Author |
Message |
Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 2:29 pm
I'm a relative newcomer compared to most of you, but sometimes I feel like we've all been together forever. Roxip introduced me to TVCH during BB and I was immediately drawn in. Being curious type person, it wasn't long before I started traveling to other threads and discovered the fun that was to be had. One day I say a thread that was entitled News and Views and thought "why not?". It was almost election time and, man, did I learn a lot! While a read what's posted every day, I only post when I'm feeling really brave. LOL!!! In December of 2004, I demanded my husband leave our home and I found the Ex-Files. Little did I know that a month later when he took our son this thread would become a lifeline to me. I was able to pour my heart out and say things that I could not tell my non-TVCH family and friends. I also knew that you would be honest with me. I could feel your prayers and good thoughts every step of the way. (WOW! I didn't think I could still be so emotional about that time in my life.) I remember when we had our first case study meeting and the ex finally gave up the fight, I couldn't wait to get home and tell first my RL family and then my TVCH family. Someone suggested that I print out the pages to this thread to have for future reading and/or to show Travis one day and I have done that. It's hard to believe my divorce was final over a year ago, but occasionally I still have ex issues I need to unload about and I always know where I can go. In February of 2005 I attended my first TVCH meeting when a bunch of you came to Texas for Spygirl and Flyboy's wedding. I had just had toe surgery the day before and the pain medicine I was given chose to rear its ugly head about 10 minutes before I got to the restaurant. I wasn't able to enjoy the meeting as much as I would have liked, but I do remember how you all took me into the fold as if we had always known each other. Sea, I still carry the quackle you gave me in my briefcase. I also still have my name tag, scarf and beads (sorry, I can't remember right off hand what came from who). It was also the first time I was going to get to see Travis since his dad had taken him the week before and you all knew that and were so supportive. Mocha even said that if time had perrmitted, she would have gone with me to kick some butt. When I told my mom about the meet, she really didn't have much to say and didn't seem to understand why I was taking a day off from work to attend. Afterwards, when I told her more about ya'll and how far some of you had traveled and why you were here, she wanted to know all about it. It was then that I understood that she was concerned about these strangers I had met over the internet. Now, when I say TVCH, she and my dad (and many other people) know what I am talking about. Ya'll probably know Travis better than his own dad. At least there is more interest about him here than with his dad (when he called the other day and I told him Travis had a dr. appt. and was sleeping a little late all he said was have him call - never asked why he was going to dr.). I've been able to come here and vent about continuing battles with his school. On that note, I am proud to say we have made it through the first six weeks with no phone calls or suspensions. YEA!!!! Most of all, I've been able to come here and discuss his disabilities and found out that many here, unfortunately, know what life with a special child is like. Well, I guess I've rambled long enough. There is so much more I could say about TVCH in general and some of its memember in particular. Suffice it to say my life has been made richer for having known you all (even when we disagree). I look forward to many more happy years together. Lance, thanks for starting this thread.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 5:01 pm
And I would have too.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 6:39 pm
Discovering the BB threads Discovering the SO threads The games area. Feeling left out of the cliques. Being brought into the bosom of TVCH because one day I simply said that I was feeling blue in the Right Now Thread. Someone was kind enough to ask me why, and I said something like - that I could hear the wind whistling through my folder, and its hardly ever been empty since. Hearing my cybersis's sexy accent on the phone - I luv ya CNDearie! Chatting with her Mom and DH too! Also enjoyed chatting with Kearie, and Baby... Feeling I'm being stupid and sucky and perhaps not taken seriously with all my lovey dovey stuff I leave in people's folders but then everyone seems to appreciate it, it does my heart good. Feeling ashamed when I'm in the throes of depression (I'm borderline bipolar) after I beat myself up in my folder, and most of you come to me with acceptance and hugs and good cheer. (I'm tearing up here...) Feeling brave enough to stop the flittery chitter-chatter long enough to sometimes leave deep emotional posts in the heavy topics thread, even though quite frankly, I get so upset, and paranoid, and extremely uncomfortable, but I dig deep and find the strength to share, when I am so frightened of being shutup or shutdown or shutout. So far I've only been heavily modded a couple of times, and I get so frightened that I'll be cut off from my TVCH addiction that I am instantly contrite, even if I'm really (privately) mad as a hatter. LOL. Meeting Skootzie and her darling family, and Shadoe, and Huk and her pal, and Watching, and Wappy and her handsome menfolk, and I'm scared I'm forgetting someone I may have met or talked to by phone. Please forgive me, I have fibromyalgia and it affects my comprehension, and my memory. Even though we haven't met or even chatted on the phone, I feel a special warmth towards so many... in no particular order and I KNOW I am going to forget folks... sigh. Sorry! Darrell who I affectionately nicknamed El Troubadour for bringing music to so many of us. Nino for just being Nino, (I've always pictured her in my mind as the gentle & beloved Beth in Little Women...) I enjoy the daily poll, Hi Itslori! And the raunchy banter between our Cyberpornstar and the Naked Librarian. (KIDDING, actually Adven and Hermione69) Vee, Lum, Herkie & CNDearie, who taught me most everything I know about finding and posting gifs and jpgs. (Yep, they're to blame. LOL) There are some awesome gentlemen here, Lance (!), and Jimmer, to name two who have gone out of their way for me on one or two ocassions. Starting the Chronic Pain thread, the Fibromyalgia thread, and the Caregiving our Elderly Parents thread. That was rewarding. It felt like I was giving something back to the clubhouse. I'm quite proud of that, even if once a thread is 'born' it flies on its own wings, (or not. LOL) Even though I was paranoid about sharing my online sanctuary, I brought my friend and neighbour Deanofwords into the fold, cuz I know of his passion for word games. And sure enough he's pretty much set up shop in the Games area. Next I introduced our friend Chaplin, and my old pal from my hometown, Gilda. And although I was afraid it would cramp my style - so far, so good. (wink) The most moving experience for me has to have been last Fall when my dh VinBlanche was in surgery, and I was beside myself. You guys were awesome. You rallied in my folder day after day, and left both of us wonderful, caring messages. It was about the only thing that gave me joy in those days. And then when I was stressed beyond my own imaginings when I brought mom home to live with us because of her dementia, from another city and everyone was so helpful and kind with encouragement and advice. I thught her only problem was the hairline fracture in her wrist and discovered she had the beginings of dementia. And I was in denial... That's when I really became almost a 24/7 TVCH addict. It took me away from the weight of the responsibility and the terror of being a caregiver for someone so fragile, and needy on all counts, and you also held me together and pointed me in the right direction when I felt my resentment and my emotional baggage try to overtake me. With all the kind things you people tell me, I tell myself, heck they don't really know me, just the side of me I show them here. And then I realize that I've shown more sides of myself here, than anywhere, ever. Because I've shared my insides, as well as my outer shell, and been taken seriously, and listened too, and validated, and cared for and appreciated, just for being the big-mouth/big-heart MameBlanche. To Neil & Kar & Dra & Jmm and their happy gang of mods, for somehow allowing all these miracles (not just my stuff, read above and I'm sure below, MY post here...) and for so far not charging. LOL, cuz cheap as I am, yes I would pay a reasonable membship fee. I have yet to figure out how y'all devote so much time to this really slick, professional site, keeping it up to date and running, and its all for free. I'm not complaining, just very, very grateful. Thank you. ETA - And I'd also like to credit Herkie, Vee and others for helping me so much with my personal website! I absolutely could not have done it without them. I am forever grateful.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 7:01 pm
Dang, I also want to thank Mamie for being my very first friend here at the clubhouse. She very patiently held my cyber-hand when I kept goofing and flubbing in the games area. And I'd like to also give a shoutout to my new cyberpal Dolphinschild, who is also a suzy sunshine to me. There are so many of you. most of you infact. Please if I have forgotten to mention your name, its only my stupid short-term wonky memory, not where you are in the pecking order of my heart. Honest. Oh, and I love the Updates and am delighted it looks like its been given the breath of life again. 
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Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 7:43 pm
I came here during BB2 and just quietly read the live feed posts. I didn't really go much further on the board until the next year and I discovered the games thread. My favorite place to be! There is this wonderful group of players who've become special friends to me. Ginger, OG, Bronxie, Willsfan, Urgrace, Zeno and even though we've had our differences, LB. I became especially close to Bandit and my dear Marmosquirm, who I don't get to see as often as I wish. There are a lot of newer players there now too, who make it just as fun! I eventually tested the waters with a folder and found the most wonderful, open arms. My wonderful CMom, Herck, who has always, always been there for me. Vee, such a blessing to have her around. My dearest, dearest Cybersis, Nino, who I can't even begin to tell you how much I love her. She's my town painting partner. There have been more and more people that I've come to know and love and can't imagine what it would be like without them brightening my daily life. Darrell, you are the wonderful wizard of song and you are a good guy. I have only met one of the Clubhousers in person. She came out of the blue and surprised me with her generosity. We went to Bon Jovi together and she's a special person. landi, you were my first axe murderess and hopefully, not my last. That leads me to my two very best friends in the world. We haven't met (not yet, but we will) but that doesn't stop us from being there for each other, every single day. I couldn't function without my two touchstones. We've laughed, cried and hussied together. Hermione and Vacanick, you are two of the best women that I've ever known. And it's my privilege to be your friend. And to think we bonded over naked pics in Zuly's folder! I can't forget Mamesy either! I won't make you my P.S. (even if you almost forgot me!) You are such a ray of spunk and love and just a joy to have around. We'll always have Hal Sparks.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 8:07 pm
Aw blush... Actually, Mamie, I forgot MYSELF. Yep. Me, myself, and I. LOL. I forgot to say that I began here as Canuckgal, and changed over to MameBlanche last year, if I'm not mistaken. So you are in good company. (And a lot of folks in the main post above are PS's, as I kept going back and adding more folks, its just that time ran out before I could include you, my dearheart.) Thanks for the kind words, btw. 
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Lancecrossfire
Animoderator
07-13-2000
| Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 9:24 pm
I admit to really loving hearing all of this! It's amazing the various places on the board, the different people and the things about the board that grab people by the heart strings! So much emotion in these posts--it's easy to know everything is real. Twinkie, yes it is like being brother/sister. Kaili, your posts are way more than just comments and have been for a long time. Dogdoc is the only biped in the AF area and holds a ton of respect from all the animals and their humans--just look at her name to know what she does! I'll comment about what Pamy said concerning Bill joining after a gathering. I think some spouses have had reservations about TVCH; and in many cases have been won over and either join or feel like part of the TVCH family at gatherings. I want to thank everyone who has shared what is special to them. I hope to hear more from others or those who have already posted and thought of more. Mame, I've enjoyed your humor in AF--keep in up! Kearie, yes, we have lots of history, especially through Game I. It's an amazing way to get to know someone. NT, I followed every post in the ex-files. You went through a lot in a year's time. You always looked to learn though, and you always kept your son as the #1 priority. You have my complete respect for that.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 9:55 pm
Um, Mameblanche? You know there are no real people here, right? Everybody is just a figment of my imagination.
 
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Dogdoc
Member
09-29-2001
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 5:51 am
Lance, thank you for the nice words. I remember that you were the one who made a stall for me at the farm and Mamblanche surprised me and made me a folder. I never thought I would need them. I have some special memories from this board that I plan to write about. I am not a very emotional person but I have been truly moved by some posters here.
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Marysafan
Member
08-07-2000
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 6:02 am
Dogdoc, count me in as one of those who have admiration for you. I don't run into very often (probably because I don't visit the animal farm) but when I do, you always add such insight to the conversation at hand. I admire your wisdom, and appreciate your point of view. And to several of you above who I am reluctant to name for fear that I will forget someone...You guys crack me up! I love the humor you bring to the board.
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Bigd
Member
09-13-2001
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 6:39 am
I just have to throw in that it is so funny and so absolutely cool that when I first joined this place my husband thought it was a strange place for me to be so interested in and now him AND his mother ask me what is going on at TVCH and what do "your internet people" have to say about Big Brother or American Idol or a host of topics!
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 7:28 am
My official start date with TVCH is 9-29-2003, although I have been around since the BB1 days. I actually believe I posted first during BB3 but can’t prove anything so I’m probably lying (no, that doesn’t mean I’m a Dr. Will fan…I can’t stand him!). I chose my name to represent that I am, in fact, “hooked on reality (TV),” because I am. I was hoping that people would call me Huk, but I keep getting referenced as Hukd (and that sounds dumb) LOL. It has been a great ride to be surrounded by other TV addicts, axe murderers, and people who can’t seem to keep their opinions to themselves…I think I must be on some sort of database with the Mods, as I have had more than my share of posts deleted. I am sort of outspoken and have trouble modding myself most of the time. I remember having very heated discussions (uh, arguments) with others over the twins during their season (I loved them!). It’s interesting how something as benign as a TV show can rile us so! There is no one in my family who understands how I can talk to “complete strangers” about so many things. What is most interesting about their judgments is that they don’t care about what is happening in my life at all, yet think I shouldn’t talk to you “strangers.” I was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma in 1996 and was told that median survival was 2-3 years. Hrrumpf, pffft to doctors, huh? I had bilateral mastectomies in 2000 because of recurring DCIS, and have had other cancers decide to show themselves to me over the years, yet here I am, making fun of life and having a blast. My Animal Farm persona, Sock Monkey, gets to be irritating, silly and goofy whenever I want her to be. She rarely gets into any trouble with the Mods. I love being a Sock Monkey! Thanks to Dingo (Herckleperkle) for the job at the diner, and for my very own Monkey Bar. I see that it was recently closed due to lack of animal participation. I have lost 2 of my best friends to Cancer, one in 1982 and the other in 2004. My very best friend ever, was diagnosed a little over a month ago with metastasized cancer (from a previous bout with Islet Cell carcinoma of her pancreas in 2000) and is currently fighting for her life. Without TVCH, I have no real outlet to share how I am feeling. It is so much more difficult watching a friend battle cancer than having it myself. I greatly appreciate the Prayer thread on her behalf. Mameblanche was the first person to welcome me and gave me a Member Folder. How could anyone not appreciate this gift of a woman? She continues to amaze and amuse me, and I had the pleasure of meeting her during this past year, along with meeting her husband Vinnie, Deanofwords, Shadoe, Chaplin, and Watching2. Watching2 (Sue) and I have become great phone buddies, as she lives only around 35 miles or so away. The poor battery on my phone has croaked again and won’t hold a charge longer than 20 minutes. She has endured endless “beep…beep…beeps” as my battery tells her goodbye for the evening. I see our chance TVCH meeting developing into a lifelong friendship. She is just as crazy as me, and (so far, at least, hee hee) we see eye to eye on almost everything. I like that in a friend! (((Sue))). She needs a little help with driving directions though, as she took us about a bazillion miles out of the way when we were going to a TVCH meeting in Niagara Falls, Canada. She also got lost when leaving my house and wound up driving an extra 30-40 miles that night. O.k., let me explain that last part….she had to get onto the New York State Thruway to go home. One sign said Buffalo and the other said Rochester. Sue lives in Rochester, yet she drove towards Buffalo. It’s not like the signs were confusing or anything, she just has these brain farts, I guess. Someone help her, please. TVCH means many things to me. It is comfortable and homey; a great place to vent, to laugh, and to learn; a place where I can be myself (either Huk - not Hukd, or Sock Monkey); and it is a place where I can share of myself in hopes of impacting someone else’s life, even if only a little bit. I love it here and hope we are around for a very long time. Thanks to you all for being here!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:07 am
Reading these posts has been so enlightening. I have laughed and shed a tear and I think that’s what makes the CH such an interesting place. Where else would we have the opportunity to meet such a variety of wonderful people? It’s the most entertaining dinner party in town! I, too, was floating around way back during BB1. I found the Big Brother Fan Club by Googling and what I discovered here was that the posts seemed more insightful than those at other places. I lurked, but never posted because my personal code of ethics prevented me from getting involved in what I considered to be potentially dangerous activity. Fast forward to the first season of Starting Over where I was lurking at the official site. One day, a poster suggested that TVCH was a kinder, gentler place for discussion. Since reading this very thread, I now know that that poster was our own Marysafan! Thanks, Mary! Your invitation did change my life. The Starting Over corner was simply abuzz back then with many posters making the most interesting observations. It was stimulating and exciting...more exciting than what was going on in my own life that’s for sure. I had just finished teaching the most difficult and challenging year of my career and I was feeling as if I had failed at every turn. Since I was so attached to what I did being my value as a person, it was an especially painful time. I knew that I never wanted to be in a classroom again and I needed to come to terms with that decision. The conversations there helped me to think beyond the little box I had put myself in. I lurked for months before I finally decided to join. I so wanted the connection with that articulate group discussing such an innovative television program. I miss those times! (I was surprised when I discovered that TVCH and the Big Brother Fan Club were one and the same. We do have a number of great historians here who help us newbies get an education!) Some have described this place as a family, but that’s not how I think of the CH at all. I have a family, dysfunctional as yours, and I am not interested in more of that. What I needed was community...a neighborhood of folks where I can drop in for tea or have a pleasant chat. The other thing that really has helped me here was the day that I decided that I would have no expectations for others and none for myself. If I post, I post because I want to, not because I feel that I should. If others are busy and don’t post, I am okay with that...I may come looking for you, but I am okay. That doesn’t mean that I still don’t miss those who move on because I really do. You-know-who-you-are! This place stretches me, makes me think, causes me to want to reach out more. My family has been none too happy about my spending time here, but they get curious and want to know what you guys think, too! I couldn’t begin to mention everyone who has been such a blessing to me...too many, but suffice it to say that I think that TVCHers are the cream of the crop!
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Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:12 am
I can't believe that I wrote mine and forgot two very notable people to me. Scout and Yesitsme, who both share my love of reading. We bonded over books and it's become much more. Scout and I share a lot of the same feelings about things. We've shared a lot this past fall. I know that if the 3 of us ever got together, it would be a really great thing.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:39 am
Hey Mamie, You had a couple of PS's too. Now I'm in good company! GRIN. And then there's always Hal Sparks... giggle. I agree that Yessie and Scoutie are absolute darlings. Hey Hukkie, You made me cry with your post above. Bad Sock'd monkey! (Seriously, thank you Huk, you really and truly made my day!
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Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:40 am
Always Hal Sparks
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:42 am
Hal Sparks for TVCH President. Campaign headquarters in my folder. LOL.
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Marysafan
Member
08-07-2000
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:42 am
Huk, I hear ya. I always giggle a bit when folks call me Marys. Let's not make it harder than it needs to be! lol!
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:46 am
My P.S. is that you folks who name yourselves such unusual things deserve what you get! Why can't everyone be sensible like me and name yourself after a letter of the alphabet? Life would be so much simpler!! 
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Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:47 am
Vee, you can call me Em from now on. Or just M.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:58 am
Honestly, Marys, whatthehell is a Hukd? Ha ha ha, we crack ourselves up, don't we? You're very welcome, Joycie! You're a peach, a pip, a card, a ...well, you're just sumthin! 
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:58 am
There you go! And Huk can be El!
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 9:11 am
And Huk can be El! huh?
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 9:25 pm
Huk'd, since none of us are real, it ain't important what anybody calls you. You can call me Juju, Juju2, Bigdog (which is really the spouse's name if he were real, which he is not), dawg, pup, hound. I call you Huk'd because I pronounce it Hooked in my alleged mind. I have been here since August 2000. I think I was doing searches for discussions of Big Brother on what was then usenet, and somebody suggested bbfc. I was one of the ones who left during the board split in April of 2001. I was in Australia when the doodoo hit the fan. I came home and went to tvch chat, and Moondance told me what had gone on. I departed with the group that formed ElitesTV, and I post there to this day. Lance mentioned during his opening post that there was a time when tvch had NO moderation. The time I left was one of those times. It was the wild wild west here at tvch and lots of shots were being fired. Not at me, but at a lot of good people who didn't deserve it at all and who were getting hurt. And right in the middle of all that, good old Tess decided to delurk. And everybody thought she was an imposter. She certainly was too good to be true. Nobody could be that danged sweet. So she was taking shots from both sides. Grooch was the first person to accept that Tess was a real person, and I was the next (well, as real as she could get for being a figment of my imagination). And in the meantime, Tess was taking a lot of hits. So I came back and started hanging out with Tess, who, even though she really is too good to be true, is also very smart and a lot of fun. In October 2003 I left for what was to be the whole winter in Cyprus. While I was in Cyprus, I found some internet cafes, but time was expensive, so I was only on the internet about a half hour a day. During that time Tess started summarizing the tvch goings-on for me in my member folder. Unbeknownst to me, my folder quickly became the most popular place at tvch, and by the time I got back, the whole danged clubhouse was hanging out in there. It was very cozy. When I returned from Cyprus a few months later, I felt like I was Alice and had made a journey though the looking glass. The place was sort of the same but different. There were all these new middle-aged women who seemed to have settled in and were running amok about the place. I couldn't figure out where they came from. I wasn't complaining because they were all very nice; I was just confused. Finally somebody at Elites explained to me that there was this new show called Starting Over, and a whole tribe of Starting Over devotees had nested at TVCH. And that's enough rambling for one night.
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Watching2
Member
07-07-2001
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 10:46 pm
Wow wow wow!!!!!!! I'm seeing this thread for the first time (Thanks Huk!!!!) and I'm amazed and over-whelmed. It's going to take me some time to read everything and then come up with my own post. Naw.. I'm not gonna "kill ya" Huk... you're my evil pal. We laugh in the midst of adversity. I do think we'll be life-long friends...and that's awesome!!!!!!! Although I think you bad battery had now passed on its illness to my cell battery. LOL. I'll be back!!
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