UPDATE: 18/09/08
Well, this went nowhere in a hurry. Never mind, then.
I did get another email intended for him, though. Whatever.
====================================================
I've gotten a couple of interesting emails. Let's see where they lead together, shall we?
The first [names and other specifics have been edited to protect the potentially innocent]:
Person One - AKA 'Bob'
re: My contact details
Dear Person Two [AKA Tom],
it was such a pleasure to be connected with you again ... so many memories come back ...
Happy to learn about your patriotism and progress on personal and professional side.
hopefully, we will be regularly in touch. Give our love and warm regards to your family.
Best regards
Bob
H: +1(234) 5678910
M: +1(234) 5678910
Dear Person Two [AKA Tom],
it was such a pleasure to be connected with you again ... so many memories come back ...
Happy to learn about your patriotism and progress on personal and professional side.
hopefully, we will be regularly in touch. Give our love and warm regards to your family.
Best regards
Bob
H: +1(234) 5678910
M: +1(234) 5678910
My reply:
Me
re: My contact details
I'm sorry. I am not Tom.
I'm sorry. I am not Tom.
Person Two:
Tom
re: Thank you
Dear Ms Aeria Gloris, [this is the name I have displaying on my email account]
Thank you very much for informing Bob that you were not Tom - I am the Tom he was looking for.
The similarity in our email addresses is striking... In my case the words FEAR NAUGHT are my Regiments war cry - I am an army officer.
What about you .....how did you get to this email ?
all the best
Tom
Dear Ms Aeria Gloris, [this is the name I have displaying on my email account]
Thank you very much for informing Bob that you were not Tom - I am the Tom he was looking for.
The similarity in our email addresses is striking... In my case the words FEAR NAUGHT are my Regiments war cry - I am an army officer.
What about you .....how did you get to this email ?
all the best
Tom
My reply:
Me
re: Thank you
You're both most welcome. It can be a burden to think someone you care about is ignoring you.
I wasn't sure if it was spam or not, but I figured I couldn't possibly get more spam here than I already do and that doing something nice was worth the potential cost.
"Aeria Gloris" is a latin phrase meaning "flying in glory," an indirect reference to my real name, which I prefer not to share openly with strangers online. Anything can happen these days. I hope you understand I mean no disrespect. I appreciate you offering me yours and it is rude of me to not return the favour.
I am not a soldier. I feel no loyalty great enough to any nation or ideology to lay down my life for such narrow causes. I am a human being of planet earth. Borders are padded cells. Doctrines are straight jackets.
It is a good battle cry. For me, it refers to something much more mundane in that I do not fear pointing out the truth as I see it. It also means I'm not afraid of admiting when I'm wrong. I choose to not live in fear, but I most certainly respect what others are capable of doing to me and my loved ones. Hope for the best, plan to be able to do at least something when the worst happens. So for me, it is my "living cry."
I've had this email address since before Microsoft purchased the Hotmail company eleven years ago.
I'm a man, but I took no offense.
Regards,
Nobody
You're both most welcome. It can be a burden to think someone you care about is ignoring you.
I wasn't sure if it was spam or not, but I figured I couldn't possibly get more spam here than I already do and that doing something nice was worth the potential cost.
"Aeria Gloris" is a latin phrase meaning "flying in glory," an indirect reference to my real name, which I prefer not to share openly with strangers online. Anything can happen these days. I hope you understand I mean no disrespect. I appreciate you offering me yours and it is rude of me to not return the favour.
I am not a soldier. I feel no loyalty great enough to any nation or ideology to lay down my life for such narrow causes. I am a human being of planet earth. Borders are padded cells. Doctrines are straight jackets.
It is a good battle cry. For me, it refers to something much more mundane in that I do not fear pointing out the truth as I see it. It also means I'm not afraid of admiting when I'm wrong. I choose to not live in fear, but I most certainly respect what others are capable of doing to me and my loved ones. Hope for the best, plan to be able to do at least something when the worst happens. So for me, it is my "living cry."
I've had this email address since before Microsoft purchased the Hotmail company eleven years ago.
I'm a man, but I took no offense.
Regards,
Nobody
I'm not posting this to make fun of anyone. I don't know either of these people or if I got their real names or if "they" are even really two people at all. Certainly, this could be a set-up for an elaborate con. I don't know. They're clearly not from this continent, but that alone deserves no disparage.
I'm simply going to enjoy a conversation with a stranger and share my experiences with the rest of you. It's like going on a trip and meeting locals, but without risking having a gun to your head. Unfortunately, you don't get to taste local foods. Fortunately, I won't be forced to eat insects or look disrespectful. Unfortunately, I'm just here, at my computer, as usual. Fortunately, there are no exotic insects gnawing my legs off at the knees. Unfortunately, I can't experience the sights and smells and sounds of far, far away. Fortunately, I won't die in a flaming plane crash.
There are two sides to every happenstance.
As accompaniment, please consider a touch of culture.
Tom
re: Much obliged
Dear Friend,
Thanks very much for the loads of information - I was frankly not even expecting a reply and I am really touched by the pains you have taken to write back.
I am in India - and it would be a pleasure to keep in touch if you so desire.
Regards
Tom.
NB - Sorry for the mistaken identity regarding your sex.
Dear Friend,
Thanks very much for the loads of information - I was frankly not even expecting a reply and I am really touched by the pains you have taken to write back.
I am in India - and it would be a pleasure to keep in touch if you so desire.
Regards
Tom.
NB - Sorry for the mistaken identity regarding your sex.
Me
re: Much obliged
It's not a problem. I had a few free minutes and I've had so little experience with anyone from your side of our small world. I'm thrilled to be able to reach out.
India is an amazing place. I greatly enjoyed Michael Palin's brief journey through it during his all-too-short Himalaya series. I regret I've never had the experience of traveling so far.
I wouldn't mind carrying on a dialogue. It's always interesting to speak with someone who has had such vastly different life experiences. I realize my feelings on borders are a luxury of having never lived with hostile invaders breathing down my neck at all times and most of the world has never been free to imagine such a thing.
I am in North America and it is a pleasure to meet you.
Besides being an officer, what else is there to you?
Please think nothing of it. It was an understandable mistake. I corrected you only so you would know, not because I was upset.
It's not a problem. I had a few free minutes and I've had so little experience with anyone from your side of our small world. I'm thrilled to be able to reach out.
India is an amazing place. I greatly enjoyed Michael Palin's brief journey through it during his all-too-short Himalaya series. I regret I've never had the experience of traveling so far.
I wouldn't mind carrying on a dialogue. It's always interesting to speak with someone who has had such vastly different life experiences. I realize my feelings on borders are a luxury of having never lived with hostile invaders breathing down my neck at all times and most of the world has never been free to imagine such a thing.
I am in North America and it is a pleasure to meet you.
Besides being an officer, what else is there to you?
Please think nothing of it. It was an understandable mistake. I corrected you only so you would know, not because I was upset.
