-=> Quoting Sondra Ball to Jim Casto <=-
 SB> Actually, Jim, I've been asking myself that question over the past
 SB> weeks, maybe months.  I'm not sure why I'm still here.  I keep wanting
 SB> IA to turn into something dynamic.  But maybe it can't, and won't.
 Well, I have had those kinds of hopes on several nets when it comes to IA.
 I don't get TMT or Native Net although there is a local feed for NN. I just
 haven't had the time to invest (or addtional cost) to investigate another 
 venue when five have been (IMHO) almost (not totally) a "bust" with little
 for me to show for it.
 
 One discussion that showed some promise rapidly (within about two days)
 turned into a "capitalism v. socialism" discussion. [It started out as "Is
 the compartmentalization of self (i.e., "private" and "personal" and 
 "professional") a cultural phenomena?]
 SB> know what I'm getting from FIDO Poetry and from RIME writers.  But I'm
 SB> real uncertain, anymore, what I'm getting from this conference; or how
 SB> to chnage this conference so I do get more out of it.
 A couple of things have come along that may occupy more of my time. There is
 a group forming called the "Native American Community Advisory" board in 
 conjunction with the planned on-campus student center I have mentioned 
before.
 Just so I can keep abreast of what's going on in the NA community, I may
 align myself with that group. The Genealogical Forum of Oregon has been
 _waiting_ for two and a half years for me to return to function in various
 computer-related capacities. I have submitted an application to serve on
 a local "Historic Landmarks Board" and have an interview with the City 
Council
 on June 2.
 SB> Maybe the time is
 SB> coming when I will retreat from the cyberspace rez altogether.  I will
 SB> almost certainly slow down on it during the summer.
 The cyberspace rez _always_ slows down in the summer.  But if it gets 
uch
 slower...?
 SB> I got involved with BBSing after my daughter died, as a way of
 SB> escaping.
 I started because of genealogy. It's a good way to share information. On
 one service this led to a "History" section which led to a spin-off NA
 subsection. But even that didn't pan out in the long run.
 
 SB> would certainly miss them. But then some of the wonderful people I've
 SB> met have drifted away already. Drifting away from one another is just a
 SB> part of life, I think.
 
 It's the same with school or work. As I finish school and work, I'll 
robably
 "drift" away from many of the people I have met in the last two and a half
 years. (Seventeen years at work. ) But, I'll get reacquainted with some
 old friends and likely meet new ones. Yep, that's life. 
 SB> In any case, if either you or I should drift away, or we both do, I
 SB> shall miss you.  You have kept a dynamic and interesting dialogue
 SB> going. 
 I will take that as a compliment. Thank you. And for as long as I can
 project now, if you ever get e-mail capabilities, you can find me at:
 JimCasto@compuserve.com
 Jim 
--- Blue Wave v2.12
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