How did I get to this point!?
I’m not going to lie, at first I really didn’t feel like I belonged here at Morphine Nation. I’m the kind of girl that is a hopeless romantic, and sometimes a little to happy for my own good. I’m sarcastic, but I don’t feel that I am quite as witty as some of the people on here. I can admit that easily, and not feel bad about it (Have you met some of the people here!? Seattle has enough wit to fill up a pool!). But I think its worth the embarrassment to know everyone on the site.
I was shown Morphine Nation by someone I had been seeing briefly, and at first I really wasn’t that interested. I only read his articles, but then I stumbled upon Station Nation and that changed everything. Azzy and Bruce were two of the funniest men I had ever heard, plus if you happen to hear Azzy’s voice, I swear there is something in it that is like a drug, I believe its the Nations secret trap. Once they get you with the articles its time to move on to the Phorums.
Now at first, I was just a lurker, I would read a couple things but felt a little weird about joining in. Especially since the person who showed me the site and I had stopped talking. Finally one day I decided to join, but I would need an alias. This took some time, I mean these people had all kinds of names, from Gunsage to Origim to Seattle Freeze. Plus a name says a lot about a person, I finally went with Laurie_Strode. (For those who do not know, Laurie Strode is the little sister of Michael Myers in Halloween. I will most likely write an article as to why I picked this name later). Now to begin posting, how was I to know that I would feel at home right away.
I’m that kind of person, I tend to make a splash when I join places. I have the sort of ‘I don’t care’ attitude that goes with that. Honestly, I learned a long time ago that people hate certain things. Don’t be too needy, don’t act like your better, and don’t try to hard to be funny. You really can’t play the asshole card till you have been around long enough. I also love to have fun, I am just a goofy person in general.
Anyways, once I got my foot in the door, I started to really have fun. It even got me to start a blog (Which I have since not written in as I now write for the site), I was posting everyday until one day Ano wrote me. He told me the site always needed writers, and that I should send a sample of my work to JCC. This went for just being something fun, to something that I could actually really enjoy. So I did it, and you can bet my heart was racing as I sent a sample of my writing.
Needless to say, after what I can only call an intense interview, I became a writer. This is when I read everyone elses work, and you can bet your sorry ass that I became intimidated. I mean, these people are really good writers, and here I am just some chump who got lucky. For a couple days I couldn’t even write I was so freaked out. I stopped roleplaying, and only post a little bit. That was until this morning, I realized that what makes this place so great is that most of the writers only write for themselves. Its not about worrying what everyone else thinks, its about being yourself.
To me, what makes the Nation so great is how different we all our. Whether you are reading a Million Movie Review, or listening to Station Nation you can feel it. Its the diversity that makes us so great (IMO). And I realized I totally belong here, even with the ribbing from Seattle. I can only hope that my writing improves, and that I can get feedback on what to do to make it better. Maybe one day I can be as good as JCC….maybe.
I think the whole “tentativeness” thing you went through is what everyone does when they want to join any community. Taking that extra step and still jumping in despite it though, has gotten you where you are in the community, and new posters on the Phorums and main page could learn from it.
This article was personal, but it’s the right kind of personal. It would be interesting to see pretty much any staff member’s reflections on how they found the site, what their initial impressions were, and what the road to the main page was like for them.
^ditto.
We’re glad to have you here in the COLLECTIVE.
@Laurie_Strode. Hey, nice handle pick and horror movie reference with it. I totally relate to this article in a lot of ways. Well done. I agree with the not-giving-a-shit-aspect mostly. It’s funny how similar the intro experience for you and I was.
The only difference is that with the lack of regularity of wrestling articles here that depressed and ultimately motivated me to write that stuff. Too many good bloggers on wrestling have gone away recently. Some of my fav’s like Jason Rivera and Zah turned in… This actually helped me want to write and MAYBE the dialogue helped influene a jaded excellent author in Al Creed write TWO ARTICLES in two weeks on RAW. No disrespect to the Louis Riel shirt creator either, I read his posts and see why he wrote less over time. But I love his reviews, part in which kept me coming back to the mainpage even in the more stagnant periods of submissions. My thinking is that stirring the pot will generate discussions and stimulate new articles/comments.
I got a buddy, Armchair MVP, to throw down some NFL stuff this week. I hope we see him often. Funny witted knowledable dude who wants to write anyways. If you or any other person knows someone who has these qualities, bring’em in to JCC.
Smart writing will inspire other smart writing. Laurie, you inspired this essay-like comment!
Disclaimer: The above comment may or not be “smart.” The author of it, however, is a smark.
So in other words Strode, if it wasnt for Twilight you would never have found this place. Strange world aint it.
Thanks to everyone, I really do feel welcome here
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Welcome aboard! Keep writing, Wench.
I dig you. Keep with the writing, you’re a natural.
@feather, you already know you are one of my favorite people here!!! Thank you
Careful, comrade…the thought police are listening.
Wow…since when do we write emo articles? Jesus…
Ano…I think it’s time for an emo poem! Don’t you think? I mean…since Morphine is all sappy and shit now.
@Seattle,
see? See?!
@Alan Parker & Seattle…wow you two are like so OMG cute….-.-
WTF? Did we just revert back to the 8th grade? ….Jesus…
I’m sorry but when someone says See? See!? on my article…then I must wonder what they are saying that about. It is childish in and of itself.
But the 8th grade comment is cute sweetie
“Hey man, whats up”, said the kettle
“Not much man, whats hanging”, replied the pot
“Did you know you’r black?”
“No shit bro, were you blind all this time?”
“You are meant to reply – you’r black too”
“What? Are you high?”
“Im trying to make a point about twilights comment above, dickhead”
“Well how about clueing me in before you go off on tangents”
“Fuck you pot”
I’m still confused as to how it pertains to me though….or are you just still a little irritated about what happened with you and Twilight? Look girlie…I’m sorry you didn’t have what it takes to keep the man-boy but, let’s get one thing quite clear here. If you comment on how we’re “so OMG cute”, then follow up with an answer that has nothing to do with me-I’m going to call you on it.
And….your constant noting of me in your emo article….was a bit creepy and you want us to believe you’re not a stalker….not doing so well with that, are we?
You’re not going to get much by me ’sweetie’….haven’t you heard…I have enough wit to fill a pool!
Ummm…mentioned your name like three times…and your the person who always has something to say about me on here. Sorry, but thats why you were mentioned so much, I’m not in to older people I’m sorry. AND FYI, he said @Seattle, want to go up and see that….yea he was talking to you! But I’m done arguing with someone who feels good by putting others down, and not in a funny way. Okay!?
Awesome
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hahaha older people….that’s classic. Get your own stuff Laurie and you’ll do just fine.