USVI-On-Line

Because of my moping on the forum last week, some people learned that Friday was my birthday. Some kind soul wrote "HBD Lex" in the sand for the Spice Cam. Another kind soul noticed it and posted the sighting. Today we got back from a birthday escape to Provincetown on Cape Cod. While away I thought a bit about that message and it kept filling me up with happiness and gratitude.

I checked that thread and saw that I hadn't actually thanked that kind, thoughtful, anonymous sandwriter. So, thank you so much. I find it even more wonderful that they didn't take credit, nor was it even them who posted that it was there. An act of kindness was performed with no need to be recognized, no particular result necessary. Pure Zen.

I did thank Iprof, who posted the sighting, and want to do so again. Thank you. If you hadn't seen it and taken the time to post it, it might have gone unnoticed.

My wife thought it was especially thoughtful and was also taken by the awesomeness of it all. Someone posts info on the internet, someone reacts to the info and takes an action. They write a message in the sand on a beach. A camera is watching. Someone on the internet chances to look at the camera and sees the message. They post news of the sighting which the OP happens to read, then looks online at the writing on the picture of the beach taken by the camera. Many realities intersecting and interacting. My wife said it put her in mind of the comic books on the tv show "Heroes".

She finds it additionally amusing because my name isn't actually Lex. So as she sees it, it's sort of like my internet character is interacting with people beyond the internet. People who I don't know performed kind, thoughtful acts for an internet entity named Lex, that is only somewhat me. But I'm awed because simple human kindness managed to penetrate the sci-fi and one soul touched another soul with the help of another soul in a really ethereal process.

We had a wonderful time in Ptown. I'll post something about it some time.

But mostly, I wanted to thank all involved. It's a really odd, sweet memory.

Awwww... Get over it, you old poop.

You are very welcome "Lex". I know that I spend much, much too much time in front of this screen on this site and checking the Spice Cam, and I am pleased that the result on one particular day was assisting just a bit in someone else's moments of happiness.

Thoughts of the power of this forum were in my mind earlier this evening as I was thinking of the warmth and compassion shown today toward a member who lost a pet and toward a member's wife who had surgery. Another member seeking advice for a cake was quickly given ideas from several skilled bakers while the usual "what's the best villa?" queries flowed down the thread list.

I don't have a face in mind to place with the name "Lex" but I do have a sense of a person to believe in who exists somewhere beyond this screen. That's good enough for me. It seems there is an increasing sense of community here, one that is growing stronger as needs and concerns grow. A sign of the times perhaps.

Recently Gromit posted comments on the "Off Topic" forum that seem so true. I hope that she will not mind my placing part of them here.

Gromit said:

"The beauty of a forum like this is to be able to help one another out, give each other a heads up and share experiences when appropriate.

As a result we ALL benefit. We are a virtual community here that extends the spirit of STJ into the virtual world.

It is incumbent upon all of us to look out for each other whenever we can. That's what makes us a community and an excellent one at that-- warts and all.

"Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Meade"

OK, JT...I'm over it now!

Yes, this is an interesting topic for me, as I was telling a friend today about the forum. Which is a mistake to explain to anyone.

Especially someone like her, who tends to be a bit cynical and afraid of anything new/online.

And she said, "Who are these people? Have you ever met any of them?"

Me: "No....." And then I try to explain how I was a lurker for a long time...

Her: "Well, are you really friends with these people or are they just people who can't get "real friends"?

Me: "Well, I like them, yes, some of them I feel are becoming like friends."

And I am thinking "you are insulting me! Are you telling ME that I cant get real friends????"

I have plenty of "real" friends, thank you. But being there in person isn't always being there for you...

I dont'know why I felt the need to justify it to her, but there is something about having a common passion for something that brings like-minded people together. People that live and think about life in a similar way. Or at least care in a similar way.

We might not all be alike politically...but if I had to be stuck on an island with a "stranger", guess who I might pick?????

St. John is a great litmus test of a person for me.

When's your birthday, JT?

Hey Lex: This thread reminded me of an email I exchanged several years ago with the now MIA JSS3 where we both agreed that "Lex" is a pretty cool dude, an off forum toast you might say. That thought transported me back to some really great times in forum history!

Happy Belated Birthday Lex and thanks for sending me on a trip down forum memory lane!

HBD Lex - It is weird how connected I feel to the forum and the people on it - I have chosen not to try to explain and just refer to it as my my OCD obsession 0 A great day to all - samoka

Happy birthday, Lex. You expressed that sentiment beautifully. I understand it. We're learning how to carry out a whole new type of friendship, aren't we?

Happy Birthday to you Lex.

You, Gromit and Iprof put into words what I can only think
(and not that clearly, at that!)

My signature line goes along the same vein

I Love This Forum