The Sheila Variations

God. That really is creepy.
I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope he reads this entry and realizes how uncomfortable he has made you.
However, he sounds a little unbalanced so he might not even recognize himself here.
Be sure to save all the correspondence, though. Just in case.

Get some good professional advice and get legal help immediately:

http://www.haltabuse.org/resources/laws/newyork.shtml

http://www.ncvc.org/src/Resources/new_york.html

The only comment that I must take issue with is that you "will never mention it again" - talk and share and make sure that your safety is put first! If you are under attack SHOUT AND SCREAM until you are heard (and a quick phone call would put any number of people at your doorstep for a ride or company for the weekend) - we love you too much to see you put up with this bs!

Don't protect them. Expose the hell out of them. Let everyone know who they are. There are too many freaky people out in the world today to keep this a secret. You don't have to do it publicly, but do let someone know who it is!

I agree with Jim and Dad.

Psycho Dad is right (psycho dad?) give a copy of what you have emails, ip address (with comments in the activity log that I told you not to delete), etc. along with any pieces of identity to someone for safe keeping.

Do you think a dog like one of ours would be necessary for protection?

I have to agree with everyone above. While you can't let one creep ruin what you've been doing here, you should follow Psycho Dad and Jim's advice regarding distributing this guy's information to others.

This guy needs a social life, period.

He needs his ass kicked is what he needs.

Wow. The sad but true fact is that there are too many weirdos in the world to play around.

Hopefully your post will help this person (who like Bill says, is apparently in very real need of another social outlet) get the message.

I'm with Patrick on this one. A good ass whuppin goes a long way.

sheila -

i am so sorry and angry and sick that you have this problem.

your attitude is well taken, and your defense well-thought out. THOUGH i have read on lgf and and at glenn's BIGBLOG that there is software available to blockout/lockout unwanted harassers like this. (Ithough this software might only work at certain blog-spot/hosts. CHECK IT OUT!)

i've always worried about this aspect of blogging. for you - and other fine bloggers who dare to be personal and personable. and real.

i have thought about blogging - beleieve or not somew bloggers have recommended it - but i've been afriad of the demands that keeping atuned to a following might make - and afraid of attracting a nutcase.

a blog puts you "out there" and makes you vulnerable in ways that are not always good or nice.

if you ever need a POSSSE to protect you - just call.

that's why i'm posting this: the obsessive harasser should realize that you have a thousand supporters who will protect you.

and who want him to stop - cease - and desist AT ONCE.

"Move on... you troll..."

danny boy, I've got nine tough brothers who would love to give some punk a beat down. Come to think of it, my three sisters are pretty hard ass too.

Movable Type has a built-in option to ban IP addresses of commenters. Also, you can use the "block sender" function in your email program to prevent him from emailing you.

This guy, whoever he is, could very well be harmless and just lacking proper social skills. He might get the message now. If he doesn't, and you block his IP address and his email address, and he goes out of his way to contact you again, then you'll know that you definitely have a problem. It would clear up any and all uncertainty.

I also agree with those above. Let someone know his name, email address, and IP address. Do that now in case he gets weirder.

pitiful :(

Dear Sheila - And we love right back. Also, what o'danny boy said. If you ever need a posse, just call. It's obvious that you have a huge "supporting cast" but some of the above comments are spot on ... let someone know about this and keep copies of everything.
Love, Terry Reynolds

this is the challenge with hanging it all out there. people begin to think they are entitled to share in your whole life. they can't diferentiate between the digital and the chemical.

i have had similar headaches on my site - not so much with trolls or questionable characters but of expectations and content.

the bottom line as i see it is this. by writing for the public, you willingly accept this kind of behavior may result. but the readers also have to understand that you can and will respond to it however you see fit.

and, as this is your blog, and your site, and your thoughts, and your words, here, unlike anywhere else, it really is all about you, and everyone else is simply a guest lucky enough to share it.

This guy is bad news. I suggest you quickly read "The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence" by Gavin De Becker. He has managed similar problems on a professional basis for years.

His advice includes this: do not under any circumstances respond to this man. At all. Ever. The best outcome is he gets bored and goes away. Threatening is often ineffective as it is a perverse encouragement (negative attention being preferred to no attention at all). He will also not be ashamed by our dislike of him.

Such men should be considered dangerous until proven otherwise. My apologies form the male gender.

All right, you all. Thanks much for all of this.

And Pogo: no need to apologize for your gender.

Women are quite capable of being stalker-freaks as well (member Fatal Attraction??)

But thanks everybody: I feel the Posse behind me.

Regular blogging will resume.

Tell the creep to dress up like an elf and watch Lord of the Rings six times in one weekend like a normal loser with no life. If he ends up making you feel uneasy about blogging, I'm going to be PISSED.