I come in here to get a good laugh out of the Off Topics... It just makes the days more tolerable . TRUST
And the other side of that coin is the life affecting threads that some feel comfortable putting up here and the support that is shown. Helps to trivialize some of the BS and rudeness displayed out in the Zone.
The laughter and the caring humanizes something that could be cold. Being reminded of how compassionate and caring people can be that we've never met is vital to someone that does not have the level human interaction they once had.
The beauty of the Off-Topics Zone, the OTZ, is that we come here to share, to make each other and ourselves laugh and not try to impress with what we know or who we are. I can spend just so much time out in the Zone before I gotta get back in here and get my fix.
My main regret about being a part of these two forums is that I did not share enough when I was going through life altering events and there are friends here that could have helped me through that. I saw that happen on the old DC.com and I've seen that since I've been here. I would advise anyone here to not shut off when you're going through a storm in your life because this can be a safe haven and people sincerely care. Posters cannot solve your problems but knowing some care can sure go a long way toward helping you resolve them. Believe me, I was in as dark and deep a place as I've ever been and did not realize there was light available.
Man, hate to get sappy but the last line in the film "Hoosiers" sums it up for me "love you guys".