This was the last
Dick Mac
OMG™
post at BowieNet:

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I thought I would say OMG!™ again.
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There is weather in New York today. Thank goodness! It's a brisk 30F and is not expected to get any warmer than 44F. I love weather! Do you love weather? Do you ever complain about weather? Next time you complain about the weather, remember that your life will probably be worse if there was no weather.
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Autumn in New York is a wonderful thing. What's your favorite season?
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I always say that I am a very lucky man, and that God has been kind to me. I say this, only because I know it to be true. Do you feel lucky or blessed?
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Today is not my birthday. Is it yours? Please send birthday wishes and a new birthday suit to:
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Spiro Agnew - 1918
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Lou Ferrigno - 1951
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Tom Fogerty - 1941
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Chris Jericho - 1970
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Nick Lachey - 1973
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Hedy Lamarr - 1913
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Carl Sagan - 1934
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Sisqo - 1978
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Mary Travers - 1936
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adamas zushi 1966
binkergirl New York 1976
diva zushi 1966
dwallace limerick 1968
eastonb Des Plaines 1968
eugener Kingsford 1980
Humbre Courbevoie 1979
jonnyd west midlands 1975
julienichols Santa Ana Heights 1957
justina Tucson 1959
keno charlottetown 1981
leiarilla Hilversum 1978
marja_kukka Tampere 1982
markXKR Bracknell 1954
mmstacey Brisbane 1961
MsLyndon Los Angeles 1972
pjarvis Loveland 1960
SallyJeanWhite Huntington Beach 1961
shoee CHELTENHAM 1963
slave_girl_leia Spit Junction 1970
steventoo Valdosta 1983
stonesfreak phoenixville 1960
the_gazzer cold spring 1971
Wendy333 Los Angeles 1958
Wendy3333 Los Angeles 1958
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I joined BowieNet a while ago. I don't remember when; but I think it was right after Al Gore invented the internet. I always found the WWW to be a rather creepy place (but, I thought The Mineshaft was a perfectly acceptable place to drink and screw.) The internet is an odd place to spend time. I was rather apprehensive about being here in the beginning. Do you like the internet?
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Tuesday is Veteran's Day. Irrespective of your position on war and peace, please be sure to thank a veteran for risking everything to keep us safe. Some people who are veterans had no choice. Some of them became heroes they never wanted to be. It's OK to say thank you. Are you grateful that people have gone to war to defend freedom? Are you angry when people are sent to war for profiteering, without really protecting our freedom?
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When I learned to cross the street by myself in 1962 (that street being Calumet Street, in Roxbury, Massachusetts), I began to explore the world and started filling my life with as many new things as I could find. I met all the people who were disliked in my neighborhood, the people of color and the elderly and the crippled kids and retarded kids and the crazy ladies; I have always been attracted to those outside the norm. I make friends fast and rarely lose them. I love exploring new things.
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In what year did you cross the street by yourself for the first time?
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Last Tuesday was an election day in the United States. Did you vote?
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I started listening to David Bowie records about ten years after I learned how to cross the street, and I noticed Tony Visconti's name on the record. I had read his name on T.Rex's "Electric Warrior" (which I guess was my first glam record). I saw my first Bowie show at The Music Hall, in Boston, in 1974. Given my lifestyle then and the cultural times, David Bowie stood out as the most important presence in the music scene. I haven't missed a tour since. He has remained one of the most vital entertainers of his generation. That's a big deal!
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I saw T.Rex at the Orpheum in Boston; but I think it was called the Aquarius Theater at that time. Did you ever see T.Rex?
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I joined the RCA David Bowie Fan Club in the 70s and still have one of the t-shirts they sent out! Maybe you saw me wearing it at the Brooklyn show of the Marathon Tour. What's your oldest David Bowie t-shirt?
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I've seen David Bowie perform in many cities and the only time I was irritated was when I had to suffer through a Nine Inch Nails performance to see his show. (But sailor made up for that by singing "Teenage Wildlife"!) Did you see the Outside Tour?
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I cried when Gail Ann Dorsey sang "Under Pressure" the first time. I saw it at Avalon Ballroom. I don't know why I was crying. I think she might have the magic voice of a nightingale or a fairy princess. She moves me when I listen. Have you seen Gail Ann perform without David Bowie?
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When I joined BowieNet, I was living in New York and Boston and had a full, rich life. I was planning a wedding and a move and a career change. There was no time to be bothered with an internet community. I just wanted to know when the Bowie records were coming out, and the concerts scheduled. Why did you join BowieNet?
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I used alt.fan.david-bowie and always loved reading the gossip and the stories. I was a member at Teenage Wildlife, and Evan gave me a ticket to The Kit Kat show when an LA contest winner couldn't make the flight. I met Demerson that night. Were you at the Kit Kat show?
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But, I still didn't know who "sailor" was, didn't know a blammo from a leeza from a rexer or an irmavep. I didn't know there were right- . . . er, wrong-wing Bowie fans, or Bowie fans who hated homosexuals. How do you think conservatives balance their admiration for David Bowie with their so-called morality?
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I'll bet there is at least one new BowieNetter today! Are you one of them? Please welcome:
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winner
hands
cdolde
Mattis73
metarem
db1964
honeybunny
Kristin.Soerensen
nmirkovic
danilo
koos
jacob_thursten
PERENCIN
greconp
michiko6298
nicholas_greco
Manni2
lifebook
wulli
Paoladdinsane
deedee
palison
imagemaker
nv2
mattdayman
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I got Roseland 2000 tix because I was a BowieNetter. Mrs. Mac got scheduled for surgery a few weeks before, and I freaked-out when I realized it was a GA/standing show! There was no way she could stand in a crowd at a rock concert so soon after surgery. Imagine my surprise when someone named Laurie Cameron, at BowieNet, put me in touch with someone who would arrange special seating for her! It was quite lovely. Did you attend Roseland 2000?
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Shortly after that Roseland show, our careers took us to London and I was back and forth between our apartment in New York and a flat there. My life was chaotic. We had a blast exploring London and flying around Europe; but, I longed for some stability and some friends. Have you ever had fun and still felt lonely?
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One night while reading the News at BowieNet (I don't think there were message boards yet) and feeling rather lonely for my friends in the USA, I noticed the chat room and tried it. It was awkward; I really didn't know how to chat. I met some drunk people and talked about nothing in particular. Were you in chat that night?
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Shortly thereafter, "Darkness and Disgrace" opened in Islington. Mrs. Mac and I made reservations and attended. We arrived early and made small talk with the manager who joined us for a drink (I think she was a bit surprised thatt here were Americans in her pub to see this show). She would get up and sell tickets, and one time she escorted a couple into the theatre and shut the doors again. "They're from BowieNet," she whispered conspiratorially. My interest was piqued. Did you ever see "Darkness and Disgrace"?
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We watched the first act, and before sitting for the second act I went up to introduce myself to the BowieNet people. They were Blammo and Susans, not exactly a couple, but certainly a couple of somethings-or-another. After the show, Mrs. Mac and I spent the evening talking with these two and my life was inexplicably changed! Have you ever come up to me and introduced yourself?
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Did you know that Blammo made the first ever OMG post in 2002? It was mostly about beverages and hotels. He's a doll that one, a lovely, lovely man. He and I support the same football team! Do you have a favorite team in the English Premier League?
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The next time "D&D" played London I had no plans to attend, but Blammo encouraged me to come and he promised that I would not be disappointed. That night I was introduced to breakingglass, leeza, spaceface, rednik, and electricblue, and a Heddon Street Phonebox photo was taken. Somehow I have misplaced my copy, so I can't post it. I know it was in News, but I can't find that, either. Do you have a copy of the lot of us squeezed into the Heddon Street phonebox? Do you have a picture of yourself in the Heddon Street phonebox?
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On a trip from London to Boston, I met irmavep at a Red Chord show in Somerville, Massachusetts. I think I frightened her; but today she is my friend and we laugh together a lot! Have you met irmavep?
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The floodgates were opened when I met rexer and his ex-wife, my adopted daughter, handkerchief (nee piccadilly) in London. I am still trying to keep them apart. All the restraining orders and court hearings and lawyers' fees. Oy! They are both lovely, but it's hard when they are both in New York at the same time and both accept invitations for some champagne and shrimp and chocolate. They fight and at least one piece of china or crystal is broken every time! Did you know that they are both artists? I have pieces by each of them hanging in my home. You see, I am a very lucky man, and God has been very good to me. Do you invite BowieNetters into your home?
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Upon my return to the States, my long-lost sister, kelmar666, returned to my life. She looks just like our mother. It's uncanny. She and Mr. Mar and Mrs. Mac and I have done some fun stuff together. You can choose to have fun with relatives! If you haven't met her, just look in Open Forum for Gay Of The Day and tell her dickmac sent you. Do you *heart* kelmar666?
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Moving back to New York made it difficult to follow my new passion: footy! I am one of those dreaded Arsenal supporters. My first-ever soccer match was Arsenal v Manchester City at Highbury. (LizSK2 will confirm that I have a soft-spot for City!) It took many months back in NYC to get all my footy access sorted: web sites, subscriptions, magazines, fanzines, pay-per-view. I was so happy there are footy fans on BowieNet, even the ManUre supporters. Please don't tell keiths that I actually like Chelski. (I am concerned, however, that their new billionaire will get boerd with his new toy if he gets his way and makes the Vancouver Canucks the first Russian hockey team in the NHL.) Do you follow any sport or support any particular team?
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Princessramsey and enemyofsilence and mask and themandy and pattibowie and nnmaddox and withnail and kingtommy and mossgarden and cavebat and sandyscandy and subqt and floidoip and all the marks and tourists and ursi and desert and sebdag and chamomile and lruiz and patsdragon and patricks and gayle and nikki and tess and caroline and daniel and all the 'nutters continued to arrive in my life, and my life is better for it. (I hope I will be forgiven any omissions; I really do remember all of you; but it's early.) Even those of you with whom I never hit it off, and those with whom there was open hostility, have made lifelong impressions on me.
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Before I decided to leave BowieNet I thought I might be doing myself a disservice by taking myself too seriously, sort of cutting off my nose to spite my face. I've thought and prayed and meditated and sought counsel and I am learning to walk the fine line between "being true to myself" and "taking myself too seriously." So far, it has been the greatest spiritual challenge of this millennium. Do you know how to walk that fine line between being true to yourself and taking yourself too seriously?
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I know so many of you that it is overwhelming to consider. During 2002/2003 I met scores of people from all over North America and Europe. I can't believe how many Bowie fans are in my address book and have stayed in my home and toured New York with me. Do you enjoy time with BowieNetters away from BowieNet events?
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BowieNetter zimmie wrote: "I am not a big person and i am no saint myself and do many stupid things." I beleive this about myself.
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Good-bye (gud-'bI). Noun.
: alteration of God be with you (circa 1580)
: a concluding remark or gesture at parting -- often used interjectionally
: a taking of leave
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Dick Mac says: "I had a friend who refused to use today's Word Of The Day. She said it was not appropriate in most situations. I think she was on to something."
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You have opened your home to me, given me gifts, laughed at my jokes, chastised me when I was bad, taken pictures with me, taught me new tricks, sent me bootlegs, introduced me to new music, defended me when under siege. OMG!™ The snow globes! You gave me a snow globe collection and I cry sometimes when I look at it. I have traveled with you and shopped with you and argued with you and broken bread with you and flirted with you. You have sent me flowers and praised my wife and wished me well. You are the most amazing community. Never have I encountered such a collection of people with whom I enjoy spending time. Most of you have touched my life, for better or worse, in some way large or small.
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OMG!™ Thank you.
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"No one else I'd rather be! Nobody down here can do it for me."