The Ink-Pot and the Palette

::sigh:: indeed. The fact that you've known anyone for so many years is very impressive. I think the oldest BFF I can still claim a connection to is a college friend whom I met in 1982.

Community depends on proximity to a very large extent, because spur of the moment activities and casual get-togethers and ad hoc helping out and borrowing a cup of sugar depend on proximity.

My online communities have become increasingly important to me for emotional sustenance as my so-called "real" community has scattered. They aren't the same as sitting around the kitchen table, but they aren't a bad substitute.