I just read Sam's latest addition to the Rinkchat archives (Ice Storms) and I *have* to say this.

I *suck*.

Now, a year ago, I wouldn't have said "I suck". I might have said any number of things to describe the banal level of conversational crap to which I've managed to sink. But I wouldn't have said "I suck". I used to write in Rinkchat the same way I wrote on the forum, which was similar to the way I talk. Something has happened since then, which the latest archive brought home to me in such a way that I could only stare at it in horror and think, "That could NOT have been me."

So, I guess this is the New Me. I apparently only have two descriptive verbs at my disposal, "suck" and "rule". I say things like "wow" and "eww" and I overuse capitals for emphasis. I use multiple exclamation marks. Somebody please shoot me now.

I've never been one for making New Year's Resolutions, and it's already February, but here is a resolution. I'll say something in chat only when I have something to say, and I'll subject it to *at least* the same level of forethought I use in everyday conversations, and I will try very hard to remember there are thousands of words available in any given situation and NONE of them ought to be "gah".

Brunnen-"online-identity crisis"G