> I don't think you were ever in any danger of getting off on the wrong foot. Thank you for your very kind words. I am proud, and compliments like this make me prouder. I look forward to reading your forthcoming email.

See, this is the kind of thing I'm talking about. Quick, polite, very kind-- I'm feeling kind of weird right now because I've been reading so much of RinkWorks lately that I feel I know Sam very well, but there is absolutely no way he could know me-- besides, of course, from reading my two previous posts on this forum. Reading things on this site always makes me feel kind of warm and fuzzy, and it stimulates me on an intellectual level as well. Of course, I also laugh out loud a little too often (especially when I'm taking a break while working to read the I Think page), but that's all part of the joy that is RinkWorks. Now I'm just rambling with my praise of this place, and I'm not sure if I should even post this-- it's the sort of mushy stuff nobody usually wants to read (at least in my opinion). I just felt that Sam's quick and courteous reply deserved some sort of response from me, because I always respond quickly to my friends, and even though he doesn't know me, I consider Sam to be, somehow, a friend.

My biggest problem with the message so far is that it talks about Sam like he isn't here, and isn't going to read this (when he obviously is), so I'd best assuage my guilt by addressing at least a portion of this directly to him: Sam, thanks again. That's it. I'll save the rest for that email I promised. (Maybe if I'm really lucky, some of it will end up in the Journal.)

One last thing: I would like to apologize to the readers of these boards for my clumsy and rambling diatribes. I have very little experience posting to message boards, and the fact that I chose this one to practice with is mainly a compliment (yet another) to Sam Stoddard.

I'd better eat my lunch now. Thanks for your patience with me.

Don "The Monkeyman" Jackson