LETTERS TO STRANGERS
...WORDS I HAVE POSTED PUBLICALLY IN VARIOUS PLACES IN RESPONSE TO OTHERS WORDS...
...a friend is a stranger waiting to be met...
Rikala
THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE... (I HOPE...) THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE... (I HOPE...) THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE... (I HOPE...) THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE...
you are bright (like a shining star alive)...
>> LOL.. thanks... you care good (well too :)
sometimes when I'm feeling low
>> curiousity rises - you home schooled?
smile through your pain
>> the play we write with every post :)
just keep writing... just let the words go
>"No! I have seen Alti rip the hearts out of people I love. I'm *not* going
"you know you can hear your footsteps as you're kicking up the dust
be proud and be humble
sounds like you're learning... give it time, feeling good about yourself after being not so sure or feeling bad doesn't always come in a moment... but don't forget the feeling... in case you need rminding, you know where to come :)
thank you for playing with me in words
and thank you for your smile =)
yay! [g]
* if passion is madness, let me go insane *
everybody's got their own tastes...
>> > dem dry bones (old song)
oh for want of second chances
*looks up at the sky for the stars that lighten up everything* [g]
"Your friends will know you better
LETTERS TO STRANGERS
...WORDS I HAVE POSTED PUBLICALLY IN VARIOUS PLACES IN RESPONSE TO OTHERS WORDS...
...a friend is a stranger waiting to be met...
Rikala
January 20, 2000
>> all children are amazing if they're allowed to be... or noticed :)
>>
>:)
>I remember when I tried to be bright when I was young...
>no one noticed or cared. : \
>
you are young (as we all are inside)...
you are noticed (for you care and you're fun)...
you are cared about (and I'm not the only one :)
>>
> [giggle]
>
and I'm not sure where to go
I'll remember you giggle and suddenly
a big warm smile's inside of me :)
>>
>Wish I was, but I'm not. Go to a local public school.
>
anybody asks where, just give a state
('scuse the overprotective suggestion
do what feels right, but keep in touch)
public schools... I did my time there...
some suck, some aren't bad, some are pretty good...
but if you really want a great education
remember you can supplement your education
and home school yourself
and learn more than they'll ever teach you
(giggle - get smart in spite of them ;)
>"I would have paid to see that."- Ares, 'Seeds of Faith'
*eyebrows*
[giggles]
honest love, ric
I went to public schools
but I fooled them
I didn't let them take away
my own education ;)
..
>> well do something about the pain :)
>>
>[smile]
>
they'll think your insane
then you can laugh
and they'll think you are daft
then you can rest
for you have done you best
to show them your style
and give them a smile :)
>>
>[chuckle]
>"To be, or not to be, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler to suffer
>the slings and arrows......" [G]
>(is that right? [hehe] Been a while.)
>
"To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? ~W.S. Hamlet Act 3, Scene 1
and out of the mouths of babes
(hey, you're a babe ;)
come words so appropriate for our group...
>> guess she's got more of the goth crowd... I know lot of people into
>>vampires... interesting interest, though I still prefer chocolate milk :)
>>
>LOL!! I guess I used to be very goth- but got a change in attitude and
>wardrobe and felt more cheerful. :)
>
I went through a black phase... still have the T-shirts...
not I basically wear whatever I find in the clean pile :)
>Yummy! Chocolate milk! One of my guilty pleasures. [g] That, and
>eating three or four doughnuts in one sitting at Coffee Time.
>
chocolate creme filled please [g]
>> lots of emotions in these quotes of yours...
>>
>I usually use ones that I liked- ones that made me smile, ones that
>made me cry, ones that moved me in some way shape or form...
>
just write about your feelings...
feelings make you real :)
>> a little pitch for more to share...
>>
>That's beautiful, Ric. :) I wish I could write like that.. [sigh]
>So far, I'll just stick to my fics and little flashes of insight. :)
>
I'll tell you my secret... shhhh, c'mere...
just keep writing... let your feelings flow
just keep writing... and watch yourself grow
just keep writing... that's all I know :)
>to take that chance with you!"- Xena, 'Them Bones, Them Bones'
>
dem dry bones (old song)
honest love, ric
and the rustling in the shadows tells you secrets you can trust
the capturing of whispers is the way to write a song...
it's when you get to microphones the music can go wrong"
~ Harry Chapin ~
>Sorry... forgot to reply to a bit... *sheepish smile*
>
oh sure, get cuter ;)
>> how come? (any ideas?)
>Coined as an outcast early in school, tormented until this year, when I
>thought 'Feh, to hell with this! The passive resistance ain't gonna
>work, so why bother?'. Chose a more dominant stance and when
>people didn't accept that, I showed just how sick of them I was (no
>violence or swearing, though!) by no longer putting my tail between my
>legs and slinking off... I stood tall and defied them until they gave up.
>Really quite proud of myself, but esteem's still not very good.
>
and try not to fumble
and when others grumble
you don't need to tumble
just tell them your feeling
and then let them go
for they only have power
if you give it, ya know?
>And that's just the real life cause. It started when I saw a computer
>game at Toys 'R' Us coupla years ago- Creatures, by Cyberlife and
>Mindscape. I soon became hooked, and not long after we got the
>game, we got the 'net, and I soon got into lots of chatrooms, where I
>tried to be friendly, but was also kind of clumsy and often put my foot
in my mouth.
>
welcome to the club (it's called humanity :)
>People seemed to think that I was being openly hostile to them almost
>constantly. Soon, I found myself being hated by many people
>(especially a certain hypocite by the name of LummoxJR), and often I
>just sat and cried at what they were doing to me, and at a complete
>loss for *why*.
*HUG* misunderstandings happen when all we have are words... and they can grow into ridiculous proportions relatively easily... sometimes the wisest thing to do, if some place makes you feel bad, is find a new place to play... I'm happy you did, cuz it brought you here :)
just remember that they are words... and the people don't really know who you are... so their judgments or insults are meaningless, really... like can they tell you the color of your eyes?... or the color or lngth of your hair?... or how tall you are?... not unless you tell them... well, it's the same thing with *who* you are... they can't tell you if you're sweet or mean or happy or sad... nobody can know what you mean or how you feel unless you tell them...
so anytime somebody insults you or tries to make you feel bad on the net... just remember they don't really know you... and *poof*, they can be laughed at for trying to read your mind or trying to see through the telephone wire or the computer screen (magic powers are for TV witches and TV gods, ya know :)
>This led to depression so serious I couldn't eat properly (still a bit
>underweight, even), and when I did, I was so tense and upset all the
>time I couldn't hold it down.
>
*hands Rika a choco-donut and choco-milk*
>Which is really quite serious, because I'm proud of having an iron
>cauldron for a stomach and can eat anything I want without danger
>of throwing up, no matter how odd or how much it disagrees with me.
>
take care of that stomach... many of my friends who were proud of their cast iron stomachs ate one hot pepper too many and now live on Maalox or Zantac with an ulcer (probably giving myself advice here :)
>I became negative, even more withdrawn, and my esteem went to
>zero. I'm slowly trying to build it back up, but it's taking a while...
>
one step at a time... and really seriously, if you get yourself in a similar situation, remember what I wrote and if I'm around, call me...
>And recently, went back on the chat (yesterday, actually) to ask a
>question about Creatures 3 which came out in September. Who was
>there but ol' LJR.
>
remember his name... a Lummox is not a compliment... LummoxJr is even more belittling... so his self-esteem might be nowhere himself which might be why he's so mean... some people beat up on others to try to make themselves feel better about themselves... usually we call them bullies... but it's their own fear and insecurity that makes them weak when you stop being afraid of them...
>I was friendly to him, trying to be nice, willing to forgive and forget.
>I heard him comment that he was going to flame the crap out of some
>girl who seemed to have the same plight I did. So I said to him; "You
>don't have to solve this by flaming. There are better ways." (or
>something to that effect)
>
it's probably best not to give him any trust or even try to help him until you're sure your self-esteem is strong and secure...
>Made a real big effort to be polite, too, because hearing that he was
>still persecuting and people were still kissing his a** and worshipping
>the ground he walked on, and seeing how he was handling a problem
>that could be solved with a reasonable, adult conversation with such
>petty ways as flames. His response?
"Shut up, Rika, if you don't have anything intelligent to say,
don't say anything at all."
>
laugh and leave... or just laugh and ignore *if* you feel strong enough... but from what you say about yourself right now, I'd suggest you give yourself more time...
>*sighs* He's supposed to be in his thirties or forties, too... Real mature
>guy, no? [tsk, tsk]
>
maturity is not a number...
>[/ranting]
>Golly, I felt good to get that out.
>
*HUG* yay!... and feel good for letting it out... I'm proud of ya...
[the truth about Rika]
>
>[smile] Thanks.
>You guys might not know it, but you and my buddies at ATSTNG
>especially (Micaela and EvilBill) have helped a lot. Micaela once told
>me that I am a true warrior at heart and a wonderfully loyal friend.
>
that's great :)
and it's easy to see why they say that
from what you've shared hre in your words...
>Now I can see that within myself thanks to her, and it begins to shine
>through the indifferent and stony walls I have ended up building around
>my soul, and slowly, the walls are beginning to crumble into dust, as if
>they never were.
>
in truth, it's thanks to you...
for you choose to empower the positive words
rather than the negative words
so thank the people who help you
for they are worth much
but remember it is your choice, always
to feed on the good around you
or to feed on something else...
>Rika
>You can take my heart.
>You can take my happiness.
>You can take my honour.
>You can shake my faith.
>But you can't break my will.
>You can't kill my soul.
>No matter how hard you may try.
>
you impress me more with each post...
through all my jokes and teasing
beyond smooches and giggles and style
your words are more than pleasing
they're inspiring a genuine smile :)
thanks for being Rika...
"If one advances confidently in the direction of her dreams
and endeavors to live the life which she has imagined,
she will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~
you brighten my day and my night
finding and sharing with someone like you
is one of the reasons I write
so keep smiling, beautiful giggling child
you inspire the child in me
and keep writing as your muses inspire you
for words can set you free
>> yes... Yes... YES!!!!...
>> and I'll never let her go, never I tell ya!
>[giggle!]
>> *meanwhile, behind the scenes ric set Rika free*
>> *to reak havoc among the poor unsuspecting ASLers*
>> *who thought they were safe because, of course,*
>> *ric never lies... *
>[evil, evil Alti laugh]
>> [narration]
>> yes, Rika... who can leap tall buildings,
>> change the course of mighty rivers,
>> bend steel with her bare hands
>> (told ya to watch those hands, didn't I?)
>> and who fights a never ending battle
>> for truth, justice, and the ASL way!
>ROFL!
>> [narrator pauses contemplatively]
>> ummmm, or was that Superman?
>It's a bird! It's a plane! It's.... no, wait, it *is* a bird!
>> [narrator continues]
>> yes, Rika, with her lightning sword play,
>> vicious snowballs, and awesome giggles
>> leaves fear and devastation in her wake...
>*giggles uncontrollably*
>*claps hand over her mouth but giggles still come through...*
>> [narrator ponders some more]
>> well, she really is a sweet person
>Aw! *blush*
>[smoochies!!]
>> [narrator continues]
>> yes, Rika, flower child of the new millenium
>> warrior princess of the Internet
>> and victim of an insane narrator
>> set free to roam ASL at will
>> (and will she ever ;)
>[really big genuine smile]
>Is it no wonder I cherish you so, kind Sir? [g]
>> [sharp piercing sound of microphone cord being cut]
>Owich! *covers ears* :)
>> that's my story and I'm sticking to it! :P
>[BHFG]
>> honest love, ric (is not Rika ;)
>> when I am my most serious,
>> I try to remember not to take things so seriously...
>> and when I am at my most silliest,
>> I try to remember not to wet my pants ;)
>*giggles, again*
>[hugg]
>Rika
>"You can't defeat me, Xena. You can only... (with distaste) you can only
>delay me."- Callisto, 'Sacrifice' (part 1)
>Rika..
>you are one of the best things to hit this group in a long time..
>keep smiling lady.. and keep playing with us..
just goes to show, we find what we're looking for...
and there are no coinky-dinks :)
[a rhyme for the insane] [g]
> >
>> [smile]
>> Rika the Insane. [giggle]
whatever you do
do it with passion
just make it yours
whatever the fashion
live what you dream
and be who you are
whatever you do
you will be a star
[to be or not to be ~W.S. Hamlet Act 3, Scene 1]
>> >
>> I suddenly seem to have a passion for Shakespear... [g]
>>
just beware of his love sonnets...
they're too heavy for most,
but for those who take words seriously
they're some of the most seductive words...
and few who dare to say them
actually dare to live up to them
as it is with most profound word and ideals...
>> > and out of the mouths of babes
>> > (hey, you're a babe ;)
>> > come words so appropriate for our group...
>> [blush!]
you do modesty well too
(another secret... shhhh ;)
(humility is the most seductive of arts)
there is much to learn from classic literature
if we explore all the possible meanings of the words...
from the same scene, same play,
about accepting strangers
with grace and mercy...
"And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come;
Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,
How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,
As I perchance hereafter shall think meet
To put an antic disposition on,
That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,
With arms encumber'd thus, or this headshake,
Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,
As 'Well, well, we know,' or 'We could, an if we would,'
Or 'If we list to speak,' or 'There be, an if they might,'
Or such ambiguous giving out, to note
That you know aught of me: this not to do,
So grace and mercy at your most need help you, Swear."
~ W.S. - Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1, ~
if only we all looked at strangers and the ambiguousness
of language with more grace and mercy...
>> > I went through a black phase... still have the T-shirts...
>> > not I basically wear whatever I find in the clean pile :)
>> Me too. [chuckle]
*giggle* [g]
>> > chocolate creme filled please [g]
>> *drools*
it's amazing how chocolate speaks any language
to any generation... I've always said that NASA should
have included some hermetically sealed chocolate in
the deep space explorer probes they sent out [g]
>> > just write about your feelings...
>> > feelings make you real :)
>> :)
>> Sometimes it's hard to write my feelings- I'm not terribly articulate at
>the best of times. [lam]
just follow the secret formula... and no matter what you feel, if ou let it out and feel good afterwards, you've shared and released the truth in your heart... of course there'll always be hunger for more expression, and more feeling... and if you don't suppress it you must release it or it will drive you quite mad (that's why most repress themselves a lot... those who don't are looked at kinda strange)...
>> > I'll tell you my secret... shhhh, c'mere...
>> > just keep writing... just let the words go
>> > just keep writing... let your feelings flow
>> > just keep writing... and watch yourself grow
>> > just keep writing... that's all I know :)
>> [grins]
>> I tried that on the other NG in a post to Mic.. hope it didn't sound too
>> cheesy. [smile]
personally I love cheese... and corny mush too...
but it embarasses a lot of people
who aren't comfortable with their feelings...
just write what's comfortable for you
and you'll find others who are too :)
>> Dem bones dem bones, dem dry bones....
>> Oh, great, now I'm gonna have that stuck in my head all week! [g]
>> Rika
>> "Kid, of I could trade places with you, give you a second chance,
>> I'd do it in a heartbeat."- Xena, 'Little Problems'
>>
sorrow comes of the missed dances
stuck lost in yesterday's trances
gaze right by the new romances
ah... much better... just remember today is where we live
and every moment is another chance :)
honest love, ric
during the first minute you ever met
than your acquaintances will know you
in a thousand years"
~ Richard Bach ~
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