Time to come clean

[Boromir88]

I hate to drop this bombshell right now, I don't expect anyone to understand it, I still don't really know why I did it. I realize now I need to after hurting several people I've grown to care about.

I am Kent2010. The pictures on the photo page I recently put up, that is me. The photos of the cocher spaniel, that I posted as Boromir88, that is my little puppy.

Everything I said over the years, about what has recently happened to my father, that is true. Everything I have said about where I supposedly worked, those were my father's jobs. I did work for him at Phantom fireworks, but when he quit, so did I. Being a Michigan fan who lives in Ohio, because his dad is from Michigan, that is true too. Everything I have shared with all of you happened to, or effected someone I knew. The personal stories I have shared, it is all true. I don't why you would believe me now, after all these years, but I swear it.

What I have lied about, and deceived was my actual age. I don't know why I decided to morph my life with my dad's and appear older, because usually people want to be younger. It started out because I was really young, worried about why my parents said about chatting with people over the internet, but still wanted to get on and talk about LOTR. So, I created this Boromir88 screen name.

I wasn't expecting to make the connections I have over the years, I just wanted to talk LOTR. The fact that I became very close to many of you, and that I was lying about my age was tearing me up. My ultimate plan was to Make Boromir88 disappear completely, and insert Kent2010, because I wasn't going to be able to keep up the facade. I didn't think it would matter, even though as Boromir I made some really amazing friendships. I figured I could just weed Boromir out and be Kent, to stop the act.

Eventhough I have created these split names, everything you know about Boromir88, is true, everything is real. They either personally happened to me, my father, or effected one of my friends/family members. That is me and that is my personality. It was tearing me up, but once I found out that it hurt the people I care deeply about, because it looks like a massive lie for 4-5 years now, it is too much.

Admins, whatever you want to do it is your choice, I will accept any consequences for the deceipt I have caused. I would like to continue to come here as Kent2010, as who I am. But if you have to ban me than do it and it will be deserved.

'Downers, I am sorry for the years of lies, words can not express it. This isn't for self-pity, you should all be angry at me and rightfully, I've kept this fake act for too long. I want you to know that despite the act, you all have come to mean so much to me, and it was all real. To see the pain that I have caused is indescribable, and if you want me to leave I will understand.

John
Senior at Kent St.
History Ed. Major

[alatar]

I care not that you are one or two people with one or two nicks, but just want to add this from here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpost.php?p=583167&postcount=1):

Though at this time I have no evidence - nor will I present any - but once a member had two nicks, and would have the most interesting conservations with himself/herself. Again, I have no proof, but the posting was just too 'in sync' to be posted by more than one brain.

Though I had no proof that you were as this, and I wouldn't bother to see if you ever conversed with yourself (I do it all the time within my own head) it's nice to see that making shotgun guesses can sometimes pan out...;)

Anyway, glad to have you here, whomever you are. :)

[Aganzir]

Wow.

Well that comes as a little shock. Not that you did it but that you got so far with it.

Anyway I just want to tell that at least to me it really doesn't matter, and I wouldn't like you to leave. You've contributed so much to the forum and made this such an enjoyable place that a few facts here and there don't make a big difference.

But grrr! I hope you didn't lure me to say anything nasty about Boro while I was PMing with Kent a while ago! :Merisu: :p

[Elmo]

I'm really the Barrow-wight's alter ego. Let's keep that hush hush now though. :p

[Inziladun]

I don't know you well, Boro / Kent, but I've much enjoyed interacting with you as both. As someone who has always physically given the impression of being much younger than I am, I can somewhat empathize.
However, here at the Downs, I've never doubted there are younger members here who can run rings around me with their general wealth of Tolkien knowledge (and ruthless skullduggery at WW :)).
I suppose all I have left to say is that I believe any fears you may have had about people not taking you seriously because of youth were completely groundless.
Your posts speak for themselves.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I'm really the Barrow-wight's alter ego. Let's keep that hush hush now though. :p

So am I. :eek:
I'm also Mister Underhill, the Saucepan Man and Esty. I did spend some time as Frodo495995, but gave it up.

But, seriously, Boroman, Kentishman, Borokent?... The only think that has me is... are the photos I used in my paper the REAL you? I wouldn't want to be slandering someone I don't know. THAT would be silly. Now, can I get a quote from you on this? Something along the lines of "And I would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddling kids!"?

We're all happy to welcome you, no matter what name you chose to go under. :)

[A Little Green]

I did wonder how come Kent was so shrewd at WW... :rolleyes:

[alatar]

The only think that has annoyed me is... are the photos I used in my paper the REAL you? I wouldn't want to be slandering someone I don't know
I assume that the next addition of the newspaper will exploit...er, I mean, explore this revelation to death.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I assume that the next addition of the newspaper will exploit...er, I mean, explore this revelation to death.

Pfft! I can't report FACTS! What kind of newspaper do you think I'm running here? :p

Coming back to the matter in hand. I'm not sure what made you think The Downs wasn't a place for younger people? I mean, I was a brainless teenager when I started on the Downs. But no one was very cruel to me, despite my silliness. So... Meh, maybe I'm missing something... :confused:

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Well, I can only join the line of shocked people, but I guess that is just natural. In either case, I can imagine it must have been really bad when it got so far and you could not get back so easily. But now that you came out, I guess you have passed the problem. And it seems fine.

In any case, I don't know Kent that well, but I have seen Boro posting a lot, and I respected him for his wise posting. So, under whichever identity, I hope that this posting will continue :)

P.S. And to add one curiosity - when I saw the thread title, I started to expect something like that, but in fact, my first thought was that the revelation would be that you are a woman. :D

[Boromir88]

Sorry Hookbill, the guy on the photo page was a random google image I found after typing in "man dressed as Boromir."

I thank you all for your words and wishes to let me stay, but please scold me, call me foolish or something, because the truth is if I didn't find out that I was caught, and upset some friends who have been there for me, I would not have said this.

I would request though that one of the accounts be deleted, preferably this one. Is that something for the admins, or can we delete our own accounts?

[Aganzir]

If your account was deleted, I believe all your posts would disappear, and that would be a loss of over 4,000 posts, so from the other users' point of view that doesn't sound very good.

And my opinion is that you should keep the Boro account. I think it's easier to get used to Boro being younger than to Kent being Boro. I understand, though, if you or someone else disagrees with me on this.

[skip spence]

but please scold me, call me foolish or something, because the truth is if I didn't find out that I was caught, and upset some friends who have been there for me, I would not have said this.


Well, posting pictures of that adorable puppy just before coming clean, thus winning sympathy, was a sly move. And those wet big eyes looks almost too blue to be true, haha. Shame on you!

[Elmo]

If your account was deleted, I believe all your posts would disappear, and that would be a loss of over 4,000 posts, so from the other users' point of view that doesn't sound very good.

And my opinion is that you should keep the Boro account. I think it's easier to get used to Boro being younger than to Kent being Boro. I understand, though, if you or someone else disagrees with me on this.

Posts don't disappear, I remember when that Neithan Tol Turambar guy was banned. What a legend. :smokin:

[Boromir88]

I mean, I was a brainless teenager when I started on the Downs. But no one was very cruel to me, despite my silliness. So... Meh, maybe I'm missing something...~Hookbill
I really don't know, young stupidity or whatever it was...I think at the time I was 15 or 16, and my parents just allowed me to create my first sn but got on me about the dangers of the internet. I hid from them that I even came here, not because of LOTR, my dad is the reason I read the books, watched the movies, and my mom absolutely loved the movies. It was more of just talking with people on-line, and I wanted to get everything Tolkien, but was worried about being seen as a young ignoramus and wanting to fit in. I saw posts from Fordim, davem, and Lal, and Esty and many others and just wanted to be able to post and have the knowledge they did. So, I read and read..etc Then being introduced to werewolf brought out the still youthful silliness and IMing/PMing with many of you opened up sharing some personal details. Basically, I got hooked, at first wanting to come to a place to talk about LOTR and Tolkien, and learn from Fordim et all, to having a strong connection and community feeling about the place. If that makes any sense.

Don't worry Agan, you have never said anything that has gotten me flustered. As I have told you I admire your werewolving and am in love with it, I meant it. In phantoms last game when you said I was acting like your brothers, that's kind of where I seriously began to just spill out everything. But regretably I didn't do it until people got hurt.

Legate if you know Boro than you know Kent. Just that it is my father who works for the Road engineers/was the HR rep for Phantom Fireworks and it was me who was his peon/attending a college university.

[Aganzir]

Yes but I believe banning is a different thing than deleting the whole account.

Or would deleting the account just mean that the user profile goes but the posts stay?

edit: xed with Boro - aww thank you. :) And no I wasn't referring just to you but the team of you, Kuru and who was the last one? I don't remember, anyway, you were causing such a chaos that it reminded me of how it's always at home. :p

[alatar]

I thank you all for your words and wishes to let me stay, but please scold me, call me foolish or something, because the truth is if I didn't find out that I was caught, and upset some friends who have been there for me, I would not have said this.
What I'm interested in, lacking a conscience myself, is, what prompted you to 'come clean?' Besides the advice of, if and whenever caught, to 'deny, deny, deny' and when that doesn't work, implement an 'onion defense,' and then when all else fails, assert your Fifth Amendment rights (for those of us in the USA), to admit wrongdoing is just so unnarcissitic.

If you've hurt people, do whatever it takes to make it right with them - each may be an individual case.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

If your account was deleted, I believe all your posts would disappear, and that would be a loss of over 4,000 posts, so from the other users' point of view that doesn't sound very good.

And my opinion is that you should keep the Boro account. I think it's easier to get used to Boro being younger than to Kent being Boro. I understand, though, if you or someone else disagrees with me on this.

I was actually thinking along the same lines. It is actually very, very strange and that's what I was partially referring to when saying that "I don't know Kent". Of course, by that I meant simply that I have read many posts from Boro, but only a little from Kent, but in any case, there is an interesting psychological effect. I think maybe indeed starting to take Boro as younger and as real you would be far easier for many. But it's up to you, Kent/Boro, that is the main point. Only if you f.ex. think people should know that all the contributions of Boro are yours - as they certainly were many, and worthy.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

What I'm interested in, lacking a conscience myself, is, what prompted you to 'come clean?' Besides the advice of, if and whenever caught, to 'deny, deny, deny' and when that doesn't work, implement an 'onion defense,' and then when all else fails, assert your Fifth Amendment rights (for those of us in the USA), to admit wrongdoing is just so unnarcissitic.

If you've hurt people, do whatever it takes to make it right with them - each may be an individual case.

Not everybody is the cheating politician such as you, alatar. But I am not going to step on the thin ice and start thinking about googling the pictures of your family...

[Thinlómien]

Dear Boro/Kent,

if I'm to be blunt I have to say I'm hurt. I thought it's best if someone says that aloud.

But I also want to say that internet gives everyone anonymity so that they can be who they will so you have not done anything wrong in that sense, and that this thing does not lessen my respect for your wonderful contributions all around the forum and I still want to be your friend...

I feel like I want to talk with you a bit more, but I'll send you a PM, hope that's ok. :) And although your initial cheating might have been (ha! sir Robinish ;)) I very much admire your courage in coming clean with this now. It must have taken a lot. You're a brave man.

PS. And as for playing ww as Kent - I must admit wondering if he was the phantom's alter ego! :D

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Age is irrelevant.
Resistance is futile.
You have been assimilated.

[alatar]

Not everybody is the cheating politician such as you, alatar. But I am not going to step on the thin ice and start thinking about googling the pictures of your family...
As I've always said, I've nothing to hide...as I've already taken care of any loose Google searches. :D

Another thing I find interesting, BoroKent, is that I too, when joining this forum, was a bit intimidated, and yet I'm as old as many here (if not older...though I could be lying about that as well ;)), and so in a sense I can understand why you may have chosen the path you did.

Why, I might have even been tempted to write with a British accent (for you 'Mericans out there, it's easy to do. Just misspell words like 'colour' by adding in an extra 'u,' and for any word ending in 'zation,' just swap the 's' for the 'z.' It's that easy!).

[Inziladun]

Why, I might have even been tempted to write with a British accent (for you 'Mericans out there, it's easy to do. Just misspell words like 'colour' by adding in an extra 'u,' and for any word ending in 'zation,' just swap the 's' for the 'z.' It's that easy!).

You too, hmm? I do that on occasion, but for me it's mainly a symptom of my chronic Anglophilia.

[Eönwë]

Wow!

Now that's omwthing I hadn't expected- even though I thought that Kent 2010 seemed to know his way round a little too much, and seemed a little to reserved to be a new member- and more spread out, if you get what I mean.

I believe you can just get your account "closed" (like with all those members with low post counts that you occasionally see while browsing thee 'Downs), which would still let you keep your posts.
However, in my opinion, I think you should keep the Boro account, because that is basically what you've posted as you on the 'Downs, no matter what your real age is.


Another mystery solved- Now we know what the 88 stands for!

[Eönwë]

Why, I might have even been tempted to write with a British accent (for you 'Mericans out there, it's easy to do. Just misspell words like 'colour' by adding in an extra 'u,' and for any word ending in 'zation,' just swap the 's' for the 'z.' It's that easy!).

I think that it's you Americans who misspell (the clue is in the name "English").
And the accent does give what you write a more Tolkienish feel, perhaps.

Ok- We each make fun the other's accent.

It's quite a telling feature though, as people can subconsiously reveal things like that. Many a time have I been surprised to find that a Downer is not from where I expected.


P.S. And to add one curiosity - when I saw the thread title, I started to expect something like that, but in fact, my first thought was that the revelation would be that you are a woman. :D

*Laughs uncontrollably*

[Boromir88]

If it helps anyone...

My birthday is indeed April 25, just not in '69 but...guess...'88. :rolleyes:

When I can actually get a good connection I will reactivate my facebook page, to completely shatter the image of a middle-aged single man. But I do hope any type of brotherly figure hasn't been shattered, I advise a quiz bowl team, I am going into student teaching next semester. That is actually the reason I deactivated Facebook (not to cover-up anything), but because I am going into a school system. So when I can get there, and post the link I will re-activate it, you can check out my profile, but I will probably deactivate it very soon to protect myself from all those young'uns looking to cause me grief. :p

[wilwarin538]

Awww Boro, you're such a sweetheart, really. The internet gives everyone the ability to be whoever, and I think lots of people probably fib a bit to make themselves seem better then who they are. So I am honestly not bothered by this, though I am sightly shocked, but definitely not angry with you. I'm definitely not going to scold you. :)

I personaly think you should keep the Boro account, since that's what most of us are more familiar with, I never really got to know Kent much, so even though my brain knows you're the same it would be hard to be as familiar with Kent as I am with Boro. Wow, this is kinda trippy. But of course, it's totally up to you whichever you want to keep. :)

[wilwarin538]

If it helps anyone...

My birthday is indeed April 25, just not in '69 but...guess...'88. :rolleyes:

When I can actually get a good connection I will reactivate my facebook page, to completely shatter the image of a middle-aged single man. But I do hope any type of brotherly figure hasn't been shattered, I advise a quiz bowl team, I am going into student teaching next semester. That is actually the reason I deactivated Facebook (not to cover-up anything), but because I am going into a school system. So when I can get there, and post the link I will re-activate it, you can check out my profile, but I will probably deactivate it very soon to protect myself from all those young'uns looking to cause me grief. :p

hehe, I'm a student teacher too, and I have to be careful about my facebook account. You don't want one of the 12 year olds in your class to go home and be like "Look mommy, there's a pic of my student teacher with a hangover." Not that I drink though....but still. :p Even 12 year olds have facebook, you never know what they'll dig up.

To be totally honest I had no idea you were "supposed" to be that old, I had always thought you were maybe in your early to mid twenties.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Don't worry about it, man - we all have masks. I believe HerenIstarion once made that point. ;)

And we all have deep, dark secrets, concerning things we may or may not have done, perhaps here on the Downs itself, perhaps something which led to a large in-joke, for which the originator never admitted responsibility, which we swore never to reveal to others.

:Merisu:

[Boromir88]

Alright...so I managed to reactivate and I have requested to join the facebook group. Now I swear that little blue man as my profile picture that says "the one you can depend on," that was something a friend did for me, and has been up for months. I didn't just stick that up there 5 seconds ago. :D

[Aganzir]

*just imagines how shocked Form will be if he checks Facebook before the Downs* :D

[satansaloser2005]

I think I have to go check my tea and see if it was spiked. I'll be back later. :p

[radagastly]

For what it's worth, I think a certain amount of deception and anonymity on the 'net is merely prudent. It's really just a kind of firewall, a smart move usually.

I also just now discovered there was a Barrow Downs group on Facebook. I put in my request to join as well . . .

p.s.--my alter-ego here is "ainur (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/member.php?u=381)" though I can't remember his password. That's how radagastly came to be.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

It appears that others forgive blatant deception pretty easily.

[Pitchwife]

Dear Boro/Kent,
although I don't know either of you really well, I'd like to say that I know exactly how you felt when you started this thread. About fifteen years ago, I did something very similar (lying to all of my friends over a couple of years) in RL - a very difficult period in my life that I'm anything but proud of in retrospect, and I remember every bit of it. Feeling like a piece of **** all the time. The need to avoid certain subjects in conversation so as not to entangle myself in more and more lies. How hard it was to work up the courage to tell the truth - first to one person, then to another, then to another (it got easier with the time). And the joyous surprise when almost all of them forgave me, said it was good to have the real me back, and helped me to deal with the bigger problems I was facing at the time (and which had driven me to lying in the first place).
From my perspective, what you have done is comparably harmless - but I congratulate you on the courage of coming out; and I'm glad you seem to be getting much the same kind of response I got. (A marvelous bunch of people, these Downers!)
Anyway, I've enjoyed reading your posts under either name, and I hope to read more in the future!

[Isabellkya]

I understand to some extent where you are coming from.
When I first got introduced to the internet, I was twelve or thirteen - and one of the conditions my parents gave me, was to not reveal any type of personal information about myself. Otherwise they would look over my shoulder, or check everything I did - to make sure I wasn't mixing with nefarious people. It became a hassle so I just figured it would be easier to wait a few years.

I'm quite as shocked as other people. As I had no clue. It doesn't mean I take back my actions from that game though. Nope!

I do agree though, keeping the name Boro would be much easier to deal with than Kent. As I still see them as separate people. Though, whatever you choose! xD

[Elmo]

It appears that others forgive blatant deception pretty easily.

It's only teh internet. Is it really that important that it needs to be 'forgiven'?

[Boromir88]

It's only teh internet. Is it really that important that it needs to be 'forgiven'?

With all due respect, I have talked with some of these members for 4-5 years who thought they were talking to someone else and now realize that was all fake. I appreciate all the understanding and I appreciate all the kindness, but this is my doing and I've wanted to do this to lift off a giant burden, whatever happens now happens...I can accept any of the consequences.

[alatar]

It appears that others forgive blatant deception pretty easily.
If any of you are without sin...:rolleyes:

FotP, I could see if it were someone like me, who may try to manipulate others for gain, rep points or just mere amusement; to actively set out to deceive people with the intent of causing pain, suffering, delusion, acne, summer reruns, etc. Someone who is wise as a serpent and and harmless as a sneezing Ebola-laden dove with a case of the runs. Someone old enough, and with the means and wit to know better, someone 'tall' enough to never to be in over his/her head.

I'm not the best one to judge here, but it this the case with BoroKent?

[Rumil]

Don't worry mate,

sounds like its not a problem. I must say that I've rarely believed 100% in online personas, in fact it would be silly to do so.

Maybe I should start an account where I'm 16 again ! ;)

Cheers,

Rumil

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

No lectures about cast stones, if you please. If he hadn't wanted a public display of displeasure, he wouldn't have made a blatantly public statement. Given that he chose a public forum for his admission, it is unfair that I should be lambasted for an honest public reaction.

Whether or not I overreact, that aspect of the matter is private, and has been dealt with quietly, efficiently, politely, and, above all, privately.

And whether or not I forgive him for misleading me for the past five years is, succinctly, nobody's business but ours.

[alatar]

No lectures about cast stones, if you please.

:(
I sincerely apologize, though I must say that, being older, I can't help but lecture...plus feeling 'holier than thou' always gives me such a warmth.

If he hadn't wanted a public display of displeasure, he wouldn't have made a blatantly public statement. Given that he chose a public forum for his admission, it is unfair that I should be lambasted for an honest public reaction.
Hmmm...I just reread what I wrote in response to you, and I can spin it as an explanation of *my* thoughts in regards to this. I don't think that I was saying anything about you or your reaction per se, though it is a response to "others forgive blatant deception pretty easily." I, being one of the others, did forgive because, for me, there wasn't anything to forgive. Others may feel differently, and he will have to deal with them as necessary, as I had also stated. Anyway, my response to you is an explanation of my reaction.

Sorry if you felt attacked (though I still will try to lecture when I can).

Whether or not I overreact, that aspect of the matter is private, and has been dealt with quietly, efficiently, politely, and, above all, privately.
Sure; maybe that's how you would have done it, or maybe BoroKent would have done it if he had the chance to do it again. But here we are.

And did I *state* that you overreacted?

And whether or not I forgive him for misleading me for the past five years is, succinctly, nobody's business but ours.
Much agreed. I forgave him (again; didn't care) publicly, as that was my thing.

[Herald_of_Mandos]

That's not all, people.

I have it on good authority that the so-called "Nerwen" is in reality a 15-year-old boy. ("Man-maiden" indeed!) You wait till the warders in the Home for Uncontrollable Teenagers find out what he's been up to...:mad:

[Formendacil]

Why do I feel like I've just been left out of something major?

Well, basically because I haven't been on in 24 hours and a major storm blew over. I think I'll just sit here twitching for a bit, thank you.

Okay, I'm still very much twitching. Probably will be for a while yet. There is a major mental switch that needs to be thrown. In my personal case, I am not offended--but I didn't interact with you much beyond WW, I agree the Internet is a dangerous place, and I'm a rather forgiving sort (at least, I like to think I am).

That doesn't mean I'm not totally rocking back on my heels, trying to somehow find a steady rock here. As someone who essentially tries to put forward the same face on the Internet that he does with the family, at school, I'm perhaps a touch too trusting--not that I've been burned here so much as I've ordered my world to include an older Boromir who hangs out on the 'Downs, and my world needs a slight restructuring of its metaphysics. Why, an '88 kid means I'm older than you!

The fact, however, that I am either cool with this or forgiving (I'm honestly not sure which it is, but I lean to the latter), does not mean that I do not utterly and completely disagree with the idea that "it's only the internet, it doesn't matter that much."

Unfortunately (for you) by bringing this up, you've basically allowed me to trot out one of my favourite hobby-horses. In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle's seminal work on Ethics, the question of what constitutes friendship, and the relationship of friendship to the moral life, is a huge part of the book, and Aristotle seems to come to the conclusion that what is necessary for friendship, in its highest form, is the free exchange of ideas: the ability to bounce thoughts and reasonings and arguments back and forth--to get to know who another person IS.

Aristotle also seems to indicate that this isn't possible unless you spend time doing stuff with them. At this point, my professor was of the opinion that you CAN'T have real friendships online because you can't know if someone else is being genuine, that the invisible clues of body language and non-verbal communication are essential to KNOWING the person you're talking to, and that this knowledge is necessary in order to have a real friendship. My basic contention is that you may not KNOW if the other person is being honest, but you CAN share ideas freely, bounce contemplation back and forth, and invest copious amounts of time on the well-being of another online.

That is precisely why, for me, this really is a big deal; because I have done that. Here, on the Downs especially, I have made, I think, dozens of friends, and even--I dare say--two or three of my BEST friends, better friends than I've made in the three years now past of my undergrad studies, better friends than three years of living in community with people, better friends than growing up 19 years in a small town. Better friends, I emphasize, based entirely on the free exchange of thought and the investment of time on a wholly virtual medium.

Which is why this matters to me, and why I fully agree that Boromir needed to come clean. Because of the amount of time he has invested--that others have invested in him--in the people here, these relationships are simply too seriously NOT to correct. I agree, too, that this coming out ought to hurt somewhat, since it is, indeed, a serious breach of trust, given the intensity that these relationships can take on. And yes, it may take time to heal.

Personally, I didn't know the fake Boromir well enough to have been hurt, and despite that my world is shaken. I'm willing to agree that "to err is human, to forgive divine"--but I realise we're all human, so the first part may be all we can hope to do.

And... yeah... I'm kind of running out of steam. Still twitching a bit, but getting used to the idea. Mind full of random thoughts...

Yes, Agan, I wondered why Facebook had two new group requests in the same day.

Yes, I had no idea who this John guy was.

"Colour" is how you're SUPPOSED to spell, Alatar.


And I prefer Boromir to Kent. Boromir was a liar, but he was a likeable liar, and he was real; Kent was honest, but he was a façade. But I think I'm going to reconcile the mental problem with John.

Pleased to meet you, John.

~Signed confusedly, verbosely, preachily, and nonsensically,

Michael A. Joosten - Formendacil

[satansaloser2005]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Form. Shorter, perhaps, but not better. ;)



Boro, you're still cool with me and honestly, though the facts of your life aren't true you're still the same guy, so I really prefer you to stay rather than Kent, who has all your history and facts and stuff but....well, isn't you, at least not to me.

*hugs you*

And besides, regardless of how old you are or where you work (or rather, don't) you're still a flipping awesome Werewolf player and it will be my pleasure to play with/against you in many games to come. So yes, please stay Boro/John/Kent.


~~Sally/Kayla/Whatever else you all decide to call me;)~~

[Nerwen]

Oh, I love the Internet sometimes. :D

Boro, or should I say Kent– you know what this makes you, don't you? (http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/netrat.htm):Merisu:

[Mithadan]

Well, I am just... shocked. Yes, shocked! And... disgusted.

I can't imagine anyone seeking to be anything other than entirely forthright about one's identity on the internet. Nor can I conceive of any legitimate justification for concealing your age while posting on a public bulletin board, even if you were a minor at the time. I would never do any such thing. I use my own real name as a screen name. You can look me up in the phone book if you don't believe me!

And opening a second account! This must be immediately referred to the council of administrators and moderators for stern and swift disciplinary action!

[Nonesuch]

Oh, shut up "Mithadan". Stop being such a pompous jerk.

Otherwise I'll reveal to everyone that you aren't a 40ish lawyer living in Miami, but in fact that you are a 16 year old girl living in Hoboken... who's in love with Orlando Bloom!

[Mithadan]

I am not! Shut up or I'll ban you!

Actually we do frown upon people opening multiple accounts. Boromir, could you please choose one persona or another and use it exclusively going forward?

Thank you.

[Nonesuch]

Actually we do frown upon people opening multiple accounts.

Oh? Then how do you explain me?

[Mithadan]

You were created for the purpose of running a tutorial RPG, remember?

*makes note to delete Nonesuch account.

[Rikae]

I have a confession to make, too. I'm actually a 61 year old man. Those who met Rikae in RL - yes, even you, Mac - met my youngest daughter posing as me. Please forgive me.

From now on I will be posting as Boromir88.

(Seriously, this is a joke, right?)

[Boromir88]

No joke, Rikae, god do I wish it was but it isn't.

Mithadan, it will be this name...all I can say here is it started when I first joined, I had a sn for 3 months and had the lecturing of only talking to people I knew. But I wanted to talk about LOTR, didn't think I could do that with any RL friends, or even my dad who introduced me to the books. So, I joined a forum, and my very first thread/post was "Who/What is Gothmog?" I had been a member for about a week, the first couple responsed were "check the search engine" and this is "redundant." I took that the wrong way, I took it as the only way I would actually be taken seriously is if I at least started looking older than I actually was...then it kind of spiralled down from there. Once I started getting PMs from people and talking with people more, I felt it was easier to keep it up because I was working for my dad at his job, but I could just take what he was doing and pretend it was me. The reason I created Kent, was after I couldn't keep it up anymore I thought I could just let Boro disappear and be Kent, be my real age and life, not pretending I was an adult and taking my father's jobs. This isn't bravery either, I was a coward, because I was caught...I would have gone through with it had I not been.

I don't feel like I should be joking, or funny, but to at least offer the real me. I made a bet with one of my players about the Michigan-OSU game. I lost the bet, and I had to come to the school in an OSU cheerleading jersey and then take the team out to BW3s...well one of my players happened to post it on youtube, and I have been wanting to share it for so long on here, but just couldn't. Now might not be a good time, but it's a really funny video and you can at least see who I am:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdEb-6D8e1s

[Macalaure]

My goodness... I grow tree-ish for just a few months and then something like this happens? :eek:

Obviously, when it comes to forgiving, there is a huge difference between the people who talked to you more closely, and the ones who only debated or played with you on the forum. I can fully understand how wronged the former may feel, but belonging to the latter, I merely suffer a light blow to my ego due to realising that the person I fooled in WW L is in fact only half as old as advertised. :p So, personally, I have no trouble forgiving this. Like alatar said, there is indeed barely anything to forgive.

I just can't help wondering why you didn't come out way, way earlier and dug yourself deeper and deeper into this hole. Posting under a false identity on a forum is one thing... but getting into more personal contact with others this way, even if it's still just over the net... well...

I'm disappointed that I never really got around to read many posts by "Kent" and thus was never in the position to suspect anything. I'm happy that at least your birthday is correct. Having one of the most Taurus-like people I know suddenly turn into another sign would have disturbed by faith in astrology. ;)

[Rikae]

It's interesting how we perceive another person's identity and what we base this on. Just the other day I chatted with Mac on Skype for the first time in months (while he sat on the other side of the room) and had the strangest feeling of meeting Skype-Mac who I hadn't seen for a while and even kind of missed - not because he's better than real Mac, but because he's the first Mac I got to know.
Now, when you mentioned deleting the Boro account in favor of the Kent one, my reaction was "What? No way! I'd miss having Boro around here!" :eek:

So at this point, it's out of your hands - Boro exists. (And as far as I'm concerned, he's still 40, since it makes me feel less old myself! Hmm, perhaps I'll start imagining everyone weighs 150% what I do, too... ;))

There are people whose ages I know on here who I always think of as older or younger based on personality, anyhow.

[Durelin]

It's the internet. Yes we get pretty cozy on the 'Downs here, some more than others, but the reality is there (and this coming from someone who met her *significant other* of almost 5 years on the interwebs, so don't think I'm ragging on it as silly or strange). Really it's not wise to share much true personal information in general, so pfft. And I understand parents being concerned about your internet activity. I also have done precisely what you did on other sites, and did use a second screenname on the 'Downs in order to play in an RPG loosely incognito.

Be who you want to be -- love having you around, RPing with you, playing WW with you, etc. regardless. :D

[Ulumuri]

Hello - I've been lurking here for over a year, but this was enough to bring me out into the open. You will never get rid of me now!

What I would like to know is how many of you have played werewolf under two or more different screen names - in the same game?

[Nerwen]

Hello - I've been lurking here for over a year, but this was enough to bring me out into the open. You will never get rid of me now!

What I would like to know is how many of you have played werewolf under two or more different screen names - in the same game?

Never... but oh, dear.... Ulumuri, I find myself looking at you hard and wondering who you are really... (Legate? Aganzir?)

No seriously, welcome to the Downs, Ulumuri.

*sigh* I fear that newbies are going to be scrutinised very heavily from now on...

(Come on, admit it, you're really Durelin, aren't you?;))

[Boromir88]

I just can't help wondering why you didn't come out way, way earlier and dug yourself deeper and deeper into this hole. Posting under a false identity on a forum is one thing... but getting into more personal contact with others this way, even if it's still just over the net... well...~Mac
Stupidity? I don't know if I can tell you...I mean I first just wanted to look like I knew what the heck I was talking on LOTR about when seeing some posts from other members. Then it kind of developed with my desire to become a teacher, I thought if I appeared older than a high school student, then that desire to help and understand "students", would work better. At that time I was still in high school, I really had no idea what it was like to teach, because I pretty much only saw them in the class room environment...but I knew my dad. I knew his job, I knew from working with him how much he hated working for the fireworks business because of the "volunteer" work he had to force people to sign up for. So, that's how it came to be, I don't know what ever gave me the idea that it would be a good one.

[Aganzir]

Hahaha you look hilarious in that video. The only thing I'm sorry about is that the other guy didn't have to dress up as a Disney princess. :(

(Legate? Aganzir?)
Bah I would never do that. :p

Anyway Boro, I have a suggestion- you could change your avatar. At least I have a tendency to imagine people look like their avvies, so it'd be easier to see you as a 20-something if you don't have a 50-something as your avatar. ;)

[FeRaL sHaDoW]

Honestly you should not worry too much over this. I am sure almost everyone here has or is an alter ego for another account. You never know who you might just be talking to.

[Nerwen]

Honestly you should not worry too much over this. I am sure almost everyone here has or is an alter ego for another account. You never know who you might just be talking to.

Okay... who are you, then?

[Folwren]

At first I thought this was quite humorous. And then I read some people's responses wherein the writer had apparently been stung. Then for a bit I thought it was even more humorous. But then it occurred to me, "Well, what would you feel like if someone like Elempi suddenly turned out to be your own age and not older, wiser, and more experienced?" Somewhat a disturbing thought.

However, as Dury said above, on the internet you have to be careful anyway and not give out too much personal info. I hope the close friends you have made over the 5 years don't feel too burned by this sudden change of age. (Your incorrect age was the main thing that surprised me.)

I think you should stick around. I enjoy your role-playing, when you're around to do it, and I would think it downright sad if you left the Downs after 5 years.

I have absolutely nothing to hold against you, and therefore have nothing to forgive or to excuse.

-- Foley

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Never... but oh, dear.... Ulumuri, I find myself looking at you hard and wondering who you are really... (Legate? Aganzir?)

No seriously, welcome to the Downs, Ulumuri.

*sigh* I fear that newbies are going to be scrutinised very heavily from now on...

(Come on, admit it, you're really Durelin, aren't you?;))
Nerwen, I know you already well enough so that I can see through you. It is pretty clear who is Ulumuri. Okay, sorry if I ruined your fun...

Nah, but really - I think you are right about the newbies. I just hope the main wave of scrutinising newbies will drop again soon. Of course the place is a bit shaken now.

Anyway, just a small, not very important note - there was one more thing I actually thought of - I see that when playing in the last WW with Kent, killing him was truly about something different than it actually seemed... now I feel about it somewhat different than I did in the game. Relatedly... I think some things might actually sort of come to our mind in realisation only gradually - but of course, the shock itself was only initial, now the rest are just minor things like this.

[Boromir88]

Anyway Boro, I have a suggestion- you could change your avatar.~Agan
I can go back to my very 1st and original avatar, this I might have had before you joined. Like? :D

[Aganzir]

I can go back to my very 1st and original avatar, this I might have had before you joined. Like? :D
Well you had it before I joined, but not before I started stalking, so I recognize it. ;) I have nothing against it though, given that back then I was still under the impression that the 88 stood for your year of birth. :p

[Boromir88]

Hey if you think I need to get another one say it, it's cool. ;) But that will be take a bit of time, and well I just love Wile E. :p

[Thinlómien]

Ooh cute old avvie. :D

[Nogrod]

Interesting indeed...

To state the obvious: those with whom you may have gotten a bit closer here in the 'Downs are the people you should talk about things BoroKent. We others who only know you as a resourceful, intelligent, civilised and friendly poster - and an excellent werewolf-player - you probably need not worry about.

My feelings can be read from many posts in this thread. Please stay around and continue posting as Boro, that is what we are used to and with whom we have enjoyd posting & playing so long. Someone said something like: it's easier to adjust oneself into thinking about a Boro "with a twist" than with the thought of Kent as someone "who-once-used-to-be-Boro". That's exactly my feelings now.

I quite liked this Kent-person though. I must admit. Although my experiences with him are limited to just two werewolf-games (he was just too good to be true?). After the dust settles we would probably settle with Kent as well even if it now feels odd.


But thinking about what could be a problem, how come you didn't decide to reveal your identity first to those who were nearer and dearer to you and only then go fully public? Or is that something only a 39-year old Boro would do? :confused: Anyway that is something you have to settle down with those people (and wasn't it just that pressure that forced you to come clean with the issue in the first place?).

I don't think you will have a problem with the rest of us, especially after your frank revealment, apologies & reasons given why you did it back then which only speak good about you. Well, if not only then mainly at least. :)

[Nogrod]

Haha! *The Avvie* :D

I haven't seen that for a long time...

[Boromir88]

(and wasn't it just that pressure that forced you to come clean with the issue in the first place?).~Nogrod
Yes, which is why with all due respect I really don't like being called brave. I would have gone through with the plan had I not been pegged, even after a while ago receiving a message from someone who said he was doing virtually what I had been doing for all these years. I felt terrible, but that still wasn't enough to admit to anyone what I was doing. It took being caught, but I wasn't going to just runaway or leave, as this was never about "haa look at all these people I am fooling!"

[Nogrod]

A few comments to add before going to sleep. (Hah, sounds like a WW-game -post...)

It's clear the problem is born when people load emotions into your person, which person is not what you let us believe it is. So when you said you had a tough time at work and it was insecure whether you had your work in the future (I don't remember the details now - which just shows I was not that fully tied into your person as Boro), I remember feeling bad about it and sympathising with you, really hoping for the best and thinking about it a few times feeling sad about your possible ill fate.

But with those you had made much more closer friends, it would be really bad. Just think how they would have actually felt sad and had worried about you - for no actual reason. Well, you surely have done that already and I guess you have already received a few PM's of that sort. And if you deserve any "punishment" let those PM's be that.

And I do hope you are able to settle things with those people as I still like you a lot and would love to see you keeping up posting here in the 'Downs.


But you really did well posing as a person a lot older you are (take it as a compliment if you wish). There were situations I was a bit insecure about the way your mind worked though - assuming as I was that you were about the same age as I am. Now I can see why it was so. Or at least think I might see it.


The question of trust and the internet being the "wild-wild-west" where you shouldn't trust anyone... That's a topic for a gazillion of pages. And even if I'm one of the first to remind people that anything you encounter in the web can be virtually (in both senses of the word) anything, then again I have met a handful of 'Downers in RL and they have all been more or less what they have appeared to be around here - basically just more charming and more lovable (even the "grumpy Rune" ;) is the most hilarious person you could imagine to meet anywhere).

But the basic trust has been built over years of discussions around here. Now your case Boro, even if there wasn't anything malvolent behind it (which I do believe there wasn't), kind of readjusts the table a bit as you were able to keep up the appearance for so long.

Although I must say that's only a bit, to me at least. Those people you can call "predators" or something like that lurking around the internet looking for a pray rarely have the patience to wait for five years, and rarely hang around this kind of sites (I hope and pray that is correct)... So I wouldn't either suggest that you should not meet a fellow 'Downer the next time you have a chance to.

We should not give up good things from life just because of fear of something possibly being not safe (which doesn't mean one should be a fool of a Took).

Okay... Too much babbling already.

I hope we can discuss all that pains anyone, either publicly here or via PM's. And I also do hope we have Boro or Kent around in the future - but not both.

And when I finally manage to travel to the US one year or another I'm looking forwards to meeting you John(?). It may take years, a decade... whatever. But you are one of the persons I'd love to meet if I travel there.

[Morthoron]

If it makes you feel any better, I could care less.

[Ulumuri]

If it makes you feel any better, I could care less.

Which, of course, means you care at least somewhat. :p

[Morthoron]

Which, of course, means you care at least somewhat. :p

You don't know me very well -- I really don't care. I am more irritated that there are 2 or 3 minutes of my life I can't get back because I scanned this thread.

D'oh! I replied again!

[Ulumuri]

In that case, "couldn't care less" might have been a better choice of words. :Merisu:

Sorry, but that phrase is a pet peeve of mine.

[Nerwen]

In that case, "couldn't care less" might have been a better choice of words. :Merisu:

Sorry, but that phrase is a pet peeve of mine.

Ooohhhh... this is indeed a thread of revelations!:eek:

All this time I've assumed that "could care less" was just a typo for "couldn't care less"! (Never having heard someone say it, you see.)

[Inziladun]

At the risk of attracting skwerl attention, I'll say the way people use that phrase incorrectly always irritates me as well. When they say 'I could care less', they're actually saying the opposite of what they intend.
Of course if I bring that to people's attention, their reaction is usually to tell me the same thing, but in a more colorful manner.

[Mithadan]

Ok. I've poked a bit of fun at this situation, together with my alter ego, Nonesuch (I promise to rep the first person to figure out the source of that nickname). I acknowledge that Boromir is experiencing a degree of angst and that some people may be annoyed with him, or at least a bit confused. I'm just not sure why and I'm beginning to find this whole thing a bit tedious.

The great thing about a bulletin board is that it is anonymous (more or less, anyway; we administrators have special powers - for example I know exactly who Ulumuri is). We can reveal as much or as little of our true selves as you may choose. Some remain entirely anonymous, others reveal their true selves to a select few privately and, sometimes, people are rather open about their identities.

This is the internet, people! I have exchanged my identity with a select few on this site, and assume, but do not know, that the names and locations I have been provided are real. I am not Mithadan. That is to say, the person tapping away on this keyboard, whether he is a 40ish lawyer in Miami, a 16 year old Orly fangirl in Hoboken, or whatever, is not Mithadan.

If I were 15 or 16 and determined to post on a Tolkien Board, I would certainly not disclose any real information about myself. This would be the case even if I were "close" with other posters and had created a PM, e-mail or Facebook relationship with other posters. We have had allegations made of potential stalking by parents of posters here. On each case, the alleged stalker and the alleged stalkee were in fact separated by a rather broad ocean. But we encourage everyone to be careful. A messageboard is anonymous only until you take the next step of communicating by PM, e-mail or other means. We can't control what happens then.

I don't blame Boromir for being careful. I don't blame anyone he (or she :rolleyes: ) may have communicated with beyond this public forum to be a bit annoyed that he is not what or who he said he was. But again, I ask why?

It's good to be careful; we don't know who or what is posting here. So, I'm getting a bit bored of this thread. Boro, apologize privately to whoever you have to apologize to. Everyone, foregive Boro or not (I have). And let's get on with it...

By the way, Boro, you never communicated with me by PM or e-mail about whoever you said you were, but honestly, if asked on the basis of your posts, I would have pegged you as a late teen from day one. Everyone needs to understand that age has very little to do wth how well or much one can contribute here...

[Ulumuri]

Ok. I've poked a bit of fun at this situation, together with my alter ego, Nonesuch (I promise to rep the first person to figure out the source of that nickname).

Either Huck Finn (or rather, the show put on by his con-artist acquaintances, "The Royal Nonesuch"), Randy Newman's label, or mince pie filling?

The great thing about a bulletin board is that it is anonymous (more or less, anyway; we administrators have special powers - for example I know exactly who Ulumuri is).

Although I'll grant that you may know my IP address, if your knowledge actually extends beyond that to the person behind the keyboard... supernatural powers... :eek:

[vacates confession thread, never to return, lest she contribute to Morthadran's boredom]

[Mithadan]

Either Huck Finn (or rather, the show put on by his con-artist acquaintances, "The Royal Nonesuch"), Randy Newman's label, or mince pie filling?

Good guesses, but not correct. Sorry.



Although I'll grant that you may know my IP address, if your knowledge actually extends beyond that to the person behind the keyboard... supernatural powers... :eek:

Well, I am a Wight, after all...

[Morthoron]

In that case, "couldn't care less" might have been a better choice of words. :Merisu:

Sorry, but that phrase is a pet peeve of mine.

Actually, it may be a pet peeve of yours, but it is idiomatically acceptable. The OED states:

I, etc.) could care less is a "colloq. phr." -- but so is (I, etc.) couldn't care less. The only difference is that (I, etc.) could care less is a "U.S. colloq. phr."

It is an Americanized colloqualism of the original English term, and is considered more sarcastic than the orginal phrase. It is accepted in a journalistic sense and has been used in print by many news organizations. For your edification, you can Google 'could care less vs couldn't care less', and find 14,000,000 entries, both pro and con, for the Anglicized or Americanized version.

Yes, the debate rages on, but I could care less.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Nonesuch (I promise to rep the first person to figure out the source of that nickname).
Well, knowing you to be a romantically natured teenage girl, I assume you adopted the nick from Georgette Heyer's Regency novel The Nonesuch. :Merisu:

[No applause, please - I'm here incognito and don't want to be recognised.]


On a serious moderator note: Though I too doubt that many evil internet persons lurk around a small, specialized website like this one, you can never be sure. Here are two important reminders: First, please do not post your real name or e-mail address on the forum, where it can be read by anyone. Second, should you choose to meet other members in person, please provide for your safety by meeting in a public place and/or taking a friend with you.

[Morthoron]

Nonesuch (I promise to rep the first person to figure out the source of that nickname).

Ah, I get to use information from the innumerable history classes I used as electives in college! Nonesuch was a palace built by Henry VIII. It was demolished in the 17th century for building materials to settle the gambling debts of a later resident.

[Lush]

I'm glad you got it off your chest, Boro, and I'm really sorry that people were hurt.

Having said that...HAH! My instincts were right!

I always thought you were close to me in age, B. You struck me as the sort of person I'd have over for PS3 duels and beer.

*booty dance of victory ensues*

You know, I was 17, so precious and delicate and young, when I first joined here, and although I don't think I actively misrepresented myself, I talked a lot of rot. And a lot of said rot came from anxiety at being in a room with grown-ups, so to speak. So I really couldn't judge.

Now, my entire life is on the internet. I have even managed to somehow make a living off it for the last two years. Yet I can still recall those days when the internet was a mysterious, mystifying entity - and how it was and wasn't real.

The thing is, some of my closest friendships today started on the internet. Some of the brightest episodes in my life involved people I met here, or elsewhere. I can't help but be grateful. And this is why I particularly hope that things will be put right with folks for whom this came as a shock, those that are close to you.

"It never goes away, but it all works out." ;)

[Mithadan]

Georgette Heyer's Regency novel The Nonesuch.

Nope, as a 16 year old Fangirl from Hoboken, my tastes run more to High School Musical, though the Jonas Brothers are just sooo last year.

Nonesuch was a palace built by Henry VIII.

Nope, as a 40ish Lawyer from Miami, I am not well-learned in European architecture. Your reference, for some reason, rings a bell, but it is not the source of my alter ego's nickname. Out of curiosity, was this palace named Nonesuch because it was some form of an architectural folly or for other reasons?

My Nonesuch reference is a bit more obscure. I could not possibly give a hint without simply revealing its source. It is not well known other than perhaps to aficionados of the space in which it appears. I initially adopted it for use at a "rival" message board to try to smooth over some bad blood through diplomacy.

[Lush]

Oh, I know, I know! It's a reference to a Pomeranian breeder in Slovenia!

(just kidding - it's just that the almighty Google has given me that suggestion, and it's always a bit hard to argue with Google)

Couldn't be a reference to an obscure & humourous sci fi book, now, could it?

[Ulumuri]

(Why not? No one seems bored anymore.)

Morth, the fact that Americans commonly use the phrase doesn't make it sound any less ridiculous. It may, however, feed negative stereotypes of Americans.
Perhaps this has something to do with the tone usually used to say it, though; one without even a hint of sarcasm, implying the speaker simply doesn't realize what s/he is saying.

Warning: rambling follows. Read at your own risk

I suppose I could relate this to the original topic, then (and avoid skwerlz) by suggesting that, all else being equal, text on a screen will take on the tone of voice the reader is most used to hearing, or perhaps the one s/he expects to hear based on a chain of personal associations with irrelevant trivia arbitrarily linked with the person in question, and the resultant "personality" perceived by the reader bears only a distant relation to the person, persons, or monkeys behind the keyboard (or keyboards, or even voice/face).
Therefore, the "knowledge" that Morthoron is an English major, the observation that someone using Morthoron's account previously posed some delightfully well-phrased and pun-filled contributions, and the unexamined assumption that "I could care less" is always spoken in a certain tone, might lead a poor newbie to the erroneous assumption that Morthoron is somehow not himself, slipping, or has some reason behind his phrasing which must be - teased - out.
Of course, all this is silly, and it is much more logical to assume he illustrates his lack of concern by using a deliberately sloppy phrase to express it.

[/rambling]

Mith, it wouldn't have any connection with Nonesuch Theatre, would it?

[Thinlómien]

Mithadan, with all respect, I don't quite get your point. Anonymity is different from lying - I think it is ok (or even wise!) not to tell everything of yourself on the internet (or in RL, for that matter!), but I don't think it's ok to lie. I just can't see why it would be more acceptable to lie to your online friends than to your RL friends.

Actually, I think this may even be a generation question. Interesting... am I just imagining or is it mostly younger posts who think of the internet as a sort of extension of normal life and thus applying more or less the same rules here and the older people who are seeing the internet as a "different universum"? Perhaps that explains something...

[Mithadan]

As I said above:

I don't blame Boromir for being careful. I don't blame anyone he (or she) may have communicated with beyond this public forum to be a bit annoyed that he is not what or who he said he was... Boro, apologize privately to whoever you have to apologize to. Everyone, foregive Boro or not...

Thinlómien, Boromir has something to apologize for. The apology is owed to those he communicated with via PM or e-mail or however, and these people have the right to be angry with him for misrepresenting himself.

But we, meaning the admins, have always taken the view that what happens between members away from these boards is the private business of the members. We warn people to be careful, etc. as Esty mentions and as is contained in our rules. But we can't control what people do and simply can't police everything. We had to draw a line to establish what we control, act upon and punish. Years ago, when we began receiving the first complaints about behavior on PMs and e-mails between members we considered turning off the PM function and chose not to. Each member can choose to receive or not receive PMs (or list AIM or e-mail info publicly on your profile). The consequence is that if you chose to receive PMs, etc., you yourselves have to deal with all related issues.

Messageboards are as anonymous as people want them to be. We have no per se rule against a 15 year old acting as a 40 year old as his on line persona or vice verse (except to the extent that the purpose of such a persona is predation). We do have a rule (written or otherwise) of one person, one account, which Boromir violated. He says he's sorry, he's forgiven so long as he uses only one going forward.

Boromir could have simply let the Kent persona quietly fade away without fanfare and privately addressed his issues with all the persons he was communicating with. This thread was not necessary. He chose to do his confession publicly. Fine. He did it and it's up to everyone else to forgive him or not. That's why I say this thread is getting tedious. There's nothing left to accomplish other than any recriminations or anger or "I forgive yous" and these should be done privately.

I was tempted to close this thread a long time ago and chose not to. I will not do so now, but can we wrap it up and get on to bigger and better things?

[Morthoron]

Morth, the fact that Americans commonly use the phrase doesn't make it sound any less ridiculous. It may, however, feed negative stereotypes of Americans.

What, like the Brits don't have colloquialisms that make little or no sense, but are nonetheless institutionalized in common speech? Please, spare me the grammatical indignance, nor the mention of negative stereotypes. If you wish to maintain your newfound standing as arbiter of English Usage and Syntax, I suggest you refrain from the use of such internet inanities as 'skwelrz' and 'newbie', as it undermines the very premise of your lofty pretension.

[Ulumuri]

Morthoron -
I never claimed any such position; in the beginning I merely intended to engage in some lighthearted teasing. I thought I made it clear in my last reply that I respected you as an intelligent poster. There's no need to get so defensive.

[Morthoron]

Morthoron -
I never claimed any such position; in the beginning I merely intended to engage in some lighthearted teasing. I thought I made it clear in my last reply that I respected you as an intelligent poster. There's no need to get so defensive.

The tone of your last post was insulting, and I take exception to it. For instance:

It may, however, feed negative stereotypes of Americans.

Would you prefer I drop my 'aitches and eat bangers and mash? I don't presume to correct other folks' grammar here, as the majority of posters have valid points, and the dialogue is excellent even with a large proportion of members using English as a second language.

In addition, you wrote:

the observation that someone using Morthoron's account previously posed some delightfully well-phrased and pun-filled contributions.

This indicates what precisely? That I require a ghost-writer to maintain a dialogue posting on an internet forum? Sorry, as you say, one is not always aware of the intent of the monkey pecking on the keyboard. This is just such a case.

[Boromir88]

By all means close it down Mith, sorry if it caused a problem, or if you felt it unecessary. Even though I hadn't shared PMs or IMs with everyone I just felt since I interacted with 100s of members over the years here, it was best to just let the entire place know.

I always knew I would have to work out individual situations privately, with those I have had more extensive conversations with, but felt it necessary to let the whole place know in the forgiveness process. I mean I spent over 5 years and 4,000 posts here, and straight out pushing a fake image a lot, even if Lush always thought I was closer to her age. :p

I do thank you for leaving it open, but I did what I felt I needed to and there's no other reason to keep it open. :)

[Thinlómien]

Well of course you're right, Mithadan. However, I still think lying even in public conversations regarding private life is lying... but no need to argue about that here. :)

And personally, I don't think there's anything bad with this thread. I think it's good that Boro had the chance to correct the wrong image he wanted to correct this easily - surely it would have been quite a work to PM everyone he might have mislead during all these years. I see the case with the "I forgive you"s the same way: I believe that if all people who had dealings with Boro PMed him just to say it's ok, his inbox would get flooded for weeks.

Of course it's best if the people who know Boro the best have talked with him via PMs and not expressed their feelings about the issue at lengths here, but I believe/imagine that has happened already.

I think this thread is good, but I agree there has been maybe unnecessairly much elaboration of the issue here (and off-topic posting!). I have a feeling I could say a dozen more things, but I'll PM you instead...


edit: xed (and apparently agreed :D) with Boro himself

[Mithadan]

Your wish is my command. Thread closed. Good luck Boromir!