, as one day I might have got it together to join in - and now I'll never have that opportunity. C'est la vie - my bad.

Perhaps we could have an MSN place (if there is such a thing).

I never actually visited the chat room 'cause I was too shy.

 

I never know what to say (wallflower), and humour can be mis-interpreted. That being said, can I be sad to lose a facility I never used? Well, yes, as one day I might have got it together to join in - and now I'll never have that opportunity. C'est la vie - my bad.

 

Perhaps we could have an MSN place (if there is such a thing).

Chats at least give you the option of just hanging around or actually talking. That's what I will miss. And there are people I enjoyed chatting with that I would not feel comfortable striking up a conversation with them on an individual basis. My tongue--or my fingers--would tie itself/themselves in a knot and then there is that whole 'fear of rejection thing.'

You can always invite people into a chat on MSN. But then, if you are a person who is pathetically shy with a bucket full of issues, actually getting the nerve to do that is... *hyperventilates* difficult. I just know that everyone (with maybe one or two exceptions) would fall into the chat I created and just immediately leave or mutter a polite excuse and then leave. And if no one invites you into one of those chats, you can't just wander in to see what's going on. *scowls at some people* And you may well say "You should just ask if a chat is going on and if someone would invite you in." Except 1. if they wanted you in there, they would invite you, and 2. it feels very much like begging to tag along with a more popular friend. Yeah, I know...issues.

*sniff* I miss the chat too *sniff*

*pokes Luc* There must be other sites with chat rooms. Do you think one of those might adopt us?

Tob

i used to start chats and add loads of people from ga will be happy to do it more if i don't have your msn just let me know and will start some group chats

mark

Chats at least give you the option of just hanging around or actually talking. That's what I will miss. And there are people I enjoyed chatting with that I would not feel comfortable striking up a conversation with them on an individual basis. My tongue--or my fingers--would tie itself/themselves in a knot and then there is that whole 'fear of rejection thing.'

 

You can always invite people into a chat on MSN. But then, if you are a person who is pathetically shy with a bucket full of issues, actually getting the nerve to do that is... *hyperventilates* difficult. I just know that everyone (with maybe one or two exceptions) would fall into the chat I created and just immediately leave or mutter a polite excuse and then leave. And if no one invites you into one of those chats, you can't just wander in to see what's going on. *scowls at some people* And you may well say "You should just ask if a chat is going on and if someone would invite you in." Except 1. if they wanted you in there, they would invite you, and 2. it feels very much like begging to tag along with a more popular friend. Yeah, I know...issues.

Personally speaking I tend to prefer one-on-one (or perhaps chats with 3-5 people) the most. It's probably because I feel like I need to be responding to and listening to everyone, and that's difficult to do with large groups. In real life I usually prefer groups of 2-5 as well. It's fine if there's more people, but then inevitably people tend to break into...groups of 2-5 to have their conversations, which is fine if they're far enough from whatever little group I'm in that I don't really "notice", but if they're like right next to me then I feel like I'm either ignoring or being ignored...LOL, I suppose I have issues too

I did quite enjoy GA chats last spring/summer when I used to participate fairly regularly, but that was mostly because it sort of was possible to participate in all the little side conversations going on at once...just difficult. In any case I formed several friendships from the experience myself. Ultimately I preferred to talk to these people one on one, but I definitely "owe it" to the chatroom that I met them at all. SO I suppose I'm sorry too, even though I haven't participated actively in over a year now.

Anyway, Luc, I remember being quite pleased when I got your MSN because I've always thought you seemed like a delightfully interesting person to talk to, and I was/am also thoroughly disappointed to discover that my MSN never properly added your SN (yours and several others). Undoubtedly it's because of some issue my out of date version of MSN, or my out of date computer, is having. Tragically, knowing myself I realize and accept that I'm unlikely to actively update either until they're completely unusable. Still, if you ever see ME on MSN (which is in itself a rarity these days) I'd be quite pleased to talk to you if you IM me, and don't worry about not being good at holding the conversation; I'm pretty good at that as long as you're at least semi-receptive

Anyway, I don't think it's an overstatement at all to say that you "made friends" with chat. I certainly did, and while I definitely view my "cyber friends" as somewhat different from my "real life" friends I certainly don't view them as unreal. Indeed in many ways I think the internet opens up the chance to be friends with people, and really get to know people, that you otherwise wouldn't have been able to, and I DON'T just mean because of geographic location, but instead because of the different ways in which people tend to conduct themselves online.

Anyway take care and have an awesome day!

Kevin