601 lines
38 KiB
Plaintext
601 lines
38 KiB
Plaintext
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1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask...
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2 ************************* INSTALLED: 2 DEC 84 **********************
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3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System) Mike Day System operator
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4 ************************************************************
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5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION
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6 PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM.
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7 BWMS was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS is a privately owned
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8 and operated system which is currently open for use by the general public.
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9 No restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the system is
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10 privately owned, I retain the right to remove any and all messages which
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11 I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the system, it will be
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12 periodically purged of messages. (only 629 lines of data can be saved)
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13 To leave a message, type 'ENTER' and use ctrl/C or break to get out of the
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14 ENTER mode. The message is automatically stored. If after entering the
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15 message you find you made a mistake, use the replace command to replace
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16 the line. To exit from the system, type 'OFF' then hang up.
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17 Type 'HELP' to see other commands that are available on the system.
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18 ************************************************************
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19
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20 **************************************************************************
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21 Enough is enough! You don't like the way I run this system? Fine! Go
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22 find another one, because as of the 31st I am pulling the plug.
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23 I am tired of wasting $30 a month and as many hours of my time just to
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24 put up with this. There are many users who know and understand the rules
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25 of the Inn, and they have helped to maintain them. To them I say thank you.
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26 But I am feed up with continually having to clean and repair things,
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27 and to be lambasted about it is just too much. This is a message system,
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28 not a bathroom wall to scrible lewd remarks on.
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29 I hope you're happy.
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30 ************************** CISTOP MIKEY ***********************************
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31 {c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}
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32 I'm sorry I'm one of the newer users of this board. Maybe I didn't
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33 read the intoduction all the way through. I'm sorry. I should have
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34 done something different but I'm not sure what I could have done. I
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35 heard that the Inn had been around for a long time, gone through something
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36 called a 'juvie hunt' or something really bad. Can't it live through
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37 something like this? I hope so. Well, I have been thinking about a story
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38 but I'm not sure if it is good enough to enter in. I am not a writter,
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39 I just like talk to people. I better get running. Oh, am I at the Top?
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40 Feels like the bottom.
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41 {c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{Tammy}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}{c}
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42 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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43 From Prometheus; Ill Prepared
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44 Ah, are you serious about closing BackWater down before New Years? I am,
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45 ah, er, truly sorry for what I seem to have done, please accept my apology?
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46 I do not know who Limercist was, but I sorrowfully admit to being Odds &
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47 Ends. I am sorry, and I apologize with the most sincerity I have felt in...
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48 I am not sure how long.
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49 Please don't forsake BackWater, whatever has been said in criticism of
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50 BackWater was only in hopes of making the system perfection.
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51 None of it was meant as shaming you or your system, I'm sure. And for my
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52 small part, I must say that I have never maligned the system in Word or in
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53 Deed. Please, I'm sorry...
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54
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55 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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56 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?/
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57 Ahem, uh, uh ( Picture this realy dumb look on my face.) Imagin my suprise
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58 when Mr. Hawthorne told me to go read BackWater. And what I found.
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59 A world of non-creative BBS systems awaits the user of BW when this system
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60 falls. I know that I have stopped using most of the other boards around,
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61 they are pale by comparison. BackWater is a board that has genuine deep
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62 human interaction. One of the very few around. This system caused me to
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63 meet my current employer, and a good deal of my friends. Mikey has made
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64 his decision, and I respect that. I just can't help thinking of the loss of
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65 this forum, something that has helped me grow and mature. Snif.
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66 ????? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?/MiG/? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? > ? ? ?/
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67 [=---------------------------------------------------------------=]
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68 Double snif. I haven't been around for a long while and reading
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69 the beginning of this disk was a large blow. It's true, all the
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70 other boards are very dull next to this one. I didn't believe it
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71 until I read it. What will all the original people of the do, where
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72 will they go? Well, I better get running along. Se ya, Maybe I
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73 could call back before the 31st. Bye.
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74 [=---------------------------------------Red-Fox-----------------=]
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75 &'&'&'&'&'&'&4'&'&'&4'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&4'&4'&4'&'&4'&'&'&4'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&4'&4'4&4'&'&'&4'&4'4&4'4&'&4'&4'&'&'&4'4&4'&'&4'
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76 All I can say, this all to bleary night, is that words fail me. Nary a sentence or word comes to mind that would exhibit the
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77 fear that i now have for the First Day in 1985.
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78 &'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'&'
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79 MIKE: YOU MUST DO WHAT YOU FEEL YOU MUST, BUT BELIEVE ME, FOR
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80 EVERY CRETIN OUT THERE WHO HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT SOME INSIGNIF-
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81 ICANT PROBLEM, THERE ARE TEN WHO ARE IN FULL SUPPORT OF YOU AND
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82 YOUR EFFORTS TO RUN THIS FINE SYSTEM. I AM ASHAMED FOR THE
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83 COMPUTER WORLD IN GENERAL TO HAVE SUCH LOW-LIFES AS TO MAKE FUN
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84 OF YOUR SYSTEM AND YOUR OPERATITON OF THE SYSTEM. WHAT EVER
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85 HAPPENS, YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE SUPPORTERS, AND HOPEFULLY WHAT
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86 YOU CONSIDER FRIENDS. THE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN GREAT, AND
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87 IF THE SYSTEM GOES DOWN, WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE OUR MEMORIES OF
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88 GOOD TIMES ON BACKWATER. FOR NOW, JUST CALL ME
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89 A LOYAL SUPPORTER
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90 ................................................................................
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91 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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92 or to put it more coherently...
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93 I feel like a doctor just told me that I've got four weeks to live...
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94
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95 (uhhhh, Mikey? I don't want to seem like a vulture or anything, but if you
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96 ARE serious about shutting down the system, would you consider {gasp, shudder}
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97 SELLING it?) (yes, I know, my presumption is exceeded only by my stupidity..)
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98
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99
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100 Well, it's been fun folks..
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101 _________________________________Leonard________________________________________
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102 We all hate to say goodbye.
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103 ........................................even us........BAD..........
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104 sadness...
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105
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106 Well,Mike, what is tehe price?????
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107 ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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108 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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109 I keep the computer on re-dial, not suspecting the terrible news that waits to spring itself upon me. Then, it
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110 beeps, informing me that I am on. I go to drive b, read what is there, and then switch drives. A load of bricks falls
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111 upon me from the top of drive a.
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112 I do not have to repeat that Backwater is an unusual system, the best I have ever seen. I do not have to say that I
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113 respect everyone here and hope that they call me 'friend'. I don't have to say that I enjoy everything that is entered
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114 here, no matter what the source. I do have to say that I will miss BW, and that I will miss the gems of literature
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115 found here. The 31st... it seems so near now. Where will I go?
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116 Farewell, my friends,
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117 A sad Milchar.
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118 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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119 NO! NO! Say it ain't so!!!!!! For all of us who have just discovered the
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120 Inn, and who have been stimulated and intrigued by the writing here, I beg you
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121 to reconsider, Cistop Mikey. Can there not be some lesser step than "pulling
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122 the plug"? While part of the charm of BWMS was its accessibility to one and all
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123 maybe the validation approach used by many other systems could be added...or
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124 even (ughhh)the system used by the late Rome BBS--two users must vouch for a new
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125 user before he/she can be allowed to use the board. Please, please, please,
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126 please reconsider...but if you still find the BWMS too demanding, well, perhaps
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127 it was too good to live. Deep appreciation for a job well done,
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128 JSD
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129 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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130
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131 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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132
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133 Well, ONE LESS BBS FOR PORTLAND! too bad
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134 this system was great! It has a good user community, and a great atmousphere.
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135 (spelling?) but, I hope you dudes (users) can find another bbs to use.... (that is unless Cistop Mikey changes his
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136 mind)
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137
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138 Bye----- F. Youth -----
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139
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140 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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141 Someone tell me it isn't so! I can't
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142 belive the only real bbs in portlannd
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143 is going down! Tell me I'm dreaming it. If I'm not then
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144 I'll be sorry to see it go. Were
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145 (THAT MESSAGE SEEMS TO HAVE LOST CONNECTION FOR THE TIME BEING...)
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146 (I FEEL AS IF I WAS ONLY A CHILD AND AM NOW SEEING THE FUNERAL OF MY MOTHER,)
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147 (SISTER, EVERYONE ELSE I DO NOW, OR EVER HAVE CARED ABOUT...)
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148 (I FEEL REAL PAIN, NOT SIMPLY WONDERING WHERE ELSE I'LL GO, BUT PAIN, STABBING
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149 (UNDER A RIB...)
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150 (I AM SORRY FOR WHAT WE HAVE DONE, WHATEVER THAT IS, TO CONVINCE YOU TO TAKE
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151 (BACKWATER AWAY FROM US ALL...)
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152
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153 (NOW, TO LET THE AX FALL ONTO THE HEADS OF EVERYONE ELSE ELSE, WHO DOES NOT KNOW...)
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154
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155 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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156 Tammy: I haven't been at The INN much longer than you have, but what you've
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157 said at the bottom of your 'letter' is what we all hear from almost all of the
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158 newcomers. The truth is that I leave alot more messages than chapters of the
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159 story I have. I'm not a writer either, and I'll wager that alot of the others
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160 weren't either until they stumbled across a telephone number to something
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161 called 'The BackWater...' Understandably, this place fills one with excitement
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162 and turns them towards the direction of creative writing- IT DID IT TO ME!
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163 So for those who haven't told you yet, I'll tell you: DO IT! POST YOUR STORY
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164 AT THE INN! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR INHIBITIONS!
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165 Speaking of inhibitions, maybe we should give one to Mr. Day...
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166 O.K., you're up next...
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167 *CISTOP*: STOP! Don't do it! Call suicide prevention... ANYTHING but
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168 pulling the plug! I'm not too outward, but half the (future) friends I have
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169 are at The INN. This place isn't different, it's ORIGINAL and we all love
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170 you for what you've given us. This is the ONLY place with ANY atmosphere at
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171 all. I've only been to The INN for about three weeks, and yet I see new
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172 pen-names tagged on to letters of praise almost every other day; praise-
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173 doesn't that tell you something? You've got a good... (scratch that) GREAT
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174 thing going here. Isn't there an alternative to locking the door to the
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175 Think Tank? Yes, and it is this: TRY to let the insults of the uneducated
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176 malcontents flow right on by, and concentrate only on the items with any
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177 real input or insight.
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178 I could go on for eons, but I won't. (thank god) Only two words stand clear.
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179 Don't... Please!
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180 one of The New Creators-
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181 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->Sondargaard
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182
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183 /'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\
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184 RIGHT NOW I'M ONLY A READER, BUT WHY SHOULD I START WRITING
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185 IF THERE WILL NOT BE A PLACE FOR ME TO PUT MY STORY
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186 WHEN I GET IT ALL TOGETHER. THIS REALLY BUMS ME OUT!
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187 I AGREE, DON'T QUIT! THE SCOTS 'RED LION'
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188 /'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\./'\
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189
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190
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191 MYy friends you know agllong time ago in a galaxy far,far away there was once sua BBSsuch as this. Unfortunately, it
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192 too was shut down, because too many CLUTSES abused the system. The Exalted Ruler became weary of cleaning up after FOOL
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193 S!!!!! And NOW we have to drive 55!!
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194 I aogree, DON'T QUIT.....................
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195
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196 Replace
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197
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198
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199 |\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
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200 OH PLEASE!!!
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201
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202 It is true, I have only been a reader
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203 the 'BACKWATER' so far, but I was real-
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204 ly starting to get into it. It's a
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205 shame to see you pull the pin........
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206 Please reconsider....................
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207 It will be a grave mistake...........
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208 DON'T DO IT..........................
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209 I'd rather see you get MARRIED.......
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210
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211 Your Friend,
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212 The SINGLEHANDER>.
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213 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Replace
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214
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215 My friends, along time ago I could'nt see my mistaakes so I I entered them but, along time ago in a galaxy far, far,
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216
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217 away I discovered them, and reco~ngnized them.Recently I've disvcovered another mistake (one of my earlier messeages)
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218 . And probably this one also.
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219 And I still ca~n't drive 55,55,55,55,55,55,55,55,55,55,55,55,55,55,54,,55,55,555,55,55,55,55,5555,555,55,5,,,,,,,,66,,,,
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220 But who really cares? .......>..>...............
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221 Dear sirs I would Kindly like to shut
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222 off please.........
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223
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224
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225 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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226 Oh no! I have to leave town for a least two weeks tomorrow, and now I find that
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227 the Inn may not be here when I return! D--n it! Perhaps user donations would
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228 take some of the agravation out of running this system? I know I would
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229 contribute, and I generally just read, not write. Is there anyone out there who
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230 is saving BW files in Atari (gasp!--yes,Atari) format? Would like to see you
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231 when I return. Will be on again tomorrow, before the plane leaves.
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232
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233 Brian Duffy
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234 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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235
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236 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
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237 It was a chill autumn wind that lashed round the inn, bending the bare
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238 branches of the rowan tree at the front door, driving sheets of rain nearly
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239 horizontal across the path. The piper was bent against the driving rain,
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240 soaked through, his kilt flapping wetly against his legs, his plaid giveing
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241 very little protection from the wet. Numbly shouldering past the lashing
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242 branches of the rowan tree, he paused at the scarred oaken door. Holding the
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243 latch tightly, he pressed the door open and entered in a gust of rain, wind,
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244 and bluster. Immedeately inside, he placed a shoulder to the door to keep the
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245 cold outside, and closed the latch. Turning to the bar , he became aware of a
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246 most uncharacteristic quiet. An atmosphere of mourning pervaded the fire-lit
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247 room. After warming himself at the fire and with an ale, the piper in a
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248 quiet conversation, discovered that the innkeeper was thinking of retiring
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249 and closing the inn. Standing at the bar for a time, the piper became aware
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250 of the signs of fatigue. He realized that he and the other patrons could come
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251 and go as they chose, but the innkeeper was always tied to his post. The
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252 gossamer webs of obligations undertaken thicken, in time, to heavy chains of
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253 bondage to others' will. Leaning over the counter, he spoke softly.
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254 "My friend, you must do what you feel is right for yourself. You have given
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255 of yourself in full measure. If the fun goes away, if the magic loses it's
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256 allure, then you may be right to depart. We will miss you, should you go.
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257 Should this be simply a minor irritation, please do not over-react. You have
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258 a tremendiously supportive group here -- but again, you must do what is right
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259 for yourself. None of us *really* understand the effort it takes to maintain
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260 the inn -- but, it cannot be much less taxing than raising animals. My largest
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261 caution is, perhaps this system has gotten to be too much a part of you --
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262 you might just want to take a vacation -- see if two weeks without the inn
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263 makes it better or worse.
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264 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
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265 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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266 Hello all. I, too, was hurt by the
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267 knowledge that The Inn would be taken
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268 away from us. I mostly read, but I never
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269 have a dull moment here. After A lot of homework dealing mostly with chemistry, trig, or whatever, I find it most
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270 relaxing to come here to escape.
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271 ---------------------------------------------- Crazy Walt ----------------------
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272 { ^+/* ---------------- ^+/* ---------------- */+^ ---------------- */+^ }
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273 One cannot always be sure what is fact and what is fiction around these
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274 parts. Since the messages signed by CISTOP MIKEY have, in the past, been in
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275 the fact category I feel obliged to respond accordingly.
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276
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277 Mike, this is not a plea to ask you to make or change your decisions to
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278 correspond to the desires of myself or the other patrons of the Inn. If you
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279 feel that it's time for a change in your life, only you can decide what new
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280 course to follow. I would like to suggest that anger may not be a sound basis
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281 for making decisions. Having gone through a similar experience I certainly
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282 sympathize with your feelings.
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283 During the years I have frequented the Backwater, (yes, I have been
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284 around since very near the beginning, under various pen names) it has been a
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285 source of great enjoyment, relaxation, and sometimes learning for me. You
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286 have many reasons to be proud of the way you have operated the Inn. Know that
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287 whatever the outcome the Backwater Inn will live on in the minds of myself
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288 and others. Please accept my thanks and an I.O.U. for a debt that I probably
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289 can never repay.
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290 May you find happiness along your chosen path!
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291 { ^+/* --------------- The Mesolithic Mathematician --------------- */+^ }
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292
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293 <<:*********************************************************:>>
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294 Mikey: Those of us who are long time patrons of your marvelous
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295 Inn appreciate what you have done here. I know the McKane
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296 adventure, and the medium that made it possible, helped me
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297 maintain my spirits during a very difficult time.
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298
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299 Those of us who followed the ups and downs of backwater can
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300 certainly appreciate your frustrations. I've often been
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301 amazed that you've had the determination to keep such an
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302 outstanding board going for so long.
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303
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304 Considering the work, expense, and time that Backwater must
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305 involve I can certainly understand how you would have times
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306 when you'd just like to flick it in. I hope you decide to
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307 stick it out. Backwater is something you should really be
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308 proud of. I hope you find it worth your time to continue it.
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309
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310 Grand Dragon Master
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311 Dragon Hunters International
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312
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313 <<:********************************************************:>>
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314 {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{
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315 to cistop mkey: ABUSUS NON TOLLIT USUM. e.t. brutus
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316 }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
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317 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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318 "My God, Salazar, did you hear the news? Mikey wants to shut down
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319 the Inn." Mohammed said.
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320 Salazar shook his head sadly. "Yes, what's the world coming to? If
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321 the Inn disappears, our reality is lost."
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322 "I can't believe it. McKane must be behind this."
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323 "We'll just have to wait and see. Perhaps it's a giant hoax."
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324 "I certainly hope so." Mohammed took another drink of grog. "I even
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325 heard that the Backwater was mentioned in Link-up magazine. We were going
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326 to hit the big time."
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327 "Yes, and Pam hasn't shown up. Maybe she could talk him into keeping
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328 the Inn open. Either she or 'd' could do it, I'm sure."
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329 Our heroes lapsed into a morose silence. The once joyful Inn was fille
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330 d with the moans and whimpers of its miserable patrons.
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331 To be continued (I hope)
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332 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*A dejected Valinor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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333
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334 ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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335 Mikey: (Look of utter terror...) PLEASE!! Don't do it. We love this place.
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336 It's the only place that we can be ourselves...Milchar is off to my side,
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337 crying his eyes out!! See what you've done? Milchar is now just a blubbering
|
||
338 fool now.
|
||
339 ????????????????????????????????????????????????????? The Doctor ??????????????
|
||
340
|
||
341 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
|
||
342
|
||
343 "No, come the end of the year, I'm closing shop. I'm just tired, tired
|
||
344 of the whole thing, sick of cleaning up after fools. I've had it, that's
|
||
345 the end." The Innkeeper sighed. The pressure of his work was obvious from
|
||
346 the strain that caused his normally jovial, booming tenor voice to fade away
|
||
347 toward the end of his sentence.
|
||
348
|
||
349 "Good Innkeeper, certainly it isn't as bad as that!" I respond, and the
|
||
350 gay laugh that accompanies the happy tone of my words belies the heavyness
|
||
351 that weighs down my heart. "I realize that some of our patrons lack a
|
||
352 certain... maturity. And the energy expended in running your establishment
|
||
353 at no monetary gain could be better utilized in more profitable persuits.
|
||
354 But to close the Inn... that would be... I mean.... " I suddenly
|
||
355 find myself at a loss for words to express how I feel. What can I say to my
|
||
356 good friend? How can I console him, lift his spirits, return a smile to his
|
||
357 face? I know that no matter what I say, the ultimate choice is his alone.
|
||
358 So, finally, I whisper, "You know my feelings about the Inn, its patrons,
|
||
359 and its keeper, so you must know that I hope your decision to close shop is
|
||
360 revocable, that you'll stay open for business. But whatever your final
|
||
361 decision may be, you have my support. Totally and without question."
|
||
362
|
||
363 I turn quickly from the bar, and hope that I can maintain some form of
|
||
364 dignity. I feel like weeping, and the tears inside of me are formed from a
|
||
365 sweet combination of sorrow at the passing of this place that has come to be
|
||
366 a second home for me, and of rage that glows like a flame within my breast.
|
||
367 I have always tried to make the peace, to be a voice of reason amidst the
|
||
368 strident discord that has often filled the Inn to the rafters, but today I
|
||
369 cannot bring peace or reason. I feel a need to lash out, to strike at these
|
||
370 barbarous cretins who may have brought an end to this delightful house.
|
||
371
|
||
372 Through the scarlet anger that clouds my vision I suddenly see that an
|
||
373 old friend, one Salazar, has once again come to the Inn. He sits with a man
|
||
374 that I remember as a Mr. Wassir, whom I met once in order to clear up a case
|
||
375 of mistaken identity. It had been rumored that Leroy McKane had attempted
|
||
376 to perform some dastardly deed upon my person (kidnapped, I think it was),
|
||
377 and both he and Salazar had most graciously aided in correcting the error,
|
||
378 though I often wondered who it was that McKane had taken and if she had made
|
||
379 it out safely. I walk toward the table and sit. By the stunned looks on
|
||
380 their faces, I can safely assume that they have also heard the news.
|
||
381
|
||
382 "Good evening, gentlemen," I say as I slump down in the chair that Mr.
|
||
383 Salazar has offered, "I'm sorry that we had to meet again on such an unhappy
|
||
384 occasion." We speak for awhile, small-talk really, with large silences
|
||
385 intersperced throughout the conversation as we search for words that do not
|
||
386 come easily. Finally, after an extremely long silence that none of us has
|
||
387 attempted to break, my anger reaches a peak and overwhelms me. I grab the
|
||
388 glass on the table before me, throw it against the hearth to smash loudly,
|
||
389 and climb onto the table. The Inn has become completely silent at this, and
|
||
390 I see many looks of surprise when the source of the outburst becomes
|
||
391 apparent.
|
||
392
|
||
393 "Ladies and gentlemen," I begin, "I now present to you a sight you've
|
||
394 never beheld before, and from the looks of things may never behold again! I
|
||
395 am filled with such anger, such rage, that I feel that I must speak or I
|
||
396 will die of a stroke! To whomever has brought about this turn of events, I
|
||
397 curse you! You scabrous, pot-marked little vermin, you disgusting foul-
|
||
398 mouthed, snot-nosed brat, may you rot for what you've done. It's Over!!!!"
|
||
399 I yell, then slowly return to my chair. "It's over." I sadly whisper.
|
||
400
|
||
401 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]PAM-[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
|
||
402
|
||
403 <+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
|
||
404
|
||
405
|
||
406 I just wanted to add my shoulder to the wheel of support for
|
||
407 Mikey.Altho a 'new' user I have grown quite attached to the Inn , and
|
||
408 reading all the fine writers who use this board as thier 'meeting of
|
||
409 the minds'(so to speek).
|
||
410 Well,good by to a wonder full system, and to a wonderful system
|
||
411 operator!
|
||
412 ASP
|
||
413 <+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
|
||
414 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
|
||
415 I had to give the following a bit of editing to fit the current frame of things
|
||
416
|
||
417 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Episode II -the next step-
|
||
418 Although uncertain of my path, I thought it would be safe to give my feet
|
||
419 a rest at The INN. Although I only had the few coins I was sent away with, that
|
||
420 would be enough for a stew and cider before I would have to leave.
|
||
421 Being on my own, things took on a new dimension. The color of the trees by
|
||
422 the side of the road seemed more brilliant... but not changed. The air semmed
|
||
423 colder- maybe even a bit sweeter, but not really changed.
|
||
424 As I came closer to The INN it seemed older, and not so strongly
|
||
425 constituted as I had remembered... Prehaps the cold was playing tricks on my
|
||
426 mind, for I had not noticed the dark cloud hanging over The INN, either, as if
|
||
427 by some underhanded bane.
|
||
428 Standing by what was now a barren tree, I had arrived at The INN's door
|
||
429 and could barely read the inscription on it, it said something like
|
||
430 ^` If you are in need of help, you need but ask... '^ As I reached for
|
||
431 the door, my hand faultered. This *was* an inn, and how would the clients of
|
||
432 the establishment respond to the entrance of one so young into thier company?
|
||
433 Oh sure, my elder brother had ventured here alone at times, but he was twice my
|
||
434 age and had a habit of telling tall stories of someone called `the Piper'...
|
||
435 My hesitation was ended by a brisk wind that chilled to the bone and the
|
||
436 sound of Edric's voice within my head. It said, "Choose, Commit, and be
|
||
437 Steadfast!" Before I could ponder on this, I had already pulled the door open
|
||
438 and began to go inside.
|
||
439 Upon my entrance only a few eyes turned my way as a man by the hearth
|
||
440 raised his voice as he stood.
|
||
441 "All rise as we give tribute to our unthanked friends!"
|
||
442 At that, he and all others turned my way.
|
||
443 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
|
||
444 Cistop, keep the faith.
|
||
445 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->Sondargaard 2026 Hrs 3 Dec 84
|
||
446
|
||
447 WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW
|
||
448
|
||
449 It is better to have loved and lost
|
||
450 then never to have loved at all.
|
||
451
|
||
452 Help, I can't remember to whom the
|
||
453 above quote belongs. Do any of you
|
||
454 remember?
|
||
455 WAAAAAAAAAAAA ANNA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAW
|
||
456
|
||
457 **************************************************************
|
||
458 I am quite taken aback by the show of support and concern.
|
||
459 I am sorry for the upset and worry I have caused many of you.
|
||
460 My temper has once more lead to more problems then solutions.
|
||
461 Please forgive my outburst, it was the end result of a long
|
||
462 string of negative occurances in the previous two days. I will
|
||
463 not go into them as they are private, but the end point came
|
||
464 after getting home and having to spend several hours cleaning
|
||
465 up the mess left on a disk. Some of it I really didn't want
|
||
466 to delete, as it was only marginally outside the bounds of
|
||
467 reasonability, but past experience (and indeed it was held out
|
||
468 by the results of the very disk involved) has shown me that it
|
||
469 leads to far worse problems, and to stave off any problems, I
|
||
470 felt it prudent to remove it. This bothered me, but I felt it
|
||
471 was necessary for overall peace. But then a message was left
|
||
472 indicating that it was a dictitorial (non-reasoning) reaction.
|
||
473 This hurt, as it rubbed salt into the wound I had inflicted
|
||
474 on myself. Then came a message that indicated that I didn't
|
||
475 know how to run my own BBS. This was the final straw causing
|
||
476 the dam to break releasing all the pent up anger and frustration
|
||
477 of the past two days.
|
||
478
|
||
479 No, BackWater will NOT go away. I will relent, and continue to
|
||
480 provide for its existance. Fear not, for even if I were to
|
||
481 give up entirly, I am sure a good home can be found for it.
|
||
482
|
||
483 Again, I apologize for the disruption I have caused you
|
||
484 by my unrestrained temper. And now, back to work. sigh...
|
||
485 ********************** CISTOP MIKEY *************************
|
||
486 ::::::::::::::O O:::::::::12/03:::::::::::21:14::::::::::::O O::::::::::
|
||
487 Mikey: As one of many, who has spend uncounted hours of enjoyment due to
|
||
488 your favor, I thank you sincerely for your decision to remain a while longer.
|
||
489 But, I've seen evidence that running BackWater is not always as much fun for
|
||
490 you as it is for us. One of these occasions will be the one that breaks the
|
||
491 camels back, as they say. As I enjoy your board too much to willingly face
|
||
492 this possiblility, I wonder:
|
||
493 Is there anything that we, your loyal patrons, can do to ease your burden?
|
||
494 Financial contributions, or babysitting the BackWater for a day or more
|
||
495 while you get a vacation from it, or..?? I'm sure that you would have no lack of
|
||
496 willing hands. In any case, I hope the responses of so many, all thru this
|
||
497 disk (even the lurkers!) helps to give you some idea of what this board and
|
||
498 your efforts mean to us.
|
||
499 Thank you.
|
||
500 ::::::::::::O O:::::::::::::::::voyeur::::::::::::::::::O O:::::::::::::
|
||
501 )*_!)_@*$)_!@*)_!*@%_)(*^&_)%(&*^@)_*^&@)#_@_#)*%@_#*^*!#)%&)_%&*!*%@_)%*%@)_*^)_*$)_*@)_^*@)_^_)
|
||
502
|
||
503 What's Good for the Goose...
|
||
504
|
||
505 _PART III_
|
||
506
|
||
507 "Do not try anything, mortal. Obey this last command, and you are
|
||
508 free to go."
|
||
509 I nodded, wondering if the genie would understand. Apparently it
|
||
510 did, for it began returning to the bottle. The genie lost all definition,
|
||
511 as it was sucked into the opening of the bottle, that I had placed back
|
||
512 in the sand after cleaning. Just before the genie's form had disappeared
|
||
513 into the bottle completely, my head again was invaded by its voice.
|
||
514 "Remember mortal. Believe what you see, even if its unbelievable.
|
||
515 Don't forget for a moment that I ever existed. Forget me, forget yourself.
|
||
516 Learn from this, be the wiser..."
|
||
517 I corked the bottle, and grabbing it with my right hand, ran to the
|
||
518 ocean edge. One last look at the bottle that now glistened. The sky had
|
||
519 opened up, just a bit. Enough for the sun to make a brief appearance. I
|
||
520 threw the bottle with all my might. It landed behind a wave. The wave passed,
|
||
521 but the bottle was gone.
|
||
522 I walked backed to the spot on the beach, fell to the sand, and
|
||
523 closed my eyes. I don't know how long I slept, but when I awoke, it was
|
||
524 starting to get dark, and the tide was just starting to come in. Was it all a
|
||
525 dream? Yes! That's it. A dream! I decided to take a nap here on the beach.
|
||
526 No one ever comes by here this time of year. It was all a dream! No bottle,
|
||
527 no genie. No wishes. Only dreams...nightmares... I got up, brushed the sand
|
||
528 off, and started off for my car.
|
||
529 "What's that?", I said, spying a white object lying on the ground.
|
||
530 It was a small square of silk, a little dirty, but of very fine quality.
|
||
531
|
||
532 *_)#*^)_#$*^#$
|
||
533 Mike : What can we say, but thanks! Your efforts for the past few years go above and beyond what anyone could reasonably
|
||
534 ask. Backwater has been a gem of precious stone in a gravel pit world. So much of us owe so much to you. You have
|
||
535 given us a place to sit and talk and discuss the universe. The archives serve a good reminder of the wonderful
|
||
536 times we had in the past here at the inn. Thanks to you, there will be a future to plan and partake in now too.
|
||
537 I owe this place so much. I have met so many new people and so many new friends, as well as one of my employers,
|
||
538 and now you have given me a chance to strut my stuff on a Sanyo! Ha! I would certainly like to second voyeur's call,
|
||
539 and if there is anyway we can ever help you out, you need but ask. See you at PCS, maybe some of the BW contingent
|
||
540 can chip in and get you a pizza. To close as L'homme would say, "Merci beaucoup!"
|
||
541 *%_)*%_)@*%@_#)*%@#_)*%_#@%*@#)_%*@#)_*%@#_%*@# L'homme sans Parity *_#)*#@_)*%_)*@#_)*@#_)%*@)_*%@#)_*%_)@*%)_@#*%_)@**%@)
|
||
542
|
||
543 **************************************************************************
|
||
544 I had just gotton to work and logged in to see what was going
|
||
545 on with BW and saw Mikey's opening message. You would not belive the
|
||
546 shiver that started in my shoulders and worked it's way down, leaving
|
||
547 my tiny brain dumb. And then scores of support from backwater patrons
|
||
548 expressing support and hope. PAM- great entry, my thoughts exactly.
|
||
549 Just when I was begginng to lose all hope and think about killing my
|
||
550 charictor (spelling?) off again, we get a stay of exucution. WHEWW!!
|
||
551 This was a truely great disk to read, everyone on good behaviour.
|
||
552 *************************kathy*********************.***********************
|
||
553 Thank you, Thank you Cistop Mikey!!!!!!
|
||
554 I hope you change your mind!!!
|
||
555 *****DEREK*****
|
||
556
|
||
557 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
|
||
558 From Prometheus; Gratefull
|
||
559 CISTOP MIKEY; My deepest and sincerist thanks to you for all the trials and tribulations with which you deal with for BW and
|
||
560 it's users. This is not an easy task to say the least, and yet you still perceviere through hundreds of lines of twit lines.
|
||
561 All I cqn do is give my thanks to you, and offer my assistance or aid in almost any manner to keep Backwater going. I am an
|
||
562 easy person to manipuate, I woud be at least satasfactory in many capacities, the easiest of which is partly funding BW.
|
||
563 While sorting through Twit Lines, please remember that with this system you have acheived a greater goal that every ysop
|
||
564 dreams of for his system.
|
||
565 BW is all of those analogies mentioned before, but more over, it is intelligent, witty, emotional, and compelling. To name
|
||
566 very few of the adjectives one could use...
|
||
567
|
||
568 Assorted messages follow, which is predictable, is it not?
|
||
569
|
||
570 Man in Gray; Kendall is sending me pictures of him wearing tight dresses now, and says he's going to be in Portland for a
|
||
571 week next month, and he'd like to see me. When did you say that Montana technological conference was? Next month? Great!
|
||
572 If I was going to have to deal with them next month, I would try putting him and Retch in a small room for a while.
|
||
573 And by the way, Retch found the panel in the Black Van. You know, the one that isn't mentioned in the design sheets.
|
||
574 I think he might just soon figuire out what all the cables and line splices might be for, and he already knows we do some
|
||
575 maintenance for microwave repeaters on Mount Hood. I thinkk we might have to disconnect him from the vans for a while, no
|
||
576 matter if he does want to take Kendall out one night...
|
||
577 I got the ANTEATER 450 ammo, but the 460 is missing a firing pin. Don't you remember, we took it out when we gave it to him
|
||
578 back in Idaho?
|
||
579 I hocked some of the SKORPION timing gear to pay for it, but the Broker is gonna find out about the ammo tester and that it
|
||
580 doesn't diagnose carburateur difficulties like I said it did.
|
||
581
|
||
582 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::@::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
|
||
583 ;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;
|
||
584 WELL MIKEY, IT'S BEEN FUN AND EDUCATIONAL! SORRY TO SEE I MISSED OUT ON SO
|
||
585
|
||
586 MUCH. TAKE CARE AND GOOD LUCK!! THIS IS F. FIN FADING INTO THE DARK GREEN
|
||
587
|
||
588 PHOSPHER.
|
||
589 ;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;
|
||
590
|
||
591 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
|
||
592 Tarn lifted his head, What was that? it sounded
|
||
593 like a death knoll coming from the valley. What
|
||
594 could it mean? The Inn? NO! He screems. NO! No!
|
||
595 no... he sobs. Please not the Inn, please! No!
|
||
596 *O* Tarn *O*
|
||
597 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
|
||
|
||
TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 597
|