We have a tradition on this site of periodically posting these ‘tell us’ diaries, although it’s been quite awhile since I have done one. Therefore I thought it high time I did so again.
The purpose of these diaries is to give new members a chance to tell us about them, old members to update or just add a little to inform the newbies about who we are.
So please take this opportunity to post a little something, new and old members alike, about you.
In addition to that I have a little update on our Iraqi friend, previously known as ‘Diva’ and now she is a member of the site under the name of Sangreal79. anyway Sangreal just turned 28 on Firday and our wonderful member Kansas and her friend Andi in Kansas treated her to a wonderful birthday party and get together in Kansas City over this past weekend. Sangreal reports to me that she was overwhelmed with this plus all the wonderful things that Bootribbers and their extensions have done for her since she arrived in the US.
She is a member of the site but has not had time yet to write anything, but I have hopes she will in the near future, when she has a break from her studies.. Just let me finish by saying that she is in awe of how this online community has rallied around her and she feels very special as well as grateful for all the attention.
Ok, now on to you all, lets hear about you.
BTW hugs and love to all.
I forgot to say above that Sangreal79 (Diva) says this birthday was the best one she has had since she was about 9 years old.
So I say thanks Boo, thanks Bootribbers, thanks to all for being the great bunch of people that you are.
Oh, thanks for the news about Diva – Sangreal79! I had been thinking about her a great deal this weekend, for some reason. I’m so glad you all gave her a birthday party, and I wish we all could have been there, too.
Mil gracias, Diane.
Welcome and happy birthday to sangreal79! And thanks for starting this again diane101!
I’m an oldster here now I guess. I’m a lapsed Zen Buddhist (now Jodo Shinshu), politically getting more radical, near anarchist if not there already, looking for connection with other humans and a love I can understand. Have been doing non-traditional work all my life, outdoors so I look about 10 years younger than I am. I was born and live in Cascadia in a semi-large town with an occasionally changing cast of friends in a house I (well,the credit union) own. We eat mostly food we grow or get from local farmers, buy used or barter for other goods and generally stay out of anything remotely mainstream-what an adventure! It has been a very turbulent year with a lot of insomnia, weeping and gnashing of teeth with an occasional insight into my crazy emotional life. I’m hoping that I’m moving through this all drama to leave it behind forever. I have decided to be happy.
This community, unreal as it seems at times, has been so important to me and others, long may it thrive!
Hi HMS, thanks for writing, this past year has been turbulent for lots of people, especially those of us who have been watching the decline and fall of the American Empire with such a ring side seat, like never before. Never thought I’d know so much about so many things wrong or going wrong in this world.
Well one good thing we all have is this community right here. Best to you and hugs.
Happy Birthday to our new member Sangreal79 and I am happy to hear she is settling in just great.
I am one of the old folk here, trying to get a grasp on the future of our country. It scares me at times that it will never be the same but I am not giving up hope. I know there are millions of others out there that want the same!
Thanks Diane for keeping this alive.
Hi aloha, from one elder of this tribe to another I say Aloha to you, how are you these days, I miss you.
Sangreal is still adjusting, just this morning she called for help with purchasing stamps to mail her electric bill, she had no idea what kind, how much and to boot the vending machine offered stamps with letters not numbers….not having bought stamps for months I had no idea what letter stamp to buy, plus she had to buy a whole package to send one letter. We go through things like this a lot.
Here’s to peace in our lifetimes!!!!!!
Hi Di! I am going through a little rough patch. Hopefully, this too shall pass. Miss you too girlfriend! Time for a get together.
Oh the things we take for granted, like buying stamps. She will look back at these things a year from now and chuckle. Sure hope she writes here soon.hope you are well.
Thanks Diane for the opportunity to re-introduce my self to the Pond! Since joining the Pond, I have been able to read and learn so much from everyone. I work from home as a information assurance (security in government speak) consultant. I am married with five kids (three from my first marriage that ended with the sudden death of my first wife in 2002) and two with my current wife. In addition, I am a Scoutmaster with 21 scouts and enjoying a great opportunity to see them grow and mature. When I get the time, I enjoy golf. I write poetry, love photography (my camera is the shop getting fixed and I feel lost without it), reading (books are a great way for me to relax), music, dancing and cooking (when my wife lets me in the kitchen …LOL)
Having spent 22 years in the Navy and worked with so many great individuals, I find it crazy to see the current state of affairs for our nation. I assisted kid oakland in the lists for progressive candidates (created those wonderful spreadsheets you can download), learned so much in writing the situation in the Conga, working as a poll worker in Florida (it is just so interesting to see the process in person) and understanding why I do not watch the network news unless it is really something I want to see (Thanks AG for getting me away for the TV!)
My joy is the two long haired daschunds who are great members of our family. Rambo (3 years old) and Roxy (4 months old) just fill my world with joy, excitement and love. They are so great to hold, talk to and play with; I guess I try hard to not let them interfere with my work LOL!
Well, that it from me. Take care and remember that goodness, through grace, will win in the end.
I see that you have thrived on this site and very glad you came here Viera…I remember when you first arrived and not so long ago.
Peace in our Lifetime!!!
Hmm. . . .I was trying to guess how many dozens of these I have written, then gave it up as too much work. LOL!
Hi, I’m Shirlstars. . .generally known as Shirl of the Stars. I live(still)in rural Idaho surrounded by non-thinking red staters that think they are conservatives. While I am a far left radical bleeding heart socialist liberal-progressive. . . you can well imagine that conversations about the state of our nation or the state of our state are mighty interesting. Heh!
I am most usually off traveling in the stars, but these darn election cycles seem to draw me down down all too often to earth base. In my personal life I can’t stand liars and hypocracy, so you can well imagine how little I am enjoying the political climate these days.
The Pond and the Froggy Bottom Cafe are two of the best places on the web. The froggies who play here are just absolutely the best. I enjoyed so much my opportunity to meet some of them in person this past April. It was just like meeting your favorite friends for a fun weekend get together. Everyone was just even more grand than we already found them to be on the site.
Del Mar MeetUp Tribbers
I’m in the middle of the back row. . . I will let others identify themselves if they wish to.
Welcome to all newbies and I hope you will find the Frog Pond and all the great people and information here something that will enhance your life and your knowledge.
Imagine Peace!
Hugs to all,
Shirl
Hey, when am I going to be able to crash at your place in Belize?
Soon I hope. . .having a hard time getting Jupiter to align with Mars. . .or something like that. . .;o)
What part of Belize? (I just loved it there! Have you ever been in Hopkins?)
I am thinking Corozal Town in the North. Nice small town about 4,000 pop. and just 7 miles from the Mexican/Belize Duty Free shopping in Chetamul Mexico. Seems just about right to me. No, haven’t been to Hopkins. . .still getting it together to get to anywhere Belize for the first trip. Have been in contact with some folks who moved there (Belize) 25 years ago and getting the “real” stories about how things are there in the not so touristy parts of the country. Done lots of research. . .do we bloggers do anything else? Anyway, really looking forward to it and can’t wait to explore it all.
Whaat part of the country is Hopkins in? And anything else you want to share with me about Belize is always welcome.
Hugs, Shirl
I am thinking Corozal Town in the North. Nice small town about 4,000 pop. and just 7 miles from the Mexican/Belize Duty Free shopping in Chetamul Mexico. Seems just about right to me. No, haven’t been to Hopkins. . .still getting it together to get to anywhere Belize for the first trip. Have been in contact with some folks who moved there (Belize) 25 years ago and getting the “real” stories about how things are there in the not so touristy parts of the country. Done lots of research. . .do we bloggers do anything else? Anyway, really looking forward to it and can’t wait to explore it all.
What part of the country is Hopkins in? And anything else you want to share with me about Belize is always welcome.
Hugs, Shirl
Does a double post mean I had second thoughts? LOL!
Sorry. . .one of those glitches that none can explain.
Hopkins is south of Dangriga. Its a small village(at the time I guess there was only about 100 people there)It is just a wonderful place. Palm trees all over the place. You should go and check it out. I think there is a truck that will take you there from Dangriga. I remember that I paid about 10 bucks a day for a small house, for two people, meals included. What I cant remember if it was ten Belizan dollars or US.
Tkhis was about 20 years ago, so it might be that it changed a bit by now. Maybe it got a little more tourist oriented,I will see if I can find out a little more. Belize is really a cool place!
Check this out
Thanks cruz! Sounds perfect! Just the sort of place I would enjoy very much. I like the simple and I like the native, part of why I want to go there in the first place. I am very tired of “white bread” America that is the overwhelming scene here in Idaho. . .not enough diversity.
Hugs,
Shirl
Are you flying or driving?
Flying this time. I’ve made myself pretty familiar with the buses that run and if I feel the need I will rent a car. Actually a friend and I may drive down sometime in the future and do a “tour” of the whole country. It is small enough that it will be great fun. I have a lot of “insider” suggestions about where to stay and where to eat just about anywhere in the country. So It would be great fun for us to take a month or so and explore.
Sounds like funnnnnnn!
Oh my goddess Shirls!! I look crosseyed and buck toothed in that pic so not identifying which one is me…lol! I will forever hold that weekend in my heart. I think of you all so often. I wish it had been longer cause I was too busy hostessing to get into any big political discussions…teehee.
Maybe we should start planning another one for next Spring.
It was the best time ever and you were the best hostess ever. Next time, I think we should all share in the hostessing stuff. After all, we are just family, you know. No need to go to all of the fuss. . .but your organizing was just terrific. And all of the great food and snacks and drinks you supplied were awesome.
LOL about your thoughts on the picture. . .you don’t look that way to me, but none of us seems to see ourselves as we turn out in photos. I know I sure don’t. I was going to identify everyone and then thought maybe some would not wish to be named (nefarious persons that we are) so I just let it go.
Miss you a lot. Hope things are going better for you health-wise. And as for the political discussions. . .someone would have to stand between Diane and I, we really get it going sometimes! LOL! Just kidding, but we do have some differences, and I think it is because I am such a radical lefty.
Love ya, Aloha. . .can’t wait to see you again.
Hugs
Shirl
Right back at ya Shirls!! I’m game for another meetup in the spring. Maybe paln a little earlier this time and more might be able to make it?
Getting better every day Shirls. Thanks for asking. As a matter of fact, it is four months today since I smoke my very last ever cigerette!! Whoowhoo!
Thanks for the update, Diane, and welcome to Sangreal79!
And welcome Sangreal79. Good to hear that you’re settling in.
I’m a full time writer of science fiction and fantasy and sometime writer of the more political kind.
I’ve been around for something like a year now, practically forever in blog time. It’s been an interesting year–in the Chinese curse sense of the word–and I haven’t been able to sink as much time into political diaries and LTEs as I’d like. I’m hoping that will change soonish. In the meantime I hang out at the Froggy Bottom when I get the chance and power lurk on the more interesting threads.
For those who are interested in my take on issues of writing, I share a blog with a number of other professional and near professional writer of F&SF.
Kelly, I must say that your persistence in writing is so admirable that I’m discouraged by the prospect of thinking about it! Now, I don’t write fiction – quite the opposite. But with one book under my belt, the second seems soooo hard. . but then, I’m also chief “border collie” and cheer leader to my grad students in their necessary writing.
I’m glad you are here to encourage and participate.
I’ve been in and out lately, so I didn’t see this till now. In many ways, the second book is the hardest. You really don’t know what you’re getting into with the first one. The second one on the other hand is entered into with eyes open, a much more daunting prospect. I find that along about number five it gets a lot easier again.
On the other hand, you’ve survived grad school which means you know more than a little bit about getting through walls by knocking them over with your forehead. I watched my wife get her doctorate, and though I occasionally fanatasize about going back and picking up a Ph.D. I then remember Laura’s process and quail in abject terror at the thought.
Welcome to the frog pond, Sangreal79. I’m very happy you could join us here.
I’m running my first county-wide campaign for office this year and helping out a bit in the IN-9th Congressional District race. Also, I was recently appointed precinct committeeman after the job opened up due to a resignation. In Indiana, that means I’m in charge of watching over my home polling place with the assistance of four poll workers. We have about 1000 voters in our precinct, so only have two voting machines to keep an eye on. They are optical scanners and have paper ballots to hand count in case something goes wrong.
Since I’ve been a successful district candidate 3 times before, I’m mentoring several first timers, going door to door with them, helping with ads and making sure they don’t miss important deadlines, like campaign finance reporting. One of the most rewarding things I’ve been able to accomplish this year, is an e-mail list with several levels geared to get information out quickly to whatever group needs it.
I like the pace here- not quite so frantic as many and there’s lots of wisdom and compassion shared.
Welcome Sangreal79 and all other newcomers…
I’ve been around for quite awhile — joined the day BooMan announced the site (hence my prized 2 digit UID!), but it took an upheaval at another site to bring me “home”, so to speak.
Me: Late 40s, married, resident of the SF Bay Area, gainfully unemployed (we save money on taxes by me not working) but heading back to college (tomorrow!) to perhaps actually finish my degree before I’m 50. I’m the fat chick on the lower left in that photo that Shirl dared to post (can’t believe I didn’t break the dang camera!), but hopefully that will soon change as I’m trying the “eat less, move more” diet yet again (one of my classes is actually a PE class — who woulda thunk?). Been dealing with a lot of Real Life issues and assorted other crap this year, but I finally decided I can’t put my life on hold just because things aren’t going according to plan. Interests include reading, writing, sports, crochet and just generally hanging around making a nuisance of myself…
Oh, and I read too dang many Herb Caen columns in my youth, hence the ellipses…
Cali! I am so excited for you going back to school, school being almost my most favorite thing of all time. Good for you and please enjoy yourself while you are getting all that good book learning in.
Proud of you. Keep doing what you do so well. You are one of the brightest most interesting persons I’ve met. You go girl!!
Loves and hugs,
Shirl
Cali,
I’m so pleased you are going back to school. Some of my very favorite students are those “mature” types who are so wise, and know more than they know. Really good students, too, knowing what’s important and what’s utterly worthless, for the most part. Good luck! 50 IS just a number!
Welcome Sangreal79. So glad to have you onboard with us here. Hope you are enjoying America.
I am just one of the gang here. I work way tooooooo much of the time and I am an old lady who is thinking of retiring early for my body and mind can not take the rat race much longer. I am a nurse of about 40 years. I do hemodialysis in the acute setting. I am old military and I am so against this war! in Iraq.
Welcome to everyone who are new comers. Love to hear from you and your opinions. So, step right on up and start chatting with us.
I respect everyone and their right to express themselves, so go ahead and do it, as long as you do not break one law here. As booman has made it clear, do not be a prick, is how he puts it.
I have got lots of education here. I came here or to the blog sites for learning purpose. I think it is a right of the citizen to become educated to that which is going on and in a way that can make one think straight on issues. I am neither democrat or republican. I call myself independent, and have been for all my political life. I have, however, become very progressive, in the process.
I live in the buckle of the bible belt, and we do have great ppl here where I live; however, there is a lot to be desired as to the politics of things. I am originally from Illinois, and still have some family there. I have family also in Kansas, too.
I am a grandmother with two grand-daughters, who are the pride and joy of my life. I am a mother of three children, of which one has passed on. Two of my three were military as well. One now is a cop in Memphis. My oldest is a great mother of my lovely grand-daughters.
I admire everyone here for the tenacity they have to face the facts and truth of everyday politics and I so learn from them. Their hearts are always in the right place.
I do not know what else to tell you that will not be boring. I guess I am just who I am. Welcome and have a great time and fun time here with us all. Thanks Diane for all that do here with and for us. hugs….and again welcome to everyone….
First of all, welcome Sangreal79. I’ve noticed quite a few new names over the past few months and it’s always great to see new people contributing.
I’m Nag, a country girl who loves animals, adores nature and I have a real soft spot for the downtrodden among us. I’ve been a Liberal from my first presidential vote for Shirley Chisolm back in ’71. I’ve been around the frog pond for well over a year, almost from the beginning. You won’t find better Liberal commentary or better folks anywhere. I guess I’m also a tribal elder here, although I don’t feel particularly wise.
I taught high school art for 16 years and then did another 9 years as an elementary Instructional Support Teacher… that chewed me up and spit me out. I retired early a few years ago (I’m in my early 50’s)and am very fortunate to be able to do so.
The Frog Pond is a wonderful place to call home. BooMan is an excellent writer and he has a knack for choosing the cream of the crop for the front page. BooMan is also a gentle soul and it’s his personality that drives this site and attracts such a high caliber of people.
Diane, thanks for keeping this fine tradition alive.
Thanks to all you folks who have written, but there are still tons more of you out there who have never “told us about you” and nows your chance, so hurry, hurry, before this diary slips off the pages and who knows when another diary of this type will come up. Lol
So right now, hit, ‘post comment’, and take a few minutes to tell us. Come on you can do it, we all had our first times, we survived it..
Love ya’ll.
Uhm ok. I don’t know if I’ve done this before or not, but since I think I might be going to the Midwest Meetup (that’s a maybe, maryb) I guess I should.
I’m “poemless,” obvioulsy not my real name, and I actually have a lot of poetry around, but anyway… I write over at The European Tribune, which I highly suggest everyone read on a daily basis. 🙂 It’s about Europe but as America likes to screw things up on a global scale, it’s inevitably about the U.S. too. Lots of non-political cultural and philosophical stuff too.
What else? I live in Chicago, help out with the local DFA scene there, and my cats hate each other.
Over and out.
So my hounding is beginning to work? I can live with a definite maybe – for now. 🙂
I’ve introduced myself multiple times so rather than give a repeat bio, I’ll give you a beautiful memory.
In October 1973, when I was 13 years old, I was in the gallery of the US House of Representatives on the day that resolutions were introduced to instruct the House Judiciary Committee to begin impeachment proceedings against Richard Nixon.
I left the gallery, bought a postcard on the street and sent it to my Nixon-hating dad with the following message: “Working on Impeachment. Awaiting further instructions.”
Wow!!!
So you couldn’t just settle and bore us with your bio? 😉
I’m glad you’ve moved up to a ‘maybe’ (was it my baby picture that did it or was that a wasted effort) — now what can we do to get it to a ‘yes’.
I am hoping you will come so you can tell me all about today’s Rogers Park — I had quite a bit of family who lived in the area from the 1950s-1970s and many happy memories of it. (I’ve got a happy little smile on my face thinking about the blueberries blintzes at the long gone Ashkenaz Restaurant).
Oh, poemless, I hope you will come to the midwest meetup of the pondwellers. I, too was active in DFA, still do stuff with the group as I can. My cats do get along, however, as they are all related.
But please, BTfolk are a friendly group, but respectful of many types of people, I think. Come, we’ve had our shots and we won’t bite.
I’ll post this though it’s likely quite boring by now. I’m a forty something husband and father of a 7 year old boy. I’m employed as an assistant county attorney in a neighboring county. I lean quite to the left in things political. I dabble in many things including painting but I’m proficient in few. Oh, I like to look at the blogs. 😉
Hi and welcome to Sangreal!
I’m Nick Poeschek, I’m 27 and live in what I think is probably the most beautiful part of the world, Victoria, BC, Canada.
My interest in American politics comes from my family. My mom was born and raised in the US and my American grandparents and uncle lived with my parents and I while I was growing up. Their cynicism sort of led me to liberalism, my uncle is a Vietnam vet and that whole experience really affected our family.
Anyways, I’m mostly a lurker, but I have been posting more lately. I started out as a Kossack (and still check their stories occasionally) but migrated over here because of the good people and the slower pace. I like that diaries last longer than half an hour here. I also like that people have a much more global view here. DKos is good for a lot of things, but it seems like they get tunnel vision on supporting their netroots candidates.
Again, welcome to the community and all the best to you!
Glad to see the 20-something crew growing around here. And very glad to see you doing less lurking and more yapping!
Yeah Manee,,what about your bio…I bet lots of members don’t know your story…How are you doing btw..
Big hugs to you and ‘happy belated birthday’.
thx for the bday wishes! I’ll post a bio after a few more lurkers come out of the shadows 😉
Glad to hear that Diva signed up, it was good to talk to her on Sunday. She had a great time in Kansas City over the weekend
Yeah, when I first started visiting blogs a couple of years ago, I was surprised (in a good way) by the ages of the people online. Blogs have this 20-year old computer geek vibe and I had assumed there would be an immature crowd, but not at all. It’s great to have people who have experienced so many ebbs and flows in the political landscape to bring some perspective.
Come on, Mr. Gee. (Doesn’t that sound formal enough?). De-lurk! De-comment and write the diary en seguida, por favor. Surely you have something to procrastinate about, like more than one of us.
Welcome to the Pond, Poeschek. So glad to have you here with us. And you are right, Victoria IS the most beautiful place on the planet! I tried very hard to find a way to move there 27 years ago. Absolutely fell in love with the place and the Canadians.
Hope you will keep on and participate more and more here. We welcome your thoughts and concerns.
Welcome!!
Hugs,
Shirl
It’s a shame that we’re getting less American vistors these days, apart from the 6 or 8 hour cruise ship stops. The drop in the exchange rate difference, combined with hassles at border and passport requirements seem to mean less people are bothering to come.
Too bad, I love chatting with Americans, the way you guys talk and the occasional accent reminds me of my family. 🙂
It’s great to see another Canadian dweller here. And I’m so jealous of your living in B.C., especially as the cloud cover roles over on this day.
Just realized that may sound like I live in Canada. I don’t, I live north of Canada. That’s one of my favorite things about living where I do – in Detroit.
I’m a Southerner by birth and culture, with an appreciation of the good and ill of what that means, but most of my life has been elsewhere. Been here at the pond since the early stages, hence my low number (but not as low as Cali,or Chocolate Ink, or Cicero). Previously at DK. Didn’t do much besides lurk for a long time.
I especially like the mixture of ages, cultures, and experiences among the folks here. They’ve been quite enriching, going well beyond my local life. In my own corner, I garden, work with my hands, read, and live and breath teaching, research, and politics. Am especially concerned for kids, families, and their mental health and civil rights. Oh, there’s also cat wrangling and hanging out in the woods.