I'm what some people call a thin-skinned person. I know it. My friends know it. Sometimes I mocked a little bit for it, but I'm okay with who I am. I almost never swear (I dropped an F-bomb last week when I almost got into a car accident, but that was the first time in years.) I'm not gay, but I hate when people use disparaging words (Kobe Bryant) or use them as a stereotype. It offends me deeply. I'm not female, but I loathe chauvanistic humor. It too offends me deeply. I'm white, but don't even get me started on racism, reverse-racism, etc.
I love the Celtics. I'm unique amongst my friends in that way, so I don't have many outlets to talk about them. I've been to one Celtics game ever (game 6 vs. the Nets in 2002). It felt like half the crowd was chanting Kobe's recent slur at Jason Kidd. I felt so incredibly uncomfortable and out of place that I will never go back to another Celtics game, even when offered free tickets. I've occasionally gone to a sports bar to watch a game, but find that they too offer an environment that isn't always welcoming.
And now I've found this site, where there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of rabid Celtics fans. And unlike some sites, I rarely have to worry that someone will say something that offends me or makes me uncomfortable. So I can talk about the Celtics with people who care about the team, know what they're talking about, and won't swear, use slurs, etc. It's truly one of my favorite places on the internet, and I'm very glad it's here. So thank you to the moderators for keeping a little place on the internet for me that is a comfortable environment, even though you didn't know I existed.