Shoutbox

You should have left the spam-filled list as it was, then you could have gone back and seen if old friends were online, as well as change your nickname to "I have a new email, add me: xxx@hotmail.com".Lesson learned

You could try copying the contacts from your NEW account back onto your OLD account. Seeing as your old friends shouldn't have blocked or deleted that account (and they'll recognise the email address if a request is received) you may be able to contact them that way.