This morning as I was feeding my cat, I had a random thought. I hadn't visited Whyville in over a week. I was shocked as I realized the website that I had religiously visited every day for almost three years was becoming more and more obsolete to me. I still spent a lot of time on the computer, but I hadn't really logged onto Whyville and haunted a few rooms or left a comment in the BBS in a while.
What is the matter with me, I wondered? I had never thought I would see the day when I did not log onto Whyville after school and partake in a short debate in the BBS or on the Moon. It never crossed my mind that I would grow out of the website that had witnessed such drastic changes in my personality.
I started Whyville in the summer of 2005, on this very account. A family friend was raving about this fun website where you can dress your avatar and make friends quick and easy--for free! After gaining permission from my mom, I made an account, "wwrlm". It's earned me nicknames such as Worm and I get many questions as to what it means. It stands for a character in a book series The Lioness Quartet, Alanna: "Woman Who Rides Like a Man." I actually introduced myself to many people in the first year as Alanna.
When I started out on Whyville, I was eleven years-old. I dressed up with bright blue anime eyes and neon hair. Okay, I admit: I went as Inuyasha for a while. I'm was a quiet person even then, but I made good friends. Raechel, Stef, Peter, Ari, Lucas, Chelsea, Troy, Justin, Chris. And a million other acquaintances I cannot name. I stayed always on Mars, where I met a few hilarious people and together, we made the "Anti-Prep" army. I'm not ashamed to say this. It's really funny when I look back, how we used to throw eyeballs and spiders at the participants of BC's.
Eventually, my real life affected my virtual one. At that time I was 12 years-old. I exchanged my anime look on Whyville for a darker, "gothic" one. I was a sadder person due to events at home and at school, but Whyville was an escape for me. I could do what I want and be whoever I want. I could be bookish and intelligent, or rude and rebellious. Most of my friends eventually left Whyville and I made a few new ones such as Amanda and Paige who I still occasionally talk to, but I am lonely.
Real life started to finally pick up for me at thirteen and I was a happier person. I still sported my dark look in both Whyville and in real life (I now give up trying to make my Whyville head look good) but most people who really knew me could say I was not crying myself to sleep at night anymore. I went on Whyville less and less over the year, usually just to read the Times. Sometimes I went to my old hangouts like the Moon or Mars. I wrote a few articles for the Times, too, by the time I turned fourteen.
What is the reason for my declining time spent on Whyville? Why am I drifting away from this place? I believe I am maturing, and Whyville is as well. It is changing and growing like I am. Unfortunately, we are growing apart. I will miss this friendly site dearly, but not as much as the people who unwittingly played such a huge part in the formation of my person.
I love Whyville, but there comes a time when all good things must eventually end. It is sad for me to write this, to realize a stage in my life is over, but it is relieving. I still want to maybe write an article or two and submit it to the Times, but even that seems unlikely with the amount of time consumed by school and other activities. So to Whyville and to all the wonderful people I have met over my time here, I bid a fond farewell. Maybe I will log in every once in a while to read the times or see what new features Whyville has, but I officially throw in my Whyville hat.
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." ~ Dr. Seuss.
Love,
wwrlm
