Volume 1, Issue 2                                                                                                             July 1997

When I started buying, selling and conversing in the Cafe at eBay, I could only do it from work when free time allowed.

As time went on, I met so many friends in the Cafe that were great to talk to, sing, tell jokes, get help from, etc. Alas, come the end of a work day, as well as the beginning of a weekend, I had to say, “Bye, see all of you in the morning or on Monday.” Many kept asking when I could get a computer at home that they miss me in the evenings and weekends.

One day, they started mentioning that they should put a computer together for me. I thought they were joking and went home from work for the day. Unknown to me, they continued discussing this subject, and it became the “Darts Project.” (Darts is my handle in the Cafe.) They had to erase the archives so I didn't see the discussion.

Again, unknown to me, the regulars began to ship parts to build a computer to Jeanne (Twaze in the Cafe). Since Jeanne lives in Illinois, as I do, I received a call from her that we should finally meet and go to dinner. That was May 2, 1997. It was storming out, and I was excited to meet one of the people I talk to in the Cafe. She finally arrived with her husband, Jim, and a COMPUTER  put together by parts sent by the regulars in the Cafe.

I just about fainted.

The computer was a 486 with a modem and sound card and speakers. I was lost for words. When I entered the Café that night, the regulars were all waiting for me and we celebrated. I was on the computer until 3 in the morning. 

This is the BEST gift I have ever received and am attached to it. It's hard for me to explain my overwhelming feelings for my FRIENDS in the Cafe every time I'm on the computer and I'm still talking about it to others. I have since met more friends in the Cafe and have gotten to know others better. I hope to meet more of them in person as time goes on - this is a goal of mine.

They are the Best, kindest, funny, caring people I have met, and I THANK them all.