Time

[Deleted]

Last night I couldn't sleep.

You know how in fits of boredom one desperately tries to find something... anything... that can occupy (or give the illusion of occupying) even a small fraction of unused brain function? For some reason I got a hankering for nostalgia and clicked on the ancient bookmark I'd made for this site.

Four hours later, after a thorough reading of old posts hearkening back to 2006 and a flurry of whatever happened to's and look how stupid I was's, my hopes of sleeping had vanished completely. All that exploring got me thinking about the indelible mark this place has created in my understanding of time.

We now live in an age where everything is co-opted. The internet moves towards centralization, and I'm pessimistically convinced that it will soon finish its formation as a lightning-speed-paced shrine to ego, easy access, profit and convenience. This forum was created in a different era of the Internet: one where the concept of social networking was in its infancy and everything seemed different -slower- somehow.

The fact that this site stands and thrives as a community on its own still after ten years baffles me. It's here, rock solid, among Facebook, Twitter and all the other sites that are now considered benchmarks of the internet.

Although it's constantly changing, it will always mean a very specific thing to me. There was an era where the NTWF was completely interwoven with my growth as an individual. English is not my first language, and I doubt I would be in the level I am without this site. It also let me interact with incredibly different people in a great environment... and while most of my friends from years ago are gone, I am confident that this place stands its ground in their memories as at least a very pleasant thought. If the specifics fade... everything's here, archived. Timeless.

I don't know if I will ever post again on a whim or if my time is past and I should be saying my goodbyes... I sincerely doubt most people reading this will recognize me, let alone have talked to me. Nevertheless, I'd like to shout to the heavens that this site was -and I will always argue in its defense- an integral part of my life.

Thank you, NTWF.

[Fj0rd]

The NTWF is one of those special places. One of those places where even if I haven't talked to someone in years, we can pick up right where we left off. One of those places where you can get to know people from across the world. Even though I have NTWFers as friends on facebook and tumblr and so on, I end up interacting with them here too--those can't take the place of this.

Whether you come back or not, you're always welcome here, and you have not been forgotten. *hugs*

[Zylaa]

^___^ Thanks for that, Ery. *hugs* That really sheds a new light on the magic of the NTWF, and I've seen so many people describe it.

As Fj0rd said, whether you come back or not, we fogies remember-- and old and new will be glad to see you if you do show up again. ^_^

[Crystal]

I do recognize you, and awww, Ery. Thanks. :3

[Jacob]

I think most people tend to look at their past and burn whatever they find. It's good to know you aren't one of those folk, and that you can look at what was and not only gain proper reflection, but renewed vigor to build on something new. Or at least that's the hope.