The forum is ALIVE again.
I know I keep saying things like this, but I genuinely mean it: the forum board is getting actual posts. Actual conversation. For the first time since 2003, people are signing up, creating accounts, and USING the space.
There's a thread about the best sessions in Ireland. Someone started a debate about which verse is the most important (it's verse five, obviously, but I respect the conversation). There's a whole subthread about recording the song properly in a studio — which, honestly, might be brilliant. Might be the wrong thing. But people are thinking about it.
The new usernames are... interesting. Nothing wrong with them exactly. Just interesting.
There's a user called "bog_time_keeper" who's been very active. Another one called "the_layer_beneath." Someone signed up as "remembers_1847." There's a "shellac_records" account. A "voice_of_the_bog."
They're all perfectly legitimate usernames. Folk music themed, sort of. But they all feel very DELIBERATE, if you know what I mean. Like they were chosen for a reason. Like someone's trying to SAY something with their username.
I'm probably overthinking this. The forum is just getting cool and interesting people. I should be HAPPY about this. And I am. I'm delighted actually.
But there's something about the timing and the themes of these usernames that's making me wonder if I'm missing something.
One of them posted in the general discussion today and said: "The bog holds what we've forgotten. Time to remember."
I don't know what that means. I'm not sure I want to know.
But I'm watching. I'm paying attention.
The forum is grand. The community is growing. Everything's normal.
Right?