The blinking orange taskbar.

Dear Internet,

I know that you and I have been friends for a very long time. We became friends about the same time I became close with my BFF. "How unusual!" you may exclaim - but I do not think so, dear Internet, I do not.

For you see, you were perhaps the reason - or at the very least the catalyst - for many of my friendships. I could bore you for hours with my recollections of all the good times and bad that we shared, but I shan't - because I also have to entertain my audience. Not that I don't love you or anything. I adore you, I cherish you, I wish to spend a portion of each and every day with you, exploring the intimate folds of your extensive knowledge, asking advice, securing definitions. You are, dearest Internet, one of the reasons for my happiness today.

We've shared our mutual evolution - from the lowly days where YouTube was just some site, and MSN was actually called MSN - back in the days of Pentium fours, the Sims1, and ADSL1. From the days where I couldn't talk to the girls I wanted to, the days where the small actions of teenage life seemed gigantic and dramatic, the days where I was blissfully ignorant of the realities of the real world, and the beauty of the written word. The days when I said "wud" "culd" "2" "lmao" "jks" "yea" and "luv". We've blogged together on and off for the past four years, through different medium - MSN spaces, MySpace, Bebo, and now I've settled for the uncomplicated blogger.

My dear internet - you gave me the confidence to talk to girls, to embrace myself, and to express my thoughts. You've trained my written skills, and honed my social skills. You yourself have grown to heights that I could not have dreamed of, blossomed in ways I never imagined. Wikipedia, YouTube, Facebook. I've never been prouder of you. You bring people closer.

Yet you are constantly hounded by people who don't understand you, don't revel in the complexities and vastness that you represent, laugh and dismiss the social opportunities you provide as antisocial and incomprehensive. I can almost understand them - touch and warmth are as important as words and knowledge - you cannot be my whole life, but you can be an integral part.

And as we've grown, my dear friend, in a way we've gone our separate ways. I have matured, recognised the value of intimate association, far from the faceless monitor, with the blinking orange taskbar. And you continue to raise the adolescents of our time, with your limitless potential. So though we're drifting, please let me say - I have no doubt that we will still be friends. You've had such a huge part in making me that I could never let you go.

And as our roads diverge, perchance, I wish to let you know.

My dearest Internet. I love you. I always will.

May we run together down life's paths - converging as we please.


With adoration and undying gratitude,
Your dear friend,
Christopher.