Hi, I'm Fern. Not only am I a semi-professional lurker, but I'm also a class-A procrastinator. Was going to delurk when the thread first was established, put it off, then had to catch up, but didn't so I skipped.
I found the Buffistas at Table Talk, sometime in early '00. Salon's TV critic had an article on BtVS, and there was a link to the TT BtVS thread (have no idea what number it was.). I've posted very periodic random drive-by posts over the years. My TV viewing has been cut recently. I used to lurk in Supernatural and Lost. Gave up on Lost for a while, but have gotten back into it, and I was unable to watch Supernatural last season due to no DVR and having classes on Thursday nights. I do random lurking in other TV threads, but I don't watch all the shows, and I am reluctant to get spoiled for shows I may pick up at some point.
I want to say how appreciative I am that this site exists. I used to lurk in Natter & Bitches, but, for the most part, it's hard to keep up. I love all the various discussions on the BtVS & AtS threads. I learned a lot from my lurking. I am a better viewer/consumer of television. I look at it far more critically. For example, what is the metaphor, if any? How is the writing? Acting? Do I like this show because of what it says or because of the pretty? And I'm ok with superficialities, as long as I aknowledge them as such. I remember some of the discussions/debates over the nature of the soul on the B & A threads, and, as an atheist, I really appreciated all the various viewpoints, and that there could be a heated discussion without personal attacks. Because of this board, I respect the sincerity of other people's point of view, even if I don't agree with it.