If it weren't for strangers, there would never be friends

The truth is, a few months ago I decided not to submit a profile here on penpals.buzz. Everyone would just be a stranger, I thought. And would a stranger really want to write to me, Armando Moreno, age 43, incarcerated for a violent crime? And on top of that, I'm a bit shy, and was unsure about what to expect. Would I even know what to write, if someone did write to me?

The more I thought about it, I remembered a saying I heard years ago -- something like, "If it weren't for strangers, there would never be friends." So, here I am, putting myself out there, hoping that one of you strangers out there may eventually become my friend.

Before we get too far, let me introduce myself. Hi, my name is Armando, but my friends call me Mando for short. I'm hella cool (at least I think so!!) easy to talk to, easy to get along with, and I'm also a great listener which people around here love about me. (Some of these guys have so many stories to tell, and they know I'll listen!!). I'd enjoy hearing about your life and your thoughts and I can promise you my ears will always be open. When you write, feel free to ask me anything, as I have nothing to hide.

I mentioned about being kinda shy, and that's true. But, I do open up quite a bit more once I start getting to know someone. I am 6 feet tall, 210 pounds, and athletic (as I work out five days a week here on the prison yard in Umatilla, Oregon). Umatilla - you've probably never heard of it, right? Truth is, it's a town of just 7,000 people (and 2,000 of them live here with me, at the Two Rivers Correctional Institution).

I hope you'll give me a chance. I have my own money and will pay for my own phone calls, stamps, and all that. I know sometimes inmates will ask their pen pals for money, but I promise to never do that. As I like to say, "I'm not a bum," and I really just want to meet some strangers who can become friends. Let's keep each other company!

Until soon,
Mando
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On GettingOut.com, search for Armando Deanda-Moreno at Two Rivers Correctional Institution.