E-friends—bittersweet nostalgia

[Jen]

A post in another thread about Hawka’s passing got me reminiscing. I didn’t know Hawka very well but always enjoyed her posts here. Anyway, it made me think of e-friends of days gone by. I have developed pretty deep relationships with a few e-friends and even met several in person, but it’s been years since I have had contact with any of them. My fault since I dropped off the internet for such a long time.

Some of my superficial googling turned up obituaries One of those was Raj, who I’m pretty sure was a member here at some point. I got together a few times with him and his partner; they lived within about 35 miles of me. Raj was on his way out last time I ever saw him but come to find out his partner Heather is also deceased. I still have an old game that I borrowed from Raj, Overclocked. I never even tried it, and now I can’t give it back.

Some, I didn’t get very far, like Goosie (Renande) from Game Nuts because I don’t remember full names. Some, like AlMac, have too common a real name to narrow down.

Some are still here on this site

The person I miss most is my old partner Orb from Four Fat Chicks. Gawd, she was a such a bitch, in the best possible way I turned up a street address for her, so I might have to send her an actual letter Remember those? First I have to find these old-fangled things called paper and envelopes and postage stamps.

Who from your e-past has left an imprint on you? Is there anyone you’ve lost touch with? Have you met e-friends in real life?

[Ghostlady]

I don't know if you remember Dragon? She was the one usually logged into the Game Nuts site. Her name was Diane and she passed away in June of 2019. She was friends with me on Facebook. I remember one time I was very stuck in a game and she actually installed and played the game to get to my point of being stuck to let me know how to get past the point. That was awesome!
Danyboy actually went in person to the Game Nuts barbeque they used to hold once a year. He may have more information about Goosie.
I have not met any E-friends in real life yet...but...I may get to meet Jen when she comes to the US to get married. The COVID-19 messed that all up for her but we are looking to 2021 now.

[Jen]

I do remember Diane. I’m sorry to hear she’s gone. I always shivered when she talked about the deep snow and bitter cold where she lived.

Stella-here, are you the same Stella from Game Nuts?

[Jen]

Ghostlady, if you ever make it to the Pacific Northwest to see those locations in your game, I’d be happy to host you.

[LadyKestrel]

I remember reading reviews by Orb (and you, of course, Jen) over at FFC. I hope you can get in touch with her again.

Chrissie and I have met up in London at least three times now, including this past January, and she came over to the US for the first time last fall and stayed with me for two weeks. We never stopped finding things to talk about. I have also been known to call, email or even send paper cards to some of my active online friends. It still amazes me how online friendships can develop.

[LadyKestrel]

Oh, and I also met up with Becky a couple of times in Cape May, NJ where she vacations with her extended family in the summer. She is now writing reviews over at AG. We were making tentative plans to take in a show in NYC, but grandma duties were keeping her busy and then Covid19 hit. Maybe in 2021.

[Ghostlady]

Thanks for the invite, Jen, I'll keep that in mind. It's on my bucket list to visit that area after I retire. (I want to go there so bad...)
Note: I was referring to "Jenny" getting married not Jen.

[Jen]

Well, I knew I wasn’t the one traveling from abroad to get married

[Ghostlady]

[Stella]

Yes, I'm the same Stella. Renande is well and on facebook, if you would like to chat with her.

[Jen]

I would like to chat with her but I don’t have a Facebook and don’t want one. I blame Facebook for everything wrong with the world today Facebook is the

[JKEerie]

I would like to chat with her but I don’t have a Facebook and don’t want one. I blame Facebook for everything wrong with the world today Facebook is the

Jen...I could not agree more!

[LadyKestrel]

I don't have a Facebook account either. Some of my friends do, especially those with kids and grandkids scattered across the country, but I've never felt the need for it.

[JKEerie]

I have an account, but I only post responses to family members...usually when they post photos about kids, pets, etc. We also have a neighborhood page where you can ask for recommendations on repair and service companies when you have a need, or find out whether everyone has lost cable, power, etc. I hate when someone shares a post with garbage from some right wing conspiracy group that is just false garbage. Jen is right. When you realize that many get there "News" from Facebook. It's scary.

[draclvr]

I have a FB account that I use pretty much the same as you, JK. I do post the occasional "funny" or a comment with information, but that's it. My step-daughter posted some information on the payroll tax deferment. This guy jumped on it and start railing politics. I politely told him, I was not going to argue with him or even comment other than to request that he take his argument to his own page. He didn't stop and accused me of ignoring facts. I once again told him he should consider this my final request for him to take his arguments elsewhere as I don't do them on my page. He very snottily told me he would never darken my "door" again. Told him, thank you - that works for me!

People like him are the reason a lot of people hate Facebook and I completely understand.