Alas I turn 21 - reflections upon my time on IF
Yes, it’s my birthday indeed. Well, actually, it was yesterday but that is hardly here nor there since I celebrate it today, in true Jay-Late fashion.
I’ve been here at InvisionFree Support forums for one year now, my real anniversary was back in June but meh, this seems more fitting. And it has nothing to do with the fact I completely forgot.
It’s been an interesting time, ups and downs, bump and rides, highs and lows. Though I suppose that comes with being part of a community, online or offline. All in all however it has been a good experience. 
I’ve met countless wonderful people like Stefan, Christina (the two of them), Rory, Jeremy, Brandon, Brian, Stephen, Nir, Merc, Phrank, Francis, Ben, Logik, JamesWC, Das, Pennywise, Alcario, Seth, Dan, Matthew, Veritech Pilot…the list truly goes on, far too many to really name. Just add the moderating team list onto half of the most active people and you’ll get the idea. All of them have been wonderful people throughout my time and continue to be, to myself, to the community and to InvisionFree. I like to think it’s these people who make the community on IF what it really is. Take away the idiocy and rule breaking and you’ll find a group of strong, intelligent and funny individuals who are worth every AIM conversation, every IRC nutty chat and every post that you exchange.
My only regret is not getting involved enough on a more social level. I’m a quiet person really so I tend to shy away from most things, posting here and there just because. It’s something I can work on.
But I look to the good side of course. As well as the many wonderful people I absolutely adore, I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge just from watching people post, their actions dictating so much with only so little needing to be said. Incredible really what I’ve learned. And then there’s the words of wisdom I have heeded from time to time, usually from the likes of Phrank, Stephen, CT (Looners 
), Zach, Matty and so on; all who have helped me immensely through tough times that, quite frankly, forced me to question a few things. I did consider leaving IF, entirely, as I did MSN but having listened to their words and of course spoken to dear friends and family (well, Mark), I decided to remain. A good decision I feel because no matter what happens, I still want to give back to this community. I want to return the favour, if you will. I hope I can make it for another year though we never truly know what lies ahead, but I think I’m far too comfortable to leave, where else will I find decent support, good people and a system that even a tube with a brain cell can work? I don’t want to hear anything about the samaritans, smart arses.
Hmm, yes, anyway, don’t want to natter on for too long. Just want to say thank you to those who wished me a happy birthday and thank you everyone who has been here for the past year and made my time here enjoyable. I luv ya all. 
I’ll leave you with two quotes from Francis during an intelligent and adult discussion about very important things.
[03:21] Francis: that reminds me, I’m going to have to gatecrash Jay’s birthday celebrations
[03:21] Francis: and I’ll bring Rory :ph34r:
[03:21] OcelotJay:
[03:21] * OcelotJay changes identity and moves to Kskokaoffksjdfljeosdksdasldas,laas;dlaksdlak; to live with Stefan.
[03:21] Francis:
[03:22] OcelotJay: I think I left out an ‘a’.
[03:22] OcelotJay:
[03:22] Francis: Jay van der Ocelot
[03:22] OcelotJay: :w00t:
[03:23] OcelotJay: Sounds like a gay Nazi in a cheap adult video. o_O
[03:23] SaNi: Oo
[03:23] OcelotJay: I don’t want to hear the words ’suits’ and ‘you’. <_ <
[03:23] *** Yata_Tyranno has joined #invisionfree.
[03:23] * Francis rolls on the floor laughing
[03:23] Jalba: Hi yata
[03:23] OcelotJay: 'lo yatatatatatat ^_^
[03:24] Francis: Hey
[03:24] * OcelotJay uses Francis to mop up the puddles.
[03:24] Yata_Tyranno: Hey Jalba, Jay, and Francis. ^_^
[03:24] Yata_Tyranno: Happy birthday Jay. ^_^
[03:24] Francis: we were just discussing gay nazis in cheap adult movies
[03:24] Francis: :r
[03:24] OcelotJay: Thanks yata. ^_^
[03:24] OcelotJay: :rofl:
[03:24] Jalba: :O
[03:24] * OcelotJay dies!
[03:37] Francis: Jay and his boots
[03:37] Francis: and his buttocks
[03:37] Francis: whoops
[03:37] Francis: I meant in the context of his sig :r
[03:38] Das: Who turned name changes off?
[03:38] Das: I wanted to be DaS111!11!1 :p
[03:38] *** SaNi has joined #invisionfree.
[03:38] * Yata_Tyranno thinks Merc is an0nym00s.
[03:38] OcelotJay: Leave meh buttocks alone Francis.
Yay you finally blogged in over a week!
Happy Birthday again Jay! What did you do for your birthday..maybe you had gay natzi strippers! Also I hope you stay on InvisionFree forever because you seem one of the only sane ones there. Ok well uh bye.
Comment by JamesWC — July 22, 2005 @ 4:23 am
Well, we’ll all leave IF at some point. :/ But you better not leave before me, Jay. I know I plan to stick it out for as long as I live. I’ll even get my grandson, Jeremiah, to take a picture of me as an old groggy woman typing away on my death bed so I can show you I’ve still got the zing and suspending powers. By then though, I will probably already have my metal fingers installed (after the arthritis kicks in from the many years of typing and mouse-scrolling at the computer). I think metal fingers would be pretty sweet.
But anyway, you think you’re quiet? If that’s the case, then I must appear as a mime. I’m way too quiet. I can’t even remember the last time I posted uselessly, unless you count yesterday when I wished you Happy Birthday in your topic. :r (Only joking. ^_^ - :luna: :wub: :jay: , :huggle: , :hippo:).
Happy Birthday, yet again, belated-but-who-cares, all that.
Comment by Looners — July 22, 2005 @ 6:43 am
Happy birthday! w00t
*Stefan tries hard not to burst out laughing at work :angel:
Comment by Stefan — July 22, 2005 @ 4:05 pm
Your 21?
Happy birthday. ;D I knew you since you were OcelotJay, and I was on your respect list once. ^_^’ Kamasakai.
Anyhow, have a good one.
Comment by Captain Kam — July 23, 2005 @ 4:03 am
You failed to mention me again, Jayness…
I hope you enjoyed your birthday, though.
You’ll be around to see the lot of us go insane from overworking IF. 
Comment by Jeremy Privett — July 23, 2005 @ 6:55 am
You lie, you’re after Rory and before Brandon. :shifty:
Thanks guys.
Try not to laugh Steeffie, last thing we need is you being fired for insanity.
Comment by Administrator — July 23, 2005 @ 7:08 am
Aww…Congrats Jay. ‘Tis a celebration for all. Well, not really.
Comment by Zero — July 23, 2005 @ 1:20 pm
Congratulations on being IF staff for over a year - still sane-ish too.
Happy belated 21st Birthday too - its all downhill from here. ;p
Comment by Queen Bee — July 23, 2005 @ 4:52 pm
I haven’t been staff for over a year, just a member at IFS for over a year. I’ve been staff for….a few months? Can’t remember when I was bumped up precisely. I’m bad with dates. I only realised it was my birthday because it said so on the IF calendar.
Comment by Administrator — July 24, 2005 @ 1:40 am
Happy Belated Birthday Jay,
But I’m insulted. Nowhere in that post am I included
/me cries in his corner
Comment by huricane — July 24, 2005 @ 4:54 am
huricane’s been making far too much use of that corner recently…
Anyway, I take no responsibility for anything I may have said at 5am… :r
Comment by Francis — July 24, 2005 @ 7:20 am
Happy belated. I’m glad you’ve stayed and hope you stay another decade :p
Oh and your disclaimer is weird.
Comment by Yodaminch — July 27, 2005 @ 2:53 am
Happy Birthday Jay! Hope you had a good one!
Comment by Jappyx — September 16, 2005 @ 8:29 am
imracoxey tkyzpaxk
Comment by Barnard — March 2, 2006 @ 11:59 pm