I joined three years ago as a little nooblet who wanted to be cool. I joined began to get involved in the community, but never really found my place. I tried to design signatures like popular members, act like popular members just so I could fit into the 'cool' group. I wanted to be popular, I wanted eveyone to send me messages all the time, but it never really worked. I eventually drifted away from PC for a good couple of months and returned around the start of last year.
Although gone for only a couple of months I believe I matured somewhat. I began to get more involved in the community, and begin to make my own contributions, and slap my own stamp on the community. I think I started to be myself, and that's when things changed. I realised I didn't need popularity, I didn't need attention to have fun.
I joined #PoC and met many many amazing people who I still talk to and whom I consider some of my best friends. (Even though most are across the world from me). I met my lovely pair Alex, and my other awesome pair Amy, met my long lost bro, Olli, Sector, Andy and many other fantastic individuals. #PoC, gave me the ability to be myself, and when I stopped trying to act like someone I wasn't, that's when I really was noticed.
The three years here at PC have been definitely worth it, I've grown more confident, I've come out of my shell, met some and made some fantastic friends, and most importantly, I've been able to be myself.