SoapZone Community Message Board

Hopefully more people can come back, if they're lurking like me.

In honor of that (and the two martinis I had tonight), I'm suggesting we talk about why Soapstone still is a "thing" for you.

I started posting as a sophomore in high school in 95 when we had computer class. Do kids today even have computer class? I know many of the programs I was trained on don't exist anymore (shout out netscape, lotus, etc).

When I went away to college, every time I had a problem w/ my roommate, I'd post here. And since we have known each other since high school, and I scheduled my classes around GH b/c sometimes the automatic timer on the VHS wasn't reliable, she would read them and then we'd have it out. It taught me how to be an adult and stand by my feelings (and learn to realize that feelings aren't always right).

September 11 -- I had just moved to LA and I checked this board regularly to remind myself that I was fine. I only made it out there b/c I had this board to check in on (and like the $20 to post when that happened was actually a thing for me, as ridiculous that feels to where I am now).

This board led me to the fabulous Dreamylyfe, the only SZer I've met in person, who taught me what it was to be a storyteller and changed how I think about things and people, hopefully making me a better person.

Losing SZers honestly has been more painful that I would have expected. IRL isn't necessarily "real" and community takes all forms -- for me, knowing an SZer will never post again always hurts.

When I randomly quit my job to be a writer, an SZer started a TV recapping site and paid me to help me have something on my resume -- shout out Cybagem/W.

I always wanted to be like Chloe, Tinkerbell, and Aubrey, who seemed to have all the confidence I could only pretend to have. I worried about Ladyday's Lana when she moved to NY; I thought Wahoo was brave as hell when she said, "Hey, I live in my childhood home with my parents, and this works for me," and I celebrated when Kris found Mr. Kris. Pablo, who is my twitter friend, I want to hit people who hurt your feelings and for you and the boyfriend to find happiness in Spain.

There are so many more stories and so many more posters (Lila, for example, who always irritated people with her privilege but remained true to her truth). As a lurker, checking in and seeing everyone was still here always made me feel settled.

So many fan fiction writers -- I still think about those stories that were never finished and re-read the ones that are online!

Honestly, I want this board to outlive me. I know I can randomly show up and post and people will give me advice -- and it will be real.

I'm grateful for everyone -- I can't believe I'm like in my 40s now b/c I still feel like that high school kid logging on.