PENFRIENDS cyber style!

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

I'm wondering how many of you had penfriends in the past or who may have written to family members or friends?

At one stage I had over 50 penfriends from all over the world and loved reading about their lives, customs and daily happenings.

A lot of these dear friends have moved on now one way or another. I'm still in touch with a guy whom I have been writing to since I was 10 years old, so that has been for just over 40 years!

I also have four dear friends overseas whom I have been writing to for 30 years.

Now we have the internet and the ability to send emails and keep in touch in so many ways I have not even been able to comprehend! Ha. Ha.

A letter used to take 2 weeks to reach Europe and then if the person replied straight away, you would have to wait another two weeks for their letter to be returned! Now we can do it in almost an instant.

Despite all of this modern technology, people are still lonely and feel alone.

I have created this thread so people can make contact with others and hopefully form an online friendship.

While doing so, we may be able to share with each other how to make new friendships in every day life as well face to face.

This is my introduction to this thread, I will start a penfriends cyber style letter and see what happens!

[Doolhof]

Hi, let me introduce myself. I go by the name of Doolhof. I grew up in a small town near the sea and loved the ocean . I found comfort in swimming, sitting on the rocks in storms and building sandcastles as a kid.

Those were the days when we could leave home in the morning with a bottle of water and some lunch and return home in time for dinner. I wandered for miles all over the local farming areas, exploring the old abandoned houses and walking along the creeks.

There are many things I enjoy in life including arts and crafts, photography, walking, meeting new people, music, films, travel and so much more.

I'm going to the library later today to see what movies and CDs they have available. I might pick up a travel book to read and also see what craft books are in at present.

Hope you are having a good day.

Cheerio for now from Mrs. Dools

[Music_Freak]

I used to write to a lot of people too, but it slowly fizzled out and postage costs were becoming outlandish, so finances were an issue as well. I keep in contact with some on Facebook.

With my inability to maintain friendships, penpalling did help, but I did always feel lonely, having no friends close by...seems that will likely never change*sigh*

[Doolhof]

Hi Music_Freak,

Through my penfriends I have a wonderful girlfriend in Europe who calls me her sister. We have such a close bond and share so much with each other. A few years ago I was so very blessed when she and her husband paid for me to go and stay with them! It was amazing.

My Grandma used to write to me as well almost up until the time she died even though she ended up being almost totally blind. The lines of her letter would all run into each other so they were almost impossible to read, but at least she still tried.

You mentioned you have trouble maintaining friendships. Sometimes that can be difficult. I have moved around a bit, so that has not helped with keeping friends long term.

When I move to a different area, I have a look to see what facilities and groups are available. After moving here I joined a couple of groups. I don't have a lot of really close friends here, but I do have people I can say goodaye to and maybe have coffee and a chat with.

Are there groups or volunteer organisations in your area you could join to meet more people? For me, I don't so much look for the perfect friend any more, just for people whom I like, can trust and feel comfortable with.

Would you like to share some of your hobbies and interests with myself and others reading this?

Thanks for re-kindling this thread MF. What kind of music do you like? I don't really have any favourites, I like such a wide variety of different types of music.

Cheerio for now, from Mrs. Dools

[Petra]

Hi Mrs Dools

Great thread idea! I have a friend who moved interstate some years back now. We write to each other, using paper, still to this day. I use different stationery each time. Sometimes it's childlike eg Winnie the Pooh (so cute), or it can be a blank card with a great front pic, or stationery bought from a charity close to my heart. If I'm on a trip somewhere, even if it's an overnight in another State, I'll sometimes write to her on a post card. Sure, I have my friend's email and mobile etc, but we decided to keep in touch this way. It's nice to receive a letter in the post with a stamp.

Pet 😊

[Music_Freak]

I volunteer currently, but it has been sporadic of late because of my health. The people are nice, but they seem like they're friends already, so I feel as though I am an awkward third wheel or something. Being unemployed I can't really afford to do the going out for coffee thing, anyway.

I tend to enjoy things that nobody else does. I write band fan fiction, with my two favourite bands as characters, Sixx:A.M. and Halestorm. I've been doing it for years and have never managed to branch out into using original characters.

I'm not much into TV and movies, although I giggle at animation like the Simpsons and Bob's Burgers. I've always been a fan of real life crime shows, like 48 hours, as well.

[Doolhof]

Hi Pet,

I have a friend I have been writing to since I was 10 and he was 11. Recently he told me that he has kept every single letter I have written to him! that just blew my mind when he told me that. Especially so as he is now married and has moved many times.

Some of my letters were written on sick bags while I was on a ship, on cigarette wrappers, beer coasters, toilet paper, serviettes and multiple different types of writing paper. He said that when he has tme, he is going to scan all of my letters and put them onto a disc for me.

If he does that, it will be an amazing journey back through my life!

I still like to receive letters and cards in this modern world of ours.

Thanks for sharing!

Cheers from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Music Freak,

There is another thread on this site about hobbies and interests. I wonder if you shared your interests there is you might find other people who are interested in similar things as you.

Have you ever thought of sending some of your band fan fiction to your favourite bands? You may be able to get addresses or contact details for them off the internet. They may be very excited to read your stuff.

Being short on money s limiting. I certainly understand that. Some times it helps me to just be creative in trying to make the most of what I do have and find solutions and ways to enjoy myself that are not expensive.

There are also several threads on this site that you might like to read and join in with under the "Social Zone" section.

Thanks for sharing your hobbies and interests with us. What kind of adventures do your bands get up to int he stories that you write?

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Petra]

Wow! That's fabulous! What a nice gift that would be!

Pet 😊

[Doolhof]

Hi Pet,

Over the decades I have shared my deepest, darkest, happiest, most painful, exciting and unforgettable moments with this guy.

My goodness. Reading over my letters again could lead me into therapy! Ha. Ha.

Some things are better off being left in the past.

It would be interesting to see what some of my dreams and aspirations were over the years.

For nearly 30 years I kept diaries I had written in every day. When we moved to this place, I chucked them all in the bin. I chucked out a lot of letters, cards and photos as well.

There are boxes in the shed I have not touched for three years. Maybe some of that stuff can go as well.

I sometimes think it would be lovely to get rid half the stuff we have in our home and make life more simplistic.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools