What am I hoping for?
I am hoping you become a friend I can exchange e-mails with,
share humor with,
share stories with,
share life with,
sharing in words and pictures occasionally.
I do not send forwards and I do not use address books. Each e-mail is individually and personally sent. It is my way and choice to do things for you and my friends. If you have a website perhaps you will allow me to visit. Whenever you feel inspired and have the time your sharing with me your life in words will enrich my life and I thank you for doing this. It is my prime hope that we are able to learn and love each other in friendship sharing.
What name do you like to go by? Nicknames you have you like to share about?
Wayne is always good for me. I may like referring to myself as goofy Wayne, which usually is my way of hoping I have brought a little joy to my friend, which always brings joy to me.
Job(s)?
I am an industrial skilled trades supervisor working seven twelve-hour days out of fourteen. Currently I am spending a lot of time with my son while he attends a community college before heading off to US Coast Guard if he follows through with his plans.
Where do you live?
In a small city of Michigan, USA.
What kinds of pets do you have?
A black lab mutt who is the baby of the house. The son took over the aquarium which has a bottom/algae eater named "Grump" who has been with us for almost a decade.
What are your physical characteristics?
5'11 3/4" (really, this was what the service wrote down instead of 6') ... dark hair beginning to develop a gray hair here and there. Losing weight using the Atkins diet with plenty of vegetables being used. It really has made me feel light enough to dance on my feet as if on clouds :)
What are your favorite foods/restaurants?
Spaghetti and sauce done right, grilled steak, Olive Garden (I simply love the ambiance and food) and TGIFridays restaurants.
Hobbies?
Reading, writing, hunting and fishing if kids or a partner wants to (not as enjoyable alone), tennis, swimming/beach, pool/ping pong, Everquest. Currently writing is my main focus on my time off.
What kind of books you like?
Science fiction, religion, history.
Movies you like?
Science Fiction, comedy, action. Seen the Looney Tunes, Matrix 3, Kill Bill, Charlie's Angels. Looking forward to seeing Lord of the Rings 3 and Haunted Mansion.
How about TV shows?
Las Vegas (love this show, I really need to go there someday), Enterprise, Survivor, Andromeda, 60 minutes, Hope and Faith, The Bachelor, Joe Millionaire, I'm with Her.
What kind of vacation/travel trips have you enjoyed or think you would enjoy?
Walt Disney World, Virginia Beach, Road Trips.
How do you feel about being internet friends?
I like the internet since it allows the easiest access to meet friends. Also, e-mails do not interrupt life like real life visits would if friends were near. It is surprising how close e-mail friends can become and yet remain convenient to each other's schedules. Knowing how friendships come and go I always make it easy for you to do so. I reply to your e-mails, so if you do not send one, you would not usually get one in return.
What do you think a friend should keep track of?
I really try to keep track of your birthday and send a card if I know when your birthday is and have current e-mail address. I always try and keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Internet only or real meets?
Real meets only if you desire them and only after we know each other quite well. I think knowing each other for a time before a real meeting is very important. I used to feel the same about trading pictures and I respect when someone does not want to, but I do think they have their place now, especially after knowing someone "internally" by words alone.
Why take the risk or trouble to be a friend?
The rewards I have experienced have far, VERY far, out-weighed the risks. Yes there is hurt and has been some hurt but my scales tilt heavily on the gains, love and growth I would not have had without the risks and these hurts. If I can only give back to friends a portion of what friends have done for me I would be very blessed.
How do you feel about exchanging pictures?
As I get pictures I have a few to send you, including one goofy one and one in suit from this year. I also have one of me looking into the camera while on an inner tube in Blizzard Beach's lazy river (Walt Disney World), but I only send this if I get one first. I have no problem not sharing pictures if you do not want to.
How is your home life?
Somewhat satisfying. My challenge is writing and anytime a friend sends me an e-mail it brightens my day. Little bright moments of sunshine creating warmth and love. Playing Everquest with son and youngest daughter with people from all over the world during my evenings is a lot of fun and adventure. I have daughter (20 and out of house and two years in New York on volleyball scholarship until she could not stand being away from boyfriend and Michigan), son, 18 and attending community college, daughter, 13, attends high school next year.
Any relationships?
Married for 24 years. If not for a road trip that ended with a weekend in Cape Cod with some interent chat friends I might have had a problem getting to the 25th and Alaskan anniversary trip plans for 2004. It has been internet friends who prevented me from continuing on a self-destructive choice of path and realize I am loved and worthy of love. A simple sharing of words and pictures along with a few real life meetings have made a huge impact on my life (second place only to God). I have not ever lied about being married, even when I feel at times that we are continually growing more apart than bonding together (and I was strongly tempted to lie). I have also found that women will not usuaully allow a friendship to form if they know I am married up front. Ironic that once we become very good friends everything is fine and super and I only lose them usually when they find their own mates (seems that keeps them preoccupied ... smiles ... as well I guess it should). Ironies of life and how we perceive everything. I love the friendships and have been very thankful. I have found sometimes a married or separated friend who, somehow, was going to test the waters so to speak but in our friendship decided not to and solidified their marriages ... maybe getting to know me they found out the grass is not greener there? Maybe this is also why I do not jump the fence no matter how tempted thus far? I just have a hard time thinking that someone whom I have shared in so many things might ever have to end because of a lack of acceptance. But this is my burden ... not yours my friend, except that by being my friend you make it much easier for me in my life. There is love here in my family and a lot of good things seem to be done, but it lasts only as long as the hole within me keeps getting patched by the loving, silly, "exciting at times" support of friends like you. This is my irony I live with for now.
Any final thoughts?
Making internet friends has changed my life in quite a lot of positive ways. Some have hurt me but in all of them I learned and became a better friend and partner and dad. THANKS to my old and new friends who have helped me all along the pathway of life. As the nursery rhyme goes:
"Make new friends,
but keep the old,
one is silver and the other gold"
The unfortunate thing is that old friends on the internet is anyone past a year who remains in contact. I am always there if you wish, and always try to be very easy to dismiss (all you have to do is discontinue sending e-mails). My golden friends will always have a place in my heart, mind and spirit whenever I may see old notes or pictures once again (pictures are always removed from the e-mails after printing just so no one across the internet can take from there).
Links to other sites on the Web
