Your typical e-mail conversation

The Premise:
For my next few blogs, I thought I’d analyze an excerpt from an E-mail conversation between two people: Dan (OCaptainMyCaptain002) and Sarah (SarahBaker86).

As I read their conversation, I thought about a couple things:
1. What is happening on the surface of their conversation? (what is literally being said?
2. What is happening below the surface? (are there any underlying messages being sent?
3. What do you think about each character – how would you describe each person and how are they perceived online?

Background Info:
Sarah and Dan are two students who are in the same math class. Earlier in the semester, they had been randomly paired to work on a project together; although they had a good time doing it, since they did not know each other very well, after the project was completed, they continued going their separate ways. Near the end of the semester, however, Dan and Sarah start to communicate with each other again. This is how their conversation goes:

16 November, 2008 – 4:02pm
OCaptainMyCaptain002
>Hey Sarah! How’s it going? Noticed you weren’t in class on Friday, so I grabbed some extra worksheets for you…we’re starting Chapter 10…trig identities…and it’s due next week. I can drop them off at your house later tonight, if you like?

16 November, 2008 – 5:47pm
SarahBaker86
>Thanks Dan, you’re awesome. How’s it going by the way? I’m probably not going to be home tonight …have some stuff to do. But if you’re in the neighbourhood, you can slip it in my mailbox. If not, though, don’t worry about it…I can just get them the next time I see you in class. See you next week.

17 November, 2008 – 3:14pm
OCaptainMyCaptain002
>Hey Sarah! Just making sure you got the worksheets I left at your house. Did you get them? Also, if you need any help with them, let me know.

18 November, 2008 – 1:08am
SarahBaker86
>Yeah, I got them. Sorry, I forgot to thank you earlier. And actually…if you don’t mind…I would like some help. I took a look at the sheets yesterday and none of it makes any sense to me. What time do you finish school on Thursday? I’m done at 2:20.

18 November, 2008 – 8:15 am
OCaptainMyCaptain002
>How about I meet you in the library at 2:40? My last class is all the way on the other side of campus. By the way…when we’re done, do you want to go for tacos or something?

18 November, 2008 – 5:43pm
SarahBaker86
>Hahah. 2:40 sounds great. But I think I’m going to have to pass on the tacos…I’m really not a big fan of Mexican food. Haha. Plus, I have some place to go afterwards. See you Thursday.

18 November, 2008 – 9:34pm
OCaptainMyCaptain002
>Hahah, ok, no Mexican food. But maybe we can get together some other time? What do you like…Japanese? Chinese? Greek? McDonalds? Haha.

19 November, 2008 – 5:24pm
SarahBaker84
>Hey, Dan. I’m really sorry but I don’t think I’ll be able to meet with you anymore, tomorrow afternoon. Something just came up. Have a good weekend.

What do you think is going on here? Drop a comment or answer the questions up top, if you like. If not…read my other blogs…and I’ll try to explain what’s happening.