Making New Friends in the 21st Century
What just happened tonight is a testament to how closely connected the world is, how technology allows instant access to the world, and how most of the weird shit I experience comes knocking at my door rather than being sought out.
(the names have been changed to protect the innocent)
So as I was watching 30-second Bunnies Theater on Netflix Instant, I got a text message from a number that was unknown to me. The message was an inquiry of what was up with my "sexyness." Jumping to the quick conclusion that this message was NOT intended for me, I took the role of investigator and just tried figuring out who was asking.... by asking. The question was quickly disregarded, though, and followed up with a request as to my location. I simply said "My house. And where are you?" thinking that a location might narrow down the possibilities. But when the sender said she was at "Debbie's house," and that the sender was "Alice, BTW :)." I began my assumptions.
My Debbie, being a hospital worker, left me to assume that this "Alice" was also a hospital employee and was probably trying to reach my friend Doug, who had recently left the hospital to continue with his higher education at a university afar. I asked if Doug was whom she was trying to reach but received no response. Alice then called me twice, but hung up immediately both times. I then called Doug to see if he had any idea who Alice was. He didn't answer. I then decided to call Debbie and get right to the bottom of this. Debbie was home with her boyfriend and her roommate and didn't even know anyone named Alice!
On the third phone call, I was able to connect with Alice and ask her these pertinent questions. She apologized for the mix-up and had been, in fact, communicating with the wrong person. Alice also added the little gem that she was a lesbian and apologized if this was sour news to me. Seeing as how the texts clearly showed no interest on my end, I was more than fine with her orientation. But I wasn't done investigating. After all, I had NOTHING better to do...
I plugged Alice's phone number into a search engine, only to fine it's city of origin was my home town! I then searched the world's most populous social networking site for "Alice," with a filter for my home town. The first result came up not only with the correct name, town, and orientation, but it also showed a connection with a third party friend to whom I am very close. I called this friend for confirmation and it was locked down!
Being so impressed with my investigation, and hoping Alice has a sense of humor, I offered a befriending request with an accompanying email synopsising the whole situation. Creepy? Yes. Funny? HILARIOUS!
From first text to friend request, this whole situation took only 38 minutes. I am just amazed at how closely connected, through technology, the world has become that something like this could happen. I could've sat idly by with my 30-second Bunnies Theater, but I wanted to see how far I could take this thing. It certainly shaped up my evening.