... have a feeling that some oldhammer people are not keen on me based on interactions elsewhere, plus I feel a bit like the new kid and worry about acceptance and all that sort of stuff.
Are these valid concerns, am I being paranoid?
I can understand that feeling of 'paranioa', but I think it is definitely a subjective thing, and not based on actuality. Looking at social media and forum interactions always gives the impression that there are in-groups, in-jokes and a 'select' sort of community, but the truth is likely quite different. A couple of people know each other, another few know an old hobby in-joke, or remember a recent notable post, and the reader can so easily join too many dots together to feel like they are outside the picture. The very fact that the medium is this disembodied communication, and that social texting and posts can very easily be misread, hardly helps.
But going to the event and getting to meet a few people IRL could help clear the fog of self doubt. And be fun.
(Hmm, it's getting late and my words are becoming 'jumbled and jivy', forgive my meanderings.)
I went to the very first, but since then, the dates have beenrepeatedly probematic, which is a sad coincidence as my weekends are so often up for grabs. (Now, goes off to find out if this year's dates are troublesome for me. I suspect, however, they are.)
I always got the impression folks were friendly and supportive with our shared hobby. Everyone I have talked to at BOYL events have been great!