Do it yourself

[clevermanka]

ReadyMade Magazine is running a promotional offer right now: Two years for $19.95. First-time subscribers get six months (three issues) free if you use the pop-up ad that comes up when you load the page. The offer is only good through the end of the month, so if you've been thinking about subscribing but haven't yet, now might be a good time.

I renewed my subscription, even though it doesn't expire until the end of the year. Twenty bucks for two years makes the magazine a lot more affordable (considering it's a fairly thin mag, and only comes out six times a year). I admit one of the reasons it's so thin is the comparatively low advertising content...which I'm sure makes it cost more. Anyway. Good mag. Good price for it right now.

In other news: Last week I got an email from an old ex. I finally replied to him and yesterday he responded by telling me what's up with his life: Married, three kids, and working for a giant corporation in the computer business. Not really where (or how) I would have pictured him winding up. Not that I put much thought into it to begin with. It sounds like he wants to reconnect, and while I certainly don't get any "hey, baby" vibes off it, I'm just not interested or energetic enough to develop any sort of new relationship with him--no matter how shallow. Is it better to say "I'm fine, thanks for asking. Bye!" or just not respond at all? He closed his email with "How are you doing these days?" but I sincerely doubt that he really wants the honest answer to that.

Comments

[rougewench.livejournal.com]

I would answer with a very cursory overview, and then just not manage to answer any further emails.


D.

[stuology.livejournal.com]

I'd probably respond with the short, "I'm fine. Thanks!" answer and leave it at that.

Or the "I'm hotter than ever. Here is an attached picture of my ass." answer.

Okay, maybe the first one. It seems like the polite thing to do without the impression that you really want to chat further.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

That sounds good. Thanks.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Considering I'm definitely not hotter than I was when we were dating (IMO), the second option is probably not the better one.

I think I'm going to answer with a very quick and superficial statement and then, as rougewench suggests, just not answer any more of the emails.

[stuology.livejournal.com]

You create a filter for any subsequent emails, and then if you are ever directly confronted about it, you can honestly say, "oh, I didn't see them."

And you may not feel as hot, but that doesn't mean that you aren't.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Aw.

[rorschachsix.livejournal.com]

For the record I'm not the ex in question. :)

[stuology.livejournal.com]

I think most of us figured that part out since I don't think she has disconnected from you to be reconnected. And the three kids part :)

Unless I'm so far out of the loop that I need to be reconnected...(or a couple of Roe hairballs have taken on a life of their own)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Well, I wouldn't have waited a week to respond to you! =D

(psst...heads-up, looks like I might be going to Comic-Con 2009! lemme know if there's room at the inn?)

[rorschachsix.livejournal.com]

Yeah I figured those that knew me also know that I have not spawned.

[rorschachsix.livejournal.com]

Always room at the inn, anytime you like. There are hints that my parents and Lex + Zoe + baby may be in the neighborhood during that time as well so plenty non-geek stuff going on during that time iffen you get bored of the con.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mac_/]

I agree with roguewench entirely. I've had to deal with receiving e-mails from multiple ex's and my experiences have taught me that they always have an agenda. Its usually that they are looking to make themselves feel good by gloating about how happy they are with their lives or they want to hook up. I've learned that the best response is "Great to hear from you! Things are great with me, but very busy! Thanks for writing!".

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Oooo, I like that answer. Thanks!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[bestill.livejournal.com]

I am curious if this is the ex that I also dated for an extremely short time . . .

Yeah. I'd just give a very superficial answer without giving the impression that you want to hear back. I agree with you--what's the point . . .

And, thanks for the Readymade tip. Maybe I'll resubscribe.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Nope, it isn't that ex. I wouldn't have bothered to reply to that one at all. =D

[bestill.livejournal.com]

I would have been shocked to find out that he had reproduced.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I would have been horrified to find out he reproduced--much less reproduced three times.