Rick
this is something I've been meaning to do ever since i first read your 'History of KA'.
My memories don't go back as far as most, I don't even remember when i first joined the 'family', I think it was about late April 2000, so quite a while and loads of memories. Talking with John in California and Mike (Grin,, etc) Ed in the newly formed chatroom, for hours on end 2 or 3 times a week. Being able to talk with other AS sufferers, has really been the one thing which has helped me more than any of the drugs or remedies which the Dr's could prescribe. Being able to welcome new members and get to know someone who I knew I would probably never get to meet in real life. And then months later welcome them to my home, amazing. I'm talking about Jeanna (Ge-anna) here, she came for lunch back in August 2004 with Loz, we had always spent a lot of time talking via emails or PM's about so many things. Answering questions put by Cristina in CA, and trying to beat her to the next question with some strange theme. Trying to keep up with Lon and his escapades with beer wagons and uptight drivers, just wondering what on earth will he do next. Running from Cheryl and her weed whacker, I know there's lots of guys who still look over there shoulders, even now.
Being able to offer jokes to lift others spirits, as mine had been lifted, just by reading a silly joke or story. And the lighter colored hair stories who can forget those, I mean who would paint a Porsche not a 'Porch'. Poor Tammy et al, they gave back as good as we gave and still do, I'm glad to say. Starting threads, which took off and ran and ran, 'Where in the World do you live', maybe it's time to resurrect it.
Listening to Steve(c) and how worried he was for Diane while she expecting. It was like we were all a part of it, and as it turned out we were, who will ever forget the Nappy/Diaper drop which Cheryl organised, I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall, whenever another carton was delivered.
And Loz, my best KA friend. We've met up a few times, been out for meals, welcomed each other into our respective homes, and been a part of the biggest internet prank ever seen on KA. And that's how I was born. Before then I was just plain old SIMPO15. Loz and I met up one sunny Sunday afternoon at a nearby country park, which has a large old house, it was an old Abbey back in the 16/17th C and is now a hotel. But the picture of myself and Lady Pamela, my wife stood in front of it and the story Loz put about , my butler and staff made him very welcome and he had a lovely time visiting a 'LORD'. And I was just an ordinary guy, I did not want a fuss made about my lineage, and because Loz had told everything here on KA about me, I became very 'cross and annoyed' with him. Of course it's human nature that some will always be taken in, and they were. Loz and I kept this up for about 5 days, and decided it had gone on long enough. So we owned up to the prank, and almost had to go into hiding. Cheryl's weed wacker was really warmed up. Of course there were some who just saw through it straight away and even looked up my lineage on the internet. So Lord Simpo was born. I've had my up's and downs here, there was a time when I nearly left altogether, because of a certain person, who has since gone, I am just so glad I stayed. I know I don't use the site as much as I did, when I first found it, but it has grow to such an extent that if I read and replied to every single post/thread that is included every day I would go insane. I will admit here, that the reason I do not make so much of an input is that it began to affect my health. I used to read all posts and try and help every one who needed it, it began to tell on me. I relalise I cannot help all, but if on any occasion I make a post or answer a thread and it helps anyone, then that is what this site is all about. Not curing all, but helping one.
Long may it continue.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.............
