That, of course, is when two freepers meet at an event for the first time. It's a bit reminiscent of the mating dance of certain large birds. There's a simultaneous tilting of heads to read the other freeper's handle, then a step back to scan the internal database for if and when you might have conversed -- there are, after all, quite a few freepers.
But once in a while, more often than you'd think, you see the Click.
I know you.
I know what you care about. I know how you react under pressure, when you're tired, angry, grieving. I've felt your lacerating humor, respected your integrity, fed from your knowledge, weighed your ideas.
I know you far better than the guy in the next office I see every day.
I know who you are.
You were my friend before I ever saw your face.
I agree. But to a veteran (and a proud member of the VFW) like me, I believe the term "comrade" to be even more applicable. Although the term has been hijacked by the left, the original meaning of "comrade" is that of one who shares one's interests or activities, and is socially or politically close. A friend is someone you would ask over for steaks and beer. A comrade is someone who might have seen you bleed during war and who you would trust with your life.
(But, if you think I'm going to start using this term that smacks more of Karl Marx than Thomas Jefferson on this conservative website, you've got another think coming) ;)
strela, re: #108...then, how about "FRiend"?
birds of a feather flock together?????
RW9, perhaps your wakeup call has been explained!
That's my thought in a nutshell.
It was great to be able to meet so many that I had corresponded with or just read their posts.