So Why the Secrecy?

[Madame Pandora]

Because the smartass in me can't resist

"So It Goes"

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows

So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows

 

[KillerMuffin]

Dashing out the action
Returning the reaction
The weak are ripped and torn away

Devestating power
Smashing all that cower
Battery is here to stay.

Such eloquence. *sigh* I think I should have my head checked again. I mean honestly, Paul Simon has this wonderful song and I listen to this, ah, joy of free style rhyming. Well, it's better than the Coors Light Beer Song that precedes it on the horribly expensive CD I purchased. *ugh*

Whackjobs make the world go round, I guess.

 

[Purple Haze]

My physical safety is not a major concern for me, but then I'm not a hot babe that writes delicious stories either. I had already heard the internet nut-case stories long before I even went online (not long ago) so when I started posting on the BB, I was decidedly very guarded concerning information that would reveal my true identity. I live in a sparcely populated area of the world, and if I were to talk openly about my job and the city I live in, it wouldn't be too hard to put two and two together because there aren't that many other people of my profession here.

The novelty of having a secret identity (like Batman) has worn off, but it does free you up to speak openly on subjects and spew opinions that might threaten your livelihood or embarrass your family. I've shared my private info with a couple of trusted people here, but you won't ever see me posting a pic. Nope.

 

[CreamyLady]

I've received my share of bizarre emails, though my correspondents drift away when they realize that I am not the character they thought I was.

It's just simple prudence.

 

[Mistress]

Damn I have yet to get a nutcase email..then again..they tend to pop on on icq...icky..now I know why I need to stay on invis most of the time.

 

[Iris]

Because...

I wouldn't walk up to a stranger on the street and tell him all my personal info and life story...

I've had a creepy and unsettling experience with the online thing before (partly my fault but still) and enjoy being able to interact with other 'net users and not risk the same thing again...

I want to be able to say what I feel and what I mean without having someone up in my face physically or on the phone for it the next day. I can delete an e-mail...

Those are the reasons I'm secretive.

 

[DarlingBri]

Damn I have yet to get a nutcase email..then again..they tend to pop on on icq...icky..now I know why I need to stay on invis most of the time.

I think the nutcase emails go to the Literotica authors

But ladies, think of it this way: if you can move a psychopath through mists of thorazine, you're writing really well

Perhaps because I'm so rigidly careful about personal security in my real life -- alarms, dogs, handguns, large men, etc. -- I feel less need to guard my online life. And, as I said above, the people most likely to be targeted are the authors, I think.

Also, I'm not going to fire myself; nobody who knows me whould be surprised to find out I post here; nobody who read my posts would be shocked by anything I've said; my Dad is gay and is unlikely to cyber hit on me should he be here

[Edited by DarlingBri on 03-28-2001 at 11:13 AM]

 

[Laurel]

I'm not a very public person, and neither is Manu. I have friends, but I'm not one of those people who tells their friends every little detail of their hopes, dreams, ambitions, visits to the tire store, about the cute guy at Vons, etc. I tell a lot more here because I can - because none of you know who I am.

I have gone the extra step and met a couple of people on the BB - Dixon and Xander, to name names. Those went very well. I'm glad I did. Manu and I are also taking Uncle Bill to lunch next week. However, our goals don't include wining and dining with every single Lit member. It's nothing personal - it's just not who we are. Plus, the lunch tab would be rather large.

 

[Angel]

LOL Mine rhymes with Misty and starts with a C.

Capital-city? Cabalisty? This is a tough one...

My name is










Bob.

 

[Xander]

Bob my ass Angel LOL

 

[Countess DeWinter]

I think the nutcase emails go to the Literotica authors

oh my no! Try posting a picture!! I finally had to take mine down due to the increasingly frequent frightening e-mails. I had my own reasons for posting those sorts of pics of myself, and they did not include some of the things these guys (and girls) have suggested!

I'm now much more secretive. There are even a few people I speak to fairly regularly who don't know my real name.

 

[teresafannin]

There are a few people here who know my real name & where I live. I have been bothered in RL by more nutcases than have ever bothered me on the Net, believe it or not. In RL, I still screen my calls & much of my mail goes to a PO Box, I have gotten some amazingly bizarre stuff since the death of my son. No one in my family knows about this site, it is my little way of escaping from stress. Many people would be shocked by the fact that I visit this site & I wouldn't be able to do some of the volunteer work that I do. I lost a lot of my privacy 18 months ago, now I want to be able to pick & choose whom I confide in. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[Cheyenne]

I would prefer not to risk the chance that someone I know "real life" might recognize me by my picture, combination of job/location etc.

I don't mind posting some information here and there. I'll answer more questions then I probably should. But putting it all together in one place would be too much of a risk.

What he said.

 

[MunchinMark]

However, our goals don't include wining and dining with every single Lit member. It's nothing personal - it's just not who we are. Plus, the lunch tab would be rather large.

Damn! There goes the Literotica AGM.

I'm not that secretive. I don't mind people knowing that I live a kind of double life between Portsmouth and Wigan. And my name is indeed Mark. But none of you know who I am, you can't phone me or pick me out in the street.

The anonymity of this site does allow you to be more open about certain things. I mean think about the stuff that you post here that you don't dare mention face to face with anyone (well, I'm a bad example, the conversations that I have with my friends would disgust practically anyone, often including me).

This isn't really saying anything new, but consider it a corroboration.

 

[Sateema Lunasi]

In a Nutshell

I have gotten a few nutcase emails, most notably one by a man who stated he wanted to rape me. How wierd is that?

S

 

[BrainyBeauty]

Hello DB

You've gotta get up pretty early in the morning (and I do!) to beat Madam Pandora to the punch around here. She so eloquently elaborated on many relevant points -from an author's perspective.

As a mere reader, I have far fewer qualms. To echo some of the previous posters, I am concerned with family, friends and co-workers discovering that I have a *gasp* sexual side!

To the unenlightened, or should I say inhibited, pornography is still a 'sin'. It is 'wrong', immoral, illegal, etc. In this microcosm of Literotica, we see a much more open and liberal population. We all think it is "OK" to be here. We give each other support and share a common interest in all things sexual.

To engage in illicit behavior - even something as innocuous as reading erotica or conversing on a bulletin board - can impact out real lives to a great degree. We risk losing our jobs or our relationships should we be discovered.

Further, some of us conceal our identities for a more practical reason. We are hoping to avoid being added to mailing lists, spam, and unsolicited ads (in regular mail as well) from websites or individuals who track our comings and goings on line through cookies or search engines. It's bad enough these people swap personal information or sell my private info to each other in order to sell me more books and magazines but when I have brown paper packages arriving at home and work with the latest XXX HOT NAKED SEXXY GIRLS INSIDE! then I get a bit miffed!

So aside from personal safety and common sense issues, these seem to be the main reasons for maintaining an arms-length relationship with the rest of our on-screen personas at Lit.

But, Bri darling....if I had the chance to meet and bed Pierce Brosnan in exchange for revealing all about myself, then start the interrogation right now! I'm ready to spill. Hell, I'm ready to sell state secrets and divulge the long-held recipe of 11 herbs and spices used in Kentucky Fried Chicken for him!

Oh and let me add my name to the list of your fan club. Your posts are all-encompassing: smart, funny, thought-provoking and so like mine! LOL

And, if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then:
(((((DarlingBri)))))
hugs *giggle* *snort snort* lmaorotflmao
Wanna see me naked?

BTW<Rhetorical question- just a joke. Don't swing that way t'all! and did I do the hug thing right? I have never hugged anyone online before. Do you use the ( ) or the [ ]?

 

[ericred50]

An interesting post, I have enjoyed reading the threads.
I am what I am, my profile is part true,part fantasy. If I used my real name, I would be getting funny looks, and rude remarks from my family, friends and customers. Some of my customers may be offended, there again, using my real name may open new interesting avenues, and oppurtunities. Like my post mistress at the local Post Office(Mail Depot), smilling back at me, with a knowing look in her eyes. So ok I'm Eric Red. Stop me when you see me, and lets us discuss Erotica.

 

[Coggie]

Damn I have yet to get a nutcase email..then again..they tend to pop on on icq...icky..now I know why I need to stay on invis most of the time.

nobody who read my posts would be shocked by anything I've said;

[Edited by DarlingBri on 03-28-2001 at 11:13 AM]

I was )

 

[alexander tzara]

I'm quite an unsociable person in real life and don't tend to give out my 'phone number/home address to very many people. I'm even more secretive on the net. I have a fake name (well, a few actually) and, although I have pics posted, I've never said which part of Scotland I live and I don't really give out too many other revealing details.

 

[Pyper]

Re: The Best Song Paul Simon ever wrote:

For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her

What a dream I had
Pressed in organdy
Clothed in crinoline
Of smoky burgundy
Softer than the rain

I wandered empty streets down
Past the shop displays
I heard cathedral bells
Tripping down the alleyways
As I walked on

And when you ran to me
Your cheeks flushed with the night
We walked on frosted fields
Of juniper and lamplight
I held your hand

And when I awoke
And felt you warm and near
I kissed your honey hair
With my grateful tears
Oh I love you, girl
Oh I love you

All I have to say is: the above is the worst song EVER!

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

Well, I wouldn't say it's the worst song ever, but it's definitely one of my least favorite Simon songs lyrically. It really shows his youth, having a 19-year-old-reading- Dickenson-and-the-Romantics-in-college-intro-to-poetry-and-inspired-to-write-a-song quality to it.

There's nothing wrong with that, but as it is with most writing like that, it's not really his voice. Organdy? Crinoline? Honey hair? Juniper and lamplight? Come on. Simon was a Jewish kid in '40's New York. In my opinion most of the Simon and Garfunkel stuff is nice, but he's parroting - not very original and expressive. He's seemed to get progressively better with each album though until he really hit stride with Hearts and Bones and Graceland. "Rene and Georgette Magritte After the War" is one of my absolute favorites. A portrait of a French surrealist in New York at the time of 50's doo-wop bands. Far out.

He's a treasure.

[Edited by Oliver Clozoff on 04-06-2001 at 09:33 PM]

 

[Pyper]

Wow. What a well thought out response. I just didn't like it because it was smarmy.

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

Oh yeah. It's smarmy too.

 

[DarlingBri]

I can NOT believe

that BrainyBeauty said such *lovely* things about me AND I MISSED THEM!

Makes mental note: I must revist the threads I've posted in. People might say ego boosting things!!

I shall now lay offerings on the Alter of BrainyBeauty. What's your favourite kind of chocolate, woman? I need to know what to add to the bubble bath, champagne and flowers.