LiveJournal is 25: interesting facts about me and my blog
Why not do this?! I'm always up for a some good meme questions!
1. LJ appeared in April 1999, the year when I…
1999 was the year my marriage was beginning to crumble; it was a rough year all the way around. It was the end of one millennial, and we were about to start another. I was scared, wondering what would be ahead for me. Good choices and the desire to fix things helped, and our marriage was restored a few years later with a lot of hard work. We both had to face, acknowledge, and own, then fix our mistakes. Despite the pain, I'm grateful for this time, and I will never take my marriage for granted again. Nothing in life is "for sure."
2. As a child, I wanted to become a…
As a child, I didn't dream much. Looking back, I find that kind of sad, but it was (and is) because of my lack of self-confidence. I avoided wanting them since I didn't think any of my desires were possible. However, I remember thinking how wonderful it would be to be the first flutist in the Philadelphia Orchestra. I knew it couldn't be possible; I could never be *that* good, so it was laughable. I wonder if I'd had more confidence in my abilities, whether I would have seen my goals as more realistic and put more effort into them.
3. My favorite school subject was…
American History, but any history course was interesting and fun. But the best thing in school was playing flute in the band. It wasn't necessarily a full-credited course, although we were graded, and it "counted" towards my grade point average minimally. Band kids were considered "nerds," so being a nerd had to be ok!
4. The tune of my carefree youth is...
Wow, that's a difficult question because there were so many. I loved The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle, and Chad and Jeremy - in the soft rock genre. I saw all but Chad and Jeremy in a live concert, too! Best songs: "Here Comes the Sun" (Beatles), "Sounds of Silence" (Simon and Garfunkle), and "Donna Donna" (Chad and Jeremy). The last one has the best flute part, and I could listen to it repeatedly!! Later (in my 20s), I latched onto Al Stewart songs, like "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages."
Listen here to these youtube videos to travel back to the 1960s and 70s ... if you have a mind to:
Here Comes The Sun
Sounds of Silence
Donna Donna
Year of the Cat
Time Passages
5. A book (or an author) that influenced me
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough was this complex and amazing family saga that was later turned into a mini-series that was almost as good as the book (if I remember correctly). I read it many years ago and only remember a little of the plot. However, while reading, I felt great empathy for some of the characters, particularly Justine, a peripheral character who appeared later in the book. I remember crying buckets because I related to her so much. Since I've forgotten so much, I must re-read the book to see if I still relate similarly.
6. A city (or cities) I truly love
I grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA, and from childhood on, I loved going into the city. When I was small, my mom took my siblings and me to the Philadelphia Orchestra Children's Concerts. We'd ride the Reading Railroad from our hometown to the city, go to the orchestra, then we'd have lunch at Horn and Hardart's "Automat", an iconic, pre-fast food type restaurant. Here's a bit about it because they don't exist now:
As I got older - maybe in 7th grade - I was allowed to take the train into Philly myself, and I'd go into John Wanamaker and Strawbridge and Clothier department stores to shop and hang out. Christmastime was the best, and I'd hang out in John Wanamaker to see their Christmas light show and hear the fantastic organ concerts throughout the day. The best place to stand was around this eagle statue. "Meet me at the Eagle" was often said among friends and family when designating a place to meet after a day of shopping in John Wanamakers.
Historic Philly is fun, too: the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, and all the other buildings from the Revolutionary War era.
7. I started an LJ blog in … because I wanted...
When I was 51, I started my LJ blog on September 15, 2001, because my friend Erin suggested it. She was an online friend and thought this would be a great way of keeping in touch. So, I did. But this was nothing new. I've had diaries off and on throughout my life and loved recording my thoughts, feelings, and activities. LJ seemed like a great way of recording and sharing these things with others, although my initial motivation wasn't sharing - except with Erin. However, in 2004, when my son was recovering from major surgery, I discovered LJ Communities, particularly the fortysomething community. From my interactions there, I met my initial group of friends. (Ironically, when I joined that community, I was "too old" for it. I was 54!)
8. The catch phrase that nearest and dearest recognize me by…
"Cats are a sweet reminder that love is nearby." I love cats! Cats love me! Cats mean love!
9. A movie I'm never tired to watch again
I don't watch many movies, so this question is moot. I know the type of movies I WON'T watch again: scary or horror flicks. Why be scared on purpose? The only kind of movies I'd repeat were those I needed to see again because there were things I missed the first time. But I can't think of one now.
10. When I was 25, I liked to…
Downhill Ski! It was around that time I learned to ski. Every winter after that, my husband and I would spend a week at a ski resort - usually Bromley or Magic Mountains in Vermont. But sometimes, we went "out west" with the Long Island East Ski Club to Colorado (Telluride) and to Idaho (Sun Valley). I skied until I was 50, when my knees weakened (torn meniscus), and I had to stop. After our son was born, he learned to ski, too, and became good. However, he's now chosen cross-country skiing over downhill skiing.
11. I can't live a day without…
Music! I love to listen to music, play music on my flute, and sing. I will sing and create harmony to anything -- even advertisements on TV! Music is my soul food! Also, if I'm denied the internet, I get twitchy! But, taking this question to a more fundamental level, I can't live without oxygen, food, water, and shelter!
12. An LJ post I'd like to recommend to everyone…
I don't have one. Most of the LJ posts I read are friends-locked.
13. I'm proud of…
I can't believe what a difficult question this is. I've been sitting at my desk contemplating it for quite a while. Am I proud of anything? Or, do I deny and bury my prideful feelings, knowing that "Pride Cometh Before a Fall." When I begin to feel proud about something, my first instinct is to list all its flaws, making it less worthy of pride. I was raised that it was "noble" to be "humble," and pride is the antithesis of that. I bet I'm proud of something, but I'm in denial!
14. If I could give advice to myself from 1999, I'd…
There are not always "second chances." Sometimes, you don't know you've had your "last chance" until you've had it. And - No one can tell you you're inferior without your consent! Comparing myself to others is a bad trap that makes you feel less than you are.
15. My favorite LJ blog(s)
My Friends list! Each person with whom I interact is unique and has a special value to me.
16. My favorite LJ community (-ies)
LJ communities were once more active than they are. I was grateful for fortysomething in my initial years of journaling here.
17. A dish (or a food product) I learned to like only as an adult
The biggest change in my eating habits was learning to love fresh tomatoes. I gagged on them as a child. Now, I seek them out: in tossed salads, Caprese Salads, taco salads, and even sliced by themselves.
18. Within these 25 years I've visited…
Sadly, I've done very little travel in the last 25 years. My husband has admitted that he doesn't like to travel, so we don't, except to travel to and from our two houses on Long Island and Hilton Head Island, and that may be enough! We also go to Maine each summer, where my siblings and I own two rustic cabins on a lake. My best friend, Claire (who died in 2015), and I occasionally traveled together. We took two trips (on Amtrak) to Montreal (and then Via Rail to Quebec). At other times, I'd drive to Atlanta, where she lived, and we took various road trips up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Claire and I also traveled to Wisconsin for "Whooping Crane Fest" in 2012, 2013, and 2014. My husband went with me in 2013.
However, most of my travels took place just over 25 years ago. When my husband was still working (he's retired now), we went together on his business trips to different resorts around the country. What a wonderful opportunity. We went to San Francisco, CA, Nashville, TN (Grand Ole Opry), Phoenix AZ (and a few Very Hot golf games!), Boston, MA, Providence, RI, South Lake Tahoe, CA, and more. Our ski club went to Telluride, CO, Sun Valley, ID, and various Vermont and New Hampshire spots. Our church choir made one fantastic 1995 trip to Salzberg and Vienna, Austria, and Munich, Germany, for "Advent Sing."
19. My favorite cure for sadness is…
Music. Photography. Writing. Listening and playing music are great escapes. I'm "in the zone" when doing this, and I can push aside my sadness. Going on a photography walk in nature helps my sadness. The ambiance of nature and capturing it on camera distracts me from my human cares. Writing out my sad feelings removes them from inside me. They're then separate where I inspect and make sense of them more dispassionately. That's where Live Journal helps!
20. If I didn't have to work, I'd do…
Oh, wait! I don't have to work! I'm 74 and retired. So, my photography, music, and writing are what I'd do if I weren't working, but since I'm not, they're what I do!
21. My superpower is…
I don't have one. I'm just a plain old ordinary human being. But I sometimes consider myself a "Cat Whisperer." Cats are my spirit animal.
22. A useful skill I'd like to teach younger generations is…
So many skills I learned as a child and young adult are now defunct and have little value in our high-tech world: secretarial shorthand, the rotary dial telephone, manual and electric typewriters, to name a few. Do they need to be taught? Probably not. One thing, however, is valuable to learn: cursive handwriting. I learned this in the 2nd and 3rd grades, and it was considered an important skill, but I'm reading that they have stopped teaching cursive because computer usage has taken over. As a history major who values historical documents, it's vital to read cursive handwriting to read those documents from generations ago. Plus, when taking notes, I've read that you seal the meaning of the notes you write much better if you write them out in cursive rather than typing or printing the information. It's a "brain thing" - something I don't understand, but I believe it's true.
23. If I could spend a day as an animal, that would be…
I want to be a fish where I can experience breathing underwater. Or, I'd like to be a bird and experience what it's like to fly. And, I've often wondered what it would like to be my cat and be cared for by me!
24. The way I'd like to grow old is…
Oh, wait. I already AM old! Or, maybe not?? Isn't 74 the new 54? I think so! 🙃😜🤣 But, seriously, I want to maintain my physical and mental faculties as I get older.
25. I'm grateful to LJ for…
...being my social media of choice! Yes, I also have Facebook and Instagram, which are useful but differ significantly from Live Journal. The relationships you make on Live Journal have more depth because you're encouraged -- even expected -- to use complete sentences and whole paragraphs. They call your "reading list" a "friends list" for a reason -- many of these acquaintances BECOME friends! It's also fun to exchange ideas with LJ friends who differ significantly from me in age, lifestyle and beliefs. I learn much from them and love coming out of my "bubble" to see a wider world. Though my writing could be better, I love to express myself in words. I'm grateful to LJ for giving me this interactive writing space.
Separate from my interactions with others, Live Journal is a place to record my thoughts, feelings, and activities over the years - for myself and my records. It's sometimes fun to peruse my LJ tags and then re-read those entries to see how I felt about those issues at the time they were happening. It's instructive to see how differently I feel now, revealing my own growth and change as time has moved forward.
1. LJ appeared in April 1999, the year when I…
1999 was the year my marriage was beginning to crumble; it was a rough year all the way around. It was the end of one millennial, and we were about to start another. I was scared, wondering what would be ahead for me. Good choices and the desire to fix things helped, and our marriage was restored a few years later with a lot of hard work. We both had to face, acknowledge, and own, then fix our mistakes. Despite the pain, I'm grateful for this time, and I will never take my marriage for granted again. Nothing in life is "for sure."
2. As a child, I wanted to become a…
As a child, I didn't dream much. Looking back, I find that kind of sad, but it was (and is) because of my lack of self-confidence. I avoided wanting them since I didn't think any of my desires were possible. However, I remember thinking how wonderful it would be to be the first flutist in the Philadelphia Orchestra. I knew it couldn't be possible; I could never be *that* good, so it was laughable. I wonder if I'd had more confidence in my abilities, whether I would have seen my goals as more realistic and put more effort into them.
3. My favorite school subject was…
American History, but any history course was interesting and fun. But the best thing in school was playing flute in the band. It wasn't necessarily a full-credited course, although we were graded, and it "counted" towards my grade point average minimally. Band kids were considered "nerds," so being a nerd had to be ok!
4. The tune of my carefree youth is...
Wow, that's a difficult question because there were so many. I loved The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle, and Chad and Jeremy - in the soft rock genre. I saw all but Chad and Jeremy in a live concert, too! Best songs: "Here Comes the Sun" (Beatles), "Sounds of Silence" (Simon and Garfunkle), and "Donna Donna" (Chad and Jeremy). The last one has the best flute part, and I could listen to it repeatedly!! Later (in my 20s), I latched onto Al Stewart songs, like "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages."
Listen here to these youtube videos to travel back to the 1960s and 70s ... if you have a mind to:
Here Comes The Sun
Sounds of Silence
Donna Donna
Year of the Cat
Time Passages
5. A book (or an author) that influenced me
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough was this complex and amazing family saga that was later turned into a mini-series that was almost as good as the book (if I remember correctly). I read it many years ago and only remember a little of the plot. However, while reading, I felt great empathy for some of the characters, particularly Justine, a peripheral character who appeared later in the book. I remember crying buckets because I related to her so much. Since I've forgotten so much, I must re-read the book to see if I still relate similarly.
6. A city (or cities) I truly love
I grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA, and from childhood on, I loved going into the city. When I was small, my mom took my siblings and me to the Philadelphia Orchestra Children's Concerts. We'd ride the Reading Railroad from our hometown to the city, go to the orchestra, then we'd have lunch at Horn and Hardart's "Automat", an iconic, pre-fast food type restaurant. Here's a bit about it because they don't exist now:
Click to viewAs I got older - maybe in 7th grade - I was allowed to take the train into Philly myself, and I'd go into John Wanamaker and Strawbridge and Clothier department stores to shop and hang out. Christmastime was the best, and I'd hang out in John Wanamaker to see their Christmas light show and hear the fantastic organ concerts throughout the day. The best place to stand was around this eagle statue. "Meet me at the Eagle" was often said among friends and family when designating a place to meet after a day of shopping in John Wanamakers.
Historic Philly is fun, too: the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, and all the other buildings from the Revolutionary War era.
7. I started an LJ blog in … because I wanted...
When I was 51, I started my LJ blog on September 15, 2001, because my friend Erin suggested it. She was an online friend and thought this would be a great way of keeping in touch. So, I did. But this was nothing new. I've had diaries off and on throughout my life and loved recording my thoughts, feelings, and activities. LJ seemed like a great way of recording and sharing these things with others, although my initial motivation wasn't sharing - except with Erin. However, in 2004, when my son was recovering from major surgery, I discovered LJ Communities, particularly the fortysomething community. From my interactions there, I met my initial group of friends. (Ironically, when I joined that community, I was "too old" for it. I was 54!)
8. The catch phrase that nearest and dearest recognize me by…
"Cats are a sweet reminder that love is nearby." I love cats! Cats love me! Cats mean love!
9. A movie I'm never tired to watch again
I don't watch many movies, so this question is moot. I know the type of movies I WON'T watch again: scary or horror flicks. Why be scared on purpose? The only kind of movies I'd repeat were those I needed to see again because there were things I missed the first time. But I can't think of one now.
10. When I was 25, I liked to…
Downhill Ski! It was around that time I learned to ski. Every winter after that, my husband and I would spend a week at a ski resort - usually Bromley or Magic Mountains in Vermont. But sometimes, we went "out west" with the Long Island East Ski Club to Colorado (Telluride) and to Idaho (Sun Valley). I skied until I was 50, when my knees weakened (torn meniscus), and I had to stop. After our son was born, he learned to ski, too, and became good. However, he's now chosen cross-country skiing over downhill skiing.
11. I can't live a day without…
Music! I love to listen to music, play music on my flute, and sing. I will sing and create harmony to anything -- even advertisements on TV! Music is my soul food! Also, if I'm denied the internet, I get twitchy! But, taking this question to a more fundamental level, I can't live without oxygen, food, water, and shelter!
12. An LJ post I'd like to recommend to everyone…
I don't have one. Most of the LJ posts I read are friends-locked.
13. I'm proud of…
I can't believe what a difficult question this is. I've been sitting at my desk contemplating it for quite a while. Am I proud of anything? Or, do I deny and bury my prideful feelings, knowing that "Pride Cometh Before a Fall." When I begin to feel proud about something, my first instinct is to list all its flaws, making it less worthy of pride. I was raised that it was "noble" to be "humble," and pride is the antithesis of that. I bet I'm proud of something, but I'm in denial!
14. If I could give advice to myself from 1999, I'd…
There are not always "second chances." Sometimes, you don't know you've had your "last chance" until you've had it. And - No one can tell you you're inferior without your consent! Comparing myself to others is a bad trap that makes you feel less than you are.
15. My favorite LJ blog(s)
My Friends list! Each person with whom I interact is unique and has a special value to me.
16. My favorite LJ community (-ies)
LJ communities were once more active than they are. I was grateful for fortysomething in my initial years of journaling here.
17. A dish (or a food product) I learned to like only as an adult
The biggest change in my eating habits was learning to love fresh tomatoes. I gagged on them as a child. Now, I seek them out: in tossed salads, Caprese Salads, taco salads, and even sliced by themselves.
18. Within these 25 years I've visited…
Sadly, I've done very little travel in the last 25 years. My husband has admitted that he doesn't like to travel, so we don't, except to travel to and from our two houses on Long Island and Hilton Head Island, and that may be enough! We also go to Maine each summer, where my siblings and I own two rustic cabins on a lake. My best friend, Claire (who died in 2015), and I occasionally traveled together. We took two trips (on Amtrak) to Montreal (and then Via Rail to Quebec). At other times, I'd drive to Atlanta, where she lived, and we took various road trips up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Claire and I also traveled to Wisconsin for "Whooping Crane Fest" in 2012, 2013, and 2014. My husband went with me in 2013.
However, most of my travels took place just over 25 years ago. When my husband was still working (he's retired now), we went together on his business trips to different resorts around the country. What a wonderful opportunity. We went to San Francisco, CA, Nashville, TN (Grand Ole Opry), Phoenix AZ (and a few Very Hot golf games!), Boston, MA, Providence, RI, South Lake Tahoe, CA, and more. Our ski club went to Telluride, CO, Sun Valley, ID, and various Vermont and New Hampshire spots. Our church choir made one fantastic 1995 trip to Salzberg and Vienna, Austria, and Munich, Germany, for "Advent Sing."
19. My favorite cure for sadness is…
Music. Photography. Writing. Listening and playing music are great escapes. I'm "in the zone" when doing this, and I can push aside my sadness. Going on a photography walk in nature helps my sadness. The ambiance of nature and capturing it on camera distracts me from my human cares. Writing out my sad feelings removes them from inside me. They're then separate where I inspect and make sense of them more dispassionately. That's where Live Journal helps!
20. If I didn't have to work, I'd do…
Oh, wait! I don't have to work! I'm 74 and retired. So, my photography, music, and writing are what I'd do if I weren't working, but since I'm not, they're what I do!
21. My superpower is…
I don't have one. I'm just a plain old ordinary human being. But I sometimes consider myself a "Cat Whisperer." Cats are my spirit animal.
22. A useful skill I'd like to teach younger generations is…
So many skills I learned as a child and young adult are now defunct and have little value in our high-tech world: secretarial shorthand, the rotary dial telephone, manual and electric typewriters, to name a few. Do they need to be taught? Probably not. One thing, however, is valuable to learn: cursive handwriting. I learned this in the 2nd and 3rd grades, and it was considered an important skill, but I'm reading that they have stopped teaching cursive because computer usage has taken over. As a history major who values historical documents, it's vital to read cursive handwriting to read those documents from generations ago. Plus, when taking notes, I've read that you seal the meaning of the notes you write much better if you write them out in cursive rather than typing or printing the information. It's a "brain thing" - something I don't understand, but I believe it's true.
23. If I could spend a day as an animal, that would be…
I want to be a fish where I can experience breathing underwater. Or, I'd like to be a bird and experience what it's like to fly. And, I've often wondered what it would like to be my cat and be cared for by me!
24. The way I'd like to grow old is…
Oh, wait. I already AM old! Or, maybe not?? Isn't 74 the new 54? I think so! 🙃😜🤣 But, seriously, I want to maintain my physical and mental faculties as I get older.
25. I'm grateful to LJ for…
...being my social media of choice! Yes, I also have Facebook and Instagram, which are useful but differ significantly from Live Journal. The relationships you make on Live Journal have more depth because you're encouraged -- even expected -- to use complete sentences and whole paragraphs. They call your "reading list" a "friends list" for a reason -- many of these acquaintances BECOME friends! It's also fun to exchange ideas with LJ friends who differ significantly from me in age, lifestyle and beliefs. I learn much from them and love coming out of my "bubble" to see a wider world. Though my writing could be better, I love to express myself in words. I'm grateful to LJ for giving me this interactive writing space.
Separate from my interactions with others, Live Journal is a place to record my thoughts, feelings, and activities over the years - for myself and my records. It's sometimes fun to peruse my LJ tags and then re-read those entries to see how I felt about those issues at the time they were happening. It's instructive to see how differently I feel now, revealing my own growth and change as time has moved forward.