Janelle at JunkFood4TheSoul posted a nice post about me, saying how basically I was her oldest internet friend, the first person she met on the internet and had known the longest (through my old “Days Page”). It inspired me to write a similar post about the person I’ve known the longest on the net. This requires some back-story!
So I was probably a sophomore in undergrad when I really started getting into the internet. Entering college we all got email accounts and were given free dial-up accounts to call in and check our email. By my sophomore year I had discovered more than just email, venturing onto the web as well as IRC chat. I decided I wanted to make a web page, being able to do so on my school account for free, so I set out to learn how to do it. In the end I made two: one for “Days” and the other for the “Sega Saturn,” an old Sega system. I also quickly found a Sega IRC chatroom and set out to start one for “Days.”
Soon I had met a handful of friends to talk “Days” with and we would become the regulars of the chatroom for the next 5 or so years. Some of us even met up and attended a “Days” softball event down in South Carolina a few years in a row. One of those people was Kim, who is probably the oldest person from the net I know AND have kept in touch with. She likes to consider herself my internet mom, a name she gave herself actually and proudly tells everyone she can. She can be a tad over protective, which has scared a few people I must say. She tends to be very direct and gets right to the point saying things like “Who are you and how do you know my Dustin?” Whenever we were at the “Days” events she’d also keep an eye out for some of the zanier fans, suggesting we steer clear of some of them. One year there was this shall we say interesting guy who seemed to want to follow me around and Kim didn’t like it at all as she thought he was crazy (yes I think he kind of was actually).
Unfortunately people graduated from college, others married and moved on, some got divorced and virtually disappeared, while I entered grad school and became busier and busier. The IRC room eventually died. Most of us tried to stay in contact, but eventually fell out of touch. This was sad as we would litterally meet every single night to talk. Kim and I however remained in touch. Her job had her travelling a lot and she would come into the DC area at least once a year, so we could always still meet up. We are scheduled to rendez-vous in August, unless something falls through with her trip.
Anyway, I soon replaced the IRC chatroom with a java based chatroom on my old web page. Eventually a new regular crowd was formed, and I got involved and brought Kim back in. We’ve since meet up with several of the new room chatters, but not at any “Days” events. We’ve meet in New Orleans and in Las Vegas. Some of us have meet up with each other in other places too. My trip to Williamsburg was to visit one actually.
Over the years many of the new crowd lost interest in “Days,” and eventually I parted with the page as most know. A core group of us still chat every night in a new chatroom I’ve set up here (which is also linked under the webcam on the side bar, which I know I’ve been terrible at turning on lately). We almost never talk about the soaps though, unless something insane comes over us. Most of us don’t have time to turn them on but once a week nowadays. Anyway, if you’re brave enough then feel free to join us! The chatroom is usually most populated in the early morning before noon and after 8pm (EST) at night. The night crowd can get a little rowdy, especially on the weekend when drinking is often involved. So if you have virgin ears, well you might be shocked at some of the subjects which might be discussed. Also the night crowd can be like the deep end at the pool, very daunting and scary, you just have to jump in. Remember many of us have been chatting for years, some of us know just about everything about each other. Just jump into the conversation and have fun!
The new and old chatroom crowd in Vegas circa 2007
Zan, Kim, Shannan, Nica, Myself and the BF (he’s not a chatter, we just talk about him)
I love how the internet can bring people together like that! You look like you all had a great time. Of course, it was Vegas with friends, so that’s to be expected. *G*
What a great story. Its amazing how the internet can bring so many people together! One of these nights I will have to be brave, hold my nose, and jump into the chatroom:)
I’m glad you wrote this… all this time I never knew you had an internet mom! I hope I get her approval 🙂 But she would probably think I’m a little stalker-ish too. I am sure if we ever do meet, I will be “that girl” saying, “Dustin, Dustin, Dustin, where are you going? Can I come?” and then proceed to follow you around everywhere, LOL. Is is odd that I have your transferred your picture onto the pillow that I sleep with every night? Oh I kid! I kid!!
Thanks for sharing D. It’s a good story and awesome that ya’ll are still in touch. I’m going to be brave and go jump over to your chatroom and see if anyone is there. I didn’t even know you had one here.