edscissors's blog

I'm an older guy, mildly asthmatic, living alone. I've not been out of my Kentish (UK) village since March and, in fact, rarely even leave my flat. Don't worry: this isn't a moan or a rant and I definitely don't feel any self-pity. Quite the contrary.

From what I hear on the radio, many people in similar situation are almost crawling up the walls with frustration and loneliness. Friends, if that's you, I feel for you.

Me, I really love reading. 147 books so far in 2020. 5 this week. So quiet time alone is not a great problem.

In this post, however, I just wanted to say how wonderful it is to be able to chat here on MF with some really nice people - about all sorts of things, not just wrestling. MF has given me friends of different ages and all over the world. That's SO good, and I love it. I'm particularly gratified when some of our fine younger members are happy to chat with an older guy. (Hello, "Tintin"! Hello, A. ... and various others.) (Even better when I find some of these excellent young people can write good English, punctuate correctly, reply politely. But that's another topic!)

Personally I'm not interested in other social media (facebook, twitter, etc.: life's too short to get involved with all that) but I remain so grateful for MF even when most of us still don't feel confident about arranging actual meetings. This particular BOF (boring old fart) has, perhaps, been kept sane(ish) in lock-down - and certainly generously supported - by fine people in this fine community. Thank you, friends.

Keep safe, everyone.

These last few days a perennial blog-topic has generated a massive response - once again. I've blogged about this too, in the past, but have tried to move on.

I've learned that no-one is OWED a response to MF messages sent out of the blue. It's always polite and, I think, part of the positive ethos of our fine site, to respond as soon as possible, and tactfully, whether positively or negatively, to any approach or invitation. But, if you receive a message from someone who is plainly incompatible (especially if it is a "challenge" or one of those annoying messages which just say "hi!" ) I don't think replying need be your priority. (That's a particular bug-bear of mine!)

Whether or not your interlocutor appears to be online, and/or, to have read your message, let's not worry too much if he doesn't reply within minutes. Obviously, if he didn't respond quickly enough to satisfy our own high standards of "politesse", he definitely won't be the sort of decent, polite person we want to meet.

But, patience being a virtue, how lovely when you DO receive a nice message from someone who'd been absent for a good while. Welcome back after many weeks, A, say I!

Edward

Things are opening up all over the world - hooray! - but personally I don't yet even feel it would be safe to wander too far from my home. Take a bus or a train and book a hotel room to meet a friend for a nice wrestle? No, I don't think so. Not yet and probably not for a good few months.

International air travel? I just don't know. Probably not in 2020, even if "air bridges" are agreed and set up.

But, I continue to feel pretty close to many of my friends here on Meetfighters. Our locked-down chats have been so interesting and wide-ranging. Yes, "Tintin" and others ... I'm talking to you!

MF: to quote a 1970s postcard, "thanks for being"!

Meetfighters and its excellent Admin - by and large, a superb site.

A glance at recent blog entries shows that most people here are serious and responsible. We are bewildered and alarmed about how we can safely pursue a passionate interest under current circumstances ... but we are almost invariably supportive and encouraging of fellow MF members at this difficult, odd time. I think this is typical of our site, of our community. And yes, I've always felt since I joined MF that we are a mutually supportive and commendably tolerant community.

In my first sentence, I said "by and large". A former MF member, now (it seems) no longer a member, vilified us all for not wanting to go and punch him. Another current blog entry addresses (once again! I've blogged about the same topic!) the rudeness of no-response ... blocking ...

But I really believe that most people on our wonderful site are inherently polite and show tolerance, understanding, care, concern, a mature and responsible attitude, even love as we all attempt to work out new, safe ways of living. It is inspiring.