[latepaul]

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away there was this thing called AOL. I joined up because I got a free disc with the modem I'd just bought. (There was also an installer from a.n.other ISP but it was harder to navigate and seemed slower).

Day 2[*] on this thing and I discovered "chatrooms". Where I met someone called "LateDrm" and she and I began a friendship that turned in an internet relationship back when such things were considered a bit odd. It lasted for a couple of months I suppose. I kept ending it and then getting back together. There was changing of usernames and searching for each other and other silliness. We'd never exchanged real names or anything.

At a certain point - after it had been over for a little while - I left AOL altogether. It was costing me too much - both in AOL charges and phone charges. I joined a regular ISP this time and figured out how to make it work.

I tried to find a non-AOL version of chatrooms and discovered IRC. I can't remember what username I used at very first but after a while I wistfully wondered if I might somehow find "LateDrm" again. I knew the odds were against it so I decided to use "LateFrnd" (LateDrm's Friend) as a sort of signal to her. I knew it was a bit of a longshot and I suppose it was more that I wanted there to be a chance, even a slim one, rather than it being a realistic strategy.

After a while I changed it to LatePaul because I was sick of getting hit on and wanted to signal my gender. And after that I just got used to it and it became my go-to username.

Sometimes I tell a different version which involves Slartibartfast and Princess Bride but that's usually when I don't want to tell the whole story.

[*]Day 1 was looking for porn - sorry but it's true!

[edit: LateDrm was short for LateDream - nothing to do with Digital Rights Management]