NPJ: /private/9702/

9:03 am - "Re: Your service"

At 01:32 AM 2/18/97 -0600, you wrote:
>Nathan:
>I just paid you 50,oo US dollars, I then got on line and tried to get
>photos. I had to charge another 5.00!!!! To make things worse, the
>photos were much like those soft mags I can purchase at the corner
>bookstore for less---the beefy steroidal muscles of California males
>over 30.
>I feel outraged and cheated.
>
>Ken

Hi Ken,

Thank you for your $50.00 One Year membership. I am concerned, however, because I think that I haven't been clear in pointing out how you can take full advantage of the photos that are available here.

When you registered, your account was allocated a certain number of Cafe Coins to get you started. These are used in exchange for access to the highest quality, licensed photographs that are exclusive to The Cafe. They can be found in two areas at the moment: Hadrian's Villa, and the FoersterMedia Magazines. It isn't necessary to use Cafe Coins to get and download photos. The main index page of the Photos section contains a menu with some 12 different categories representing over 1,500 images. You are free to download all of these photos as long as your account is active.

What confuses me somewhat, is that your account currently has 100 coins allocated to it, and I show no record that you have spent any of them (even though you have access to one FoersterMedia Magazine: Boy OH Boy #1). I can assure you that there is significantly more variety here than "beefy steroidal" California muscle males. I will be happy to refund your registration costs, however I would prefer if I was able to direct you to the type of material that you're interested in as an alternative.

I work hard to provide an enjoyable atmosphere, quality service, and a stable network environment so that this site is always fast and available. Interestingly enough, I can see how things get to be over run as I manage the site by myself. Customers like yourself are of greater interest than those who never complain, because without people like you, I wouldn't know what needs to be improved.

Thank you for taking a moment to write, and I look forward to your reply.

Nathan Johansen
International Cafe, Inc.

9:03 am - "Re: me again"

At 01:43 AM 2/18/97 -0600, you wrote:
>Your account of your personal experience is very well written; however I
>still feel cheated and outraged.
>55.00 US dollars for one page of overweight older males. (my last
>charge, the one I mentioned in my last letter, for 5.00 <#3595253>, the
>initial charge was 50.00).
>
>Ken

Hello Ken,

Thank you for your compliments on My Coming Out Letter. I responded to your concerns about The Cafe in a separate e-mail.

As a matter if curiosity, what is the address of this page which you found to have nothing but overweight older males? I'm at a loss to think of what it is that you could be considering as such, and would be interested to know.

I appreciate your patience and anticipate your reply,

Nathan

9:03 am - "Re: Foerster Photo"

At 04:34 AM 2/18/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Nathan,
>
> Thank you. I knew, from your intro. and picture that you were a great
>guy. Thanks again for your help.
>
>John

Dear John, <-- Couldn't resist, as I doubt I'll ever write a "Dear John" note!

You're welcome. My goal is to make sure that you have a quality and enjoyable on-line service -- and no matter how important the money is to keeping my bills at bay, I would rather that people feel like they are getting more than what they paid for instead. It breeds a confidence in them of me, and in turn means that I will have the opportunity to impress them again in the future.

When I started this place, it was because it was fun to do, and people appreciated every piece of it. I know what it has taken to get this far, and how much of my life it has literally consumed to do it, so I'm always thrilled when someone writes with a complaint or concern that I can correct. As of late, it is like I spend the bulk of my time trying to fight off the alligators rather than drain the pond. =) I appreciate your support, and look forward to you enjoying the site for many years to come.

Thank you,

Nathan Johansen
International Cafe, Inc.

9:03 am - "Re: Cafe Account Status"

At 08:47 AM 2/18/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello Mr. Nathan Johansen,
>
>thanks a lot for your information. I'll renew my account today. But there it
>still the problem with the eurocard-bill. If you want I can send you a mail
>with the copy of the
>eurocard-bill. There you can see personaly that the charge was make twotimes.
>Can
>you send me please your postaddress, so I can send you the copy of the bill
>by mail. While the time thanks a lot for your help.
>
>Peter

Peter,

You are welcome for the information, and I apologize that it contradicts with your Eurocard bill. While I'm confused because the information I have indicates that there was only one charge and not two, I see no need for you to send me a copy of your billing statement to prolong this issue. Please choose one of these two options:

Do you wish a refund of US$15.00 issued?

Or do you want a credit of 60 Cafe Coins applied to your account instead?

Nathan Johansen
International Cafe, Inc.

9:19 am - "Tuesday Morning 2/18/97"

Shawn,

I trust that you have returned to Los Angeles from where ever it was that your interview was being conducted.

I will ask a final time that you please take a moment to FAX (303-727-6062) a magnified, easy to read, photo ID card of yourself. If I don't see this before tomorrow morning, then I will deactivate the posts for sending aid to Christian since I have not been able to verify that either one of you exist (sorry).

If I turn out to be wrong, then accept my apology for being so insistent about this, but I'm not going to dig myself into another hole by being too generous and evading the evidence that constitutes the facts of my life.

Someone has been calling my home and cellular phone often and hanging up in the past three days. If this is you, I wish that you would simply say "Hello," instead. No sense in paying for a phone call if both parties only listen and no one speaks.

Nathan

9:46 am - "Re: Welcome to The Cafe."

At 02:35 AM 2/19/97 +1100, you wrote:
>The details that where sent to you were fake some one used my credit card
>and i would be gratefyll if you could please terminate the order..Thank
>you...... Steve

Hi Steve,

Thank you for taking a moment to write, but would you mind sending me a full copy of the "Welcome to The Cafe" receipt so that I know which account it is. You gave me no information with which to find this account, and although I've exhausted my search using your last name and e-mail address, nothing turned up with a match.

Thank you,

Nathan Johansen
International Cafe, Inc.

4:14 pm - "Question-Lovehouse"

Dear Nathan,

I recognized, since we had move our Server to USA, we get a very few Mails.
Can you look at your server, how many hits/day we have so that we can see,
if it is a connection-
problem or a commercial-problem.
Because my english isn't very good, this request is sent by Peter.

Joe

Redirected to Aaron

5:53 pm - "A note from Nathan Johansen"

Hi Chris,

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for registering at The Cafe today. I understand that you selected the highest membership level, and want to make sure that this is what you indended to choose.

It is very common for guests to register for that level, and then forget about it when the credit card statement appears. Hopefully this note will avoid any confusion that we might have in the future. Your account details are as follows:

Expires: Fri Feb 18 15:04:02 2000

Make sure to type your username and password in all _lowercase_ letters. If you have any problems please let me know. Additionally, as a personal Thank You, I've added an additional 100 Cafe Coins to your account. Enjoy.

Again, I welcome you to the site. If there is anything that I can ever do to reward you for your strong initial support, please let me know. Thanks,

Nathan Johansen
International Cafe, Inc.

6:57 pm - "Re: Coming out letter........."

At 11:52 AM 2/18/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Nathan,
>
>WOW!!! Just read your entire letter on the Web. I am so very much
>impressed. I am a 25 year old male who has just really come to terms with
>the fact that he is gay during the past couple of years. It was very much a
>major self discovery. I always new that I was "different" from the sorm of
>society. I just did not know exactly why. I have never been the type of
>person that was afraid of being different. In fact I have never really had a
>fear of anything other than being alone I guess. I view people for who they
>are and the good that they can do. Not for their sexual encounters. I guess
>I always hoped that people would view me in the same light. I love people.
> I love being around them and helping them. When a friend calls me at 330 in
>the morning to talk about some crisis in their life, I am happy. I love the
>fact that people trust me and want to come to me for their help. Many people
>look at my actions and say that I am allowing my friends to use me. To that
>I respond with " how can they be using me or taking advantage of me when I
>love doing it" I will go out of my way to do things for others, not because
>they make me do this , but because I enjoy doing it and have an inner drive
>that leads me to this work.
>
>In fact, I guess most of the people that I have become acquainted with
>respected my actions so much that when they learned that I was gay it did not
>make a difference......they said that they never really saw me as gay or
>straight, but just as a loving caring individual..........I love hearing
>that..........and wish those words would be the words of society and not of
>just a select few........
>
>Many people also view me as a hopeless romantic. I guess in search of that
>one special person. That may be true. I would like to have a person in my
>life that I could share everything with. Someone to come home to and be
>with. Not just in a sexual way, but more intimate than that. I guess that's
>why I have so many friends. I love people so much and I learn from
>everything they bring to me. I learn from every experience that life has to
>offer.
>
>Below you will find a poem that I worte a few years ago. Up until just
>recently it has remained locked away on paper as well as in my heart. Like I
>said I guess I have just recently become totally outwardly comfortable with
>who I am. I guess before that I was always afraid of letting my feelings
>out. It's kind of funny, people never had a problem sharing their deepest
>darkest secrets with me, but I kept the most intimate emotions of my life a
>secret. The poem expresses alot about my feelings on love.
>
>A Lover's Request
>
>You are there and I am here.
>The rest for now remains unclear.
>For your touch I have yet to feel.
>Those passing glances I have yet to steal.
>
>But where are you? Are you near me?
>Have I seen your face? Have You seen me?
>We may have passed maybe even met.
>You may be a stranger I don't know yet.
>
>There's someone for everyone or so they say.
>Maybe you'll be in my life someday.
>If you apper, my dreams will come true.
>You will hold me and I will hold you.
>
>One day my words will fill your ears.
>Will that be days, weeks, months or even years.
>Until that day I have one wish for thee.
>Sleep with the Angels, my dear, but dream of none but me.
>
>
>Well, I guess I'll wrap this one up for now. If you get the chance email me
>back and let's share more of our thoughts with each other. I am sure you are
>just overwhelmed with email in response to your webpage, but just a line or
>two when you get the chance would be nice.
>
>Take care and I hope to hear from you soon..............
>
>James

Hi James,

I simply adore your poem -- your mind is wonderfully suited for poetry. :)

Additionally, I'm somewhat fascinated by your enthusiastic response to my Coming Out letter. I often receive accolades on it (as opposed to hostile messages from people telling me that I'm a self-centered bastard or a sinning child of god, etc.) So, I have to say that I very much appreciate this thorough note which you have authored.

If is obvious that you are a wonderful friend to have. I can relate with your position regarding that boundless energy from participating in someone else's life by letting them know about your experiences and advise on a plan of action to solve whatever disaster they might be facing at the moment. It is almost like their problems are simple for you to manage, while you are left to pull through on your own when something intersects your path -- but that's okay, because I'm sure that you're used to it by now, and it doesn't scare or surprise you anymore. :) Not that life is a series of malevolent events after another, just that one must not get so caught up in them to the point that they forget what's important to them and that there are good things around to enjoy.

This brings up the next fun section of your letter, intimate relationships. What you fall in love with is another person's sense of life -- that combination of their appearance, character, thoughts, and desires which makes them the individual that you so dearly care about. Sex is something that the two of you use to express the best in each other. It's like an affirmation that your life is worth living and that this person you're sharing it with is further proof that your actions are justified. I could happily go without sex by holding on to the simple knowledge that the person I loved existed somewhere in the world -- that fact in itself can inspire an original kind of courage and confidence which makes it possible to do almost anything.

Perhaps you could send me a photo of yourself in the next note? I always enjoy that, and I most certainly look forward to another e-mail. :)

Take care,

Nathan Johansen

6:57 pm - "Re: Foerster Photo"

At 04:41 PM 2/18/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Thank you! :)
>
>I think you're doing a great job. Again, I love the site and intend to keep
>my membership. Who knows I may even meet Mr. Right someday through your
>personals. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Now it's time for me to get
>back into the pond with the alligators.
>
>Thanks again for the personal touch. It's made me feel special. Take care,
>
>John

You're welcome, John.

Nathan

6:57 pm - "Re: How long must I wait?"

At 11:03 PM 2/18/97 GMT, you wrote:
>Dear Nathan,
>
>Thanks for sorting things out.
>I've managed to download lots of great pictures.
>You're doing a great job.
>
>Yours truly,
>David.

You're welcome, David.

Nathan

7:10 pm - "Re: intresting letter"

At 01:02 PM 2/18/97 -1000, you wrote:
>hey Nathan
>I just got done reading your letter, Dude Im sorry that sucks. I never
>real thhought about the feelings and problems that one has to grow up
>with. I guess I was kind of lucky, I think. But by the looks of things
>it has made you stronger than a lot of us. I you seem to have a very
>level head on your shoulders, evrything must be going well for you. Not
>trying to patronize you or anything. Just wanted to say good luck. Take
>Care
>Robbie

Hi Robbie,

Thank you for your note. I appreciate your comments, and can assure you that while growing up is a challenging thing that everyone goes through to some degree, I've turned out just fine. :)

The reason that I share so many of my thoughts and experiences on-line is in the hope that other people will identify with them, and perhaps discover that they are not alone in the things that they are going through (or have gone through, and even have yet to encounter!)

If there were more people like myself around to identify with when I was growing up, I suspect that I wouldn't have had as many questions or issues to figure out by experience alone. Then again, there are many people who liken this to the butterfly refusing to talk to the caterpillar, believing that it is best to work through it alone without knowing what to expect down the road. While I think that this is a worthy position for many things, I would prefer to know that I've been able to save someone else the 12 years of time it took me to figure these things out -- and to arrive at a point where I was not longer trying to lie to myself or fake reality when it came to my sexual identity much quicker and with less hassle.

In any case, thanks again for the note. :) Take care,

Nathan Johansen

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Last updated: 11:07 MST 2/28/97
Nathan Johansen - nathan@npj.com