Update: Prank: Am I A Dirty Old Lady?

Viki, I am 63 and my Partner is only 37, yet we have been together and happy for almost five years.

Our difference in age does not affect our feelings towards each other.

Hubby is 4 years younger than me...not a big difference but sometimes you would think we are from different planets...(I was born in Boston,MA and he was born in Atlanta,GA). I had been married before. I had 2 kids when we met....they fell in "love" with him right off the bat! Talk about North/South. I found the love of my life South of the Mason Dixon Line. I have enjoyed all 20 years...we celebrate the 20th anniverary of our 1st date on April 15th...married for 19 years in September. The short of go for it!

deleted

This popped back in my queue again and its from 2008. XD

There seems to be a lot of that recently. :(

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by...

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by...

...OCD, [and the persistant inability to let go and heal].

Viki, I say as long as folks are of consenting age, there's nothing to be batting lashes at. Those that do have never heard of the phrase "love knows no age."

So, whoever is raggin' on Viki, knock it off!

Courage my girl! Remember: nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Dang!

Well, I may be preggo, but that doesn't stop me from playin' matchmaker... What are we doin' tonight girl?

Let's get dressed and go out on the town. I bet I can find you a bunch of young fellas to bat your lashes at for a bit!

Dang, no wonder I was all dressed up and nowhere to go.

Well, my husband is trying to get me to go to the golf show. I told him I'm not interested. I may yet have to, though. *ick!*

... I didn't have a young'un in my apartment. Dangit.

... I bet I can find you a bunch of young fellas...

Wish I'd seen this last night!

For some inexplicable reason I feel a sudden urge to hide my '20 something' nephews;-P

Friggen Hilarious!

I loved the responses, even if they're four years old.

I don't think it was resuscitated in order to troll. I just think people who weren't around back then have seen references to "The Prank" in recent meta discussions and were naturally curious.

I never understood the people who got all bent out of shape over this. I thought it was funny then and think it's funny now. It sure beats the hell out of what passes for meta these days :-[

It sure beats the hell out of what passes for meta these days

Ain't that the truth!

Yeah, I'm not too happy about it, either. I think somebody is trolling like a trolling thing, trying to stir up old wounds.

It looks that way. Who made the first comment that revived it? Pretty crappy, IMO. Very passive/aggressive.

As far as the "Prank" goes...you shouldn't feel a need to emplain yourself any further, Viki. Unlike many others who participated and make excuses for their behavior, you've taken full accountability for your participation. And that dear lady...speaks to your integrity.

Viki:

Don't worry about it, people.

I kinda expected this would happen. Not only is this in the Secret Temple of Meta, but we hotlinked this particular article on SRO's thread when we started crowdsourcing things for the archive.

Like I said elsewhere, this is a good article. And if this is what people get to read when not knowing about the Prank gets under their skin, that's good for the Vine.

It's only trolling if you take the bait.

jfxgillis wrote: Like I said elsewhere, this is a good article. And if this is what people get to read when not knowing about the Prank gets under their skin, that's good for the Vine.

It's only trolling if you take the bait.

jfx: we don't agree on much, but on this, we're in agreement 100%. See? Miracles do happen! *LOL*

Unlike many others who participated and make excuses for their behavior

Speaking of passive/aggressive...

Since you felt the need to weigh in on an issue you weren't even around for, Pat, that deserves a response.

No excuses were necessary. It was a jest, all in good fun. People who got all bent out of shape over it were either deluded about the importance of "citizen journalists" in the greater scheme of things and doing a lot of hand-wringing over the loss of Newsvine's "journalistic credibility" (implying it had any to start with), or felt personally offended at having been duped by the prank itself.

Given recent events, it really comes as no surprise that you identify with the latter.

No excuses were necessary. It was a jest, all in good fun.

Yep! Nothing funnier than when people get hurt by people they call friends being dishonest. HA HA! What a gut buster!

I don't doubt that it started as a jest and all in good fun. But it obviously didn't end that way. It's my opinion....(whether or not you agree with it or like it)...that the people who saw that the 'Law of Unintended Consequences' had kicked in, realized it was no longer "fun" and apologized for their part in it showed a great deal of class and integrity. Those who made excuses and refused to acknowledge that it was "good fun" that went horribly wrong...didn't.

I'm surprised you find that position as "passive/aggressive" for reviving this thread with what appears to be one word that has nothing to do with the article ("deleted" in post #2.4) and seemingly for the purpose of knowingly opening up an old would for Viki.

No, I find the whole "unlike some people" as being passive/aggressive, as well as incorrect.

Where did you get this idea that there were some who participated and didn't apologize or take responsibility for their actions? You weren't there - did you read it somewhere? Can you post a link? I suspect it's conjecture on your part and that we're talking about one participant in particular.

I can't speak to MJL's motives in reviving this article, but I think you're ascribing malicious intent where there is none. As Jack said, the issue has come up recently. Old articles get resuscitated all the time. I have gone back and read several of the old articles myself recently, before this one even showed up in my tracker.

This is the first time I've seen Viki express that it's an uncomfortable subject, other than jokingly ("we shall never speak of this again"). And despite the sanctimonious reactions of some, for the majority of Newsviners, the whole Prank ("Free the Drollhouse 12!" "2/28/2008 - Never Forget") and Viki as a cougar thing was a running joke around here for some time, she was always a good sport about it.

Apparently her views have changed.

I don't think it has anything to do with folks stirring up old wounds, this is a tracker issue for me and has been a problem for over a year, new seeds & articles aren't listed, just stuff that's years old and this is about the 7th one on my list of "new" content this morning that is many years old.

I get no new content, no new comments for my stuff or anything I've commented on and yes tried clearing all the lists with no improvement, which makes participation in current discussions almost impossible!

Ecomagination at work, thanks GE!!

Actually, I don't think it was MJL who revived it.

I linked to this article in a comment on my suspension list here:

#34.18 - Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:09 PM PST

The first comment on this article in 2012 appears here:

#50 - Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:36 PM PST

Coincidence?

You could always close comments on your old articles to prevent what I call "spelunking".

this is a tracker issue for me and has been a problem for over a year

• How many of those 850+ names on your friends list are actually active accounts?
• How many have you "untracked" from?
• How many people do you have on ignore?

Answers to these questions will affect what shows up in your Tracker.

no new comments for my stuff

You haven't published any stuff since December.

anything I've commented on

Indicators are that interest wanes in the topics you comment on fairly quickly, or wasn't there to start with.

participation in current discussions almost impossible!

There's always the front page. You can configure it to show topics that you are interested in, until you can get your Friends List in order so that it is more productive to your desires.

The demographics of Newsvine have changed in the last 2 years or so. They've become disproportionately skewed in some directions that have adversely affected other areas. I don't know if it can be fixed or not.

Sir RO ~ Tracking is an old & polished skill for me and have been here enough years to get a basic feel for how the volume counts when it works. I still have an artcle from 2007 that had comments erased and still waiting for staff reply on that so cut and paste answer wont help me, thanks, know it. Maybe December is the last article of mine but that's not my big activity, never has been, commenting is and if I'm all over active threads should be more than 3 comments from years old items in my tracker a few days later. Not zero always!! That's if it is me you're talking to, didn't add a name in the quote so its hard to tell, but longest gap for me in many months is a couple of days!!

As far as the "Prank" goes...you shouldn't feel a need to emplain yourself any further, Viki. Unlike many others who participated and make excuses for their behavior, you've taken full accountability for your participation. And that dear lady...speaks to your integrity.

Everyone involved did.

Viki- I loved this article. It is my favorite prank article. Allowing it to be ghost written as you was the kind of brave dedication to comedy that has gotten so many people in trouble (for a worthy cause :) Keep smiling and Thank you for leaving it up.

I totally believed this was real. I'm leaving Newsvine.

You can just reuse the one I already made.

Hey Eric. How the hell are ya?

Fine, fine. Bouncing around the Internet seeing if there's anywhere to stick.

Watch out for sticky stuff on the internet.

Don't get any on ya.

Words to live by.

I don't believe anybody involved set out to, or intended to, do any harm by this prank; only to have some fun. Problem is, a lot of people got duped and were rightly embarrassed by it. Sort of like when you fall for something and take it very seriously and respond in kind, and then realize it's all over Snopes and people are snickering at you. It's humiliating--and a little hurtful when it's done on purpose. You feel like a fool.

IOW: There's more to writing than the writer. The reader is just as important in the equation, and the writer has a responsibility to him. He's not a target for pranks or a plaything. I'm sure there are sites for that sort of thing, but Newsvine doesn't seem to be one of them, imho.

But bottom line: Live and learn, probably no real harm done other than some red faces of the readers, and it probably won't ever happen again around here. Experience tends to be a great teacher. :)

And yet sometimes you can't help but feel some people have it coming.

Some people really have it coming if they believe every word written by anybody!

But it goes to trust, ombra. IOW, it's a game that's not looked upon too favorably, even among satirical or humor writers, and is out-right condemned among serious news journalists. It's best not to go there unless you're in a venue where such a thing doesn't exploit the unassuming, trusting reader. Otherwise, it's an unconscionable breach of trust and ethics, no matter what the genre of writing is.

The reader is just as important in the equation, and the writer has a responsibility to him.

The reader also has a responsibility for his/hers own actions or thoughts. Never take someone's word for things if they are checkable. Do your own research and make your own conclusions. What if they're wrong or mistaken? Be responsible for yourself.

There's a difference in (a) thinking for yourself and formulating opinions after reading a credible article (a good thing), and (b) being deliberately duped for sport under the guise of a presumed-credible article (not a good thing).

And I hasten to add what I've said before: I have no reason to believe that anybody involved had any intention of hurting or making sport of anybody. What I'm talking about is just carelessness or thoughtfulness that results in unintended consequences. Again, live and learn.

I can't speak to MJL's motives in reviving this article, but I think you're ascribing malicious intent where there is none. As Jack said, the issue has come up recently. Old articles get resuscitated all the time. I have gone back and read several of the old articles myself recently, before this one even showed up in my tracker.

Of course you can't because MJL did not revive this article. Vicki said she did not think that MJL did; I of course take a harder line than she does because the fact of the matter is she did not and that is easy to see on this article. The first person would be: on page 2 Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:36 PM PST which is before the post of MJL.; If I had to guess I would suggest it came up on her tracker just like it came up on mine and yours and everyone else who weighed in this month. I must admit I wondered aboout this when I read about it on a meta article.

Yes, I was incorrect and have pointed that out elsewhere.

It was simply the earliest timestamp that is directly upthread.

Hey Viki, can we get a sequel cause I don't know about these other folks but I need more.

Let's here it for a new chapter. Yay!!

That might be difficult, since Noah has left the 'Vine.

She might have her eye on some other young stud though, and with her new position as a Guide, it adds a whole "hot for teacher" dimension to the whole thing ;)

Soo no more "Hot Viki?" ):

I am teasing a little. I understand what you mean and thank you for the thoughtful and thought provoking post.

Having watched some people damage their own credibility recently has made me think about how easy that can be to do and how difficult it is to undo (If that is even possible).

I thought Myk was gay, briefly, and felt bad for Ryan - and then thought WTF? There's no way he'd break it to her that way. I didn't feel insulted in the least for being fooled, and wasn't popular for saying that. But I just wish it would all go away. It happened, it's over, and it was several years ago. I agree with Viki about what your name means online, and about the lessons learned ... so let's learn them, and if a year passes where this never comes back up on my radar, I will be very happy.

I agree that it shouldn't be forgotten, and lessons retained. But like a college prank it needs to be kept in perspective, not used as ammunition in disputes.

The intent was to jest, and the topics [I've seen] even if/when believed, were not socially or politically influential.

They were not intended deceive with malice or for profit.

I've occasionally seen these 'prank stories dredged up from the seafloor to be used as proof of damaged credibility or broken trust, and while I can understand the point I think that's the wrong way to look at the incident. At the time that it happened, Newsvine as an organisation was undergoing a conversion, what amounts to a sea-change, from a semi-amateur club to semi-professional publication, and being presented on a much larger forum as well. It was also mixing news-writing with creative-writing, instead of clearly separating the two.

None of us should be forever judged by our own college-level mistakes and pranks and misadventures. They can be character-building, but not necessarily character-defining.

The people who doggedly refer back to these things as ammunition in fights, are damaging their own credibility more than they are that of the pranksters. It tells me they can't maintain a proper sense of perspective.

The people who doggedly refer back to these things as ammunition in fights, are damaging their own credibility more than they are that of the pranksters.

A-@!$%#ing-men.

I think the Rav is easier to obtain than forgiveness.....here.

A bit backwards isn't it mj?

I maybe totally lost on this old seed but if Vicki is a "dirty old lady" then I'm getting on the next flight to Illinois. STAT! ;) :P

Don't forget the vodka. And make sure you bring me along - she's one of the people in here who I haven't yet met, who I most want to!

You are brilliant, Spaman.

Fantasies can be so much more fulfilling.

On second thought I will refrain from commenting as I am mathematically gifted enough to put 2 and 2 together.

just remember 20 goes into 40 a lot better than. . .(I won't even finish that one. . .)

And here I thought I was your illegitimate younger lover.

PHILANDERER! I thought you were my illegitimate younger lover!!

You seem to have forgotten that you, Viki, and I shared a hotel room... or you just forgot what happened. I am the illegitimate younger lover to both of you. Was I the only one conscious for all this? Uh oh...

Oh, my!

.... .... ....

*Flees*

I dunno, that'd be a lot of work for what'd likely amount to maybe an extra dollar or two.

sating at my apartment.

Pun intended? Or Freudian slip?

You can't hide anything from me, Viki. I can read you like a book. Dump this (completely unknown, anonymous) loser and move to New York.

are your inseams equal?

Come to think of it.......No!

Okay breathing is the only essential contribution I will insist upon.

In the words of Jim O'Rourke's Halfway to a Threeway,

As I lay you down on my bed
It don't matter that you're brain dead
I can get so close to ya
Now that you're in a coma

It's a beautiful song, and obviously the lyrics are far more likely to be allegorical than literal ;-)

That is simply beautiful!

beautifully explained... i love that.

I am at a loss. Is there someone I should call? Oh, christ in a side car, Viki at least make sure you teach him ...
nevermind.

I don't care. Since my sister rang, well I don't care what she thinks.

Oh, baby!! ::more hugs:: I feel kind of helpless, so far away out here in Cali.

Get a room you two!

But we're talking

Oh quit talking. Think Nike. Just do it.

Hey, man...I was here first....

Oh, wait. You said young.

*looks up hopefully*

Does young at heart count?

I got my my heart transplant from a young accident victim; does that count?

I got my my heart transplant from a young accident victim; does that count?

As is variously attributed to Stephen King or Robert Block, I have the heart of a child. I keep it in a jar on my shelf.

I keep mine in the freezer. :)

Smiles broadly..................

Ansab - you really have left it far too late. He's knee deep in already.