ChrisLeeNeal

If you get a comment from me on your discussion page saying hi, it's just because I'm actually going to try to get to know people and talk with them now instead of just watching in the shadows much like I've been doing all of these years.

Allow me to introduce myself!

Hi! My name is Chris, in case you haven't already come to that conclusion. I'm currently 37 years old, male, and live in Mesa, Arizona, USA.

Wikipedia and I

Let me tell you my story about my history of Wikipedia....

I have been reading Wikipeda for years. More than a decade, actually. I first started reading Wikipedia around 2004 and--in fact--registered my first (and only other account I've had) account around then. My previous account was this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Hunter85014 ...But I have forgotten the password and the email I used to sign up for it, it seems.

Not much was lost, though; I didn't have very many edits on that account. Mostly just minor edits where I would fix a typo or two whenever I saw them...and I'd also (occasionally) remove tagged articles that linked to the wrong one.

Where was I?

Anyway... as I said, I've been using and reading Wikipedia for years. I LOVE Wikipedia. I'm addicted to Wikipedia. I read Wikipedia for fun. I love books like almanacs, encyclopedias, reference stuff, anything that gives info or facts...and Wikipedia has all of that stuff in spades. It's very common for me to read Wikipedia as I eat, since I love to eat and read at the same time...so Wikipedia will become my primary source of entertainment as I have my meal.

I LOVE reading, I love writing, I love learning. I believe you can never know too much. And I'm eager to learn even more.

I have long followed along with Wikipedia throughout its history. I visit it multiple times a day. I put my trust in it. I consider it a valid source. Yes, I know and have heard many times the people who say "Uh, you can't use a site that ANYONE can edit, because with anyone being able to edit, there is great potential for mistakes, blah blah blah"... Yeah, I've heard it all before. And it doesn't change my opinion or how I feel. There are so many people here working constantly to make sure Wikipedia has the latest, up-to-date, correct, cited and sourced information on here...so 95 percent of the time, it's going to be correct. Millions of editors have put countless hours into this project to see to that and every one of them deserves the utmost appreciation and gratitude.

And it's not just Wikipedia articles I read... no...

....get this, I will oftentimes open up tens or hundreds of USER PAGES and read them. Over the last 12 or 14 years, I have read through at least 5000 personal user pages on here. I feel like I know some of the more prolific editors on here, personally, even though I've never even talked to them. I love reading user pages. There is such a huge, diverse group of people here. Folks from all walks of life, every country, all educational backgrounds, every area of expertise. It's truly a miracle this site and it can only get better every day.

Yes, I've read and seen the drama side of it too. It happens, especially when you have that many people and different opinions in one place together. I've passed many a day reading past Arb Com cases as well. But it's a small price to pay, in the long run, for this great project that continues on.

In Conclusion

After reading and observing and clicking for 14 or 15 years now, I think I'm finally ready to make an account to where I start to try to join in on this group of people who want to better this project. I always considered and wanted to start, but it always kept being put off. If I had started contributing and helping out here wayyy back in 2004--when I first started visiting and reading regularly--who knows what kind of member I'd be by now? Well, it's never too late. I'm here now. I want to help.

Put me to work! I learn quickly and I have a lot of time on my hands. I'm online every day of the week, including weekends and holidays. Tell me what to do or what area to work on and I will do it. Give me a job or task to do. I'm a good writer, fast typer, and hope to start to add to the thousands already here working daily to make this place great.