GCL APPRECIATION THREAD
Posted by: Missing? NO!
Date: 2020-02-07 18:53:22
GCL has singlehandedly shaped me into the person I am today. I discovered this forum when I was 9 years old, and have been posting consistently ever since. Yes, there's been some absences where I've disappeared for a few months or so, but I almost always end up coming back and checking in with a community that literally shaped my internet presence.
This forum has allowed me to develop my skills as a communicator on the internet, and there's been a ton of growth. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the staff back in 2007 for not banning the most annoying 9 year old on the internet, ever, and allowing him to grow into the staff member I am today. This forum has taught me responsibility with my staff privileges, how to communicate with people from all across the world, how to be part of a community that's bigger than just yourself, and how to (almost most-importantly) shut up and listen for once. I was really bad at that early on in my time here, but this site showed me where I was going wrong and taught me how to listen. I'm very, very grateful.
The other thing GCL introduced me to was the world of Pokemon glitching and reverse-engineering. This forum shaped my interest in computer programming, game design, and reverse engineering/hacking that I delved into in my high school years and have been interested in ever since. Without this community here, I would not be as interested in technology and how it works–those are interests that shaped both my educational career and my actual career, and it's all because of Glitch City Labs that that interest sparked in the first place. This place has truly shaped me, and I couldn't be more thankful that it exists.
To the staff, thank you. I couldn't be more grateful for your patience with me throughout the years. You all have been an incredibly mature, knowledgeable, and friendly resource for me to go to when I needed to learn something or I had a question. You've also been a great team to work with while I've been here–I've helped deal with a lot of issues while I've been here, and I'm thankful to have been a part of the team for all of it. It's weird, but I've kind of grown up with all of you, in a way. I started as a Local Moderator when I was 11, and I'm 22 now. I've been a staff member on this website for over half my life. Through all the ups and downs, I've kept my rank, stayed as a (hopefully) valuable member of the team, and done my part to make this place what it is today. Thank you for the opportunity and guidance throughout the years.
This sounds like a resignation thread, but it isn't! I'm not going anywhere! I just want to tell you all thank you for being you, that I appreciate this website and owe a lot of my personal development to its community, and that I'm excited for what the future has in store for us all. I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!!!