Steve, I applaud your desire to move forward but by introducing yourself as a new arrival you have started one-down on the credibility scale with me. And by immediately starting two threads asking for free or cheap goods from a community of people among whom you have not yet built personal friendships, you have shown us enough of the "old Steve" that I spotted you right off.

You can't actually shrug off your "older selves," you know. "They" can be redeemed and transformed, it is true; but you bear responsibility for "their" actions nonetheless. Even forgiveness does not relieve one of the temporal consequences of one's actions.

I would lovingly suggest (in the spirit of the friendship that I offered you in the past, until you broke off communcation) that in future you be fully honest with us here at the Mudcat. It's the safest place I've found (in this world) to practice it, and in the long run you will gain much more by that approach.

I renew my welcome to the Mudcat, but be clear that it is a welcome to all you have been, are now, and yet will be.

~Susan