I think my problem is that I have a hard time feeling like I fit in. In late elementary school and junior high, I was teased mercilessly because I was short and smart. I became very quiet and introverted, though I did have a few very good friends. But I was always on the outside of the "cool" groups after that. Now, whenever I become a new member of a group--new job, new apartment, whatever--I don't immediately integrate into the group. I sit back for a while, feeling everything out until I figure out precisely who everyone is and how I fit in with them.

Now, I'm sure plenty of people are going to jump up and say, "Wait, Jon Boy! You do fit in!" I'm not saying that I don't. I'm saying that I often feel like I'm sitting on the sidelines observing everyone else and occasionally speaking up. It's not a bad place to be. You get to do lots of observation and introspection.

I'm sure I probably sound whiny right now, but that's not how I feel. I love being a part of this community, and I feel like I've been a part of some really good discussions.

Good luck keepin' that Hatrack addiction alive for a thousand more..

So I guess the normal men's dorm anywhere else in the US is closer to his example than the dorms at BYU.

Oh, and the reason you still feel like a newbie is because 1000 posts ain't nothin! Noob!

<insert tongue-in-cheek smilie here>

SO anyway, congratulations on the thousandth post and, by the way, congratulations for fitting in at BYU a lot better than I ever would.

Have I ever explained the advantages of furniture made from discarded pizza boxes???

The advantages of furniture made from pizza boxes:

1) It's free -- you were gonna get a pizza anyway, right?

2) It saves having to take out that bulky trash, so lots fewer trips to the dorm compactor.

3) Your room will always smell like pizza and that's a good smell.

4) Guests don't have to wonder "what's for dinner."

5) As the old boxes decay, you can just add new ones on top.

6) It's another excellent use for duct tape (as if you really needed more).

7) Nobody asks if they can "crash on your couch, man."

8) If the dog pees on the furniture, you can just rotate those boxes to the bottom and you're good to go!

9) It's a project your entire dorm can help out with. Soon, you'll just find abandoned pizza boxes by your door when you wake up. Thanks neighbor!!!

10) The roaches have a designated place to stay so they don't hang out in your tooth brush.

Let's see...you posted a landmark post at 500, but you don't feel like a joiner-inner...

You're just feeling touchy because of the Sharkey thread, right...?

You've reached 1,000 in about half the time it took me to. Chill out. You belong.

Every bulletin board needs a head grammar nazi...

So my advice to you is just hang in there. One of these days you'll start feeling like a full-fledged jatraquero. I did.

Happy 1000th!

quote:

---

Now, I'm sure plenty of people are going to jump up and say, "Wait, Jon Boy! You do fit in!" I'm not saying that I don't. I'm saying that I often feel like I'm sitting on the sidelines observing everyone else and occasionally speaking up. It's not a bad place to be. You get to do lots of observation and introspection.

---

But I do feel like I've got my own niche. I never thought I'd see the day when I became the head grammar nazi, though. I'm very touched and honored. Thank, you, Icarus. You don't know how much this means to me.

I'm having a really hard time remembering what the Sharkey thread was. I'm not sure if I should ask to be reminded, but I'm going to anyway. What was the Sharkey thread all about? Can you dredge up the link?

In high school, I was kind of on the outskirts of the cool groups. I didn't quite feel like I was one of them. In retrospect, I realized that I fit in just fine and the only thing holding me back was me. I just have a hard time stepping out of my comfort zone and fighting my insecurities. But you guys have shown me that I shouldn't worry so much.

I always feel like I never fit in.

Then again, I never do fit in.

Eventually, I just assigned myself a niche. I decided to tell everyone I was uber cool and that Hatrack couldn't possible survive without me. People pretend to buy into it because Hatrackers are nice and they want you to succeed. Sort of like self-appointed, altruistic suckers who are being suckers for good.

Your next thread should be, "Look How Amazingly I Fit in After Only 1,206 Posts!" and spend the next 206 posts talking about how sassy you are. Heck, I'd buy it.

edit: For clarification. (Didn't mean you were "just a number," Jon boy.)

Icarus--Thanks. That was very validating.

quote:

---

I will now unleash a reign of terror upon all linguistically inferior hatrackers.

---