Dirk Fan Mail

[horselightning]

Guess I will remember this. :D Is it ok this is put here? :D Just trying to help. Tracy posted this in another group. So I put it here too for her. I hope it is alright! :D

*Added by Admin*

Check out the homepage for the "Autograph Policy" notice.

Thanks.

[horselightning]

So more than one letter is considered a stalker? :D Cause I sent three to him before and he answered me on the third and was very nice autograph pic . They wern't even all sent in the same year either. I even told I he could answer or not , either way is fine with me. But I have refrained anyway cause I don't need to be labled a stalker go heavens know. That's just scary. Poor Dirk. :D

[Tracy]

Horselightning,

I've edited my message out of your post ( "netiquette" suggests you should ask for permission before cross posting someone else's post from any other group ;) ).

I had added an Autograph Policy notice to the homepage yesterday, so my message to the Yahoo group was not necessary here.
If it had of been, I would have posted it :)

Thanks for trying to help,
Tracy

[horselightning]

I did ask you if it was ok? It is on the post above? Sorry ! I never saw it on your page till it was two late by then. What's netiquette? :D

[Tracy]

I did ask you if it was ok? It is on the post above?

You are supposed to ask *before* you posted my message, not after you'd already done it ;)


Sorry ! I never saw it on your page till it was two late by then. What's netiquette? :D

"Netiquette" is internet etiquette.

[horselightning]

Oh ok! Sorry. Least we know the rules now. :D

[Nacky]

So more than one letter is considered a stalker? :D Cause I sent three to him before and he answered me on the third and was very nice autograph pic . They wern't even all sent in the same year either. I even told I he could answer or not , either way is fine with me. But I have refrained anyway cause I don't need to be labled a stalker go heavens know. That's just scary. Poor Dirk. :D

Yeah, it is scary...when you're famous you have to be extra cautious. There's a book called "I know you really love me" can't think of the author offhand. That book details the mentally disturbed psychosis of stalkers. Not just those who stalk celebrities but those around him/her, or those who stalk someone they feel cannot be free of the imaginary bonds the stalker has placed upon their victim( s ).

[bibbi]

Hi Tracy!

I myself have sent Dirk a couple of letters, including some photos. I made sure to make it very, very clear that it was "his" choice whether or not to respond.

I am certainly not a stalker. I sincerely hope that Dirk doesn't think I am. At least he hasn't sent my letters back. You've emailed me with info regarding when "Firestorm"( is it?) will be on television.

I sell for Avon Canada and you and I have had very pleasurable contacts via email.

I will wait to see if Dirk does reply to my letter(s). It's just that I admire him greatly and hope to some day meet him and yourself of course. He also reminds very much of my late fiancee, who died of cancer 3 years ago. My fiancee would have been Dirk's age. So, I will definitelly hold off writing to him again unless he responds and asks me too.

If you and Dirk should be in the Owen Sound area, you are both welcome to visit. I am of German background and it is a tradition in my family. That invitation is sincere. I guess Dirk does need to be careful. That is unfortunate. He is man of noble and decent character. But, when you're famous you do have to be careful. And I respect that.

regards,
Anne :)

[horselightning]

The biggest problem with fan mail is the bulk of it. Because the more a celeb gets the more time consuming it is. Anwering can be very costly as well. Most stars don't even try answering fan mail.

I consider myself privalged to have gotten an answer from Dirk. :D

[Lt. Templeton TLoS Peck]

It's a little bit sad the autograph topic was closed yesterday. I didn't have the feeling the discussion turned bad. I really liked the answers members were giving, and it might have been interesting to discus the topic a little bit longer, as long as it does not end into flame wars etc. ?

I don't believe Dirk hates fan mail, otherwise there would not be so much people on this board telling they received a nice answer from him. And everyone who met him at a convention has to agree he really takes time for his fans, and is probably the greatest guy to meet at a convention.

But maybe, because he really did so much effords for his fans, the little text about the autograph policy could (maybe) emphasize a little bit more the fact he really appreciated fan mail and did many many effords for his fans??? Just because a sec policy notice might suprise some of the fans? If you have met him, you know you don't have to read the policy in a wrong way, but not everybody had the opportunity to meet him in person.

And there are some strange persons in the fan community, so you can never be carefull enough in explaining such things.

Anyhow, don't forget you are not reading Dirk's personal words. It's just a short policy note of the webmaster. Not intended to express Dirk's personal toughts about fandom. So it should not be taken personally. It's just a sec note. But because it is a little bit predictable some fans might be suprised to read the policy note after reading all these nice things about him on this webpage, I would have made the text a little little bit more personal.

It's just a personal view, and not intended to blame anyone. This is really a nice website :D And it's not easily to run a website. I know how difficult it is to keep everyone happy when you run an internet forum. You post something on the internet, and everybody is reading your words in a negative way. Happens all the time.

But I think Tracy is doing a great job :wink:

I also understand why he asks 20$ on conventions. On most conventions he really is the most popular star of all. I met him at the screenheroes convention, and there were more people wanting to meet him than people wanting to meet one of the other stars. There were way more people wanting an autograph from him than from Richard Hatch. Sorry Richard, but Starbuck rules :wink:

And he certainly does not ask 20$ because he wants the money. He appreciated it so much that I was reading Kamikaze Cowboy that he signed my copy of the book for free. And took the time for a picture as well.

[Nacky]

It's a little bit sad the autograph topic was closed yesterday. I didn't have the feeling the discussion turned bad. I really liked the answers members were giving, and it might have been interesting to discus the topic a little bit longer, as long as it does not end into flame wars etc. ?

And he certainly does not ask 20$ because he wants the money. He appreciated it so much that I was reading Kamikaze Cowboy that he signed my copy of the book for free. And took the time for a picture as well.

I must have missed this whole thing. Normally I don't pay any attention but I searched out that thread you spoke of...heh heh I LOVE that Dawg!

[Lt. Templeton TLoS Peck]

I've read the topic again, and maybe it was not a bad idea to close the topic after all. :)

I don't think saying someone's opinion is worth nothing is a fair way to take part in a discussion.

Splash overreacted after reading the policy note, but she probably just misinterpreted the autograph topic. There was some extra explanation about this policy on the website (some fans try to get personal contact with different names, etc.), but I can't find this text anymore. Maybe this explanation stressed a little bit too much the negative side of getting fan mail, so fans who never had the opportunity to meet Dirk in person or received a friendly letter of him and visite this website for the first time, got a wrong idea about him.

Dirk is a gentlemen.

Don't judge Dirk on a text he didn't write himself. :wink: If you meet him on a convention you'll understand the policy note does not have to be interpreted in a negative way.

And Dawg: saying someone has to be ignored because he or she posted a little bit of a controversial text is not acting like a gentlemen. I think she overreacted just a little bit.

[Nacky]

I've read the topic again, and maybe it was not a bad idea to close the topic after all. :)

I don't think saying someone's opinion is worth nothing is a fair way to take part in a discussion.

Splash overreacted after reading the policy note, but she probably just misinterpreted the autograph topic. There was some extra explanation about this policy on the website (some fans try to get personal contact with different names, etc.), but I can't find this text anymore. Maybe this explanation stressed a little bit too much the negative side of getting fan mail, so fans who never had the opportunity to meet Dirk in person or received a friendly letter of him and visite this website for the first time, got a wrong idea about him.

Dirk is a gentlemen.

Don't judge Dirk on a text he didn't write himself. :wink: If you meet him on a convention you'll understand the policy note does not have to be interpreted in a negative way.

And Dawg: saying someone has to be ignored because he or she posted a little bit of a controversial text is not acting like a gentlemen. I think she overreacted just a little bit.

I totally agreed with Dawg. Given the circumstances. To each their own. I feel that Dawg is a gentleman, he's always been very kind to me. I like him. Yes. :twisted:

BTW, Dirk also "ignores" trolls and psycho fans...so Dawg was just saying what some of us were already thinking.

[Dawg]

...heh heh I LOVE that Dawg!

Aw, shucks, Nacky. :oops:

;)

I've read the topic again, and maybe it was not a bad idea to close the topic after all. :)

I don't think saying someone's opinion is worth nothing is a fair way to take part in a discussion.

Splash overreacted after reading the policy note, but she probably just misinterpreted the autograph topic. There was some extra explanation about this policy on the website (some fans try to get personal contact with different names, etc.), but I can't find this text anymore. Maybe this explanation stressed a little bit too much the negative side of getting fan mail, so fans who never had the opportunity to meet Dirk in person or received a friendly letter of him and visite this website for the first time, got a wrong idea about him.

Dirk is a gentlemen.

Don't judge Dirk on a text he didn't write himself. :wink: If you meet him on a convention you'll understand the policy note does not have to be interpreted in a negative way.

And Dawg: saying someone has to be ignored because he or she posted a little bit of a controversial text is not acting like a gentlemen. I think she overreacted just a little bit.

I totally agreed with Dawg. Given the circumstances. To each their own. I feel that Dawg is a gentleman, he's always been very kind to me. I like him. Yes. :twisted:

BTW, Dirk also "ignores" trolls and psycho fans...so Dawg was just saying what some of us were already thinking.

That's exactly what I was saying.

I am a gentleman - at least I try to be one. But I also don't take much off of anybody. I give everyone a certain level of respect, and they can earn a higher level of respect by their actions - or they can prove themselves unworthy of even a basic level of respect.

Lt. Templeton, I'm pretty sure there was no misinterpretation or overreaction to the autograph policy. There was one intent there - to stir things up. And, unfortunately, many people will automatically take such posts seriously and do exactly what the poster intended, with the best of intentions. My experience allows me to recongnize these persons (perhaps not the individual, but you know what I mean).

This person might have been a troll, or maybe a whacko out to do Dirk dirt as far as s/he could. Doesn't matter, as the end result is the same - when recognized, dismiss and ignore, and that's what I did. If you don't rise to the bait, they go looking for more fertile ground to troll.

Now - to return to the subject of this thread, I'm of the opinion that unless you have the wherewithal to have a staff to deal with fan mail and requests, limits have to be set; there's really no other choice in the matter. The less devoted fan won't want to spend $20 for an autograph - weeding #1 accomplished. Respectful fans will take advantage of the "approved" avenues of contact. The others, then, can be either ignored or turned over to the proper authorities for investigation and prosecution.

I am
Dawg
8)

[Nacky]

Aw, shucks, Nacky. :oops:

;)


I made you blush! I am now officially the Queen of the May...I think. :wink:



That's exactly what I was saying.

I am a gentleman - at least I try to be one. But I also don't take much off of anybody. I give everyone a certain level of respect, and they can earn a higher level of respect by their actions - or they can prove themselves unworthy of even a basic level of respect.

Lt. Templeton, I'm pretty sure there was no misinterpretation or overreaction to the autograph policy. There was one intent there - to stir things up. And, unfortunately, many people will automatically take such posts seriously and do exactly what the poster intended, with the best of intentions. My experience allows me to recongnize these persons (perhaps not the individual, but you know what I mean).

This person might have been a troll, or maybe a whacko out to do Dirk dirt as far as s/he could. Doesn't matter, as the end result is the same - when recognized, dismiss and ignore, and that's what I did. If you don't rise to the bait, they go looking for more fertile ground to troll.

Now - to return to the subject of this thread, I'm of the opinion that unless you have the wherewithal to have a staff to deal with fan mail and requests, limits have to be set; there's really no other choice in the matter. The less devoted fan won't want to spend $20 for an autograph - weeding #1 accomplished. Respectful fans will take advantage of the "approved" avenues of contact. The others, then, can be either ignored or turned over to the proper authorities for investigation and prosecution.

I am
Dawg
8)

Heh Heh, Yesterday Yahoo took down a certain list (about another star) that was attacked almost by-monthly by a really insane troll who subjected its members (and me) to scathing hateful posts, none of which even related to ANY topics being discussed there (albeit we did have some other trolls already there who talked about the celebrity's rear-end and boobs, ad nausem) but the fact the big stalking vicious troll who would appear when it wasn't being fed anywhere else to just attack and then claim *I* was going off-topic when I complained there was no moderator, was just so incrediably indescribable! That horrible thing did nothing but attack with some of the stupidest stuff and NEVER once contributed to the "topic" of the list but sure screamed at everyone else that they were off-topic after being attacked. As a matter of fact the only time the celebrities in question were even uttered by that troll thing was to claim that it got to "disco" dance to the music of said celebrities...at an "SCA" event...OY!

But the great thing is...that list cannot be attacked anymore. The posts from it were saved for "further" evidence, but it feels liberating to know that the LAST venue for that nasty thing, has been cut off. Because I'm in the midst of a certain unfolding drama, I can certainly sympathize with Dirk and his fan mail situation. It's really criminal that one psycho can ruin it for everyone else. In his place, I'd disappear from any public knowledge to get away from certain "things/people". But Dirk is stronger than I and obviously stern and unwavering in his resolve. Qualities that I admire, that I know I have but too distant from whatever I might do given the utmost will to escape from a tormentor who has already threatened my life. He battled the most fearful threat of all...cancer. That is where Dirk has been my rock, I know he knows where I'm walking in shaky footsteps. Although Tracy is the main reason I've come, I'm her fan as well. If I had known then, what I know now, I would have never ever posted my link to my sites in a certain BSG list. In my innocence and wide-eyed puppy ears of wild fun and great online adventures...I never once thought how bad one stalker/troll/terrorist could make my ass wanna dip an apple for smoking. Or drinking or whatever.

So...Dawg, tell me, where are you from? You seem to have a great admiration for the old BSG series. Me too! I used to watch that, I even have the DVD movie of it...still kinda being lazy about getting the boxed set. I hear it's great!

[Lt. Templeton TLoS Peck]

I was just a little bit suprised because a new member was immediately called a troll. :? But after reading her new post I have the impression their is more involved than a simple overreaction and a misinterpretation as well...

People have to behave a little bit when taking part of a forum, otherwise they have to be banned.

Not the friendly letters of fans are a pain in the ass. Disproportional, strange and scarry reactions of fans are.

[Dawg]

Aw, shucks, Nacky. :oops:

;)


I made you blush! I am now officially the Queen of the May...I think. :wink:

That you are. Although Mrs. Dawg might have something to say about it.

So...Dawg, tell me, where are you from? You seem to have a great admiration for the old BSG series. Me too! I used to watch that, I even have the DVD movie of it...still kinda being lazy about getting the boxed set. I hear it's great!

The boxed set is great. Richard, Dirk and Herb do a commentary over Saga that's a lot of fun to listen to. There are other extras as well, including concept art, a blooper reel, etc. Of course, we have a lot of that over at CA, too.

But Universal used very cheap double-sided DVDs and that's a problem. I've got one cracked and another I found delaminated and useless - I'm trying to get them replaced. If you do get the boxed set (and I recommend it), when you get it home inspect the discs and make copies of them. That way if they go to pieces on you you'll still have the content on usable discs.

As for me - I live in the great Pacific Northwest, I am very happily married to the wonderful and destined-for-sainthood Mrs. Dawg. I'm one of the co-owners of the Cylon Alliance (www.cylon.org), and I'm a moderator at Colonial Fleets. I'm also helping out on the Exodus project (www.allgalactica.com). I am very much a vocal supporter of a continuation of the 1978 BSG universe, and I hope Glen Larson and Tom Desanto get together to give it to us.

Yeah, I'm kinda big on BSG.

Curiosity satisfied, Nacky? ;)

I am
Dawg
8)

[MrsSpooky]

Aw, shucks, Nacky. :oops:

;)


I made you blush! I am now officially the Queen of the May...I think. :wink:

That you are. Although Mrs. Dawg might have something to say about it.

So...Dawg, tell me, where are you from? You seem to have a great admiration for the old BSG series. Me too! I used to watch that, I even have the DVD movie of it...still kinda being lazy about getting the boxed set. I hear it's great!

The boxed set is great. Richard, Dirk and Herb do a commentary over Saga that's a lot of fun to listen to. There are other extras as well, including concept art, a blooper reel, etc. Of course, we have a lot of that over at CA, too.

But Universal used very cheap double-sided DVDs and that's a problem. I've got one cracked and another I found delaminated and useless - I'm trying to get them replaced. If you do get the boxed set (and I recommend it), when you get it home inspect the discs and make copies of them. That way if they go to pieces on you you'll still have the content on usable discs.

As for me - I live in the great Pacific Northwest, I am very happily married to the wonderful and destined-for-sainthood Mrs. Dawg. I'm one of the co-owners of the Cylon Alliance (www.cylon.org), and I'm a moderator at Colonial Fleets. I'm also helping out on the Exodus project (www.allgalactica.com). I am very much a vocal supporter of a continuation of the 1978 BSG universe, and I hope Glen Larson and Tom Desanto get together to give it to us.

Yeah, I'm kinda big on BSG.

Curiosity satisfied, Nacky? ;)

I am
Dawg
8)

Hey Dawg, where's the blooper reel? I thought I saw all the bonus features but didn't see one.

[Nacky]

The boxed set is great. Richard, Dirk and Herb do a commentary over Saga that's a lot of fun to listen to. There are other extras as well, including concept art, a blooper reel, etc. Of course, we have a lot of that over at CA, too.

But Universal used very cheap double-sided DVDs and that's a problem. I've got one cracked and another I found delaminated and useless - I'm trying to get them replaced. If you do get the boxed set (and I recommend it), when you get it home inspect the discs and make copies of them. That way if they go to pieces on you you'll still have the content on usable discs.

As for me - I live in the great Pacific Northwest, I am very happily married to the wonderful and destined-for-sainthood Mrs. Dawg. I'm one of the co-owners of the Cylon Alliance (www.cylon.org), and I'm a moderator at Colonial Fleets. I'm also helping out on the Exodus project (www.allgalactica.com). I am very much a vocal supporter of a continuation of the 1978 BSG universe, and I hope Glen Larson and Tom Desanto get together to give it to us.

Yeah, I'm kinda big on BSG.

Curiosity satisfied, Nacky? ;)

I am
Dawg
8)

For now...but lo and behold, now if I have a question about that great sci-fi series, I will know who to seek out! Hmmm, you'd think they'd re-release the BSG boxed set with better discs. Maybe they will. Oh and they did one version of the boxed set with a big cylon head and another in a different box cover version...didn't they?

[Dawg]

I don't remember where the funny outtakes were - it's been awhile since I've looked for them. I remember the one with Muffit, though... :lol:

Anyway, check the last disk with the extras, of course - but they might have been part of deleted scenes.

The Cylon head box was the initial release, the "collector's edition" packaging. I got one of those. Later they went with the more traditional packaging (at a slightly reduced price).

Universal is all about making money. I understand that later releases to DVD had better quality raw material, though.

I am
Dawg
8)

[KamikazeCowgirl]

I was away from this site for a while and am still catching up with all that went on while I was gone !! Trolls ?? Where do they come from. Always amazes me which actors/singers attract them.

I see a lot of discussion has occured about the "autograph policy". I see no problem with it personally. Actors are in a fickle career and cant be expected to live on royalties from old TV series day in day out while the rest of us know exactly how much we will earn from day to day.

Spotted on Scott Bakulas page that he charges way more than Dirk so Dirk fans should be greatful !!

CREATION ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES SCOTT BAKULA TO LAS VEGAS

SCOTT WILL BE APPEARING ON SUNDAY AUGUST 20TH

AUTOGRAPHS:
SCOTT BAKULA (Capt Archer of Star Trek: Enterprise) $129. Please note that Scott has graciously agreed to sign a limited number of autographs and we expect these to sell out quickly. Please order asap to avoid being shut out. Please also note that the autograph price may rise at any time.

PHOTO OPS:
SCOTT BAKULA (Capt. Archer of Star Trek: Enterprise) $99 Please note that Scott has graciously agreed to pose for a limited time and we expect these photo opportunities to sell out quickly.

One of my favourite singers, UK's Cliff Richard, has often mentioned in autobiographies that he hates giving autographs because it feels like he is signing a cheque. I have never seen him refuse a single fan of an autograph - but personalyl I will never approach him for one because I feel he has made his feelings quite clear. I am happy just to have a photo taken with him. Its far more of a memory to keep for life than a scribble on a piece of paper. So my "celebrity" collection contains dozens of photos with celebrities at parties over the years - but no autographs.

[horselightning]

Got my four autographs for free. Guess i'm the lucky one.


Even luckier or maybe stranger I got a cabbage patch doll that was named Dirk Benedict. ROFLMAO! And ir looka like him too except for the brown eyes. Dead serious. Who picks out these names anyway. LOL! :D

[Beverly]

where is my letter I sent to you all about Dirk. I had questions I was hoping to get answers to. Please look for it. Beverly Perkins, Kingsport, TN Dirk is the love of my life. My dying wish is to meet him. I am in the US and live in a small town. It is hard to get to a convention where he is at from here.

[Dawg]

Beverly, any responses to emails you send are sent to the email you provide at the time. You should probably check your inbox, or perhaps your spam folder - some ISP's are very aggressive with their spam filters and it's entirely possible that responses sent to you wound up there.

I am
Dawg

[Beverly]

how do I get into my spam folder

[Dawg]

Go to your ISP's home page (for example, "comcast.net" or "cox.com.") and find the "email" link. You'll be asked for your user name or email, and your password. The screen that comes up should have an inbox, "sent" folder, and a "spam" folder. The actual layout and names for these folders will vary from ISP to ISP.

There should also be some option that will allow you to designate "safe" email domains to go into your inbox (and from there to your home email client like Outlook); if you can add dirkbenedictcentral.com to your "approved" list, you'll get all our messages directly to your inbox.

Specific questions will have to be directed to your ISP, though, because each has it's own security and procedure.

I am
Dawg

[Beverly]

where is the ISP page. I am trying to get my reply back. I don't think I have comcast or cox. Help thanks:cry:

[Dawg]

Beverly, probably the best thing for you to do is call your Internet provider and have them walk you through it. They're all different, but no matter which company you get your Internet access from, a customer service phone number will appear on your bill. Just give them a call and tell them what you want, and they'll show you exactly how to access your email.

Thanks!

I am
Dawg

[Beverly]

I can get my email because I got your instructions on how to get to this page. There is no reply from you. It's bevp9@charter.net. The email pops up automatically under charter. I do not have what you told me. Please send reply again under the charter email. Thank you

[Denise Ross]

How does Dirk feel about George becoming am actor/model? He is as good looking as his father.

[Zilfstar]

Denise: I think Dirk is the kind of father that supports his sons in everything (legal....) they decide to do. The fact that both sons choose a proffesion that is only going to succeed if you have the talent for it, proves to me Dirk has raised them with enough self-esteem and self-awareness. And that they both have their fathers support.

It is the kind of parent I want to be to my kids as well...

[Beverly]

I think you are exactly about Dirk and his sons. It looks like they are going to stay in Europe I am sorry to say. I would give anything if i could come to Europe and meet Dirk and his sons. He is so proud of them both. You can see it in his eyes and the way they all act around each other. Love you Dirk so much. Your biggest fan in the US, Church Hill, Tn. old country hippie. lol
Beverly

[Dawg]

Beverly, for the last time, Dirk is not staying in Europe. He only visits Europe.

His home is here. He has a son who presently plays soccer in Europe, and he legions of fans in Europe, so he visits Europe. But he lives in the US - somewhere in the wilds of Montana, away from the plastic and artificiality of Hollywood...

And yes, Zilfstar is exactly right about Dirk and his devotion to his sons.

I am
Dawg