I`m sitting here posting as a distraction technique. Hubby`s gone out on his new `bike. First time since his accident four years ago. It is a bit nail-biting, but I do understand. He just loves riding so much, and it leaves too big a gap in life not to ride again.

Anyway, I have been pondering all week on the success of the `nostalgia` thread. It really seemed to generate such a lot of enthusiasm. I have a theory that everyone enjoyed the fact that even outside of a passion for NUFC, we also have other things in common. Sshared memories for one. Also, I know the internet is anonymous, and that is part of it`s appeal, I also think that on a BBS like this, the members enjoy little snippets about other subscribers, `cos it helps build up a picture of the people you are talking to week in and week out.

My husband coined a phrase the other week, when I was on-line during a match and wouldn`t take a phone call, he said that I was `in tribal therapy`. I loved it, and sometimes that`s just what it feels like!

So, any comments on whether or not non-footie threads are desirable?

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2000

Answers

Absolutely. Nail smacked squarely on the head with extreme force. These threads go a long way to disprove the stereotype of net-heads being social inadequates, as they spark off such amusement and affinity. Met so many wonderful people through this medium, and most of the desire to put faces to names and pints into hands comes from these threads. Couldn't agree more.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2000

Tribal Therapy

You've done it again Galaxy - spot on. I personally believe its the non-footy threads, interspersed with the obvious passion and commitment to NUFC, that makes this bbs so very special.

Most boards are dominated by the childish, often profane, name calling that anonymity encourages. Of course, that is precisely what some people are seeking, and indeed how they get their 'jollies'.

The very apparent desire of most contributors on here to slowly build relationships with the rest and, as you suggest, to gradually build up a picture of the other person, makes the non-footy threads so valuable, as well as enjoyable and often hunorous.

The fact that so many of the UK-based contributors have actually met, and enjoy the occasional pint of 'frothy' together, is further testimony to that desire. This even extends to our manure 'friend', Lancester Red, who far from hiding behind the comfort of anonymity, actually walked into the Strawberry ten minutes after the recent 3-0 at SJP to face the music, and have a pint with us.

Long may this thing survive and flourish. People like yourself, who occasionally remind us that there is indeed life outside of SJP, are so very important to it's health and continuing well-being.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2000

Yeah...what Softie and Clarky said. Couldn't have said it any better myself! :-)

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2000

There's even room for miserable cynical owld g*ts like me, but who can still occasionally succumb to the hope that 'maybe this time' does apply to the world's greatest under-achievers.

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2000