Yesterday the Aeclectic Tarot Forum boards went down due to a hard drive crash. I never realized in the short time I have been an active member how much AT seeped into my daily rituals and routines.
After I get out of the shower and dress in the morning the first thing I do is check my email and then head over to AT to catch up on the threads I am watching. At work, when it is slow, I will go to AT and see what's going on in the reading forums or the spreads forum. When I get home, I relax with the Talking Tarot and Fun and Games forums. Yesterday I was suffering a bit of the Tarot withdrawal. I had the ATDT's. ;)
I am glad to find I am not alone in my addiction. Several posts this morning were simple acknowledgements of the void left by the pc/server issues. Many expressed feelings of detachment from not having their extended family.
That is how I feel about AT. It has very quickly become an extended family. I don't know everyone and recognize even fewer by screen name. I haven't talked (chatted, emailed or PM'ed) with very many residents but something about AT sets it apart from other forums (or in day of yore; BBSes) I have been a part of. It's a sense of community. Of family.
The last time I was a member of a community like this one was in the mid to late nineties with rmac, or the Rec.Music.A-Cappella usenet group. Through that board I met some wonderful people. Some became friends I still have today. One became my wife (for a period of time). Through rmac I acheived goals I previously never thought of and ended up walking a path I couldn't anticipate.
I hope that AT fosters the same kind of relationships I found with rmac and takes me on some unexpected journies. I have already started to forge friendships with some of my fellow Tarot Enthusiasts and hope those relationships continue to blossom and grow.
I seems I have truly found a virtual home.
AT is definitely that kind of community, Gary. I've been a member for almost 8 years now! WOW! When I first found AT there were only about 300 or so members with only about 100 active ones. Now look where it's at!
ReplyDeleteAnd that growth is because of the wonderful atmosphere we all strive to keep. It's an amazing place to meet wonderful people from all over the world!
Because of AT I have people, who even though we've never met in person, I would be completely comfortable staying with if I ever visit their country!!!
AT's practically a way of life, isn't it? I don't think I know anyone who didn't miss it sorely.
ReplyDeleteThe people at AT are what make it such a great place to hang around. Everyone is so kind, and it is the genuine kindness so sorely lacking in our world right now.
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