As one of the mods on the new and wonderful ASLM, I agree that a
goodbye post to ASL is a good idea. By that, I mean it's a good idea
for me. Everyone must decide for themselves what is best.

Sometime last summer, I took the time to look at the list of over
20,000 newsgroups. I'm not sure how many I subscribed to but it was
way too many. ASL was one of those groups. I didn't devote enough time
to any one group to get to know the regular posters. By September I
had the list down to about 15 newsgroups. In my opinion, ASL was the
friendliest group. In the other groups there was always someone
finding something to gripe about.

ASL was not only fun, it was also a learning experience for me. I
learned a lot about myself by reading the words of people who cared
enough to share themselves not only with each other, but with lurkers
like me. I never posted anything because I was content to just read
what everyone wrote. I never thought I had anything worthwhile to add.

Miriam first opened my eyes to a lot of things. There are many facets
to Miriam that add to the overall wonderfulness of her. Now that I've
actually met her, I can say what a truly remarkable person she is.

Over the months that I read ASL I started thinking of several people
as friends, even though they never heard of me. I saw the bob and
jacqui mess and I saw ASL crumble for a while. Nobody knew that I
cried right along with everyone else while this was going on. I was
very close to sending email to a few of my new friends to tell them
how much I would miss reading their posts. But as I said, they didn't
know me so I figured my words would be appreciated then quickly
forgotten.

When the talks about a moderated group started, I was really happy. I
figured it would be even better to read the posts without having all
the sex spam to wade through. (It is much better.)

By March I was down to only 6 newsgroups. There seemed to be mostly
spam on ASL with a few posts now and then. One day I checked the
newsgroup and saw 52 new headers. Unfortunately, 48 of them were spam.
I was afraid I was watching the total collapse of one of my favorite
places.

So I posted something. I was thrilled when my Lady Miriam answered. I
kneel at your feet in gratitude, Miriam. I guess I'm not really a shy
person so much as I am just unsure of myself. I figured as long as I
didn't offend anyone I would keep on posting. Even my babbling was
better than spam.

Eventually I posted the right thing and started getting replies. Thank
you Hev and Sarah. A special thanks to Mary and Marge, too, for
letting me play in one of their threads. Thank you to all the Shoes.
Without you there would have been no ASL and without ASL there would
be no Sunny.

ASL will always have a special place in my heart. It's the place where
I found many new and wonderful friends. It's the place where I found
myself.

Sunny
feet that hate to say goodbye