In fact, Marty, although you say you find my writing boring, it seems that there are others who don't. A few people have read things I've posted here and apparently liked what they read because they offered me opportunities to write for print publications they're associated with. I have over a dozen magazine articles published. Some for pay.

So you see, there are certain advantages to using one's real name. And, of course, to writing things that you're not ashamed of.

Also, I don't at all mind "co-habitating" (don't you mean "cohabiting"?) with the "usual Internet varmints" who frequent Mudcat. With the exception of a few "varmints" (variant of the word "vermin"), I find most Mudcat habitués to be interesting, knowledgeable, informative, and friendly. Not only that, where else could I converse with people all over the world? Amos in San Diego, McGrath in England, Wolfgang in Germany, CarolC in Alabama, DougR in Arizona, Bobert in West Virginia, Foolestroupe in Australia, etc. Even converse a bit with Jean Ritchie and old friend from decades ago, Sandy Paton. Rather than a collection of "varmints," I find Mudcat to be one of the real miracles that modern technology makes possible.

You know, Marty, I think there is a remote possibility that you might actually have something to offer if you ever gave yourself permission. And if it's really true that you're "fed up with the things people say about me" and "I do not mean most of the things I say here so please start being nice to me," then there is a very easy way of bringing that about. If it's really true, that is, and you're not just trying to jerk people around. Wouldn't it be nice if people actually liked you and valued your comments and opinions? All you need to do is stop acting like a pubescent barbarian who has recently discovered his and other people's crotches and start acting like a mature, happy human being that you claim to be "in real life."

It's that simple.

Don Firth