Something light-hearted for a change.

I'm one of many here that access MSN Messenger on a daily basis, no thanks to the automatic log-in that comes with it.

Immediately after startup I get a smack from the MSN Messenger window, along with the onslaught of red and the mercifully small amount of green.

It's not that I don't like many people, but I wouldn't think I would be able to handle the onslaught of conversation windows at one go. I don't know how people manage that, but I'm not confident that I can.

But, curiosity struck me yesterday, which led me to a nice little question for you guys.

How do you start a MSN conversation?

My good friend and I have found a rather amusing way to do so.

Ever since I got her contact on Messenger, I made it a point to chat with her when she comes online.

One day, just for the sake of it, I typed in 'BOO!'

Her reply: AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!! (I don't know if there are enough exclamation marks. I think there were more.)

It was the start of a tradition. Whoever who started up the window first had the privilege of scaring the other out of her wits, and probably out of her skin too.

And when she found a cute ghost smiley to spice up her greeting, the amusement was better.

It was not just my good friend who got 'BOO!'ed by me.

My senior too had experienced shock after shock when I would surprise her with the customary greeting out of the blue. The 'LOL' and 'AAAH!' after that may not say much, but since I know that she's subdued when it comes to showing emotions, that's quite a something.

And my other friends, oh my poor poor friends. And what's worse, even if we don't celebrate it, Halloween is coming, and drawing ever closer.

So, sometimes, you should watch who you're adding onto your MSN Messenger Contact List.

You may never know who will catch ya offguard.

BOO!