The first time that I ever posted on the Internet was in a pool-related NewsGroup. I was already an expert Googler for my job and had never encountered the Google NewsGroups before. What happened in the ensuing months was how I met this soulful man named "SmorgassBored."
Smorgie, as I have always fondly called him, seemed to be a regular on the Internet, and everybody knew him. Me, I was pretty green and did not have any forum etiquette whatsoever. I was chastized for being a newbie, and it seemed as if every word I wrote was scrutinized by veteran posters.
At the time, I was on dial-up. So, when I would read an offensive post, there was no immediate gratification in responding because my posts would not appear in the NewsGroup until many HOURS and sometimes a day or two later. LOL!
Smorgie would often appear on threads sharing his intellectual wit, many times to extinguish flames. Even when the bully(s) attacked him right before his heart operation, he seemed to rise above it with an appropriate response. In the words of The Temptations, he was like "sunshine on a cloudy day." Oh, yes, Smorgie loved Motown!
I soon befriended SmorgassBored and admired his ability to not engage in the negative colloquy. My favorite quip of his came on the heels of the "Monkey Wars," the origin of which is the topic for another thread.
Being the proverbial newbie at that time, embroiled in a full-blown flame, I responded that I could type 150 WPM, in essence, out-typing the attacker, and Smorgie writes to me:
150 WORDS PER MINUTE ?
Yipes ! Not only am I unable to 'read' 150 words per minute, I can't
even 'think' that fast.
btw newbie, this is NOT a chat room.
IT IS A NEWSGROUP !
NEXT,
Doug
~>*(((>< Big fish eat Little fish ><)))*<~
To which I respond:
I'm sorry about that. Let me find my way back through this crowd of chattering monkeys here and get back to my designated Newbie corner.
JAM (Monkey see, monkey do?)
And here is my all-time favorite Smorgie retort right here:
(*<~ Nope ! Monkey see, monkey do-do...... imo
NEXT,
Doug
~>*(((>< Big fish eat Little fish ><)))*<~
I don't know why, but I loved that "Monkey do-do" response.
We soon became Internet buddies. Years later, it was actually SmorgassBored who "invited" me to post on AzBilliards, to which I complied to his kind offer. Through the good, the bad, and the ugly, Smorgie has remained my good friend.
I have experienced sadness on this forum over the years at the passing of Frank Glenn, Rude Dog, OHB, and Breakup. Losing Smorgie, however, has hit me very hard. He went out of his way to ensure my happiness, only wanting to make my posting experience joyful. He was one of the brightest lights on this forum, and for me personally, it just won't ever be the same without him. I still cry, even at the time of this writing, when I think about him being gone from my life. How selfish of me.
This poem has given me comfort when loved ones have gone, and so I will share it with you:
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.
In sum, SmorgassBored's spirit will always be immortal for me, his fame enduring forever more on AzBilliards Discussion Forum.
Lol -
03-09-2009, 10:08 AM
