Danny's recent post about the general rules and guidelines of Field Gulls (and the litany of comments afterward) got me thinking back to the time before I started writing for the site. I had been reading Field Gulls for a few years and never even created a profile, generally content to sit back and read the articles and occasionally peruse the comments section. I wanted to join in, but was a little intimidated so I just chilled.

It was kind of like peering in on a family through their living room window. The lights were bright, there was always something going on, and although normal family tension certainly existed, there was a sense of community there that looked like it would be fun to be a part of.

Sometimes, when I'd peer in through that window, I could see everyone laughing and drinking and playing board games, while other times I'd peek in and they were arguing. Typical family stuff, but even though it wasn't particularly cold where I stood, I could sense that there was a warmth in there.

Eventually, I was given a formal invitation to join the party and I'll admit straight up that I was a bit terrified to do it. It's difficult to put yourself into new situations, particularly when those situations are comprised of people that already have some degree of understanding of each other. Semi-reluctantly, I created a profile and pushed myself into this community; and I can tell you now, with zero hesitation, that I'm glad I did.

Even though I write for this site, the majority of my interactions come in the comments sections and FanPosts like this one -- stuff any SBN member can do. Danny is a hell of an Editor / Lead Writer and he's helped engender an atmosphere that is by and large conducive and encouraging to reader-interaction. Every day, this site gets thousands of unique visitors, yet there are far, far fewer actual SBN profiles registered on Field Gulls than that. There are so many people who take part in consuming the content on FG, but there's still plenty of room for more people to start contributing as well.

Signing up is easy, quick, and rewarding. I'd love to see some new faces screen names in the comments section or on FanPosts and FanShots; and I know that the rest of the family would too.

I guess the point of all this is to say, come on in and grab a seat. If you need someone to talk to, I'll be the one who's Hammer-Time drunk at the end of the table telling made-up gambling stories. Welcome.