This week we thought we’d introduce you to Dandelions.

Q: How did you find AnybodyOutThere?
A: A link was posted on another website that I visit daily. Along with the link was the glowing endorsement that AOT was much, much better than other random chat sites where “A/S/L?” and disembodied genitalia are the rule rather than the exception. It was a cold, boring winter night and I clicked that link out of curiosity…

Q:  What keeps you coming back to the site?
A: Can I be perfectly honest with you (and myself) for a moment? It’s partially the sheer power of procrastination and the need to be constantly excessively occupied that keeps me coming back. Of course, the other part of that answer is that there are really great people who make me want to come back to the site. (Even if, despite how witty and charming and brilliant they are, they just serve the function of aiding procrastination.)

Q:  Who have you had some of your best chats with?
A: There are a bunch of amazing people, too many to name individually. They excite me with their debates and ideas and values, and I’m always amazed by how funny, warm, and sharp these people are. I never expected that simple chats on AOT would blossom into on and off-site friendships.
But, I’m going to buck the beauty-pagent-no-names trend and actually name one person, misterdave, because he was the first person on AOT that I talked to constantly– maybe the only person for a while– and the one who kept me coming back. He and I are different in a wide variety of ways, but I’ve come to value and trust his advice and perspective, think of him as both a surrogate family member and a buddy who I’d love to have a beer with, and treasure his ceaseless friendship.

Q: What do you like talking about on AnybodyOutThere?
A: First and foremost, I love talking about the things I’m passionate about– music and writing. I’m constantly on the hunt for new music and if someone can expose me to some enthralling new music that I haven’t heard, I’m always impressed and grateful.
But I also like to talk about whatever interests or is important to my chat partner. I like to know what excites them, what’s troubling them, what their favorite corny jokes are… anything they’re willing to share. As long as the conversation goes beyond “what’s up, I’m bored…” I’ll keep talking. I find myself doling out a lot of advice, homework help, and armchair psychology, so I guess part of me wants to be helpful just as much as other parts of me want to be the joker.

Q: How do you introduce yourself to someone you’re chatting to for the first time?
A: I’m the kind of person who likes to jump right into discussions without the formalities of a “hi” sometimes, particularly if I was enticed to chat with someone because of a post they made. Maybe it’s rude, but why get bogged down in formalities when there are things to be said!

Q: How did you come up with your username?
A: People rag on me for this, but I consider dandelions among my favorites as far as flowers go. “Why,” you ask, “aren’t they just weeds?” Well, sure, they’re wild flowers, weeds, whatever… but just try and look at a field full of the bright yellow blooms and not smile broadly at their brilliance. I argue that they’re under-appreciated as far as flowers go.

Q: Name one thing you have learnt from the AnybodyOutThere community?
A: Not to underestimate humans, in both positive and negative ways. I’m constantly surprised by people, again, in both positive and negative ways.

Q: Any tips for AnybodyOutThere newbies.
A: Don’t get downhearted if people decline you at first, or jump on you for spelling or for your love of Miley Cyrus. It happens, and it’s not always right or fair. That said, you might want to spell check your posts and realize that most celebrities aren’t going to be sitting around waiting to read what you’ve had to say online (and that your spamming it won’t help the situation). Though I did hear a rumor about one teenage Canadian musician with a fondness for the word “baby” and perfectly flippable hair…

Q: What’s one interesting fact about the part of the world you come from?
A: I’m a lifelong New Englander, representing the southern New England states, where we are known to be stoic and often clammed up about everything… except, I suppose, the fervent regional love of the Boston Red Sox. We also like our lobsters boiled, our Sam Adams cold, and our marriage rights equalized.

Q: What’s one interesting fact about you that not many people in the AnybodyOutThere community know?
A: I get carded for R-rated movies even though I’m a decade past 17. Life’s awesome!

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