Literature Network Veterans' Club

[Scheherazade]

By popular demand...

Here is a thread to reminiscence and remember "the good old days" of the Forum.

I have now been a member on the Forum for more than 10 years.

During my time on here:

- Made invaluable contributions to the Forums 23,439 times (averaging 6.36 posts a day)

- Read over 400 books

- Finished my second degree (a BSc this time)

- Completed two MAs

- Changed my job twice

- Changed my residential address once

- Increased world population by one

- Lost a parent and five family members whom I miss very much

- Donated my hair twice (third time in June '15, hopefully)

- Made friends with many interesting people

- Met Jay, Papaya and Logos

- Banned more people than I care to acknowledge

- Gained about 10lbs (a pound a year does not sound too bad until one looks at the total). My height and shoe size remained the same.


Let's hear your story!



-

[The Atheist]

By popular demand...

Here is a thread to reminiscence and remember "the good old days" of the Forum.

Oh yeah, I'll play!

Member for 7.5 years and still here every now and then.

A mere 4000 posts, about evenly split between Orwell, The Blokes' Thread, and everything else.

7 years? I'm going to go with about 350 books read in that time. Written two, plus numerous published articles.

No degrees, although I did have a fever a couple of years ago.

Still in the same job - owner of recruitment/HR consulting company.

Moved residence about 300 metres to a bigger house, having increased the population also by 1 in that time.

My two best mates died.

Lost plenty of hair and have donated none.

Have not been banned.

Lost 25 kg.

Opened two new businesses.

[Paulclem]

Good idea.

I've been a member for 5 years since 2009.

I've made 6,000 plus posts and 36 blog entries. My posts have been on a range of topics including religion, literature and the Cold Ale Blokes thread. I have had numerous arguments and discussions, particularly on the religion thread. The most fun has definitely been The Cold Ale thread, whilst the literature threads have been most informative.

I have completed 2 December poetry challenges writing a poem a day for the month.

I've been promoted and changed my management team from English to Maths in that time after retraining. My office has changed three times, and I'm now in a smaller venue which is quieter. I have completed a L5 teaching course for maths.

My son has been to and returned from his University whilst my daughter has just gone.

I now tend to post using my Kindle Fire HD or my smartphone, though I do still sit at the laptop sometimes.

The old Auntie has passed away, as have a number of my peers who stayed on in my birthplace and kept drinking.

I read about 25 to 30 books a year depending upon length, and so I may have read 250 whilst being a member.

Last November I met Prendrelmick in Huddersfield, Yorkshire before the Rugby League World Cup Game England v Ireland, where we had a brief, but pleasant chat in a very busy and noisy pub.

[papayahed]

Oh my. I've been here since February 2004. I was looking for something fun to read and wanted to join a book club.

Since that time:

I've moved from Michigan to Kansas to Louisiana.

I've worked at three different companies and held 5 different positions.

I've read 158 books.

I've started Grad school.

I lost my favorite Uncle and a cousin but gained a cousin and aunt that I previously had no contact with.

I've had three cars.

I've skyped with Niamh and Night.

I've shopped for shoes and handbags with Scher.

I sailed on a pirate ship with Stannie, Jay, Scher, Night, Basil, Mono, and a few more who's avatars I can picture but can't think of their names.


I've fallen in love...then back out.

I've pondered great philosophical debates such as :Legos or play mobile, Ninjas or Robot monkeys, and Coke vs. Pepsi

I helped count to 10,000.

[MANICHAEAN]

Member since 2009 with 1,807 posts.

In that time I’ve worked in; Qatar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Japan.

Retired at the age of 70, brought a new oven and seemed to spend most of my 3 months retirement working my way through a large collection of cookery books.

Went back to work and am now in Yokohama. The end of ambition came as a great relief.

Made my first million and now into the second, despite spending inordinate amounts of money on; antiques, expensive hotels and the opposite sex.

I’ve always got something on the boil with regards to writing; and checking back over this period I’ve read mainly from; Stendhal, Shelley, Chandler, Dostoevsky, Gogol and Gide.

Had my gall bladder removed in the Middle East, but have retained a head of white hair and a beard that would have done Moses proud.

Lost quite a few close friends and a mother aged 98.

Went from 18 stone 7lbs to 17stone 10lbs when in the UK, but would be frightened to get on the scales now, having cut down on the exercise and increased my food and alcohol intake.

Two daughter, one of whom has given me my first grandson, whilst the second one is getting her act together and is the manageress of a lap dancing club in London ( I kid you not.)

I’ve been tempted on a number of occasions to go on the attack on Lit Net where I disagree strongly with what has been contributed, but then it would likely have got me banned and cut me off from what, over the years has been a most enjoyable association

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Joined in June 2009 following a period of watching from the wings. I question my “veteran” status as compared to much longer tenure of so many others.

A few Litnet highlights:

My reading journey began the day I opened a soldier’s WW I footlocker found in a 19th century barn, inside was a treasure of novels and poetry. My grandfather left behind the likes of Oliver Goldsmith, Walter Scott, Poe, Cicero, Shakespeare and Victor Hugo. In fact, my avatar is a photo of an engraving found inside his 19th century copy of Hugo’s Toilers of the Sea.

I penned the satirical epic The Manufacture of a Texas Sonata poking some good natured fun at a member who many of the veterans will recall held some interesting notions about Mozart, chemtrails, earth centered universe and the like. Those were good times and I have to admit, I miss the guy.

Produced, co wrote and directed two Cold Ale Blokes Christmas plays; She Stomps to Conquer and Promenade and the Allotment Gnome.
A great deal of credit goes to the Blokes and their poetic talents.
Ahh, those opening nights bring back fond memories.

Made a few attempts at poetry including the masterful Sub Urbane Symphony in four movements.

The odd couple Ben and Franklin join us each Thanksgiving, except for last year and possibly this year, as they are finding it difficult to leave Chartres. Who could blame them?

Books read since I joined? Not really sure, I would guess about 25 to 30.

Other than being a class clown for the most part, serving up a large dose of nonsense, I am humbled at the knowledge of so many here regarding literature and I’ll throw in art with a nod to St. Lukes. Being a green horn, lacking the gift of gab, I’m not able to offer much toward a serious discussion of literature, but I do follow along avidly.

[Sancho]

Well, I suppose I'm a bona fide member of the LOFA (Litnet Old Fart's Association)

Looks like I made my first post more than ten years ago, which was back in the good old days, back when I was still a member of the NPA ( Newbie's Protection Association).

Anyway, I still read more here than I write

Some of the conversations have been splendid

Some have been horrid. (Which may be why Scher has been so busy banning folks)

Good job, Scher. You've helped make the Litnet a troll-free zone. Some of us literature lovers are sensitive

Speaking of Scher, back in the good ole NPA days she recommended that I read 1001Arabian Nights. So I did. Wonderful stories

Thanks, Scher

I prefer to look forward not backward, but what the hey, here goes:

Lost a few dogs/cats/horses

Got some new ones

Lost a few friends

Made some new ones

Lost a few family members

Did not make any new ones, (but my sister did).

By the way, I joined this this club shortly after my mother died. She was a high school English teacher. She and I were the book lovers in the family. We'd talk about books for hours. After she was gone I got to looking around for someone to discuss books with, and that's how I found you-all.

So thanks, you-all

Same wife

New house

Same weight, more or less

Full head-o-hair, some of it gray now, but not much. I've got good hair genes

Same regular job

I did however retire from my weekend job - The National Guard

And after almost 30 years of putzing around (and not doing anybody any good) on active duty, the guard, and the reserves, I'm happy to say that I never had to point a weapon at anybody and pull the trigger.

Thank God

And I'm not religious

[Snowqueen]

Joined Litnet in November 2008. Exactly 6 years ago. Time really flies by.

I bet now you've been waiting with bated breath to hear my story.
Alright then, here it goes!

During my time on Litnet I’ve read various books, got introduced to many writers, contributed with some valuable posts, made friends and needless to say performed many miracles. :D

Lost a job, found another. It's quite demanding because I had to stay out of town and away from family.

Lost a few family members and a couple of pets.

Bought a pair of ducks, Battkhi and Battkha. Both are sweet, but I particularly like Battkha, he's a gentleman and never loses his temper.

Sought new friends and made many adventurous trips within my country.

My dark brown hair hasn't turned grey, but I've lost some weight though.

Gained immense wisdom and knowledge, but sadly odds are against my fellow Litnetters, as I don't find much time to contribute these days.

Met lots of sensible folks here who still take time and read my posts. I've 2,399 posts scattered around Litnet (in case you're interested). :D

[prendrelemick]

I joined just after you Snowqueen. I'm in stalking mode at the moment - watching from the shadows - mainly because my Dad died this year and I lost some enthusiasm. Otherwise I've gained some aches and pains, lost some brain cells and hair follicles, My family has increased by 3 Grandchildren and a dozen or so great nieces and nephews.

My greatest (only) Lit net triumph was a Richard III thread I started that went wonderfully strange and off subject.

I can be found propping up the bar at the Cold Ale Club.

Lit net is the best forum. Here people argue without using insults and can agree to disagree - I like that.

[Jack of Hearts]

Short timer at 4 years. As mick said, in lurk mode.

One time, worked a fart joke into the 'Let's write a story' game; probably greatest achievement.

Have not been banned by Scher.

Something of a poltergeist in the creative writing forums. If any small objects look like they've been moved 2cm to the left...






J

[OrphanPip]

I feel guilty that I hardly post lately.

I've only been a member for 5 years.

Since joining, I've gained more weight than I'd care to admit.

Met my significant other.

Completed a BA and MA.

Worked 4-5 different jobs, currently teaching English literature at a college.

Haven't met anyone from the forums, but have enjoyed many discussions over the years.

[NikolaiI]

Don't feel guilty Pip.

Okay, I've been a member for 7 years, though it's often felt longer.

Since I've become a member of Lit-net,

I still remember OrphanPip's first name.

I became a procrastinator, so I'll do this later,

but I also developed time travel, so I can do it now.

I learned how to whistle, a little more than a year ago.

I read Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, and some poetry.

[tonywalt]

Jeez, I've been here less than four years, but:

- I've read 150 books of fiction (and never - yes never(!), read fiction prior to joining Litnet. I had read loads of non-fiction, though). So that's quite a turn in the road

- Been published quite a bit for poetry and short fiction (which I have to give Litnet almost complete credit for!).

- Gotten back into photography (which ties in with literature, as it is spawned from my creative side)

Litnet re-opened a part of me that lay dormant to quite a while.

I am now trying to remember how I stumbled onto Litnet.....oh yes, I remember! I was googling "Catcher in the Rye" and stumbled on a discussion thread!!

[Snowqueen]

I joined just after you Snowqueen. I'm in stalking mode at the moment - watching from the shadows - mainly because my Dad died this year and I lost some enthusiasm...


I'm really sorry for your loss, prendrelemick. A loved ones passing is never easy.

[Scheherazade]

This thread makes me really nostalgic (not to mention feel old)... Only Papaya and Sancho were already here when I joined but I am very glad that you are all here now! :)

[NikolaiI]

Scher :) that's such a nice thing to say.

I have been noticing a lot of really cool people joined in '07. . .

[Scheherazade]

Scher :) that's such a nice thing to say. Oh, no! Came up with fun ideas and been nice! I am turning soft in my old age!

Had always hoped to be curmudgeonly.

[NikolaiI]

Fun ideas are contagious ;p

Have you ever read the sequels to to Ender's Game? And/or the first one?

[Scheherazade]

Fun ideas are contagious ;pPhew! It is a relief that I caught it from someone else. Knew it wasn't in me!


Have you ever read the sequels to to Ender's Game? And/or the first one?No, I haven't read any of them but, wait for it, watched the movie!!11!11!1!

[NikolaiI]

*gasp* oh Nooooooooo!!

The books (especially the sequels) are really amazing, but the movie failed to do them justice in about a hundred ways. Having said that, I don't know what it would be like to watch the movie first, so to just state it positively, the books are very nice. :-) I would say perhaps, similar in quality to the Foundation series by Asimov. The first one sets the stage, but the three sequels, Children of the Mind onward, have more breadth and scope.


Phew! It is a relief that I caught it from someone else. Knew it wasn't in me!

:)

You're reminding me of Calvin and Hobbes for some reason right now. .

[Scheherazade]

Why did you ask about Ender's Game? :skep:

[JBI]

I joined the forum as a young upstart looking to make his first major research trip to Italy. Almost a decade later I'm doing manuscript research in China. Big change, though none of it benefits anybody. If anything, it just isolated me from the forum more, as most posters do not discuss Chinese literature. I should have stuck with Italian and French I guess.

[Logos]

Another "oldbie" here, lol, my oh my, what a long and crazy trip it's been, no I'm not a hippie :) But it's been an honour and privilege to be a part of this website for over 10 years. It's been through a lot of changes! I'm usually busy in the back-end, cleaning up the little dramas and messes that make us human. But I've met some wonderful people, and hope to be a part of it for another 10 years.

[PeterL]

I haven't been around all that long, only 9.5 years.
I am guilty of a few thousand posts, but my blog has 184 posts and has had considerably more than 200,000 page views.
I have no idea how many books I have read, but I have written two and published one, and I am working on another one. In another 9.5 years I may manage to sell 10,000 copies.

[NikolaiI]

Why did you ask about Ender's Game? :skep:

No reason. There's a character named Jane that is basically an entity/consciousness that appeared out of the vast network of computers and the faster-than-light connection between them called ansible. . . I was going to tease you with a speculation that you might be someone like that. . . but I thought better of it :)

[Virgil]

Do I count as a veteran? ;)


By popular demand...



- Banned more people than I care to acknowledge


-

Yeah, I bet I was close a few times...lol. And I gained the same ten pounds.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your parent. I also lost a parent during my time here. And gained a son, if people remember.

[kiki1982]

I guess I'm also an oldie, then ;)

I came on here because I was looking for a book club or a place to discuss stuff.

I discovered a wealth of English lit I never knew I could read. Fell in love with Victorian lit.

Got obsessed with Jane Eyre and de-obsessed again.

Lost my maternal grandmother and grandfather during my time on here.

Cut my hair to half the length (though didn't donate it, should have done).

Changed my job twice. I think I've found the one I like now (apart from housewifery which I love above all; gives me time to read and the house looks nice; sadly it's not to be).

Received infraction points which I'm still miffed about :D because I didn't see it coming. Lost a bit of interest after that but now I'm back.

Unfortunately never met any members from on here, because I'm too much out of the way I guess.

Moved twice since I joined, once out of the country, and bought a house there, which we are now thoroughly bored with.

On average I read about 10 books every year, so I must have read about 70. Shameful really. :blush:

Have been diagnosed with keratoconus (bulging cornea which results in conic eyes). Looks bad but it doesn't always become that bad. So my hubby bought me a Kindle for Christmas so I can increase text size. I finished the book I was reading for a whole friggin' year in two weeks flat.
Though I miss the book cover and my bookmarks that brought me into the mood. So I now put one with my Kindle. :D

Became interested in buying arts and antiques. Antique furniture being much better and cheaper than Ikea stuff in some cases.

Started to learn Russian and Latin. Gave up the latter because it interfered with the former. And then gave up the former because I had no time due to becoming a translator.

Said goodbye to our beautiful cat Emma due to a road accident, nursed her son his highness George whom we kept after her death through a broken back leg and her daughter Prunelle through a broken pelvis and paralysed tail.

Built our own library, now painted emerald green.. Should still increase shelf space under the windowsill.

[NikolaiI]

Do I count as a veteran? ;)



Yeah, I bet I was close a few times...lol. And I gained the same ten pounds.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your parent. I also lost a parent during my time here. And gained a son, if people remember.

You're like the Veteran, dear Virgil. :-)

[Scheherazade]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your parent. I also lost a parent during my time here. Sorry for your loss, Virgil.

Your son must be so grown up by now! :)


Kiki> So glad to see that you are not the one to carry grudges! :D

[kiki1982]

Yes, Virgil, you're legendary :).

Who, me??! Bearing grudges!? Never! :D

[NikolaiI]

Ah, I'm too late - I was going to say, Kiki, you also have the same number of posts as TheFifth and firefangled. . this year's date plus 1000 :-)

I hope they come back.

[Virgil]

Sorry for your loss, Virgil.

Your son must be so grown up by now! :)


:p No he's only five. Here from a recent personal blog:
http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.com/2015/02/matthew-monday-blizzard-that-wasnt.html

[Virgil]

Received infraction points which I'm still miffed about :D because I didn't see it coming. Lost a bit of interest after that but now I'm back.

Hehe, join the club. ;)



Have been diagnosed with keratoconus (bulging cornea which results in conic eyes). Looks bad but it doesn't always become that bad. So my hubby bought me a Kindle for Christmas so I can increase text size. I finished the book I was reading for a whole friggin' year in two weeks flat.
Though I miss the book cover and my bookmarks that brought me into the mood. So I now put one with my Kindle. :D
Oh my gosh, that sounds horrible. I've never heard of it but I hope it doesn't effect your vision as time goes on. Can laser surgery help? They do amazing things with laser surgery these days.

[kiki1982]

Oh, as long as you've got them as well, Virgil, I know I'm not really in the baddies' club :D.


Oh my gosh, that sounds horrible. I've never heard of it but I hope it doesn't effect your vision as time goes on. Can laser surgery help? They do amazing things with laser surgery these days.

No, unfortunately they can't help with laser surgery. I keep getting spam from Optical Express, but in my case it's entirely useless. ;) The cornea bulges because it's not strong enough, and laser surgery deals with the lens. My lens is alright, but the huge refraction error is down to a scissor effect because of a(n increasingly) conical cornea, so you see several reflections of the same thing, which makes reading difficult.
People can become legally blind from it, but it depends how far it progresses. I'm apparently in the 'good' camp, because mine started when I was 19 (that's when I can pinpoint my sight getting worse) and it's liable to progress until about 40 when the cornea thickens naturally due to age. I'm 32 now so fingers crossed.

There is a new treatment which has existed for about 10 years with riboflavin drops (vitamin B) and a UV light and it would stop progression because it strengthens the cornea with collagen, but a) it's not refunded by the health system here (in the UK it is), which means complications are entirely at my expense and b) how can I be sure it won't start progressing again afterwards, make it worse or cause me cancer or something? No long-term studies, so no info. I'm not prepared to risk it if I'm going to be the one having the problem later. It's not the first treatment that turns out to be worse than the condition.

For now they can still hep with glasses, but rigid lenses would help too, although I'm not prepared to start with them yet. They're painful, you're partially sighted when you take them out (I'm rather partially sighted all the time than half the time, saves me the trouble of working out when I can be partially sighted). You can only keep these lenses in for around 12 hours at best (as if a day is only 12 hours long). And you've got more problems with infections and other nasty stuff like too many blood vessels in your eyes because of low oxygen rates. And they would possibly make the condition worse because they 'scratch' your cornea (although topography scans these days have made adaptation to individual patients better). If lenses can't help you anymore because your eyes become intolerant, it's curtains and you can have a transplant :eek:. On their nelly! Maybe when I'm 80 and I'm really desperate and I'm not liable to live the first one out. Rejection for a second is around 50% according to an Australian study (for a first it's 2%). I'm not going to do that, even when I'm 50.

It's not too bad at the moment. I don't get myself beaten up by it, but it's best to keep doctors at bay sometimes. Just to make sure they don't give you more trouble by treating you.

But now I have a party trick. 'My eye bulges, you wanna see it?' :D

[SilentMute]

I've been here since 2010, but probably only a few people know me because I pretty much stay in the Writer's Lounge where I post summaries and quizzes for LitNet. I've done most of the works of Dickens, all of Edgar Allan Poe, Don Quixote, and I have just finished The Odyssey. I'm currently working on the works of Jane Austen--which I used to hate, but I like some stories of hers now. I still hate with a passion Emma and Persuasion, the last I'm currently doing.

My mom--whose username I've forgotten--used to be here. She encouraged me to join after I had a bad experience on another forum. Maybe I'm living up to my username, for I don't find I really enjoy discussing things anymore.

A lot of major changes have happened to me, though.

In 2010, I got my medical coding certificate--but that year they wanted coders to be certified (certificate and certified are two different things). I was so proud that I got through the course, which had been demanding--it was the first time I hadn't quit something. I am a recovering underachiever, and that was my first triumph. I became very bitter when the rules changed at hospitals, and those allergic to a TB test could no longer take chest x-rays.

I volunteered at my local library, and that changed my life in two ways. One, it exposed me to paper mache...and two, it revealed that I had a talent in sales. I now sell on ebay, etsy, and Amazon...and every year I'm making more money. My goal is to become self-sufficient. I plan to open a store next week.

I am also a Youtube Partner with the network ForelaDigital. I have over 1,000 subscribers, and I am starting to finally see more earnings. I never became a medical coder, but my videos are very popular and highest paying. Many people compliment me on how much I help them.

I've self-published two books that aren't getting much attention (The Ghastly Family and Jessa The Reindeer Shark), but that doesn't bother me. They are only suited to particular tastes. I'm slowly working on a book that I feel might have more appeal to a general audience.

Last week, I turned forty. I used to dread this because I thought it was inevitable that one was going to go insane, act in a way that they should know better than acting, and make a complete jacka** of themselves. However, I am cautiously optimistic that my forties will be a time of self-enlightenment. :)

[MANICHAEAN]

Yep, I remember you in the "old days" Silent Mute and remember quite a bit of banter and laughs went on between us working on a shared story on one occasion. Glad things are working out better for you now. Don't worry about 40. I'm into my 70's and every day still holds promise.
Best regards
M.

[SilentMute]

Thanks, Manichaean! That was a lot of fun!

[Pensive]

It feels good to catchup with people especially now when I don't visit litnet as much as I'd like to (or just lurk around and not post).
As for me....hmmmm...been almost ten years. Seems pretty long.
Looks like I have aged almost twice as much as when I first joined this board.
Finished my secondary education, entered university and almost finishing my bachelor degree (hopefully will graduate this semester if everything goes alright).
Moved countries. Got a chance to explore around some of the East European side of the world.
Met lots of new people, made new friends, tried to stay in touch with old ones which I didn't succeed too well in and still feel a bit guilty about sometimes.
Met up with Anna and Tal in real and got a chance to explore their real life awesomeness as well. :)
Had my first job experience
Got engaged (just recently and its already almost at the point of breaking). Its an arranged engagement and turns out I have kind of already fallen with the guy I was arranged by parents to marry when my engagement is at the point of breaking mainly due to family issues.
Tried to learn a new language.

[Taliesin]

Pensive reminded me of the forum, had to check it out. I am a member since 2005, which makes it 11 years, I guess? Oops, I think I'm supposed to say we, right?

Well, we have forgotten how this forum works but we try to remember.

We haven't been here for years, really. Anyway, We have graduated school, gotten a bachelors degree, a masters degree, moved out to a place of our own, foolishly have entered PhD studies, gotten a job, taken up acting, tried to learn nine different languages and failed at almost all of them, never cut our hair short, read not as much as We would have liked to, played larps, dnd and the flute, sort of grown up, We guess?, lived in France for some time (can't say We recommend it), lost two wisdom teeth, two tonsils and our last living grandparents, met loads and loads of people, Pensive among them. Don't think we've met anybody else from litnet, although it could be nice to meet some (hint-hint).