Archive for May, 2002

Bill Gates and Charity

Thursday, May 30th, 2002

Joe,

I did hear several years ago that when Bill Gates retires, he plans on giving most of his fortune to charity – legitimate charity.

However, I’ve not heard of this MS / AOL campaign. It seems odd that Microsoft would align with America Online for a venture such as this, particularly since AOL owns the rights to the only browser that really competes with MS Internet Explorer – that is, Netscape.

My gut feel is that this is a hoax and so I wouldn’t waste my time on it. With so many people who do email in this country – tens of millions –, even Microsoft could be quickly broken if it paid out so much money per email message forwarded. I don’t think they’d let themselves open to something like this.

 

Later,
Tom Hesley

Planning a Dayton Trip

Thursday, May 30th, 2002

Dean,

Do give my best wishes to Earl.

By the way, I’ll be in Dayton (Miamisburg) from June 17 – 20 for a company function. If Earl is still in the hospital then, we can go visit him while I’m there.

 

Take care,
Tom

More on my Book

Saturday, May 25th, 2002

Dear Grace,

No, not a psychologist. I have, however, studied the phenomenon for two decades now, as this barrier to dating really hindered me in my early adult years. I want to tell others of the insights I’ve discovered and how I’ve managed to overcome much of it. Perhaps they’ll find some of the ideas useful.

No, I will not be writing as a renowned expert on the topic. Just as an observer / participant who decided to jot down what he learned. At least, that is how it will be initially. I may, later, do some formal study in college. But that depends on how well my initial books are received.

It was gray, cool day here in the mountains today. Went shopping , worked in the yard, and did a bit of reading tonight.

Tomorrow, I’m going to see the Fifth Dimension at a free concert in a little amusement park a few miles north of here. If the weather holds up, it should be a great show – they’re performing outdoors.

 

Well, take care. Talk to you later.
Tom Hesley

Lost Serial Number

Saturday, May 25th, 2002

Dear Dean,

I’m not sure that you can use Windows XP Pro to get this information. Typically, the serial numbers of installed software are not viewable in Windows, to make it harder for someone to obtain illegal copies of the upgrade. You might try going to the “About…” menu item in DriveImage help. They might list that number there. If not, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer of the software and explain what happened. They might be willing to supply you a number you can use for the upgrade.

Tom Hesley

What’s My Book About?

Friday, May 24th, 2002

Good morning Grace.

Yep, Altoona is an old railroad town with a population of about 70,000. It’s a quiet place, nestled in the Appalachian mountains, about 110 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, and about 210 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

To answer your question, I am writing to offer philosophies, practices, behaviors, diets, beliefs, insights, routines, motivational tid bits, and so on, that help enable people to take a maximally active role in finding their “perfect match” mate. Many of us become rather anxious when faced with the prospect of introducing ourselves to someone we -REALLY- find attractive, and so never end up letting them know of our interest, choosing instead to “settle” for someone less attractive to us than we would like, primarily because they were just easier to approach. Ironically, the more we desire a person, the more self-conscious and uncomfortable we may feel when thinking about approaching them, and thus, the greater the anxiety becomes as we attempt to make their acquaintance.

Fear and desire, at first glance, appear as opposite concepts. Yet they really go hand-in-hand. The greater the attraction for someone, the more that that fearful part of us moves us away from them.

My mission therefore, is to help eliminate this anxiety barrier that keeps people from dating their dream mate by dispelling mate-seeking myths, dissecting the anxiety phenomenon, identifying its typical yet numerous causes, and exposing any irrational beliefs that the one experiencing the anxiety may have, which are crippling him / her. There, that’s it in a nutshell.

Changing the subject: I’d really be interested in reading the profile you wrote, that match.com rejected – you mention this in the profile they DID post.

 

Later,
Tom Hesley

Dear Vanna

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2002

Hi there, [Vanna].

Sorry we’ll miss you in Philly this June. I was looking forward to seeing you again. But, I do remember that you are quite the world traveler. Do enjoy your trip in July.

I’ve been in contact with [KC] and [Mentat] – [he] is living in Pasadena, CA now – he just moved there last August from Pittsburgh. Seems to be enjoying himself there. Oh, and about a year ago, I visited [the health teacher]. You know that she’s 70 years old now, but her health is very good and she’s still as energetic an bubbly as ever.

Well, I have to run to a meeting. So take care and write back again. I always like hearing from you.

Tom Hesley

Dear Rick

Sunday, May 19th, 2002

Dear [Rick],

My phone number is still the one you have. 814-742-xxxx. Don’t know why John thought I changed it.

Yes, I received the Overbrook Alumni newsletter.

Hope all is well down there.

 

Later,
Tom

Overbrook Alumni Reunion Weekend

Wednesday, May 15th, 2002

Dear   [Rick],

Great. Thanks much. I’ll make my reservations for travel to Philly, for that weekend [2002-06-14 through 2002-06-16].

Take care.

 

Tom Hesley

When is the Overbrook Alumni Reunion

Monday, May 13th, 2002

[Rick],

What are the exact dates of the Overbrook Alumni reunion weekend this year? I need to begin planning my visit.

Thanks,
Tom Hesley

Seeking Peppermint

Tuesday, May 7th, 2002

Dear sister Diane,

Do you have any peppermint growing around you? I’d like to start some – enough to yield a pound or two of dried leaves (for tea). I thought you might have a few plants that we could transplant to Mom’s yard somewhere.

 

Later,
Tom