All too often people take their anonymity for granted, posting their real identity on line for all to see. But then so many believe they are protected from the wrongdoings of others, that they think they are safe, even when they do post personal information. Yet what would you believe of what they post about themselves? For example, what would you believe of me? Would you believe I'm a 44 year old man from Florida? Would you believe I'm a 39 year old woman from Idaho? Would you believe I'm a 35 year old man from Wisconsin? Would you believe I'm a 27 year old woman from New Jersey? Would you believe I'm a 22 year old man from California? Would you believe I'm a 15 year old girl from Oklahoma? Would you believe any of those at all or would you assume that none of them were the truth because I specifically listed them? Then there are names. Is my name Kathy Armstrong? What about David Buchanan? Or perhaps is it Andrea Smythe? Or maybe even Robert Cole? Or is my name something else entirely? You don't know because I choose not to tell you, and those who may know are sworn to secrecy about my name and whether they know what it is.

Thus is the prize and the curse of anonymity - no one knows the truth so they assume that you are either lying or that you may be telling the truth. You only know that which people are willing to tell you and just by courtesy you have to believe they are telling the truth until you are given definitive proof to the contrary. But then there are those who have been caught in lies and thus are required to prove their claims lest no one believe them. Whether they know your identity or not, the name you use among others holds the shroud of your reputation, and as such your actions dictate your reputation among others, no matter what words, true or false, are said of you.

Ah yes, then there are those who spread rumors and false hoods of others, those who desire attention and feed on drama while making others suffer for their amusement. These people very quickly reveal themselves for what they truly are, and the intelligent among us see their true colors and reject their lies. But unfortunately they also feed on the innocent and trusting, believing them stupid and easily swayed when the truth is these poor victims of spite simply try to see the good in others rather than living their lives jaded and mistrusting of others.



I will say this of myself: Those who truly know me know that I am bluntly honest and at times aggressively straight forward. I seek the truth in what's around me and when a question comes to mind I seek the answer like a hunter stalking prey until I find the truth. I am also one who cares for others and can be generous to my own detriment, though I have grown careful with whom I am generous. And when I love someone, it is with all that I am. I do not lie to them, I do not cheat on or betray them, I do not steal from them, and I do not strike them in anger. These are things I ask in return, though sadly few are ever willing to give it. Thus I have a few friends whom I consider family, acquaintances I know and trust to varying degrees, but no mate and for my requirements of one, I do not expect to be courted. Of course, it does not matter if one is friend, family, acquaintance, or mate, my requirements are the same: do not lie to me, do not steal from me, do not betray me (includes cheating in the case of a mate), and do not hit me. Violate any of those and you will be removed from my life. It is sad that so few are willing to abide by such simple and straight forward rules. Are there really so few truly honest people in the world?