I've just spent the better part of an hour scanning through this thread, reading the posts of all the people I recognise and used to talk to and it's been a pretty jolly trip down memory lane. Currently feeling very sick with what I assume is my 2nd time getting COVID so it got me thinking about the past. I'm just going to ramble some thoughts down and see what happens.
So, I'm Tramps. I have no idea why I chose this username. I thought a single word with no numbers would be cool. I waited until I turned 13 to make an account and join the forum as I was worried what would happen if I made my account too early. I'd since deleted and remade this account but hopefully some people still remember me.
This place was incredibly formative for me as a teenager. I made a lot of good connections with people; a few I'll try to name as I'd like them to know that I still think about them and appreciate them for being there for me as an awkward teen. I remember the Stickam days and all the drama that ensued through that, I remember NG Chat and watching the livestream from the office on Pico Day (and also the drama that ensued through that). I remember being obsessed with the NG Gamerscore Leaderboard back in the gaming forum and competing every week to see who could gain the most points.
I remember making dumb threads to try and get some kind of clout and attention. I remember making a forum post for 'NG BBS Cool Points Quiz' which someone turned into a flash game which I unfortunately can't find anymore. I remember writing stories which contained very cringy sex scenes that I wrote when I was 14. Basically I was a very weird kid.
I remember sirtom93 and threatening to burn down his school and @Rig ultimately contacting the police. Funnily enough on that KYM page is the scan I did of the newspaper the day after the event.
I remember TSStudios meeting 'Tom Fucking Fulp' and the memes that ensued after that. On reflection this place could be relentless to kids but I suppose that's half of why I loved it. I remember Dick Neck and all the other photoshop threads that spawned. I also remember getting a happy birthday in a news post by @TomFulp but my google-fu isn't letting me find it right now, but it meant a lot at the time!
These are just a few of the things I remember well and hope others enjoy the brief trip down memory lane.
Anyway, I'm 28 now, 29 in about a week so closing in on 30 which is kind of terrifying but I guess we can't stay young forever. I live alone with my dog who is the cutest little fucker (pic at the end). I've just accepted a new job which is going to be a huge step-up in my career. I'm happy with who I am, where I am in life, and optimistic about the future. Obviously I could never have done any of it without this dumb forum, so thanks.
Here's where I slap some names down from some of the people I remember. Most of my memory was jogged from reading through this thread so apologies if I miss anyone cool :(
@Dean - We don't talk much anymore but I think you were my best friend on here so feel free to reach out if you'd like to catch up.
@Gagsy - Hope all is well with you Leanne, you were my favourite little motherly figure even if you did say I have a face you just want to punch.
@DumbassDude - Some of my favourite memories was playing co-op guitar hero with you. I don't think you lurk here anymore but I still remember the good times every now and then.
@Oliver - ur cool i guess
@Luis - You were a big help with a lot of my growing pains as a teen and wish we'd had a chance to meet if I wasn't so scared of travel and human interaction at the time. Still appreciate you massively and hope you're well.
@TehSlapHappy - Hope you remember Sharon
There's no doubt more people I'm missing but if you see this and want to get in touch, easiest place to find me is probably my Instagram which is full of mostly dog pictures. Hope this plug is ok. Thanks Tom for providing a haven for awkward teens who eventually grew up into mostly well-adjusted adults.
Inb4 TL;DR