How were you different pre-Swamp?

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 11:58 am

We've been together for a while and generally have a sense of each other's personalities. But most of us are of a certain age, and we racked up some hard livin' before finding this place. How were you different back in the day, Swamp?

Personally, I wish that I had been Swamping when I was in my mid-20s. I was a more interesting person then. I did more stuff. I probably called myself a socialist. I got worked up over gay rights and Iranian films and Philip Glass albums.

I was a tea drinker. I would sip tea in the afternoons while reading mid-20th-century American literature. (Now I just drink reheated coffee and browse the wrestling subReddit.)

In a lot of ways, I was still the same sad Brad, but somehow even more pretentious and arrogant. And angrier, more confrontational. And I still watched college basketball. That act would have worn out quickly, but it would have been fun for a little while. I missed my opportunity to call DSafetyGuy a heterosexist piece of shit for having the wrong opinion on a Kansas/Oklahoma State game.

duff · Post by **duff** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:04 pm

I am pretty much the same Mike as I was before Swamping. I found the swamp while I was looking for NFL mock drafts. I thought it was the 2000 draft with Arrington and Brown, but that can't be right. Not sure which one it was, but this place turned on its tractor beams and pulled me in.

I am more knowledgeable in hockey, politics and music. At an old job, I would walk down to the local music shop and place orders for CDs of the different bands that were being talked about here. Not a single bad one in the bunch.

And I watch less sports. Weird.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:06 pm

Are you asking how the Swamp changed us, or how we have changed over the time period, regardless of the Swamp? One thing I learned really quickly in the Swamp is that if you throw out unverified bullshit, you will immediately be called out. I think learning to have my ducks in a row before posting made me better at having discussions/debates with people outside the Swamp, too. I'm also definitely more liberal politically than I was pre-Swamp. Reading well-stated opinions hereabouts definitely influenced me. But, living in the Bay Area and traveling extensively did, too.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:15 pm

sancarlos wrote:Are you asking how the Swamp changed us, or how we have changed over the time period, regardless of the Swamp?

I meant the latter, but talk about whatever. This is your thread now.

If we want to talk about how the Swamp has changed us, I could say something like, 'The first time I met Sabo, I looked into his eyes, and the rest of the world just melted away.' But that might be going a bit too far. Doesn't make it any less true, tho.

Jerloma · Post by **Jerloma** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:30 pm

My first ever signature line was "Bustin caps in the mix; rather be judged by twelve than carried by six," so it stands to reason that I was an insufferable asshole.

Shame on whoever goes near that LHF.

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:32 pm

bapo! wrote:I missed my opportunity to call DSafetyGuy a heterosexist piece of shit for having the wrong opinion on a Kansas/Oklahoma State game.

It's not your fault Kansas is always the wrong choice.

Always.

Unless it is better for both teams to get sucked into an abyss.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:33 pm

Aging.

More resigned to certain things - less liable to get worked up about bullshit.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:40 pm

DSafetyGuy wrote:
bapo! wrote:I missed my opportunity to call DSafetyGuy a heterosexist piece of shit for having the wrong opinion on a Kansas/Oklahoma State game.
It's not your fault Kansas is always the wrong choice.

Always.

Unless it is better for both teams to get sucked into an abyss.

Fuck you, capitalist swine!

(I'm pretty sure that my love of Kansas basketball is about 90% font-related. Those jerseys will always be perfect.)

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:54 pm

Let's see. I remember joining and first posting about Terrell Owens wearing camo during his contentious time with the Eagles. That was in August...2005.

At that time I was 21 (about to be 22), still living in Louisiana, and was moderately religious, but non church going. And I realized very, very quickly I didn't know anything once I started posting here.

I think I was your typical 22 year old military guy. (minus the kids out of wedlock and divorces!) Very complain-y. I hated the south being from the northeast. I didn't really look at the Air Force as anything more than "a step in the right direction for the next job." I was dying to be a civilian again. I was in a completely different military job (working on planes as opposed to logistics).

But as a person I was still opinionated and always right. I hadn't banged a chick yet despite my best attempts. So there was clearly a lot of angst and self esteem stuff there. I also didn't work out much.

Now, I'm 4 bases and lots of experience removed from that guy. Traveled all over everywhere. Met some fascinating people. Deployed a few times. And I work out to stay healthy. I've made the military a career choice. Plus all the sex has been fun.

But...I still have no divorces or wedlocked kids. High five!

L-Jam3 · Post by **L-Jam3** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:07 pm

Jerloma wrote:My first ever signature line was "Bustin caps in the mix; rather be judged by twelve than carried by six," so it stands to reason that I was an insufferable asshole.

Shame on whoever goes near that LHF.

Was?

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:57 pm

What's pre-swamp?

You people mearly adopted the message board. I was born in the swamp. Molded by it. I didn't know of facebook until I was a man.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 3:51 pm

Pruitt wrote:Aging.

More resigned to certain things - less liable to get worked up about bullshit.

Yeah, pre-Swamp I was younger, thinner, had more hair, and didn't need reading glasses yet.

Post by **Shirley** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:15 pm

I found the SportsFrog not too long after I had started my own sports blog. There really weren't that many around back then. I think I was intrigued by the coverage and discussion of soccer alongside the other sports. My first Swamp post might have been about Freddie Adu.

I actually started my own blog then because I was burning out a bit on writing BrightCar on nights and weekends. The other dudes had fizzled out, so it was only me, and I was losing motivation. I convinced myself that I could help my product (eventually) by building a moderately popular site to help with Google searches. It was also a way to scratch my sports discussion itch. Blogging was also just fun.

Back then, I had just one kid. Now my youngest is 13. I was a bored developer at work then too (which is why I was doing stuff on the side). Since, I joined a much more interesting company, got my MBA, and then moved to Microsoft via acquisition of that more interesting company.

BrightCar died a lonely death many years ago.

All in all though, I'm probably not that different. But I, too, don't watch nearly as much sports as I used to.

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:17 pm

Long live BrightCar, Seal Fisting, and Textialol.

*pours 40

Post by **Shirley** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:18 pm

BTW, my votes for Swampers who've changed the most in this time go to Jerloma and Johnnie.

In the early days, I just remember Jerloma as a loudmouthed Steelers fan, who liked to post indefensible opinions about Bill Cowher, Then he found atheism and logic.

Johnnie was just a young knowitall who really didn't know that much. I think we might have kicked him around a bit in the early going, but he stuck with it and matured quite a bit in the first couple of years. It was interesting to watch.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:28 pm

Shirley wrote:BTW, my votes for Swampers who've changed the most in this time go to Jerloma and Johnnie.

woooooo the kid who was scared to ask a girl out in college didn't make the list

Jerloma · Post by **Jerloma** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:45 pm

Shirley wrote:BTW, my votes for Swampers who've changed the most in this time go to Jerloma and Johnnie.

In the early days, I just remember Jerloma as a loudmouthed Steelers fan, who liked to post indefensible opinions about Bill Cowher, Then he found atheism and logic.

Johnnie was just a young knowitall who really didn't know that much. I think we might have kicked him around a bit in the early going, but he stuck with it and matured quite a bit in the first couple of years. It was interesting to watch.

The Swamp is indirectly the reason I chilled out about the Steelers. After they lost to the Packers in the Super Bowl, I was so fucking pissed off, I couldn't even log on here for like over a month. Then when I did, i read some sarcastic throw-away comment that Brian made (I don't even know what it was but it was completely innocuous) and I just went off on him for no reason. So much so that I privately apologized. That's when it finally occurred to me that I was taking that shit way too seriously and had practically become a caricature of myself.

Look at me now. I didn't even mention that fucking bullshit call in the AFCC where the refs somehow found a way to give Brady the ball back after he fumbled it and the Steelers recovered.

Know who else didn't mention it? Johnnie. After whining about some silly push after a whistle, he actually had the audacity to ignore that screw-job. Do you know why? Because he's still a fucking cunt.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:54 pm

Shirley wrote:BTW, my votes for Swampers who've changed the most in this time go to Jerloma and Johnnie.

I guess he probably doesn't count any more, but I always think about how Billy Waterski has grown up too. When he started here, cocky freshman at the Naval Academy, he was pretty right-wing. Now his Twitter avatar is a picture of himself and President Obama.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:01 pm

Jerloma wrote:
Shirley wrote:BTW, my votes for Swampers who've changed the most in this time go to Jerloma and Johnnie.

In the early days, I just remember Jerloma as a loudmouthed Steelers fan, who liked to post indefensible opinions about Bill Cowher, Then he found atheism and logic.

Johnnie was just a young knowitall who really didn't know that much. I think we might have kicked him around a bit in the early going, but he stuck with it and matured quite a bit in the first couple of years. It was interesting to watch.
The Swamp is indirectly the reason I chilled out about the Steelers. After they lost to the Packers in the Super Bowl, I was so fucking pissed off, I couldn't even log on here for like over a month. Then when I did, i read some sarcastic throw-away comment that Brian made (I don't even know what it was but it was completely innocuous) and I just went off on him for no reason. So much so that I privately apologized. That's when it finally occurred to me that I was taking that shit way too seriously and had practically become a caricature of myself.

Look at me now. I didn't even mention that fucking bullshit call in the AFCC where the refs somehow found a way to give Brady the ball back after he fumbled it and the Steelers recovered.

Know who else didn't mention it? Johnnie. After whining about some silly push after a whistle, he actually had the audacity to ignore that screw-job. Do you know why? Because he's still a fucking cunt.

When you die, this is the post we hand-deliver to your family. It's so beautiful

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:01 pm

Brontoburglar wrote:
Shirley wrote:BTW, my votes for Swampers who've changed the most in this time go to Jerloma and Johnnie.
woooooo the kid who was scared to ask a girl out in college didn't make the list

No doubt we've seen Bronto grow and bloom!

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:02 pm

Jerloma wrote:Know who else didn't mention it? Johnnie. After whining about some silly push after a whistle, he actually had the audacity to ignore that screw-job. Do you know why? Because he's still a fucking cunt.

Actually, Fucko, I did.

https://youtu.be/L7jnk2mv3PU

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:48 pm

Steve of phpBB wrote:
Pruitt wrote:Aging.

More resigned to certain things - less liable to get worked up about bullshit.
Yeah, pre-Swamp I was younger, thinner, had more hair, and didn't need reading glasses yet.

We could be identical twins. I've also been rectally probed for medical reasons a number of times since signing on.

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:17 pm

Shirley wrote:BTW, my votes for Swampers who've changed the most in this time go to Jerloma and Johnnie.

C'mon, now. Bronto finally got laid.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:44 pm

My beard is bigger now than it was when I first joined. Decent margin, too.

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Fri Feb 24, 2017 7:37 am

I'm still OK.

Post by **brian** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:40 am

I think my innocuous comment was in reference to the fact you weren't around for awhile and people noticed and I said it would be perfectly understandable to want to stay off the Internet for awhile in that situation. Hell, if the Lions ever blew a 25 point lead in a Super Bowl like the Falcons did I'd probably smash every electronic device I own and become a hobo because really fuck it all at that point.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 11:24 am

So, nobody is going to acknowledge I dunked on a "changed the most" Jerloma in this thread while he proved he didn't?

Ooooooooook.

Steve of phpBB wrote:I guess he probably doesn't count any more, but I always think about how Billy Waterski has grown up too. When he started here, cocky freshman at the Naval Academy, he was pretty right-wing. Now his Twitter avatar is a picture of himself and President Obama.

I distinctly remember a time when I said something disparaging about George W. (after disclosing I was in the Air Force) and he went all "stereotypical Academy grad" on me for failing to uphold standards or something. I laughed pretty hard that day.

Jerloma · Post by **Jerloma** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 12:17 pm

Johnnie wrote:So, nobody is going to acknowledge I dunked on a "changed the most" Jerloma in this thread while he proved he didn't?

Ooooooooook.

That's probably the most self-deprecating post I've ever written. It's not even that subtle. That it's lost on you is very disappointing.

Also, I'm not in a contest to see who has changed the most.

Also, the only proper response to that call after complaining about the officiating earlier is to kill yourself.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 12:46 pm

Guys, guys, guys. The purpose of this discussion was not to give or get shit, was it? [Rodney King voice:] Can't we all just get along?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sONfxPCTU0

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 2:19 pm

Insulting others unprompted = self-deprecating humor I should have immediately picked up on.

Let me guess...it's my fault that your "humor" fucking sucks?

And then I should kill myself because I didn't properly address a call that didn't go your way?

Oh wait. More self-deprecating humor that's completely lost on me. I'm so bad at this internet message board thing.

Brb, gunna go kill myself because I'm fucking cunting everything up.

bfj · Post by **bfj** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:55 pm

Owned my own business, don't anymore (thank
g d).

I'm bigger and fatter.

Not nearly as Jewish.

I don't play fantasy sports anymore. I play Whatif Sports (thanks to Ojo). I remember playing live Whatif simulations with Bronto and BSF while they were sitting in college classes.

I'm a lot less apt to argue about pointless things like sports with people I'll never meet. I just don't care that much.

I've tried to learn to not sweat small stuff any longer. With all the crap that goes on in my life on a regular basis, stressing over things I have no control over is a waste of time.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:24 pm

I should also add that I have just begun meditating on a regular basis.

It helps - not so much in not sweating the small stuff, but in avoiding being overwhelmed by the big stuff.

Anyone here been doing it for a while? Would love to ask a few questions.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:37 pm

http://www.theonion.com/article/daily-m ... cent-55349

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Sun Feb 26, 2017 6:03 pm

mister d wrote:http://www.theonion.com/article/daily-m ... cent-55349

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxkWJcFhfkE

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:42 am

bfj wrote:Not nearly as Jewish.

Still hate everything German, though, I hope?

Which might be too bad - at this point I am counting on the Germans to save us from fascism.

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:52 am

No longer fuckin' a, dude. That's an improvement.

Post by **Sabo** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:53 am

BSF21 wrote:No longer fuckin' a, dude. That's an improvement.

Golf clap.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 11:10 am

I used to take batteries from my workplace, but no longer do.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:24 pm

tennbengal wrote:I used to take batteries from my workplace, but no longer do.

Hood and Ojo, right?

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:28 pm

sancarlos wrote:
tennbengal wrote:I used to take batteries from my workplace, but no longer do.
Hood and Ojo, right?

Yeah, Ojo really, and Hood's incredulous cross-examination of Ojo.