From: WOLFFRIEND@KAVISHAR.UMD.EDU (The Wolf Writer)
Subject: Reflections in a Wolf's Eyes
Organization: A Safe Haven For Wolves
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 04:29:20 GMT
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.24

The eyes of a wolf compel and hypnotize, holding the gaze of another with the
steady stare of the wild.  They seem to reach directly into the core of the
animal's being, shining forth emotion like glowing beacons in the night.
Everything the wolf is or will ever be is contained in those eyes, those
simultaneous reflections of the past and dim spotlights on the future.

Now look even deeper into the eyes of that same wolf... and behold one's own
reflection shining back as well, a mirror of one's own soul.  Steady,
unwavering... captured forever in the dark flecks of that calm, penetrating
gaze.  Listen to the howl of the lupine singer... and hear the emotions
echoing and intertwining in the chords, an exquisite harmony expressing an
intensity too powerful or profound to be contained.  Touch the soul of a
wolf... and experience the never-ceasing heartbeat of life and of the
wilderness where the wolf runs free.

What each person sees in the wolf is not just a reflection of the animal
itself, but a reflection of the beholder... of one's own soul mirrored back by
another.  This is why people can see the wolf from so many different angles:
some view it as a magnificent symbol of the wild, others as a symbol of family
unity and devotion; some think of it as embodying ferocity and killer
instincts, and still others believe it an excellent example of teamwork or
environmental adaption.  Thus to truly understand the soul of the wolf, you
must not just look into its heart... but also deep into your own.

True friendship among humans can also be viewed as a two-way mirror between
two souls, allowing each other's hearts to shine through while simultaneously
reflecting back a shadowy image of one's own self.  Yet unlike an ordinary
mirror, the result is capable of becoming far greater than the sum of the two
original parts could ever be... producing something unique, and special beyond
compare. Even as the wolf's eyes reflect both its soul plus the watcher's own,
so too do the watcher's eyes reflect both as well... building to an infinity
of reflections, countless mirrors of all the joys, sorrows, love, pain, magic,
excitement and sheer intensity that life may bring.

               --------------------------------------------

I am searching for friends to whom life holds true magic, at least some of the
time.  Nothing in this world is completely certain, and there is both joy and
pain to be found in abundance.  Some people just give in and let the tide
carry them where it will; others struggle to make their own destinies. 
Whether or not they succeed is irrelevant; for no matter what happens, at
least they will have tried.  Such determination has absolutely *NOTHING* to do
with physical strength... for it is intelligence, open-mindedness and a
willingness to learn about others that I seek.  A desire to eventually talk on
a deeper personal level, not just casual conversation about the weather, is
also very important to me.  I especially enjoy talking to people who are
willing to learn new concepts, rather than just conforming automatically to
standard opinion; in other words, someone who is rather independent and
outside of the norm.  Sensitivity and tact are also important traits that I
look for in a person.  Finally, a sense of humor would be nice, too. ;-)

*True* friends are very hard to find... if they weren't, I wouldn't be posting
this.  But they *do* exist, and I have found several... they are more dear to
me than words can possibly explain.  I will stay by my friends no matter what
happens, and I accept them completely for who they are; and in turn I hope
deep inside that they will always do the same for me, though that is 
something one can never actually *ask* of another.  Does that mean that
everyone I meet is going to become a good friend?  Of course not.  If I
find just *one* person with whom I have a lot in common because of this post,
then it will be more than worth it.

My own interests include animals, watching thunderstorms, cars, writing,
motorboats, reading, drawing, cultural anthropology, psychology ("real-life"
not theory), dreams, ethology (the study of animal behavior), astronomy and
science fiction, to name just a few.  But I'll happily discuss *many*
subjects.  In fact, I tend to take a great deal of interest in my friends'
favorite hobbies because I learn a lot that way, both about the subject and
about the person.  I have a diverse number of interests and am always willing
to expand to include more.  I am a 28-year-old writer; my works are quite
diverse but I especially enjoy writing science fiction and anthropomorphic
fantasies.  I particularly focus on the psychological aspects of the 
characters and situation, and also try to make my writing as realistic as
possible, even if this involves considerable research.

The activities I most enjoy include (but are not limited to) a wide variety of
movies, going to the mountains, sailing on the bay, attending science fiction
conventions and the Rennaissance Faire, deep conversations with good friends,
museums, zoos, comedy clubs and wandering around occasionally at Georgetown.

In personality I am a rather reserved yet friendly person.  With my closest
friends, however, I am utterly devoted and extremely affectionate.  If you
dislike showing any emotion whatsoever or cannot deal with someone whose
caring and emotions can be very intense, I'm probably not a very good person
for you to get to know.  It's not that I display strong emotions often in an
outward form; if anything I tend to keep them fairly well hidden much of the
time.  I am calm, somewhat shy and not a "social party or barscene" type at
all.  Yet these emotions can become quite intense *inside*, and it becomes
quite obvious after a while; for example, I have been known to do more to help
a friend than many people would to help their own family. 

I am female, and I get along best with guys.  It's not that I don't enjoy
talking to another woman, it's just that I don't have much in common with most
of the ones I've met.  Ethnic background or marital status (single, married or
divorced) are not important.  I am seeking friends *STRICTLY* on a platonic
basis... there cannot and will not ever be anything more because I am happily
married.  I would prefer to communicate with male friends in the age range of
24 - 35.

I have already posted this once before, received many excellent responses, and
made some very special new friends.  But unfortunately I've received almost no
local responses ("local" meaning within a few hours driving distance, in this
case.)  Therefore I am currently interested in receiving replies *ONLY* from
people who live in the greater Maryland/Northern Virginia/Delaware area. I
have many friends who live far away, but what I'm seeking at this point is
someone whom I can see in person at least occasionally.  I personally live
about an hour away from DC in a bayside community in Maryland.

If you choose to respond to this post, it would be really nice to know a few
things about you, such as name, age, occupation or major, general location, a
few of your primary interests, and which aspects of this post you particularly
liked or identified with.

So, if you would like to get to know a new friend, and let them get to
know you, I am here... and if not, then I wish you luck and happiness in
finding whatever it is you do seek. *gentle smile*

                                  -Kathleen
-----------
Every person has a secret dream, buried deep in their subconscious.  Like
a fire, that dream can be fanned into a heartwarming blaze; or it can be
smothered into charred ashes.  But it can never be destroyed, so long as
that person is alive.
                                            (Wolffriend@Kavishar.umd.edu)