Something's bothering me...

[challer]

Hey, Kevin. Here's what I think of your post:

I'm having fun with the DIS. I wouldn't say I'm an "insider" - people don't know my real name by my boards name or vice versa, never been to a meet or cruise, never had a voice mail or email read on the podcast. But I'm still enjoying my time spend listening to the 'cast and hanging on the boards and (recently) getting in on chat. (I've actually enjoyed coming late to chat and just having around 6 people left to chat with. Much more manageable.)

I'm looking forward to the day when I meet my first fellow DISer in person.

 

[goofy57]

Kevin, very well said!!!!

 

[rtobe]

Kevin, Well said!

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

My wife, who I am sure will comment on this as soon as she logs on, and I are examples of what Kevin is talking about. I listened to the podcast for years and lurked on the boards occassionally, but became easily overwhelmed and never posted a message. My wife, Disney Enabler, is much more outgoing and relaxed with folks than I and has embraced the boards.

We went on a 16-day Disney Cruise last year and joined a group associated with the DISboards that had formed a group, but we discovered they were a clique in the traditional way and came away feeling disappointed with that DIS experience.

So, it took quite a bit of courage to sign up for the Podcast Cruise and get involved on the Boards. I got my wife to listen to the Podcast about the time of Kevin's review of Cinderella's Royal Table (Psychorella), and she was hooked.

I told Kevin via email of my hesitation to join the DISers and get involved on the Boards and in Chat and he was very encouraging. He couldn't have been more correct. Everyone on the Podcast Cruise was friendly, warm and welcoming. It truly was like meeting old friends for the first time. If you listened to the Podcast Cruise podcast, you heard Pete mention that a couple became grandparents and how sad they were because their son was in the Navy and stationed in Guam and they couldn't be there - well, that couple was us! Looking back, if we couldn't be with our son and daughter-in-law when their baby was born - the next best place to be was with our DISfriends. To be surrounded by so much friendship, support and love from people we had just met a couple of days ago was like nothing we had ever experienced before! We felt like we were surrounded by family who shared in our joy of becoming first time grandparents. We made friendships that will last a lifetime on that four day cruise - and we keep in touch primarily through the boards.

So, I guess what I am trying to say is that Pete, Kevin, John, Bawb, Julie, Corey, Walter and the rest of the Podcast Crew have created a very unique community on the boards that goes beyond our admiration of all things Disney. It is a community of friends who care about each other. So, if you are a lurker, like I was, you are missing out on fully experiencing the friendship and love this community can offer you. So take it from someone who is a bit shy and is terrible at small talk, post a message and say hello; comment on a thread that you find interesting; log on to chat and watch the messages fly by as your head whirls - you won't regret it. You'll discover old friends who are waiting to meet you and welcome you to the family!

Michael (Merry Mousketeer)

 

[miss missy]

Hi to all I do not know yet and glad you came out to post!! I love seeing all these new "to me" DIS'ers wow Kevin good job! So many have posted here, I am sooo happy!! This is great!

 

[CinderellasSister]

Well said Kevin! It's true, I've been one of those lurkers for a while, just throwing out the occasional post, but not too much. I posted a bit after the TSMM in December, and found kinds words after my son's tumble that night. Since signing up for PCC 2.0, I've found myself posting more in anticipation of everyone I'm going to meet. Like you said, you just have to put yourself out there, and someone (or everyone) will grab on and pull you in. I love coming to these boards and seeing all the friendships that have developed so far from TSMM, PCC 1.0, etc. I don't look at them as clique-ish, but as future friends I just haven't hung out with yet. So thank you to the entire Podcast crew for the opportunity you have made here for us all to meet and bond. And thank you to everyone here who makes these boards a warm and friendly place we can all enjoy.

And Kevin, I promise DS won't fall down any stairs this time.

 

[MomlvsGoofy]

Thank you so much for this post Kevin! I found the Dis last year while making plans for a family Disney trip a year ago. Since then I have been lurking regularly. I thought I knew alot about Disney (boy was I wrong)! It is wonderful finding out such great things about Disney through the boards.
This week I have just started logging on to chat. What fun! Everyone jumps right in to talk to you even though they have no clue who I am!
I have signed up for the 2.0 cruise and have been trying to put myself out their by posting. Trying to get to know people before the cruise through the boards so that I can be part of the pre-cruise meets. It's so much fun!


Sharon

 

[DisneyDaddy-O]

I have been listening to the podcast for a little while now and have just begun posting on these boards as well. I don't post a ton but read and stay caught up on the goings on around here. Sure, just before the cruise most of the topics revolved around the cruise and the meets and stuff. Everyone was excited and thats what everyone was talking about in chat about as well. I never felt left out, just upset I could'nt go as well, maybe the next one. I got goosebumps when I heard the crowd cheering during the opening of the cruise podcast, it was awesome.

You guys are doing a great job and it does'nt feel like a clique, more like a club and there is no secret password.

(unless there is one and I don't know it, maybe I'm just being paranoid)

 

[jrgutknecht]

Okay, now I know I'm part of the "clique" too because I had my first DIS Dream

So I found myself sitting at the round table, not sure how I got there or what was going on, but I looked down to find that Kathy's camera was laying in front of me - in PIECES

All of a sudden Kathy was standing over me (and I could hear her voice as clearly as if it was on my ipod) "What have you done?"

Just then Kevin spoke up "We found it that way, he's just trying to put it back together"

then I woke up...

Strange huh? I've been listening to the podcast for over two years, listened to every single episode, been on the board for much longer (mostly lurking) and now last night (before reading this post) I have this strange dream! I wonder what it means?

Anyway, Kathy, I'm sorry about your camera, I hope the real one is ok ! Kevin, thanks for sticking up for me, and to the rest of the team, I'm not sure what you were all doing in my dream, but I know in real life, you're doing a great show that's become part of our lives in ways I'm sure you never could have imagined, so keep up the great work and I can't wait for my opportunity to meet you in person someday, but until then I'll see you in my dreams

John

 

[Becx N Gav]

Hiya!
Yea that last day was really hard. I did cry while waiting for the ME bus. I remember being there when you finished that LSU blanket and gave it to Julie.
We are trying real hard to be on the next cruise. The medical bills are gonna kill us. They are just now starting to come in. But Bob is doing great, so I don't care if they were a million dollars!
We will be in WDW in September though.(already mostly paid for when he went in the hospital) Hoping to meet up with Bex n Gav, they will be there the same time. It will be good to see them again.
Yall take care! I miss you both.
Krissy

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

Can't wait to see you again and meet your husband! Let me know what your plans are - I think we're just about there now as TourGuide Mike has got his guides up to date

I really do hope you'll be on PCC 2.0 too - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you guys

It's true! A lot of people got confused when I changed my Avatar, most people 'know' each other through them or their signature before they know the name!



I will be there when Becx n Gav are there, maybe you'll see me too!

Your avatar confused me but I love the Wall-E one you have now

Am trying to sort out a good time to meet - looks like we're doing MK on 22nd so won't make the Dole Whip meet - need to post there!

Can't wait to get to meet you too Kate and you Mother Roll on Sept.....

My wife, who I am sure will comment on this as soon as she logs on, and I are examples of what Kevin is talking about. I listened to the podcast for years and lurked on the boards occassionally, but became easily overwhelmed and never posted a message. My wife, Disney Enabler, is much more outgoing and relaxed with folks than I and has embraced the boards.

We went on a 16-day Disney Cruise last year and joined a group associated with the DISboards that had formed a group, but we discovered they were a clique in the traditional way and came away feeling disappointed with that DIS experience.

So, it took quite a bit of courage to sign up for the Podcast Cruise and get involved on the Boards. I got my wife to listen to the Podcast about the time of Kevin's review of Cinderella's Royal Table (Psychorella), and she was hooked.

I told Kevin via email of my hesitation to join the DISers and get involved on the Boards and in Chat and he was very encouraging. He couldn't have been more correct. Everyone on the Podcast Cruise was friendly, warm and welcoming. It truly was like meeting old friends for the first time. If you listened to the Podcast Cruise podcast, you heard Pete mention that a couple became grandparents and how sad they were because their son was in the Navy and stationed in Guam and they couldn't be there - well, that couple was us! Looking back, if we couldn't be with our son and daughter-in-law when their baby was born - the next best place to be was with our DISfriends. To be surrounded by so much friendship, support and love from people we had just met a couple of days ago was like nothing we had ever experienced before! We felt like we were surrounded by family who shared in our joy of becoming first time grandparents. We made friendships that will last a lifetime on that four day cruise - and we keep in touch primarily through the boards.

So, I guess what I am trying to say is that Pete, Kevin, John, Bawb, Julie, Corey, Walter and the rest of the Podcast Crew have created a very unique community on the boards that goes beyond our admiration of all things Disney. It is a community of friends who care about each other. So, if you are a lurker, like I was, you are missing out on fully experiencing the friendship and love this community can offer you. So take it from someone who is a bit shy and is terrible at small talk, post a message and say hello; comment on a thread that you find interesting; log on to chat and watch the messages fly by as your head whirls - you won't regret it. You'll discover old friends who are waiting to meet you and welcome you to the family!

Michael (Merry Mousketeer)

See I told you it would be ok It was fantastic to be your table mates and I'm so glad your expectations were met and exceeded It goes to show that a few people can influence your future experiences but if you give it a nother try it can be the total opposite

Thanks Kevin for posting such a positive and uplifting post I was feeling a bit down after the 'other' thread (did not want to post and couldn't beleive what I was reading )

I'm so glad that some 'lurkers' have made themselves known - before you know it you will be on this board every night and it will take over your life (in a good way )
I started listening to the Podcast before I posted here as I was a little aprehensive about 'intruding' but I never felt like people ignored me or anything - infact it was so cool to be 'Welcomed' like everyone had been expecting me Since then it's felt like I've always been here and can't believe it took me so long to find this board

to everyone it's great to have you here

 

[katscradle]

My wife, who I am sure will comment on this as soon as she logs on, and I are examples of what Kevin is talking about. I listened to the podcast for years and lurked on the boards occassionally, but became easily overwhelmed and never posted a message. My wife, Disney Enabler, is much more outgoing and relaxed with folks than I and has embraced the boards.

We went on a 16-day Disney Cruise last year and joined a group associated with the DISboards that had formed a group, but we discovered they were a clique in the traditional way and came away feeling disappointed with that DIS experience.

So, it took quite a bit of courage to sign up for the Podcast Cruise and get involved on the Boards. I got my wife to listen to the Podcast about the time of Kevin's review of Cinderella's Royal Table (Psychorella), and she was hooked.

I told Kevin via email of my hesitation to join the DISers and get involved on the Boards and in Chat and he was very encouraging. He couldn't have been more correct. Everyone on the Podcast Cruise was friendly, warm and welcoming. It truly was like meeting old friends for the first time. If you listened to the Podcast Cruise podcast, you heard Pete mention that a couple became grandparents and how sad they were because their son was in the Navy and stationed in Guam and they couldn't be there - well, that couple was us! Looking back, if we couldn't be with our son and daughter-in-law when their baby was born - the next best place to be was with our DISfriends. To be surrounded by so much friendship, support and love from people we had just met a couple of days ago was like nothing we had ever experienced before! We felt like we were surrounded by family who shared in our joy of becoming first time grandparents. We made friendships that will last a lifetime on that four day cruise - and we keep in touch primarily through the boards.

So, I guess what I am trying to say is that Pete, Kevin, John, Bawb, Julie, Corey, Walter and the rest of the Podcast Crew have created a very unique community on the boards that goes beyond our admiration of all things Disney. It is a community of friends who care about each other. So, if you are a lurker, like I was, you are missing out on fully experiencing the friendship and love this community can offer you. So take it from someone who is a bit shy and is terrible at small talk, post a message and say hello; comment on a thread that you find interesting; log on to chat and watch the messages fly by as your head whirls - you won't regret it. You'll discover old friends who are waiting to meet you and welcome you to the family!

Michael (Merry Mousketeer)

Michael, awesome.
I feel the same way.
Post pictures of the newest member of your family when you can.
I will be watching for them.

 

[hideeh]

Kevin-excellent post! I am very thankful to be a part of this "clique". It is what keeps me going through some difficult RL days.

I am also VERY thankful that Paul has my back in case I need anyone smooshed!

Heidi

 

[stenogoddess]

My goodness! There was a mean thread and Paul almost had to smoosh someone? I'm so glad I missed it. I guess working in RL does have advantages! LOL

All good points, Kevin, and everyone else too. The only problem I've ever had with these boards is y'all keep talking me into stuff: Go on a cruise, go on another cruise, go do Backstage Magic, run the 1/2 marathon, you need an iphone..... Yep, yep, yep, got all that down. Pavlov has nothing on you people because I am trained! Cake or Pie, yeah, hand me a fork, or I can use my fingers. The only thing I don't have is an extra husband, and pretty soon I'm going to start getting my feelings hurt about that!

 

[Decorated_Dust]

I loved your post, Kevin. It is encouraging to people like me who feel like they are on the brink of being well-known, they just haven't made that extra step yet. That being said, it's easier said than done. I have been very eager to get into the clique for some time now. I have been a part of a couple "cliques" on the DIS boards, but have ever really become a part of this one. I think my biggest issue is that I have found this to be the most intimidating clique on the boards. This is not for any other reason than the size and scope of the clique.

Usually when approaching large cliques, I either get the delusion in my head that I am a bother to the people I want to be friends with, or I scare them away with my strong personality. I admit, I can be nuts sometimes, and some things come out of my mouth that make no sense, and I can be too blunt, and I have habits and interests that are not exactly common. While there are some parts of this package I am trying to change, I know that I will always be the "autistic sherpa" of the group. Thankfully, I have friends that get this, which I love, but they are in a place where I can talk to them face-to-face. Not the case here.

My experiences in the past have made me nervous when trying to get "in" to a group, which usually leads me to put forth a person who is not like me at all. I have seen this reflected in some posts on this board, and it makes me want to hide my face. I also feel that 75% of my posts don't get noticed. That, along with the fact that my income will not allow me to participate in Podcast events at least until after grad school, makes me reluctant to get to involved (at least most of the group has been to some podcast events; I have been to NONE). My thought is...what's the use? While I have made some awesome friends on this board, it is very few compared to the scores others have made. I'm nervous to talk to people I have talked to in chat because I'm afraid they won't remember me. I am nervous interjecting because I don't want to come across wrong. Yes, my fears are grounded on past experiences here.

Thankfully, my attitude been getting better as of late. I am very much hoping that I get the opportunity to meet everyone in person without fading into the background. That is what I am always afraid will happen, and no matter how many encouraging words I hear, I can just see the writing on the wall. It's nothing against anyone on the boards, it's just a very intimidating group who is often "otherwise occupied." I think the only thing that will make me come out of my shell is either a punch in the face by reality or a good (free/dirt cheap) meet where I get to know a bunch of people. Let's pray that one of those happens soon.

I still love you guys, though. You all are super friendly and have always been encouraging whenever I did come out of the woodwork and share my struggles. It's mostly personal anxiety that I'm dealing with which is often interpreted as unfriendliness, which then magnifies the problem. Okay, I have to stop talking and save some for the therapist's office. All in all, thanks for the post, Kevin. Don't let certain people get you down.

 

[Halbleib1]

It's true! A lot of people got confused when I changed my Avatar, most people 'know' each other through them or their signature before they know the name!

[I will be there when Becx n Gav are there, maybe you'll see me too!

So true wish that is how I first got to know you. Every time I would see that avatar I would think it was you posting. LOL Than I would look at the name and see that someone else had the same one. LOL

Your trip is planned for October isnt it? How is the planning coming along?

 

[Becx N Gav]

I loved your post, Kevin. It is encouraging to people like me who feel like they are on the brink of being well-known, they just haven't made that extra step yet. That being said, it's easier said than done. I have been very eager to get into the clique for some time now. I have been a part of a couple "cliques" on the DIS boards, but have ever really become a part of this one. I think my biggest issue is that I have found this to be the most intimidating clique on the boards. This is not for any other reason than the size and scope of the clique.

Usually when approaching large cliques, I either get the delusion in my head that I am a bother to the people I want to be friends with, or I scare them away with my strong personality. I admit, I can be nuts sometimes, and some things come out of my mouth that make no sense, and I can be too blunt, and I have habits and interests that are not exactly common. While there are some parts of this package I am trying to change, I know that I will always be the "autistic sherpa" of the group. Thankfully, I have friends that get this, which I love, but they are in a place where I can talk to them face-to-face. Not the case here.

My experiences in the past have made me nervous when trying to get "in" to a group, which usually leads me to put forth a person who is not like me at all. I have seen this reflected in some posts on this board, and it makes me want to hide my face. I also feel that 75% of my posts don't get noticed. That, along with the fact that my income will not allow me to participate in Podcast events at least until after grad school, makes me reluctant to get to involved (at least most of the group has been to some podcast events; I have been to NONE). My thought is...what's the use? While I have made some awesome friends on this board, it is very few compared to the scores others have made. I'm nervous to talk to people I have talked to in chat because I'm afraid they won't remember me. I am nervous interjecting because I don't want to come across wrong. Yes, my fears are grounded on past experiences here.

Thankfully, my attitude been getting better as of late. I am very much hoping that I get the opportunity to meet everyone in person without fading into the background. That is what I am always afraid will happen, and no matter how many encouraging words I hear, I can just see the writing on the wall. It's nothing against anyone on the boards, it's just a very intimidating group who is often "otherwise occupied." I think the only thing that will make me come out of my shell is either a punch in the face by reality or a good (free/dirt cheap) meet where I get to know a bunch of people. Let's pray that one of those happens soon.

I still love you guys, though. You all are super friendly and have always been encouraging whenever I did come out of the woodwork and share my struggles. It's mostly personal anxiety that I'm dealing with which is often interpreted as unfriendliness, which then magnifies the problem. Okay, I have to stop talking and save some for the therapist's office. All in all, thanks for the post, Kevin. Don't let certain people get you down.

I think a few people have felt like this to a lesser extent - I certainly have! Just keep popping in here and there - I recognised your avatar and board name! I agree that you can feel like an outsider if you haven't been to a meet in person (I know it's selfish but I wish we were going in Dec to Dis A Paloza, the April ABD trip and the Universal/RC cruise - but that's just me ) but if you keep your presence up I'm sure someone will want to 'flatten' you so you can be there in spirit We have just been very fortunate to have already been going last Decmeber and scraping enough money together for PCC 1.0. It will happen one day that you can get to meet everyone and it will be worth the wait

 

[freesone]

This is the only "clique" I would ever want to be a part of(ok, Red Sox nation also).