| New Nick... No Past Entertaining Thoughts... 08/08/08 |
It is not pleasant to deal with the reactions of those one has disappointed. "It takes the fun out of coming online to begin with." "Omgosh, it was weeks ago, can't people get over it already, this is only online!" We can all acknowledge why a clean slate would be nice sometimes. When you've opened your mouth just wide enough for your foot, or maybe ignorance was an issue and you have since learned what you didn't know. Lord knows, I have thought about it over the years, myself!! But I haven't done it. I have used the nick, raine, for 10 years now, over four different chat venues. Of course, when owned by some, my nick was changed, but I have always come back to "raine." How can I do this? Because, for me, coming online is not about being something other than what and who I am. Because I know not everyone is going to like me and sometimes that is not my fault. Because I want to be a part of the communities I find and come to care about. Simply, because I respect the people I want to be around. I do not want to fool or trick people into accepting me. If I make a mistake, I want to have the humility to stand up and acknowledge it and do the work it takes to make amends, IF I am allowed to at all. It is also a character building exercise, in the sense that I do not run from confrontation or truth. I am a slave, I am not allowed to run from it. Do I blame slaves for wanting the opportunity? No. Do I blame Free for allowing slaves to have secrets online? Yes. I ask your opinion. |