So how do you AnD?

I’m fairly new to this website and I was wondering whether I use AnD in a typical way, and if not how other people use AnD. prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /

So I thought I’d write down what I think and let everybody comment as they see fit.

I don’t know if anybody else has done this before, hopefully I’m not boring anyone!

I find AnD to be almost perfect for my needs and wants. As an “artist” I can use it to promote myself outside of the normal circles I move in and at the same time as the normal person I see myself as I can use it to meet new people in different cultures and share views and experiences.

Despite being an “artist” I find myself somewhat uncomfortable with the whole Fan thing. It is nice to think that someone wants to keep up with what you’re doing but I’m just a normal person! Do I really deserve to have fans?

I take it very seriously when someone writes on my guestbook, as soon as I can I’ll write back in answer, even if it’s just to say thank you. I’m assuming that if they write on my guestbook it’s because they want some kind of contact so it’s my obligation to give it to them. It’s the same for visitors although not so strict. I like to visit the people who visit me, try to find out what attracted them to my profile among the hundreds of thousands that there are on AnD – not always possible but it’s fun to guess!

As for actively searching out members, in the past I have done searches in the areas that interest me, such as Japan, martial arts, film and acting – when I have nothing else to do with my time I will sit and look through the profiles of LOADS of people. It sometimes seems like spying or voyeurism(!) but it’s public information now, plus there’s the record of my visit for them to see. If there’s something that really catches my eye I’ll leave a comment but I won’t just write something banal just to provoke a return visit.

I don’t know, maybe I’m over thinking things a little here and AnD should be approached more casually… Opinions anyone?

And now a little questionnaire – just for fun!

You notice someone has visited your profile, do you –

a) IMMEDIATELY click on them to find out who they are

b) Think “that’s nice” and watch your visitor count go up

c) Quickly turn off your computer and all the lights thinking “they’re watching me!!!!”

If someone leaves a comment on your guestbook do you –

a) IMMEDIATELY write back

b) Read it and plan to write back when the opportunity arises

c) Think “that’s nice” and go on doing what you were doing before

Someone has become your fan! Do you –

a) Become their fan in return automatically

b) Write and thank them in their guestbook

c) Puff up with self-importance and boast to your friends and everybody in earshot

If anyone else could think of other questions you'd like to ask in an AnD questionnaire,for example for us Europeans "Do you know who the hell that Vanness bloke is?" let me know and I'll add them in!