Rambling Rhodes

Layne was the first thing I thought about when I saw that story too.

Did you know I never would have discovered your blog if the Layne thingy didn't happen? I didn't even know who Layne was, and never read the blog, but got engrossed in the detective work of people like you trying to figure it out.

Weren't you the first one to suspect Layne was fictional?

I had my suspicions about Layne early on, but I mostly kept them to myself. I would test the waters from time to time, asking if "Layne" wanted to meet me and my girlfriend for drinks sometime, but she was always dodgey, or just plain silent, so that obviously fed my suspicions. Then, Joshua at noematic.org/mine basically started airing his suspicions directly, and we e-mailed back and forth a lot engaging in endless speculation. Finally, Joshua posted his suspicions on his blog (http://www.noematic.org/mine/archives/011459.html), where speculation really started to mount, then the "Ugawa" message went up and "Layne" disappeared. But the speculation went on and on and on on Joshua's blog and elsewhere. Finally, Mitch Berg connected the dots that pointed at Odin Soli. It was pretty amazing detective work, although some people apparently harassed Odin and his family, which I thought was way out of bounds. Plain Layne was a fun blog, mostly because of the comment threads. I liked to refer to it as "bubble gum for the brain."

Heh.

This is pretty good. I'll have to chase it down in more detail when I'm off work.

Ehh, it's been done. What's the twist? What's the new angle he added?

Aside from the coming clean and all.

Did any of you ever read the blog when it was going? I never did and this is the first I've heard of it. A while ago I got invited to link up to what looked like a fakee to me, something like an off duty stripper/model. Bit of a stretch, especially without pics.

I never harassed Odin directly though I may have written one drunken angry email, I can't recall. I don't harbor real ill will towards him, I think he's a dick but that's alright.

Johnny, my understanding is that Odin was getting phone calls and stuff like that which, I can understand some anger, but that seemed a bit much.

I agree that calling him was a step beyond good taste. I can understand the hurt and anger but I know where the boundaries are.

At least he knows he elicited a strong reaction.

The Libertarian Girl blog doesn't seem to be anywhere near as well done but I haven't read the archives at all yet so maybe its better further back.

I do wish I could have a print out of some of those longer comment strings that were such fun to play in.

Ah jeez.

Ah, the nostalgia for the good old days in the comment box.
Maybe we need to plan the first Blogging National Holiday: Layne Day, to be celebrated each year on June 9.

You mentioned that you thought Layne was a fake pretty early on to me. I actually disagreed with you at first. My thinking was...what kind of loser would not only have a fake blog, but email people and establish numerous relationships? I guess that question was answered.
I did come around awhile the reveal though.

This is why you should preview before you post, kiddies.
That should have read "I did come around awhile BEFORE the reveal though."

I agree with Frances (hi Frances!)
Proclaim a Layne Day, June 9th :-)

Seriously, though.

I think that Plain Layne inspired a lot of people (including me) to take up blogging. And I must admit I met some pretty interesting people thru the whole thing, AND an interview with a San Jose Mercury News reporter. It was the craziest thing I've ever been a part of in my decade on the Internet.