This is my final message on neonsonline which will elate some of you and sadden others. It signifies not only the end of my participation here, but also the end of Neons for me and my family. As you read this, I'm getting the '99 Neon ready to sell, to be replaced with something better. In parting, I'd like to share some thoughts.

My first Neon was a '95 Highline. I was earning a third of the income I earn now, and was the sole breadwinner of my household so my wife, an Ontario scholar who graduated Grade 13 with honours, could raise our son to be the prodigy he is today. As such, my car options were limited. At first I didn't like the Neon, but after discovering neons.org, I learned that it offered the best performance (at the time) for what I could afford. More importantly, I could become a member of an online community of some good people. I went by 95highline.

I soon saw a dark side of the .org; that is, the entire site became what seemed to be one big ego trip ran by egomaniacs. I couldn't stand it and purposely got myself banned by posting a picture of a motorcycle accident victim missing half of his face. I laughed as they lost their breakfast. Then Orgazmo invited me to neonsonline. It was different. The members actually came first, and many others who were as turned off by the .org as I was became members. Moderators were fair and just. I became Dodge Drivin' Paul, and watched as this place grew.

Belonging to this community did something to me. I was able to overlook all the flaws and cheapness of the Neon, and wanted to own nothing else. At a time when I could've (and probably should've) bought something better, I replaced my Dodge Shadow and Neon with a '98 DOHC 5 speed coupe and a loaded '99 Highline. A while later the community started to fall apart. The bright ones moved onward and upward, while others broke away and formed their own group. Soon I felt like the only active senior member left.
Eventually, we took on new members and, at the urging of others, I became a moderator.

One female member took the lead to make it a very hostile place for a non-American atheist to voice his opinions and views. Where I was once welcomed and respected for my differences, I was now being ostracized because of them. I realized then the real reason why I owned a Neon; it wasn't because it was a good car; in fact, it is not. It was because of that sense of community and belonging that I owned one. The fact that it was cramped, small, underpowered, and sloppily built stood out in stark relief. I had to get a car that genuinely appealed to me based on its own merits, and traded in my worthless '98 neon for a Grand Am GT sedan. To this day, I have no desire to participate in any Grand Am forums to appreciate the car.

I was also going to replace the '99, but didn't when a few good people here urged me to stay. Which I did, up until now. Being falsely accused of attacking another member and then having my account suspended without any warning points, it occurred to me that I could not expect fairness in the kangaroo court this place had become. The thinking here had become too inbred to accept anything different.

As I step off this bridge, match lit in hand, I see that I have a loving, brilliant
family. I make a six digit income so my wife doesn't have to and am financially secure. I have many good real world friends. I contributed far more to neonsonline than I could ever expect to get in return. I don't need this crap; being here any longer would be a waste of my valuable time. With those final words, the match is dropped. The bridge, doused in my verbal gasoline, ignites and burns brightly. I have no regrets, as I have nothing to lose yet so much to gain. Another chapter has ended in my life as the page turns.

For those of you who consider me your friend, Dodge Drivin' Paul is, as of this day, no more. You can catch me around the ether as digitalquirk. Don't let this place hold you back; move onward and upward the first opportunity you get. After all, it really is just a neon.