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From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
To: <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: Application for membership in Ex Boyfriends List
Reply-to: rms@gnu.org
Message-Id: <E1ArII1-0007Uk-HA@fencepost.gnu.org>
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 09:58:05 -0500
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After reading what you've said about your Ex Boyfriends List,
I wonder if you could tell me how to apply for a place in it?
My motivation is not that I would like the cachet of being on the
list. Rather I hope that the application process, of being judged for
a place on the list, could be exciting or even joyous. If it takes you
some time to decide whether I belong on the list, I won't mind
waiting.
I'm aware of the theoretical possibility that the process might not
reach a conclusion, that I might remain permanently in limbo pending a
decision about whether I am to become "ex". I know this is unlikely,
and I'm willing to take the risk.
For information about me, see my personal site, stallman.org.
My work is described in www.gnu.org.
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:56:14 -0800 (PST)
From: marian henley <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: C'est un type!
To: rms@gnu.org
Well, Richard, you are a real piece of work (as we
Texas yokels are wont to say). The density of
information on your personal website overwhelmed my
brain circuits. I like your "power" tie.
How did you find out about me?
Marian
From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
To: marian henley <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: Re: C'est un type!
Reply-to: rms@gnu.org
References: <20040221185614.13656.qmail@web80202.mail.yahoo.com>
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Well, Richard, you are a real piece of work (as we
Texas yokels are wont to say). The density of
information on your personal website overwhelmed my
brain circuits. I like your "power" tie.
Thank you! I wore that power tie on a cruise ship, where I was being
paid to give speeches and teaching classes for techies. (I would not
have gone to such a place otherwise.) One evening they said people
were supposed to wear formal dress. As a matter of principle, I don't
own a real tie, so the "power" tie was the closest thing I had!
The organizers agreed to pay me because a trip on a cruise ship would
not in itself be a reward, not for me. I expected to be there alone.
However, amazingly, I then found a sweetheart. So she went there with
me--and she hated the experience.
Sad to say, she is now in my ex-girlfriends list, which means I can
now apply for a place in your ex-boyfriends list.
How did you find out about me?
I read an interview with you in the Funny Times. You sound like fun.
Aside from that, I like your cartoons. My favorite was the one where
the couple get married with eyes closed, then say, "Who are you?"
So, how do I go about applying?
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 11:17:55 -0800 (PST)
From: marian henley <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: Re: C'est un type!
To: rms@gnu.org
>>
>> So, how do I go about applying?
Well, I'm currently involved with a surgeon in
Nashville. In the event of a romantic catastrophe,
would you consider a spot on the Emergency Reserve
Boyfriend list?
From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
To: marian henley <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: Re: C'est un type!
Reply-to: rms@gnu.org
References: <20040227191755.64988.qmail@web80205.mail.yahoo.com>
text follows this line-->
Well, I'm currently involved with a surgeon in
Nashville. In the event of a romantic catastrophe,
would you consider a spot on the Emergency Reserve
Boyfriend list?
I am honored! And experience suggests that starting
a relationship in Emergency Mode is likely to speed
the processing of my application--I might end up on
the Ex Boyfriends List very soon, once the slot opens up.
If you decide to maintain standards by waiting a little longer before
considering my application, I'll understand.
I'm also curious--how long have you been going out with him, and how
did you meet him?
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 10:02:27 -0800 (PST)
From: marian henley <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: Re: C'est un type!
To: rms@gnu.org
>>
>> I'm also curious--how long have you been going out
>> with him, and how
>> did you meet him?
Hi, Richard
We met seven years ago at a Brave Combo show in Austin
(at a great old dive called Liberty Lunch, now
bulldozed to make way for a nearly vacant "office
park" - am I crazy, or is office park an oxymoron?)
We danced a little. He was quite nice, but I assumed
he wasn't my type: thirteen years younger, clean-cut
and pretty innocent.
I still suspect he isn't my type, but perhaps that IS
my type...
M.
From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
To: marian henley <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: Re: C'est un type!
Reply-to: rms@gnu.org
References: <20040304180227.39241.qmail@web80203.mail.yahoo.com>
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We met seven years ago at a Brave Combo show in Austin
I heard some Brave Combo music that I liked.
Have you been going out with him for seven years now?
If so, that sounds like my emergency services are not
likely to be needed soon.
I am in Saigon, eating some aged Beemster cheese which I got a week
ago in Amsterdam. It is midnight. I am supposed to go to sleep soon,
since I have to wake up at 0730 to give a speech, but I don't feel
sleepy yet. (I was awake till 3am!)
This evening at dinner, eating some rice with chopped mussels, I had a
cartoon idea for the first time in almost 2 years. I'm asking an
artist who recently offered to draw for me if he wants to draw this.
You might find it amusing....
[I'll publish the cartoon if it gets drawn]
From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
To: marian henley <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: Recycling
Reply-to: rms@gnu.org
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It looks like you won't have room in the foreseeable future to
consider any applicants for your ex-boyfriends list. (By now I should
know better than to feel hope, but I can't quite learn this lesson.)
However, it occurred to me that our discussion could serve another
purpose. Would you mind if I post the whole conversation on my
website? I could leave out any specific parts, if some of them give
personal information you'd rather not publish.
I think people might enjoy it.
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 10:23:05 -0800 (PST)
From: marian henley <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: Re: Recycling
To: rms@gnu.org
Hi, Richard
Good to hear from you. Last night I was thinking
about your email from Saigon and wondering what high
tech mission impossible took you there.
I can't remember anything too personal in our
"conversations," and my God, I just submitted a memoir
to my agent that strips me to the core (hence the
title: STRIP SEARCH). Please feel free to use
whatever you like for your website if you think it
might serve the higher entertainment good.
It's true that I seem to be slipping into a deeper
commitment with my doc, although I'm having to control
my claustrophobic reflex and keep my hand off the
panic button. I'm just too old to keep repeating that
tired pattern - although you seem like a remarkably
intelligent, accomplished man and it's regrettable we
can't get to know each other better at this point.
Maybe we can meet on the coast of Portugal when we're
eighty!
Marian
From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
To: marian henley <mkhenley@prodigy.net>
Subject: Re: Recycling
Reply-to: rms@gnu.org
References: <20040322182305.72085.qmail@web80205.mail.yahoo.com>
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It's true that I seem to be slipping into a deeper
commitment with my doc,
I am happy for you, but this is bad news for me. My ex girlfriends
list is pitifully short, mainly because there are so few applicants.
I thought here maybe I would have another applicant, but noooo.
I will put up the conversation in a few days.
I hope people will enjoy it.
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