Disconnections

[greatbear]

I'll admit that I have not been the most chat-worthy sort in the last few years, given so many of the issues I've faced. During that time, I kept low, not bothering anyone with my problems. Lately, however, I've been trying to 'reconnect' with those friends I've had through the years by 'hanging out my shingle' on the many online messaging services I've used to get to know (as well as keep in contact with) various friends. What has been the overwhelming majority outcome of this? Nothing. Nada, zilch. Except for very few kind souls, no one responds to my 'online' status. Okay, I can assume that not everyone scans their lists seeing who might be on. I toss out greetings to those I have not talked to in ages as a way to get things started. No response, or sometime later, such-and-such goes offline. If I do manage to start a dialog, more often than not the tone seems that I am more of an unexpected intruder than someone that used to converse for hours upon hours, online and even in person not that long ago. Well, okay then. I suppose people simply move on. I guess I have just placed too much value on so many of the friendships I (thought I) had made with folks over the years. Or maybe, it's just me. Still, it's gonna hurt a bit deleting those names from those various contact lists.

Comments

[musklebear.livejournal.com]

haven't seen you on gay.com :(

[aadroma.livejournal.com]

Are you on YIM? Hit me up ... I'd love to chat babe.

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

I think that if you were to look back through your past logs (if you have them) you will see that there is a natural circulation of where people hang out. The folks that used to be very regular here have moved on to other places, such as Facelessbook. I would not take it as any sort of offing, but just the ebb and flow of life. There are others of us that are glad to see you here and look forward to your nuggets of inspiration and humor.

[egbubba.livejournal.com]

I know we don't reall know each other. But whatever the circumstance. I hope all is well, and I wish you...better horizans.

[meddler-inc.livejournal.com]

If you want to talk to me, I'm more than willing to. :D My YIM and MSN stuffs are on my profile page.

[tbrough.livejournal.com]

Just because one doesn't chat doesn't mean you're removed from our thoughts.

[teddyb.livejournal.com]

I tend not to chat much online because when I am online, it is usually because I have some specific objective, and chatting keeps me from getting done what I need to do.

Having said that, I do have fond memories of many people with whom I connected when I used to be online a lot more, and most of those folks remain good friends to this day.

Please be assured that I certainly value what you post here, and while this is not a "chat" venue, I'm very glad that I have gotten to know you and interact with you here.

[fredneckteddy.livejournal.com]

you had better not get rid of me.....or Betty will get all bamm bamm on your ass ;)

[rockybear02.livejournal.com]

Well I can't blame you for that - and Carmen has said numerous times the same thing.

I treat it differently I guess - some friends come and go - and other stay around for a long time.

Big Hugs buddy

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

I'm aware that there is a chat feature here, but I am
not versed on how to use it.

I'm on Bear411.com as Maxauburn, don't know if you
have an account there.

I don't have any Instant Messengers on my computer
because I kept getting viruses through them.

I would like to chat with you more than is done
in LJ, though. I've always liked you, and you know
that.

{{{{{{Major Hugs!!!}}}}}}

[redmoonriver.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

I sooo need to clean out my Yahoo IM of people I simply don't chat with anymore, we've both moved on for various reasons, I do have several people over on B411 that I chat with on a regular to semi regular basis, have not been in gay.com in a good long while and quite frankly, it's the bilge water of date sites for all the sad sacks of our tribe tend to hang so you have to pick your way through the scums to get to the good ones.

I barely use my webcam these days and it's old (bought in 2001) and it's disconnected from my PC and in my junque box right now. That said, if I need to use it in a professional way, that's fine but for most gays, it's so they can salivate all "over" my image and that's not me.

I would not take it personally but realize it's probably more likely them than you.

I still enjoy your posts here and your occasional witty comments to one of my posts.

So there.

You CAN always hit me up on YIM if you like, just be aware, I'm in bed by 10 most nights Pacific time. :-)

[fogbear.livejournal.com]

It is tough. And I've been on both sides of this sort of situation, as things change. Particularly if you've only known someone online, long periods without contact can lead to "Huh? Who?" when you try to reconnect.

My only advice is to try not to take it personally. That's a tall order, I know, but it's worth a shot.

*hugs*

[bearlover.livejournal.com]

*Hugs*. If I ever saw you on Yahoo, I would unhide as well and we'd talk shop :)

[bearwad.livejournal.com]

it may seem heartless, but i look at LJ and facebook the same way i thought of Friends of Bill W on AOL all the years i chatted with them as sort of a silent radio program. i am actively involved when it is on with whoever is on at the same time of the morning.

i do read your contributions to LJ whether i respond or not though.

also let it be known that i read this first thing in the morning over coffee, so i have pillow lines on the face, one eye closed and drool drying on my cheek as i type this. it takes a lot to get me to respond in this condition.

[sfmini.livejournal.com]

I used to have 50+ active people on AOL/AIM, just a few on 411 and Yahoo at best. I have one friend on AIM, I stopped using MSN and Yahoo because I had nobody. I use MSN to do remote work on my mother's computer. Every other source, except Facebook, only brings random new people, which never hang around.

Living in SF you get lots of people fishing for a place to stay/tour guide of Gay Ground Zero.

Everybody is texting on their iPhones. I've gone out to dinner with friends and nobody is talking, but they sure are going fast and furious with their iPhones. For me, LJ has all but died. I only watch you and a couple of other people. Facebook has become the new LJ. Texting? Well, you know what I did with my "real" cell phone.... I now have a $14.95 prepaid phone that serves my needs quite well, but I don't even know if I can text on it.

Your friends are out there, they've just changed services.

[budmassey.livejournal.com]

Don't delete me!

[merlinwon.livejournal.com]

Keep Me Keep Me Keep Me!!

<3

[kspsibear.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to get in the habit of coming back here to LJ. And I'm usually on Yahoo Messenger to chat. Always glad to hear from you.