I was a new Airline Pilot for a major u.s. operation as the internet and Apple Computers were simultaneously [pardon the pun] taking off.
AOL and other chat/message boards provided recently divorced me of that day, a plethora of social opportunities, far exceeding that which my former childhood church social habit, could begin to provide. I had to replace that habit as I had grown weary of the duplicitous sky daddy followers and their gatherings where they planned how best to shear the congregational sheep again, all the while crossing their fingers behind their backs.
All of these factors coupled with the company benefit of free travel which was as easy as grabbing my ubiquitous packed bag, and a quick drive to the airport, made all of the world I cared to visit easily accessible.
As a [still] budding writer wannabe, I recorded each of the encounters, using some likeness of the people, places and events to fuel a stack of Journals which contain enough fodder to keep Poe’s descendants busy for a considerable length. [3m+ words]
I am grateful that I happened to be in what was for me, the right place, right time, and enjoyed the growth years of the internet. Gone is the smorgasbord internet of my youth, replaced with that which is a more tenuous venue, one bereft of once prevalent h*man kindness and consideration.
I hope your new positive path continues. Good luck, said the survivor or a bad marriage.