PixKristin, it's not rude to ask, it's understandable considering the small community here. I've been lurking for quite a while (I don't engage with the humans easily) and I've decided to try to become more involved lately.
I guess as far as "investment" goes, from my perspective I feel I belong here because of the time I've put in and I want to help support the site and its members as best I can. I can understand from your's and other's perspective there's naturally a bit of "whoTF is this person and what are they doing here?" because the interaction between you and me has been pretty much one-way up until now. All I can say is I'm harmless, just a bit of a misanthrope, and I hope I don't make anyone uncomfortable or generally weirded out.