Tuesday, 28 July 2009

Pen Pal Hopes

Since I updated my skype account, with a charming new photo of myself and my darling child on a sunlit shore, I have been the interested reciever of messages from people across the globe.
I say interested as I have been thinking it would be nice to have a pen pal in some distant land. The notion was sparked after I read that a friend of mine flew to Albania to meet his pen pal, I thought this was a very good thing to do, have a pen friend somewhere you know little about, become good friends, arrange a visit.
Skype seemed like a good place to start such a friendship. It helps that some skype users are not afraid of making that first contact, breaking the ice by sending a quick message of greetings - beware, some of these messsages are not in the best spirit of friendship, they are sent by spammers and webcam tarts.

However, one of these conversations amused me a bit. The opening gambit popped up on my screen, it was from a Rachid, from Morocco. I was intrigued. I have never been to Morocco, a place quite unlike Sweden or Britain. I wouldn't mind having a pen pal there...
Rachid: This may explain why some people commit suicide while they enjoy the material comfort money can buy. For example, look at Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), formerly a famous pop singer who used to earn sometimes more than $150,000 a night. After he converted to Islam, he found true happiness and peace, which he had not found in material success.
Islam is way of happiness . please try read about it
This opening took me a bit by surprise. Rachid seemed to be some sort of Islamic missionary, out to save my soul from materialistic corruption. He has no need to worry about that, at the moment my limited means prevent me from buying all the pointless delights out there. But, missionary or not, this is not spam, the intentions are good, this is a possible pen pal opportunity. First things first, I had better put forward my opinions on the other wordly, all friendships must begin with honesty...
Chris: I'm not religious.

Rachid: why?
This is a complex thing for me to answer but, in the spirit of instant messaging, I tried to sum it up in one simple sentence...
Chris: life is too short.

Rachid: yes
Inexplicably, Rachid seems to agree with my views on the organised spiritual...
Rachid: that's right.
He confirms his agreement, after giving the matter a few more seconds thought.
I thought I had better put him at ease.
Chris: exactly.
This is my way of saying, 'give the matter no more thought, you are free'.
Rachid: my name is rachid
(handshake)
Chris: my name is Chris
(handshake)
Friendly formalities have now been exchanged, I am a step closer to having a pen pal.
Rachid: nice to meet you Chris

Chris: nice to meet you too
After this the conversation comes to a halt as Rachid goes offline. My hopes of a pen pal have faded as soon as they emerged.

Perhaps Rachid went off to think things over, re. religion. I wish him the best of luck.