Geez, where do I begin?
As touched upon previously, the apostafests do make a huge difference.
Well, it does make a difference when the people who are on this forum, live in the city or region your reside in. So folks like: iiz2cool, Aztec, Beans, Quotes, 68storms, pathofthorns, VeniceIT, because I have met them, and they're great. No fear, no worries, they're a great bunch of folks.
The Michigan crew are especially 'special' because I've been down to Detroit for a mini-apostafest there, and I met some great folks: Aztec, Pettygrudger, Outnfree, Leddfootdja, Jann, Jourles and also Obiwan (when he came to Toronto). It was all great, and I had an excellent time. The Michigan bunch are top notch!!
Of course, I've met several others at various gatherings: Rosalyn, Fjtoth, neverthere (and hubby), needslots (Vicki Boer) and her hubby, Uzzah, shera, Sloan, Wolfy (and his friend), Mortons68, (most of the Michigan crew again) to name a few.
I've spoken to several folks on the forum, but I have yet to meet them.
CountryGirl and I get along like a house on fire, mind you we haven't met yet, but we will.
Mattnoel, doesn't post on here, but I hear from him still, and he's a great person.
Cruzanheart & Big Tex were the first people on this forum, I ever spoke to, followed up by SheilaM & ThunderRider.
In all cases that I've spoken to someone from this forum, it has been fine, and I have had no problems, nor have I been treated or spoken to inappropriately.
It's a great place, post-JW to make your first connections to the 'outside' world.