No Strings Attached...

#1 Postby **azskyman** » Sat May 31, 2003 8:11 am

I suspect that part of the reason we enjoy each other's company at Storm2k is that there are no strings attached to the relationships.

If, for example, I went over to a neighbors house for a cup of coffee and a Krispy Kreme and we began having discussions about our first cars, our kids, our health, the TV shows we watch, or the places we like to visit...we would soon be connected just like we are here. Or, we would realize...hey, these people aren't like me. Enough already.

The next step in that, of course, is the "we'll get together for dinner thing." Followed by the weekend trips, shopping trips, cookouts, etc..

Well, here in Phoenix, we have some friends we do those things with. But relationships with our neighbors seem to have some strings attached. Expectations of helping with a project or being something more than just a good and friendly neighbor. And that can grab you by the ankles and suck you in if you get too close. Kathy and I like, need, and appreciate our time together. We'll attach strings when we want...not out of obligation.

Here at Storm2k, you can strike up a relationship, drop in and out of conversations. Completely ignore whatever you want, and then at the end of the day just push a button without even saying goodbye. No strings attached.

In my case, I have to admit it is easier and more enjoyable to have relationships where expectations are that simple. Sure, commitments of the heart and soul are very real. But "hard time" is not a necessity.It is instead an opportunity. Something that is a bonus if it can happen (maybe this year I'll finally meet you Dennis or DJ) but doesn't expect more than I could honestly give on a regular basis.

And my needs are more soulful than personal these days. And those are both better served by visits here and safer served by visits here as well.

Still...conversations and relationships on Storm2k are as fulfilling as the best I have "in real life." It adds a dimension to my life that is important.

And with "no strings attached" in some ways.

chadtm80 · #2 Postby **chadtm80** » Sat May 31, 2003 8:15 am

Never thought of it that way skyman, but i do believe you hit the nail right on the head...

#3 Postby **bfez1** » Sat May 31, 2003 8:38 am

"No strings attached' but you still get comfort, support, prayer, advice and just have a lot of fun doing it. I love my storm2k family. :lol:

Miss Mary · #4 Postby **Miss Mary** » Sat May 31, 2003 9:38 am

And who would have ever thought years ago, the Internet could exist? This is like having a pen pal again. But not waiting a week for her/his letter! It is nice to know there are no strings attached! I've posted on several types of message boards. It's nice when you find just the right one, with the interest you and others agree on, then find on top of that members you can become friends with. The best type of friendship, IMO!!! No strings attached......good thread, once again Steve! Of course a few of us have actually met now, so there goes that no strings attached/internet kinda thing. I keep thinking I need to round up CSun, TLC, theRock/Jeremy/polarbear and we should all meet up at a convenient coffee shop somewhere. But do we do that? Nope, never have. I think sometimes it is a comfort knowing you don't have to go thru all that other stuff you do with friends you see in person.

#5 Postby **streetsoldier** » Sat May 31, 2003 10:09 am

Personally, I would wish...ever so briefly...to at least meet my little "family" here, look them in the face and share their company just once.

I have so many "thank yous" to deliver, and the insularity of the Web would not do them the honor all of you here so richly deserve...besides, I'd like to temporarily cast away this 4-year enforced isolation, and what better company could I have than YOU? :lol:

GulfBreezer · #6 Postby **GulfBreezer** » Sat May 31, 2003 11:01 am

I agree 100%! The thing is, we have no pre-conceived ideas, we just listen without judgement and the stereo-typical notions that we have gained from our society. We are just people with common and not so common interests. This is how we learn to put all judgements aside and accept each other without prejudice. Sure, there are little arguments about beliefs and such, but I find that I learn so much about human nature through our disagreements. I see other sides of a certain subject and it makes me think about things in a new light. Acceptance is one of the major keys to living a life of peace. Acceptance of people, situations and life in general. Life is what happens when we have other plans!

southerngale · #7 Postby **southerngale** » Sat May 31, 2003 11:29 am

When I first clicked on this, I thought Steve was going to sing an N'Sync song :roll:

but it turned out to be a very interesting point. I hadn't really thought of it that way either but it makes perfect sense.

#8 Postby **coriolis** » Sat May 31, 2003 11:37 am

Hey azskyman, do you think that you could loan me $100 till thursday?

#9 Postby **Stephanie** » Sat May 31, 2003 12:25 pm

streetsoldier wrote:Personally, I would wish...ever so briefly...to at least meet my little "family" here, look them in the face and share their company just once.

I have so many "thank yous" to deliver, and the insularity of the Web would not do them the honor all of you here so richly deserve...besides, I'd like to temporarily cast away this 4-year enforced isolation, and what better company could I have than YOU?

Same here Bill -

I do feel like I have a much larger family as well. The "no strings attached" at first seemed to me to be alittle "cold" but it is totally understandable. Actually, This topic came up at a good time. Yesterday I was really tired by the end of the day at work. I think it was probably due to more emotions than physical - Lord knows I had a very short week (3 days)! Without getting into it - it's really nothing (those damn mood swings!!! :lol:

), I'm able to hide my feelings and quietness behind the screen. My friends at work, on the other hand and Marty can read me like a book. Sometimes you just need quiet times, but people misconstrue it as being upset about something. You get the quizzical looks, the "feeling you out" insignificant conversations - all the little things people do to make sure that you're okay without coming right out and asking you "What the heck is wrong with you??" :lol:

These attempts, of course are out of concern, not being nosy or petty. Anyway, it is great just being able to open up like now, and say only what you want to say and not feeling like you need to open up more or are being judged.

#10 Postby **azskyman** » Sat May 31, 2003 1:11 pm

No strings attached is not the same as "no attachment".

I look at my neighbors...and enjoy my neighbors...and feel safe in the neighborhood. But cyberhugs and handshakes are a whole lot different than real ones.

I like the idea of learning people from the inside out...instead of the other way around.

And I suspect, as Mary sometimes wishes, if we could gather at a corner coffee shop sometime, we'd be a lot more comfortable knowing people that way first than just knowing how we present ourselves on the outside.

And coriolis my friend, the great news about cyber relationships is you can lend someone all the cyber funds they need for as many cyber weeks they need it. $100 cyberbucks is a drop in the cyber bucket!

Streetsoldier...of all those poking their way in and out of these pages...I believe a real visit .... picking you up for a trip to a restaurant and a great lunch with a handful of friends from storm2k would be more rewarding for us than for you. You are a gifted man confined by things beyond your control in a world that needs you desperately.

Miss Mary · #11 Postby **Miss Mary** » Sat May 31, 2003 1:31 pm

azskyman wrote:Streetsoldier...of all those poking their way in and out of these pages...I believe a real visit .... picking you up for a trip to a restaurant and a great lunch with a handful of friends from storm2k would be more rewarding for us than for you. You are a gifted man confined by things beyond your control in a world that needs you desperately.

Steve - I think, by far, this is the nicest thing you've ever posted on a topic. And that goes ditto for me Bill! I agree!

#12 Postby **streetsoldier** » Sat May 31, 2003 1:59 pm

Steve and Miss Mary,

Thank you SO very much...I'm not ashamed to relate that I'm crying, but not from unhappiness. :wink:

Miss Mary · #13 Postby **Miss Mary** » Sat May 31, 2003 2:04 pm

Awww Bill, I especially like Steve's last sentence. See, the world does need you my friend....here's a tissue Bill!!! You're gonna make me cry too at this rate..... :-)

#14 Postby **coriolis** » Sat May 31, 2003 3:49 pm

Azskyman, thanks for the cyber credit. I will show that I'm good for it and settle up with you on thursday on this thread. I see you as a catalyst, that makes good things happen. You have a way of giving people a gentle nudge in the right direction, and letting them think that it was their idea! That's a gift.

Bill, what can I say? I am a better person for knowing you, and it would be an honor to meet you in person.

Miss Mary, I don't really know you, but you seem to be kind, steady, person with a solid foundation.

Stephanie, I really appreciate what you said. I'm like that too. When all the pressures are getting to me, this is my happy place. All the relationships in real life require real committment, real time, real money, real attention, often at inconvenient times, and with conflicting priorities. All these things are important and necessary. But that doesn't mean it's easy. I sure can get moody, and downright nasty at times. Here I can find an ear to listen, or at least a place to blow off steam, have a laugh, and get reassurance that I'm normal.
As for my relationships here, I need to listen more and give credit to the wonderful people that are here. Sometimes I can be a clown, and you might have to roll your eyes and bear with it. That's often my way of dealing with stress. So when I write something really stupid, please understand that this is my own form of therapy.

This is really sappy, but I LOVE YOU GUYS. (gender neutral term.)

There, I feel better.

JetMaxx · #15 Postby **JetMaxx** » Sat May 31, 2003 4:35 pm

I agree with everyone....you all are my friends; several seem like my family.

My grandmother looks at me so strangely sometimes when I say "my friend David and Patricia in Texas..."my friends Marshall and Chad in Florida"; that I consider Lt Mike (Dude) a younger brother, why I pray so fervently for his safety...just like I pray for my two nephews. I offer my friend Tim in Mississippi words of hope and advice about his child with severe asthma...because I've been the same way since age 3--I know the smell of vaporizors while drifting off to sleep as a kid.

Granny's like "You've never even met them...how can you say that"? She's from an era when the only friends were folks you lived around or grew up with; even a telephone was unknown to her for several decades (she's also far less trusting of others than me...remember the snob test results? :lol:

I've never put on an act (which got me into a lot of trouble on some boards). You see the real me...for better or worse. I'm not ashamed to share when I'm thrilled or when I'm blue....what I'm eating for dinner tonight (hot biscuits and baked chicken); what I'm wearing right now (only navy blue shorts...it's hot and muggy today :lol:

Storm2k is far different from most forums on the internet to begin with. For one thing, many of us have known each other for 2-3 years or longer....we've been friends at other forums; have grown to respect each other, trust each other; pray for each other. The photo gallery brings us even closer together; allows us to see others as men and women..as human beings...not a faceless computer screen full of words.

When I tell Luis or Bill "God bless you"...I mean it. When I tell Bre, Kami, or Bonnie to be careful when a GOMEX hurricane is approaching, I'm just as serious (and worry just as much) as when I tell my cousins in Tennessee or my sister in Oregon to be careful during a tornado watch or winter storm in their area. When Dude's son passed away, I cried like a baby...because I was so sad for him :cry:

I worried about Jacki's (Raine) son...about Chad and Jenn's son...because I have nephews (and a sweetheart little niece born with a hole in her heart).

I'm not like that with everyone at Storm2k, and definitely not on every forum....I've been burned badly, had my feelings torched (even once on this forum). Thankfully, after three years, my conscience gives me a pretty good idea of who I can and cannot trust.

I'm very thankful for this forum and for those few like it (TalkWeather Alabama is also very similar). It gives us all a wonderful network of friends with the similar interests, a network of friends to share the good news, and be there for support when bad news occurs...because we've all been there.

A beloved and trusted friend is a friend regardless of how you meet, and how far you live from them.

May God Bless,
Perry

#16 Postby **azskyman** » Sat May 31, 2003 5:15 pm

There may be "no strings attached"...but we sure are passing the Kleenex box around this country!

The responses here are real. Your words and thoughts are powerful.

I'm discovering, through your words, that the connections we have are as real as any we experience anywhere else.

So there are some strings afterall...

#17 Postby **Stephanie** » Sat May 31, 2003 7:27 pm

azskyman wrote:No strings attached is not the same as "no attachment".

You're right Steve. I guess I never looked at it that way before.

No Strings Attached...

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