...if there really were any good ol' days? I just can't believe that it's been over ten years since I've sat down and did any online roleplaying in chatrooms. I'm wondering if we should try to organize something...we have lots of wonderful writers and creative minds here, it'd be great to interact in real time. Am I the only one here who remembers imaqtz, and the ridiculously angsty rp we'd do as Joe and Katse? Maybe I'm just getting old. Maybe I need more medication. Or less. I'm not terribly sure anymore. Katse

Ten years ago, I didn't know that ff dot net existed (if it did at the time), and if I thought about BotP and Gatchaman, I wondered if either would be available. Which shows what I knew.

There's a group of us who meet every week for a chat - and it usually includes some RP in it - mostly to do with the Gatchamaniacs IF. But you're right - this board has some of the best Gatch/BotP etc., writers out there. Ten years ago - I'd had an internet capable computer for 12 months and had started writing on Embroidery for www.bellaonline.com! Wow - that's a long time ago.

Ten years ago I was doing most of my writing, I think I've barely written anything in the last 5 years. Who could forget Imi? I hope whatever she's doing now is going brilliantly.

Exactly ten years ago was the period during which my life was turning an extreme upside down, with great highs, and bitter lows, all at the same time. The only place I used a computer was at work ... needless to say, I didn't even imagine that there could have been this kind of fun in existence!

Ten years ago I didn't know that Gatchaman existed, and was all wrapped up in Mommy boards online.

Imi, there's a name from the past we haven't seen for a long time. Last she was on I think her daughter joined up on here too. Not sure what happened, or why they disappeared. 10 years ago, I was still trying to surf the net on web tv. Or bugging my fiance then to let me use his computer, it wasn't too long after I had seen a Gatch site, just never stuck around much to see what happened to it.

Ah yes Imi, and Elvin! Haven't heard from Elvin in a very long time. Wonder how they are both doing. Oh well maybe one day they will get in touch! Miss Lolla too!

Ten years ago, I had just gone back to school with a toddler, a preschool, and one in elementary school who was misdiagnosed with ADD/ADHD, among others. For online, when I had time I was mostly researching geneology stuff with my cousin and might have just discovered the HP fandom online. Now, I'm out of school with a degree that's not much use in this economy, but I wouldn't change it. My toddler and preschooler are both in middle school and very active in both the school and community. My elementary schooler was rediagnosed with Asperger's which umbrellas most of his other misdiagnosis as well; he has passed the CHSPEE and is now taking classes at the community college and helping his grandmother. I don't speak to my cousin, and more active here than in the HP fandom where I mostly lurk now. I did know Gatchaman existed, learned about that around 1995, but wasn't into researching it at the time.

Gosh, ten years ago I certainly wasn't aware of Gatchaman and probably only thought rarely and fleetingly of Battle of the Planets. If I recall though, I had discovered fanfiction and lurked considerably in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer fandom online (and then Harry Potter) and I was also obsessively following online the making of the Lord of the Rings movies. That was around the time I discovered Amazon.com too, where a tidy chunk of my disposable income has since gone... I didn't google "Battle of the Planets" until late in 2006, which led to me learning about Gatchaman. Not quite four years ago, but a lot has followed from that one action!

Ten years ago I'd just found Wendy's White Shadow site via Wizard magazine. That magazine was going crazy over the upcomig BotP comic. I'd known BotP had come from Gatchaman, but I knew nothing about Gatchaman. I read Out of the Shadows and fell in love but was soooooo glad they hadn't done what happened to Joe to Jason. I already had boxes of hand written BotP fanfics and it took a few more years for me to actually join a Gatch related group.

Ten years ago... I was in my third year of what turned into a 5 year stint in Tokyo... I was in my own apartment and was working in a day care centre teaching English some of the time, and getting paid to play for the most part! Oh, if I had only known then what I know now! 5 years I could have been searching out Gatchaman - I was working with people who would have remembered it *doh* AND I didn't have a TV for most of that so I missed the NTT commercials... *sigh* Five years - FIVE! Wasted.... Of course.... If someone had told me Joe's fate... *eek* I think I would have been inconsolable!

Ten years ago ... gosh ... I had just begun working in a law office as a secretary after graduating with a Master's in Audiology. It was, and wasn't, a waste of time and money. Although I'm not doing what I studied to do, I wouldn't change my three years in Rhode Island for anything -- I loved my time there and if I ever get a chance to live there again, I would in a heartbeat. I also still thought I was the only one in the universe who even remembered BotP. All of my fanfics I wrote only in my mind; didn't bother to type any of them out because I didn't think anyone but me cared. Funny thing is, I didn't even know that I was coming up with fanfics. Never even knew such a thing existed until about six months ago ... Wasn't really on the internet all that much, then. But, boy, have I made up for it since! *snicker*

Ten years ago, I had had a computer for about seven months. I had dabbled in the Lord of the Rings fandom and joined one message board which I left because one kid, and I do mean kid, who moderated it was quite rude to newbies. I then returned to Start Trek: Deep Space Nine and started writing fanfic for it. I hadn't thought about Battle of the Planets in years. I knew about Gatchaman, but didn't know the details. I only knew the little bit my ex-husband had told me in the '80's. It wasn't until 2005 that I looked for anything related to PotP. Then I lost all the bookmarks when my computer died. It wasn't until last January that, getting annoyed with some of the highbrows in LotR, I decided to check out an old fandom. The rest is history.

I wandered onto ff dot net just looking around, and found the Gatchaman and BotP entries. Next thing I knew, I was re-imagining Katse, and things rolled from there. (I have an unused fic that predates the development of my AU, and both 'Rescue Mission' and 'POV' also predate it.) But I think the first fic I put up was 'Her Doctor' under Doctor Who. Then 'Zark'. I was working on memory when I wrote it. So I'm not as involved in fandom as some. But a friend and I came up with some nutty AUs of our own just for fun. She created a total Mary Sue for herself. Heh.

Ten years ago I would have been pretty new to internet at home and was spending way too much time on a Jane Austen fansite. I only rediscoverd GM/BotP a few months ago!

Well, it's amazing to see where we all have been, and wonder where we'll be in another decade! If anyone wants to meet for online chat, that'd be neat...I don't want to crash anyone's chat, so I'll just wait to see what happens. Katse

ten years ago, i was engaging in ridiculously angsty RP with Imi, Drive, Firebird and Askura! now I'M nostalgic. I still have the Chickens RP thread stashed somewhere and a lot of the late night shenanigans in the chatroom.

All are welcome to chat as long as they don't mind us sometimes yakking about the IF - hey, if it motivates someone to join in with the IF, that would be just fine too!

Everyone is welcome to come and chat with us on Saturday nights (us time). I think it usually starts 11am on Sunday morning Brisbane time- which is 9pm Saturay night in Toronto where SJ is. Not 100% sure what that is. We chat in the chatroom at www.gatcfanfic.com as it seems to work for most people. Yeah - we yak about the Gatchamaniacs IF (ebil plotting seems to be a prerequisite) but we do also discuss Gatch and BotP - particularly characterisations and motivations.

10 years ago. That's when I first became an anime fan, which was after I had seen Gundam Wing. And that was September that year. I had also discovered great songs and music groups I had never heard of before then.

Ten years ago, I had a baby in my arms and wasn't even thinking about getting on the internet! Years later, I thought that I must've imagined "G-Force" (BOTP) and innocently did a search on my new computer...

10 years ago I was living in a little opal mining town in New South Wales, chefing at the local hotel and moving dirt, looking for black on red opal no traffic lights, no stop signs, no locking doors in the house or car, fluctuating population, 42 different nationalites living respectively together,several times a year the town would get flooded in (we had a air strip for air drops and emergencies) 5 hours to any form of major town and 9 hours drive to my family in Queensland (just up the road) and everyone knew everyone else business- a wonderful town full of interesting people a small black and white TV that only got the ABC and only turned on on friday night for "Good News Week" before heading to the local pubs (all walking distance) no video player, no DVD player, no computer and we didn't miss it life was simple - definetely happy memories But if I had not moved back to Queensland..... I would not be on this forum now...life has such interesting twist and turns

It's fascinating what everyone was up to 10 years ago. So much can change - kids grow up so quickly, computers/internet have become so much a part of everyday life. Ten years ago, I had just gotten married. BoTP was only a distant memory for me. We lived in a tiny studio apartment and were just starting out. Hard times, but fun times.

Well, I went off and searched for Imi. Found her husband (what a LONG memory I have!), who is now her ex-husband, and her daughter contacted me on Facebook. Maybe we'll be able to catch up with her after all! Hehe, no one can hide from me. There is another reason why I'm head of Galactor, not just because of the pretty face. Katse

Katse, tell her I said hi, not that she'd remember me.

10 years ago? Lets see .... I think I was finally getting into teaching. After 8 years of working in the herb department at a Garden Centre I finally got my foot in the door at the school board and began supply teaching. Two years after that I got my first full time teaching position. In some ways I am surprised how many people say they were online and connected to the internet. It shows me once again how new I am to all this technology, considering it was not until about 6 years ago, when I moved into my first home and got highspeed internet, that I first began navigating the web.

I'm considered an Internet veteran. The second I had a service provider, I was online. That was back in 1994/1995. And the Internet was awful compared to now (oh the terrible programming, the terrible graphics, the terrible load speeds!). So I hit the information superhighway when the tar was still tacky. Ironically, I was a student then, and I'm still a student. Find me in a century, I'll probably still be a student, a LAN cable connected to my brain, my heart beating to the rotten soundtrack of Internet porn (because at 130 years of age, that'll probably be all the action I'll be able to get!) Katse

Wow 10 yrs ago I was about to pop with my 2nd girl. Life was good in Florida with my oldest, my husband and a new kitten. She had crawled under my husband's car after a night of rain storms and let my know rather loudly that she was there. We took her in that afternoon and to this day she still hates thunderstorms. My marriage was good back then and we had been in our new home almost 2 years. I was hooked on Buffy and X-Files which were both beginning to wind down. Ever now and then I thought of GM and BotP's whenever I ran across my Bird Scramble's. My Ex is the only reason I ever even knew what a cell phone or internet was. He was the techie in our family. It wouldn't be until 3 yrs after that that I even got on the computer for more than just checking emails. We didn't have much money but times were easier before 911 in the military. Amazing how our whole world has changed in those 10 years.

Originally posted by Berg Katse That was back in 1994/1995. And the Internet was awful compared to now (oh the terrible programming, the terrible graphics, the terrible load speeds!).

Brings back memories... Around 1995/96 I had computer with a pre-Windows OS and a program called "Lynx" that was a text-only browser. Needless to say, I didn't do much on the internet except send email and use the university's online library catalogue. By 1998, though, I had a computer with Windows 95 and Netscape for a browser. Still only a dial-up modem. High-speed, via DSL, came in 2001.

Originally posted by Berg Katse I'm considered an Internet veteran. The second I had a service provider, I was online. That was back in 1994/1995.

That wasn't too much before I had my first email account. The only thing that has changed was the ISP. In fact I still remember that first account. It was amethyst@napanet.net; please don't try it, I haven't had that account for over 15 years. In fact I've been on several different ISPs and emails in the intervening time. Of course, as my husband pointed out, in directly, various levels of sobriety as well. Never a flat out drunk, but enough to wonder if intervention might be necessary, and of course the teetotaler, and everything in between. Funny, after growing up in a household with a mother who was a tetotaler and a father who loved the neighborhood bar and I told my husband, who was one of my father's drinking buddies, that I didn't want that lifestyle. More proof that it is genetic.

I know I turned out like my parents, for whom beer with lunch/wine with dinner/evening cocktail is pretty standard. These days, an evening glass of wine (or two) is certainly the norm.

I was big into BBSs before the internet 'came of age'. Back in the late 80s and early 90s I spent a lot of time on dialup where you had to connect separately with forums like this one. I was even a sysop on a couple! In the early 90s I was back in school, and that came with an internet account and all of its connectivity. I used Lynx too, LB, but mostly because it was too much of a hassle to boot up Netscape when I was already in Unix. My connection was so slow I had to turn off all images. Much as I miss the 'intimate' nature of the BBSs, I prefer the way things are now. It's nice to be able to connect with so many fans around the world, and find out information on so many different topics so easily! I am somewhat concerned about lack of privacy, though, especially with young kids posting their entire lives on Facebook.

I remember the internet back in 1996. Wow, good times! I remember I'd be on it constantly looking at web pages for my favorite video games, movies and cartoons. This thread is taking me back!

LOL that reminds me how studios were so careful of their copyrighted material back then. Like anyone who put any Simpsons pictures or soundbites up would be threatened by Fox lawyers with legal action, so nothing ever stayed put for long. Fortunatly they have now realised that such things spread fandom not damage it. I have no idea whether Gatchaman and other animes were treated like that in Japan, but they were free game for the english speaking world so there was plenty of stuff to find

My B/H was back on the internet back then. I can recall "thinking" about the WWW but not knowing for sure how it all worked, man was I naive.

This is weird as ive been having dreams about my life 10 yrs ago and kicking myself that I didnt stay intouch with people I had such good times with. **wavey lines*** 2000, I was 24, just bought a run down house and was renovating it. I had recently come out of a 5yr relationship and was finding my singles feet. I had enroled on a P/T archaeology course at Nottingham Uni and spent weekends on my knees in mud, it was glorious. I saw DUran Duran for the first time on the pop trash tour and because I had get a PC for Uni decided to get online and see if there were other old/new duranies out there.... There were. We have done tours and gigs allover the world and we still hang out when we can even tho we are all over the country. Duran fandom online led to Star wars fans on line and again Ive made friends all over... and here I am now. Ten years ago was the best time of my life and I miss those days so much sometimes... but now I'm married with a baby, its a new chapter.... god thats maudlin!

It's great to see you here, Veritas! We've missed you! How are things going at home? (And I can totally relate with the Durannies group. I've been in a couple of those groups myself. )

I got my first computer in 1986 for writing following college graduation. Floppy disks, anyone? I got onto the internet for the first time in 1995 to do research for my graduate thesis. Can't remember the system I used. It might have been Lynx but it seems to me it start with a C. I really didn't get onto the internet for the fun of it until 2000 while in Germany. Speaking of nostalgia - I just saw the guy who used to play Eddie Munster is in rehab. I used to love that show. When I was a kid, I wished they were my neighbors.

Good thanks TJ, I am establishing my self as uber geek again and not just Theo's mum. Sorry everyone if my post was a downer, hubby says its my age!

Your post was not a downer! Merely reflective, which was the point of this entire thread. I hear you on having your identity wrapped up in being 'someone's Mom'. I'm glad to hear you're moving into geekdom again! It sets a good example for your kid(s).

Me, I dont change. I first got online in 1998 (or was it 1997?) Botp was one of my first searches I still do some fic, though I am involved in other fandoms. I have given up on getting a job and am now at college again. And guess what? I feel like a teen....Though i doubt I ever got past that stage

Tengu!!!! So long since I've seen you!! What are you studying in college?

Physics GCSE, Astronomy GCSE, Statistics GCSE Algebra GCSE and Chemistry AS I want to do a real proper science at Uni But i doubt i will; Im duff at maths. I have grown up in one way; I feel ready to leave home and go to Uni

Originally posted by Tengu I want to do a real proper science at Uni

I was awful at science in high school, had to study like hell just to barely pass the classes. Irony is, as an English major, I ended up three classes short of a science minor. Best of luck to you.

Astronomy sounds really interesting is it hard? I'm close to retiring and have been wondering if I should go back to school or try to get a job similar to what I'm doing now.

Originally posted by Pufles65 Astronomy sounds really interesting is it hard?

Tengu, you're studying some great subjects there! Hearing you, I'm again feeling nostalgic of the good old college days! I've always wished to choose the kind of subjects you have mentioned, but feasibility has taken me to the direction of accounting, economy, and computing. Not that I dislike the subjects, or the career I used to have before having kids, but I so wish to have been able to choose scientific subjects, languages, or art ... something that would have brought out my creativity to the full! The only way for me to create art on the job was by specialising in Powerpoint presentations related to bank activities ... my first manager was kind enough to let me enjoy myself develop such related tasks! I remember myself, as a child, spending hours on the balcony with my gaze fixed on the night sky! I used to spend this time identifying constellations and planets of the solar system, and I was always fascinated by all the myth and the scientific facts around them! Alas, now I have to begin the study from scratch if I were to take on this interest once again! ... so many years have passed, and my memory has suffered the loss of a great part of it!

First, welcome back Tengu. Nice to see your return and it is interesting to hear what you are studying at Uni.

Originally posted by gatchamarie I remember myself, as a child, spending hours on the balcony with my gaze fixed on the night sky! I used to spend this time identifying constellations and planets of the solar system, and I was always fascinated by all the myth and the scientific facts around them! Alas, now I have to begin the study from scratch if I were to take on this interest once again! ... so many years have passed, and my memory has suffered the loss of a great part of it!

I too remember sitting staring at the stars and enjoying reading and hearing all the myths and stories that surround them. Today I am still about to identify a few of the major constellations, and when ever I get the chance I still enjoy watching that stars and wondering who or what is watching us.

Originally posted by clouddancer

Originally posted by gatchamarie I remember myself, as a child, spending hours on the balcony with my gaze fixed on the night sky! I used to spend this time identifying constellations and planets of the solar system, and I was always fascinated by all the myth and the scientific facts around them! Alas, now I have to begin the study from scratch if I were to take on this interest once again! ... so many years have passed, and my memory has suffered the loss of a great part of it!

I too remember sitting staring at the stars and enjoying reading and hearing all the myths and stories that surround them. Today I am still about to identify a few of the major constellations, and when ever I get the chance I still enjoy watching that stars and wondering who or what is watching us.

I remember doing a research project for middle science on the constellations and getting a low grade on it for having more mythology than facts (things like hemisphere, and such) in the report. Don't remember much of it at all, and have only ever been able to find the big dipper -- kind of turned me off of it for a long time, got too discouraged.

Astronomy is indeed good fun. This week we are doing the planets, with some very pretty pics of the Martian lanscape. Next week it will be the gas giants. And if the sky is clear we will go out and look at the stars.

That sounds like a lot of fun. I hope the skies are perfectly clear so you'll get to see some really nifty stuff. I love looking at the photos NASA releases for Mars and other cool things that Hubble photographs.

Originally posted by gatchamarie Hearing you, I'm again feeling nostalgic of the good old college days!

I feel the same -I often miss being a student, taking classes and learning new things all the time. I'm glad you're enjoying school, Tengu! I took at astronomy class once. We got to look at Mars and Jupiter through one of the university's telescopes, which was cool -I could see the four biggest moons of Jupiter.

Originally posted by Pufles65 That sounds like a lot of fun. I hope the skies are perfectly clear so you'll get to see some really nifty stuff. I love looking at the photos NASA releases for Mars and other cool things that Hubble photographs.

A cool link for the Astronomy Picture of the Day is here. What a collection!!!! And yes - if I had not found Information Systems, I quite probably would have taken my Mathematics degree and Physics enjoyment to the Astronomical observatory.... Someone has to monitor deep space for Spectra....

Originally posted by Reboekah And yes - if I had not found Information Systems, I quite probably would have taken my Mathematics degree and Physics enjoyment to the Astronomical observatory.... Someone has to monitor deep space for Spectra....

Should we call you Susan?

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by Reboekah And yes - if I had not found Information Systems, I quite probably would have taken my Mathematics degree and Physics enjoyment to the Astronomical observatory.... Someone has to monitor deep space for Spectra....

Should we call you Susan?

Ummmmmm..... No....