A number of real world friends and acquaintances turn their nose up or give me funny looks if I mention that I have spent numerous years on and around forums, in fact many just think that the internet is the Spawn of Satan and only used for porn. I have often gotten into discussions, or rather heated debates with people over the merits of internet involvement. That you are reading this probably means that you are one of those people who agree with me that forums are not a waste of time and that some good can come out of online relationships and occurrences.
Today I received a message from an old online friend. I have not had any contact with him in maybe two years so this message, and the contents of the message, surprised me:
It hard to contact you on msn so im just gonna private message you.
DEAR AZH,
I HAVE JUST FINISHED MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!!1!!!111one
Actually I am on my sophmore year in college and I have choosen to venture in to the wild world of politics. I have been meaning to contact you for some time now after writing an extensive paper on my history here. From running through the ranks to being ejected like a militant hockey player (you know what happened I don’t have to remind you). In remembering my history here I did an analysis on how it influenced me and it has been one of the strongest. A lot of my maturity and knowledge on political issues stemmed from my expereience here. When I was fired from the forum I started working out and playing music a lot more. I started a band and when I was 16 I started working in a music store. I still work in the store today as a drum teacher and when I don’t give lessons I work the phones. I have a beautiful girlfriend who is the hottest cheerleader in the world and I am madly in love with her. My life turned out ok even though I was an unstable hormanly teenage dictator for a couple weeks there.I am going to be majoring in political sciene and st john’s university, and after which I will be going to law school. I feel abliged to tell you that you have been a big influence in my life. For 2 years you taught me that I had a gift to lead. I want to thank you so much for this experience. I hope you know that you influence my life A LOT.
Thank you
I may be visiting England come summer time with my girlfriend, I would love to meet you in person.
“I hope you know that you influence my life A LOT”
Is that not some real comforting shit right there? To know that it wasn’t all a waste of time and that someone, even if it is just one person, got something out of this ‘pointless pastime’.
Anyways. I just thought I’d share this with you all. Have a good one.
