Saturday, October 25, 2008

Addendum

I apologise for the lengthy nature of my previous post as I don't usually indulge in great long tirades that last for days at a time but the event that sparked it was a little out of the ordinary. Thank you to those kind and supportive bloggers who have read it and responded so positively. It has, I must admit, kept my hand firmly on the rudder when the otherwise choppy seas were beginning to persuade me to drop this blogging malarkey once and for all.

Right now I'm taking in a big gulp of sea air and I ain't going nowhere.

There have been further developments though. The mystery hoaxer has stained my phone once more with another text this morning that simply reads: "Hi Steve, just to let you know that you have been blogged."

I'm assuming this means the anonymous jokester has composed his own blog post in response to mine. It also seems to suggest that, whoever they are, they think I read their blog regularly and will find it.

Well sorry to disappoint you, "old chum", but I've no idea where or what you're blog is until you have the decency to tell me. I wonder if you'll have the courage to own up and identify yourself rather than keep plaguing me with unwanted texts. Because to tell you the truth I'd really not rather hear from you again.

The worst of it is that by not owning up this little scrote is trying to encourage the finger of suspicion to fall on absolutely everyone - Is it a fellow blogger? Is it a friend? Is it a work colleague?

As tactics go they are cowardly and nasty and have nothing to recommend them.

Maybe this person has published an apology on their blog? I don't know until I am able to read it. Maybe they've merely ranted at my lack of humour over their jolly little jape? If so I'd rather, to be honest, just not bother at all.

I'm now having to consider changing my mobile number which is a pain and an expense I can ill afford right now. The whole situation is grotesque and comes at the end of what has been a very difficult time for my family.

I've tried ringing this person's number several times now to see if I can at last put an identity to the idiot and bring this situation to an end but the phone is either switched off or rings out forever.

Whoever you are, you're a coward.

But that's for you to live and deal with.

As for me, I have a lovely family and some wonderful friends. I've wasted enough of my life on you, mystery hoaxer, as it is.

Either own up or disappear.

23 comments:

KAZ said...

Just read both these posts Steve.
Is there no way you can find out about this person and the blog via your statcounter?
Or better still forget it - but that's much easier said than done.
Sending you much empathy - Have a good weekend.
X

Steve said...

I don't think so, Kaz, they've not left any comments on my blog so I've no way of identifying them... and they could have a blog anywhere. It's all very annoying... but I'm determined to not waste much more time on it than I have to. Thanks for the good vibes.

Brother Tobias said...

I agree; put it at the bottom of the pile, where this friendless git belongs. (It probably doesn't have a blog anyway, and if it did, I bet no readers). Just enjoy your weekend. (And delighted you aren't contemplating chucking in the towel!)

Steve said...

Thanks Brother T, I am shocked at how close I came to folding the old blog up but... to tell you the truth it's like a drug to me and the good it brings far outweighs the bad. Even in the present situation. ;-)

Annie G said...

Hi Steve,
Sorry haven't stopped by for several weeks. I will try and catch up on all your posts but have just read your last two and am appalled by the actions of someone who is obviously socially inept and is attempting to exercise some control.
Ignore the silly twit.. he or she will soon go away.
Will write a new post soon
Best wishes, Annie

Steve said...

Hi Annie, so good to hear from you again - feared you were lost in the cyber mist for ever! Hope all is ok at your end. Thanks for the good wishes - they're much appreciated!

Anonymous said...

Gosh! I didn't do any blog visiting yesterday so I came upon this rather late in the day.

What a horrible hoax to play. I have been known to play some pratical jokes in my time but there is nothing about this that could be considered to be amusing to anyone.

You are always so generous to everyone in blogworld, Steve, that I cannot believe you are any different in real world - so why anyone would want to be so horrid to you, I just cannot understand.

I would have thought you could work out a relatively short list of possibilities since they knew so much about you - after all most bloggers would not know your mobile number. So strange. Particularly the next stage about the blogpost.

I wish we could track it down so all your true friends could go there and say what we think of this bastard.

Oh Steve. This is so horrid. Poor poor you. I just don't understand people sometimes - I really don't.

But please please don't ever give up blogging. Make your blog private if you really must but please do not disappear. I cannot tell you how much I would miss you -really I would.

KeyReed said...

Is it possible to 'block' a number on a mobile? BT landlines have a 'choose to refuse' option (which needs paying for, or did) but is there anything similar for mobiles? Maybe it would block the calls but not the texts.

Steve said...

Thank you, Gina, that's a really lovely thing to say and the sentiment is certainly reciprocated. I'm 100% certain that it's none of my regular blog buddies - I have no doubts there whatsoever. I do have a suspicion or too as to who it may be but would like to have it proved purely for peace of mind. I don't want to be in a position of suspecting innocent friends and nor do I want to continue a relationship with this cowardly person who is happy to text me anonymously but hasn't the guts to answer their mobile when I ring. I'd like very much to put a name to the idiot but, at the same time, I'm not going to let it spoil the rest of my life. I've made my position very clear - they've evidently read my blog. I hope they take it to heart even if they don't have the courage to act on it. Thanks for what you've said, Gina, it proves what I've always believed: even in the midst of a crap situation there's always goodness to be found and something to be thankful for. Thank you. :-)

Tenon_Saw, that's an interesting idea and I'm toying with the idea of going to the phone shop on Monday to see what can be done. Another option is to report the incident to my superiors at work (who'd be very interested to talk to someone who likes to impersonate the Chief Exec), maybe the police but certainly some sort of telephone service ombudsman. It's amazing what information can be found on the internet when you look hard enough...

skatey katie said...

steve, what you just said about
...report the incident to my superiors at work ... the police... telephone service ombudsman...
crossed my mind too. in NZ, Telecom trace all calls, maybe they trace texts too?
wishing you and the family a wonderful week X

Steve said...

Thanks Kate, such action is definitely going to be on the cards, I think... Hope you and yours have a wonderful weekend too.

Lucy Fishwife said...

Feeling quite cross on your behalf now! Obviously the wisest course of action is ignore the moron. Me personally, ruled by my stronger emotions rather than common sense, I'd write their mobile number all over the walls of every dodgy pub toilet I can find saying "I LOVE COCK" or similar...

Steve said...

Oh how I've been tempted, Lucy, so tempted, but games of oneupmanship only lead to disaster all round. Besides which I'm happy to bide my time and come up with something far more elegant. This incident may get temporarily forgotten but it will never be forgiven... whoever it is has been maintaining a wise silence since the text on Saturday. I tried ringing them twice but they obviously didn't fancy answering. I'm going to take a walk to the phone shop in the week and see what they suggest. It may be that all I can do is change my phone number which will be a pain but not insurmountable.

Steve said...

Wise words, Emma, and I don't doubt you're right. I'm hoping it's someone I don't know who's just found info on line and pieced stuff together. I don't think I could bear it if it proved to be a friend who (a) had instigated such a stupid, hurtful joke and then (b) didn't have the decency to come clean about it. Blocking the number is one thing I am currently investigating. Tracing it is another.

The Sagittarian said...

Steve - ditto what Gina said. As one of my first regular respondenets I would also miss you and your blog very much so am delighted you're still with us. I knew you were made of stern stuff!

Why don't you use someoneelse's phone to ring that number, the person may just answer it!!

This is a trying time for you and your family, you're very lucky to have such a wonderful support in Karen. This person may just be jealous of you.

All the best, mate! Kia kaha. (Be strong)

s. said...

what a bummer

Steve said...

Thanks Amanda, I do feel a lot calmer about it all now but it all still leaves a horrible taste in my mouth and I have no plans to go anywhere. If anything the response from other people has hardened my resolve even more. Thanks!

Sukhada - succinct and accutate!

The Sagittarian said...

Haha, as for bad taste in your mouth...years ago now I was out with a friend and she wanted a wine. I asked her what sort and she said "Whatever it is, not that stuff that leaves a bad taste in your mouth...that Lesbian stuff"...well, closer investigation revealed she meant Liebestraum. near enuf! :-)

Steve said...

Amanda, some things are better served at room temperature... hehehe...!

Glenda Young said...

I think you've got a story that deserves to be heard here, Steve. Have you thought about contacting a journalist who can give this the airing it deserves and in the process flush out the perpetrator?

Steve said...

That's not a bad idea, Nora. The local paper - The Courier - has actually done on a small feature on my blog before so it might be possible... I'm just not sure that I want any more exposure!

Daisy said...

steve...i am just catching up on reading and i am so sorry to hear of this dilemma...i would suggest dialing the number from an unidentified number instead of your own if you are really wanting the person to answer...be creative...i know how this can affect a person which is why mine is now private...some people are willing to take it a bit further and to be honest i could not deal with it as it did become an issue at my work...i hope it comes to an end soon my friend...truly i do...you don't deserve it...

Steve said...

Thanks Daisy, I have a number of stratagems on the go at the moment so obviously don't want to give too much away here... but thanks for your kind words and support. After much thought I'm going to continue with the blog and not go private - I just hate the idea of curtailing a possible readership. Probably an ego thing on my part but there you go! I've not let it get me down and am enjoying a half term holiday with the family. I consider that a victory.