SorP, I do hope you come back to read this thread. You'll find that even though you got off on the wrong foot, this thread (with the exception of the odd flamer, whom you'll find wherever you wander on the 'Net) is basically a long, friendly list of people welcoming you among us with open arms. It's that kind of place.

And please don't think that my saying above that you got off on the wrong foot is a slam or a harsh criticism of any kind. I feel it's a true statement; it's considered poor nettiquette to read an online forum for only a day or two, and then post a message that says, essentially, "what a dump!" It really is best to get the feel of the room first.

If you do that, I think you'll find that a) the flamers are a decided minority, as you've already hinted, although they do sometimes stink up the place, b) some of what you might perceive as nastiness may in fact be badinage. Get used to our style of humor around here, and you'll see what I mean. Maybe you'll find that's not your style of humor, but at least you'll see the difference between one of us ribbing a friend, and one of us being genuinely pissed off. And c), some of the arguments here in the last few days have been over hot-button issues where some individuals are revealing long-standing hurts that most of us didn't even know they had, while others on the same threads lacked the context, until now, to even realize why such things hurt. That sort of conversation is likely to get heated no matter where it occurs, but if you reread those threads, you'll also find some of us at our impassioned best. We're human. Get to know us first.

But if the worst you can be accused of is poor nettiquette, then you're jake with me. Welcome, new friend. Pull up a stool. Ask for some lyrics. Provide some lyrics. Share a story or a joke. Best craic on the 'Net, I guarantee.

Chris