# New member saying hello.

Category: Getting to Know You

## Post 1 by Elara (Newborn Zoner) on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 9:05:23

Hello everyone. I just recently discovered/joined the Zone, and so wanted to introduce myself.
So, let's see, boring stuff first. I'm a 33 year old single woman, never married, no children. I'm 5 ft 4" tall, 260LBs (For now anyway.), brown hair, and, as for my eye color, the most popular answer seems to be hazel.:-) I live in Charleston, South Carolina, though I've been considering a move to a place with real transportation options. My younber brother loves San Francisco, and, since I hope to go to San Rafael soon to get my first guide dog, who knows. Maybe I'll check out SF while I'm there.:-) I guess I'd be classified as visually impaired, as opposed to blind, though I'll answer to either one. *GRIN* (I'm a ZoomText user, but I have to use 6x magnification.) Hmm, what else?
Well, I love to read, mostly thrillers, and I'm working on writing a novel. (Now, you need to understand that I've been working on this thing for a LONG time now, but, maybe one day I'll finish it.) Yeah, I also like the crime TV shows like CSI, Law & Order SVU, Monk, Justice, Shark, etc., but I'd have to say that MythBusters, on the Discovery channel, is one of my favorites. I love hanging out with a small group of friends, maybe playing some cards, grilling some steaks, seeing a movie. I'm not much of a club person, unless it's a comedy club. I have this problem, which is that I grew up in Nashville, TN, and I LOVE older country music, from the 60's, 70's and early 80's. There don't seem to be too many clubs out there that play that. Wonder why that is? LOL
I love electronics and computers, though I wouldn't say I've earned the title of computer geek. To give those of you out there who know what I'm talking about some idea of what I mean, I've had an Ipod color photo for years, and just discovered Rockbox through the boards here.
I do know a fair amount though. In fact, my current job, part-time as it may be, is teaching typing, and the use of the internet and email, to other blind folks who may not know how they work. I have a ZoomText class and a JAWS class, and I do love my work. I'm finally doing what I was "meant" to do. See, I've always known that I wanted to work with the blind and their families, especially those in small towns, or those that more recently lost their sight, the ones that might not know where to go, who to contact, what to do. I was in Teacher Cadettes in high school, majored in Special Education at Vanderbilt, but that wasn't quite what I was searching for. What I'm doing now is more what I'd hoped to find, and it's great to go into work each day knowing that you're definitely going to have fun.:-)
Well, I think I've run on long enough. I'm going to enjoy meeting the members here, and I hope that you've enjoyed getting to know a bit about me. Bye for now. *WAVES*

## Post 2 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 11:34:15

Hi and welcome to the zone. I'm Becky from Columbus Ohio. I also love country music, although mostly more modern stuff with just a few of the old timers thrown in.
I work as a word processor at a rehab agency for people with visual and other disabilities. It sounds as though your job is very rewarding, and you are very lucky. Most people, including myself, just work to earn a living and don't take an extreme amount of joy in what they do.
Enjoy the zone.

## Post 3 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 13:46:07

Hi, I'm Bob (blbobby is my screen-name ((I always feel like an actor when I say that))). I'm from San Antonio Texas.
Let me say that yours is a very interesting introduction.
I too like country and western, but I like really old country (forties and fifties--Bob Wills, Tex Ridder.
I am totally blind--no zoomtext for me, it's jaws all the way.
Check my profile if you want additional details, or, better send me a private message and I'll gladly answer anything (well, almost anything).
The zone is, generally, a really good group of folks who get together here to play games in the games section, or in each other's head in the quick notes. &LT;sheepish grin>. The boards are a good way to get to know one another, and a fun way to exchange information.
The cl (community leader) is a person who can either be your friend, or your worst enemy. They are here to answer questions you may be having, and help out if there are difficulties with other zoners. However, their primary solution with interpersonal relationships is to suggest that you put someone who is bothering you in your ignore list. That's their primary solution, because it is a good solution.
The admins are here to boss around the cls, and pretty much leave the rest of us alone. Actually, they all keep the site running smoothly, and do a damned good job of it. But, don't tell them I said that.
If you have any questions about how to do something on the zone, or general protocol questions etc, or, if you just want to chat, I'm just a pm away, and would enjoy chatting with you.
Bob

## Post 4 by maroon five (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 18:50:03

hello, and welcome. I'm Liz from Australia. I grow up listening to country music, cause that's mostly what my parents played. I'm now a radio announcer, and don't listen to cuntry music much, except when I'm in my parents car. Like what was said before, if you got questians, just ask, and feel free to read my profile, and say HI if you want.

## Post 5 by maddog (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 18:52:07

welcome to the zone. lol don't judge us too harshly. I'm sure you're gona come across a lot of things that you're not gona like on this site. My suggestion, is, get familiar, with the ignore feature, very very quickly.

## Post 6 by redgirl34 (Scottish) on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 18:59:20

Hi and welcome to the zone. I am Michelle from Scotland in the UK. I like a bit of country to.

## Post 7 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 19:19:13

Hi and welcome from a fellow-teacher of computers. I'm Lou from Maryland. I've been spending time writing my own JAWS tutorials because I don't like the way some of the things I've seen are written, so I'd be anxious to see what you've come up with. My musical tastes are very very broad. I play part time. Feel free to ask any questions, and enjoy yourself.
Lou

## Post 8 by wonderwoman (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 19:23:43

Hi Elara,
Nice to meet you. I like to read thrillers also. I'm not really in to the white collar crime stuff much, that is, places that use a legitimate business as a front for illegal activities. I'm more in to the nail biting suspense tyupe of stories, psychological suspense that keeps you glued to your seat and sweating it out right up to an exciting ending. I am totaly blind, so I'm totaly jaws dependent, and would be totaly helpless and lost if I lost jaws. I'm 47 years old, but don't really feel like a 47 year old.
I was never destiined to be a published author,and have long since given up on it, but occasionally, I get a spark of writers' creativity, and put it on writers block if I come up with something. I may not ever be publishable, but I've seen the advantage of that is I don't have to follow hundreds and hundreds of dos and don't writers rules, and just write with complete and total abandon. I've written 2 stories and put them kion writers block, but you'll have to dig way down to find them because they're several months old now. One is c alled, blind visions, and the other robot friend. In both of those stories, I just let my imagination carry me away, and really went overboard, lol. Anyway, nice to meet you, take care and have a good evening,
wonderwoman

## Post 9 by jamesk (This site is so "educational") on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 21:07:41

Hi Elara,
Glad you found the zone. My name's James and I'm from SD.
Feel free ot read my profile.
I alos love older country, its much better than the pop they call country today, lol.
Anyway, if you want to chat, my contact info is in my profile.

## Post 10 by rdfreak (THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE-BLUE KANGA-KICKIN AUSIE) on Saturday, 09-Dec-2006 21:30:36

as others have said, welcome to the zone. The majority of us are fine; just a few maddog was talking about you may have to ignore, but you'll get to know that in time I'm sure.

## Post 11 by maroon five (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 6:50:09

I do have to aggree. The ignore feature will come in handy for you, cause you will find that you'll need it. It really comes in to use, when you don't want to listen to some of the crap that is said by a particular person. Anyway, it's completely up to you who you ignore, and good luck with the rest of the zone.

## Post 12 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 6:51:59

hey. it is Jess. Welcome and glad to meet you.

## Post 13 by Elara (Newborn Zoner) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 9:30:00

Hi everyone, and thanks so much for the warm welcome. I hope to be chatting with many of you soon, that is, if the holiday season ever gives me any time. *GRIN* Right now, I'm just popping in to read and reply, so that, hopefully, most of you won't think I'm rude. And, for those of you who do, well, apparently there's the ignore feature. LOL
Seriously though, I'm enjoying meeting all of you who've replied, and I really appreciate you taking the time, not only to read my intro, but to reply as well. I'm looking forward to talking to you.:-)

## Post 14 by frosted flakes (Account disabled) on Thursday, 15-Feb-2007 17:56:55

hi there, hope yu like being on here,and hope to talk to yu more later on i sent you a email to let yu i'm around if yu like to chat off of here.
i also teach others how to use the pc with jaws.
have a nice one
hugs,
tony

## Post 15 by TonjaGlass (Wisewoman of What?) on Thursday, 15-Feb-2007 18:41:21

Hello Elera welcome to the zone. There are a lot of interesting and caring people on this site and many are willing to answer any questions you may have. Hope you enjoy your experience here. Feel free to message me anytime you want. Your introduction was very interesting and you and I share many interests. I have only been blind for a couple of years and am just now getting around to rehab, but after I finish at Blind inc., I will be attending college and majoring in special ed geered toward teaching blind children and adults. I love CSI and such shows and LOL Mythbusters is one of our favorite shows. Though I have to admit I am an avid American Idol fan and love the new Battlestar Gallactica series. Any way enough of my rambling. Have fun
Tonja

## Post 16 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 17-Feb-2007 3:09:36

Hi, Elara. I've sent you a PM, but thought I'd add my welcome here, too. I'm Alicia from Nebraska. Country is good, but I'm mostly a fan of 90's country. Nice to meet another woman on here who is into motorcycles, though I've never had the thrill of driving one, since I am totally blind. Grin. Anyway, welcome, and hope to get to know you more.

## Post 17 by wonderwoman (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 17-Feb-2007 23:38:22

lol to bobbys' post 3 about community leaders being your best friend or your worst enemy, lol. Well, none of the community leaders are my friends, but I'm lucky enough to say they aren't my worst nightmare or my enemies either. if I ever get a pm from a cl, my reaction is, oops, what did i do? and scratching my head in puzzlement. I only got a pm once from a cl, and I immediately though, uh ooh, I did something they didn't like. I didn't do it intentionally, and was told it wasn't a ban, just a warning. it was like, no harm done this time, but watch it.
lol.
wonderwoman

## Post 18 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Friday, 23-Feb-2007 9:33:33

Hello, Everyone! My name is Joanne. I am nineteen years old and I reside in Appleton, Wisconsin. where to begin ... To keep my life story brief, I was born thirteen weeks early and wound up in hospital for six months. The doctors knew I would be blind for the rest of my life, but that doesn't bother me because I don't see myself as a person with a disability. I graduated from mainstream high school in a class of 400 or more students last June and am looking forward to an eventual career as a music therapist. (don't have the patience for teaching, as I discovered during a job shadow at an elementary school) I hope to talk to some of you guys later. Feel free to send me a quicknote.

## Post 19 by redgirl34 (Scottish) on Friday, 23-Feb-2007 9:46:40

Hi Joanne welcome to the zone. I am Michelle from Scotland in the UK. I have a guide dog called Luke. I have just passed my third practise test in word processing now getting ready for the exam. I do it at college in Scotland. I went blind when I was 1 year old.

## Post 20 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Friday, 23-Feb-2007 10:03:05

Hi Joanne. Let me welcome you to the zone, and give you a little friendly advice.
You have a wonderful introduction, however, it is buried in Alara's own introduction. That's okay, but folks might not see it and you may not then you wouldn't get the welcome you deserve.
May I suggest that you create a new topic titled something like Joanne introduces herself. Then you will have your own post for folks to respond to.
Having said all that, let me say again welcome to the zone and have fun. If you need any assistance with anything on here send me a private message or a quick note if we are logged on at the same time.
Bob

## Post 21 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Friday, 23-Feb-2007 10:33:16

Yes that is good advice for any new zoner.