Jabber, it's all fun.

Dancer, you raise a number of interesting points. Especially about the personas we have on line. I definitely haven't seen you as soft spoken. But it makes sense that you are -- some of my quietest students are the best and most forceful writers. A lot of my colleagues say the same thing -- the kid in class who never says a word then whams you with a paper full of some incredible insights.

And Chick mentions something similar, about how some may write more forcefully than they would speak in person.

I know I come across as more of a nerd than anything else. People who know me know I have a great sense of humor and sense of fun, but my humor is very dry. It has mostly fallen pretty flat on this site, so I avoid it.

I wonder what others think too: is there a conflict -- or just a difference -- between your self-perception and your ability to express yourself in writing?