Hergest Ridge

Before the Internet came along, I’ve spent many days on dial-up BBSes. When “Network 23″ - one of my favourite boards - shut down, I needed a new place for my online friends and myself to hang out at. Unhappy with the choice of existing boards, I opened my own BBS: Ghost in the Machine.

One of the most memorable members of my BBS was Janice, or, Jan-Ice. Although we lived in the same city, we never met (not even for the tennis matches we planned to play). Over the years we got to know each other quite well, and I learned a lot from Janice.

During those days I remember often putting on my headphones, and just listening to music. It was my own time away from the world, and I would just lie there listening to Mike Oldfield, Jarre, Vangelis, and the likes of. It was the best kind of relaxation I knew at the time, and one day when Jan-Ice was telling me about a friend with lots of difficult choices in life, I suggested my relaxation method as a means of sorting things out.

Jan-Ice didn’t think it would work, and said so. I insisted, and vowed it’ll clear up any doubt and confusion. All will be better, and will fall into place. I must have been 15 or so at the time, and obviously very naive.

“Slawy, she’s 18 and just found out she’s pregnant.”

I had enough sense in me to realise that Jan-Ice was right, and sheepishly dropped my suggestion… Apologised.

Last I heard Janice was leaving for a job in New York. We haven’t communicated in over 12 years, and while I remember few specific stories or exchanges, I have no doubt of the impact she had on me while I was nearing adulthood. As blurred as her impact on me is, there are a few things I still remember with detail, like the fact that she was the one that started calling me Slawy, a nickname I often use online to this day.

Where ever you are old friend, I hope life’s good to you.