Remember me? (Former DU Admin checking in)

[VTderry]

216. SO nice to hear from you! (from an old-timer newbie)

I was here from the beginning (under a different username/email) and took about the same amount of time away (life-consuming responsibilities), returning just over two years ago.

I've also found DU to be largely the same place that gave me so much comfort (and amusement-- Top Ten Conservative Idiots/DUzys/Don't tuch the but!) back in the darkest Bush years (aka "not actually anywhere near as bad as it can get" and when you had to add your own html code to bold or italicize.)

It makes me happy that a good number of the regulars from the early days are still posting away, some with post counts well into six figures. I feel so heartened to see many new names, especially ones attached to people who weren't even born when DU was founded. And it's been a gut-wrenching reminder of the inevitable when pillars of the community like The Magistrate and elleng (the only DUer I ever met in person) have passed on.

I've learned that I can't consume and engage at the same level I could back in the day and I'm working on being okay with that. I do try to give more energy to action in the "real world." However, even there, I have to watch out for mental health consequences that could lead to my being no help at all in any of the many battles ahead. It will probably always feel weird to not be a "news junkie." But knowing DU will keep me well looped-in on the days I can manage gives me confidence that I'm staying well-informed.

And I too learned I am Inattentive Type ADHD in my fifth decade of daydreaming-hyperfocusing-sidequesting (and excessive parenthetical statement using.) It explains so much.
I still haven't decided if knowing/medicating earlier would have changed my life for the better or made me a less creative person. In any case, knowing "intense outrage at any kind of injustice" is part of the package has helped me recognize when my anger is becoming paralyzing instead of productive.

FUCK CANCER, of course. Glad you've been able to tell it so.

May your life path continue to wind along in interesting ways. I will always be grateful for this community you helped create. I hope you do continue to drop in on the essential and thriving space you nutured for so long.