Posted on 04/23/2013 11:07:19 AM PDT by Cyber Liberty
Well, here we are. I made it to 15 years today!
I've been here so long I was *never* a nOOb! But I love to meet new folks that find FR daily, so come on in, the water's purple. If you're a troll I have some kitties I'd like you to meet....
Shockingly, I got up this morning and saw I had not been suspended by the Mods, which was the case on a few of my anniversaries. Don't know how I avoided it this year, but somehow I managed...didn't avoid it a couple days before Mrs. Liberty and I tied the knot, which was pretty inconvenient because our honeymoon was spent visiting FReepers we had come to know and love. I managed to get banned so badly even Miss Slippy got the ax because we use the same IP address.
I first found FR when there was a link on Drudge, "Whitewater Files." I never could figure out why Drudge called FR that, but my first entry into Mr. Robinson's domain was...interesting. The Ash Wars were in full swing. Eschoir was stalking people. Flame wars were carried on using real fire. Viking cats were still unheard of. Heck, there was one Moderator, his name was "Jim." If you got in trouble he had an email address.
A look at a profile got you the "user number" of a FReeper (Mine is around 4,000). Don't know where you can find that anymore. (As of now, my Account page says, "You've posted a total of 105 threads and 43,189 replies." I wonder if all the threads and posts that got yanked by the Mods count in that?)
I met my eventual bride on a gun thread. We were both talking about our Remington 1100 semi-autos. We got hitched in June, 2001, before 9/11 happened and was eventually forgotten by the commies (but not by people here. We'll never forget). We also haven't forgotten our vows, we're looking at Anniversary 14 this year. We make each other very happy, and that's gotten us through interesting times, like when my undercarriage was shot and I had to have it replaced.
I remember when Lazamataz was a nOOb. He didn't hit it back then. I've seen Laz hit it later on, though. Even some things that were of dubious species, it didn't matter. He's a dear FRiend whom I've never met, but is always friendly online.
I've seen the first uses of: "I like cheese." "A moose once bit my sister!" "You need some rest." "Unngh." "Test Thread, do not Post" (Still waiting for the t-shirt). "Hobbit Hole." Ash Alerts. Keywords. And The Viking Kittehs. (Led Zep's "Immigrant Song" is an earworm that took me years to get rid of, but now it's just a ringing.) I even remember "Trixie" before she called Jim a "Mean little s***" and left the forum for her commercial venture (which I won't name because she's a meany).
Mrs. Liberty and I cruised the Bahamas with the FReepers (We left the ship cleaner than it was when we got on it), and we went to FRiva with One Particular Harbour (He is an OK guy, for a lawyer). We had lunch a couple of times with Jim, his wife and also one of his sons (not named "John"). We've had FReeper gangs at our house, too.
Well, this stroll down memory lane is making me nauseous, so I'll wrap for now, and pop in later after I've had some recovery time. This thread is going all the way to ten, I'm sure.
I learned from the Master, Laz. The highest compliment I ever got was from Laz when he told me a link I posted was to the Most. Annoying. Website. Ever.
It was a big happy face that sings REALLY LOUD “You are an IDIOT! Hah ha ha ha hah!” Then, when you close the window, it forces two more open with the same sound. You close them and it forced open another four. Then eight. Then 16. Then 32. 64. Repeat. You have to either kill the browser from the task manager or pull the plug on the computer. It was a devastating effect.
But, in my own defense, the link I posted clearly said “For the love of God, DO NOT click here.” And of course Laz clicked it, as well as everybody else.
Stay silly, my friend.
Hey, were you here for the “Free Silly” campaign? Silly was a freeper who got suspended for a bit, and we started up a huge campaign to get him back. It was like “All Your Base Are Belong to Us.” Pictures, animated GIFs, the works. Times got testy, and Admin Mod was threatening me. In the middle of all that, the phone rings and it’s JIM! Turns out, he knew nothing about it, he was traveling and just wanted to get together for lunch, so it was cool. Lunch was great. Jim’s a really good guy.
There’s a toned down version of that website that doesn’t open new windows on you.
There’s another that plays Christmas music endlessly.
Here's to the next 15 Years!
That would mean even Lazamataz (May 1999) would be a nOOb!
***I signed up more than a year before Laz. He’s definitely a n00b.
What? I’ll get you, Dain. You know how I got my moniker. It was going to be Slip F18, but I figured that “F” would get me in trouble somehow.
How’s your hose and the little Dains who would search for you in here. ROTFLMAO. Those were some hysterical times.
I think 1/4 of them are too old to type anymore, 1/4 of them are 6 feet under, and 1/4 of them have changed names but won't tell you even though you suspect that 'stranger' you're talking to is actually Pardek or Dog Gone.
Hey , Cyber Liberty, Happy FReepin Birthday.
Newbie. :-)
I even remember when you needed a new prez. lol.
When I go over the top, I get my chain yanked, so it seems to be a working relationship I have with the Mods
I’m a little under a year behind you...
Congrats.
Leni (class of.....ta dum.....'98)
Thanks, Sarge!
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