One of my major interests these days is interacting with people I have met over the past few years on “Social Networking” websites.  About three years ago I found out my two adult children where having loads of fun on the “Social Networking” website, MySpace.  They were talking about this particular website and encouraged me to get on it.  I was hesitant because I was afraid it would be like one of those dating websites (I had a bad encounter on one of those) but the kids assured me it was anything like that.  Anyway, around the middle of November of that year I finally took the plunge. When I started creating the profile it was very difficult because I am such an interesting personality, written words cannot properly describe me.  Okay, I’m sorry.  A little bit of self-image excess there again. 

After I played around with it for a while it became fun.  I learned how to navigate HTML codes and how to look for graphics and music playlist while surfing around various websites.  One thing I did learn was how, unfortunately, it is so very time consuming (a luxury I do not have) and addictive.  But one OTHER disappointing thing I found was most of the site members were either very young, and/or had very different interest and entertainments than myself.  I was also disappointed at how most people were representing themselves, especially the young people.  But I learned to overcome some of these issues and still found interacting to be very enjoyable.

Not feeling fulfilled, I search around for other social networking sites that might have a membership more relevant to my age group, sense of humor, curiosities, concerns, pursuits and interest and I found a few but they still didn’t quit fill the bill so to speak.  Then I found THIS community.  I was thrilled.  It appeared that the age group and interest level were much better than any other site I have seen in all this time.  Because I was a member of AARP it was not difficult for me to jump in and create a profile here.  I enjoy making others smile or even laugh out loud so with a dry sense of humor I attempted to do just that.  Further, I enjoy stimulating conversation as well as the helping myself while helping others reflect on life and spirituality in general.  So that is what I attempted to do here and had a lot of fun doing it.

Then things started happening in a negative way.  I started experiencing little glitches from time to time and because there was never an explanation I became very puzzled.  For example, one day I logged on only to find my profile page TOTALLY MISSING.  Again, I was VERY surprised that there was no explanation.  I send a direct email to community@aarp.org and they very quickly responded.  Someone (s) had found something on my page somehow objectionable.  I replied that it was unfortunate that the person who had something to object to did not send ME a message to discuss it.  But I apologized to the community, they put my page back up and I removed the “objectionable” material.  From that time forward I was courteously asked by the community to remove anything they or others considered “objectionable” and I did.

I created a musical “Playlist” on another site, copies the HTML code and pasted it into my profile.  For days I received many accolades from visitors to my site and then one day it was GONE!  I though that maybe the playlist site had done something wrong so I checked over there recopied the HTML codes and again pasted it into my profile.  I don’t remember but either that same day or the next day it was gone again.  I send a direct email to community@aarp.org and they very quickly responded.  They said that the music had been deleted because it was interfering with other peoples sites when they came to my page. “Well,” I thought, “the site is new and they are going to have some bugs to work out.”

Time passed and I started noticing other people were putting up “Playlist” and most of them were from the website I had used before.  I created another playlist; put it up and visitors to my page were able to enjoy the music.  Well, after that thing went along pretty well for a while. 

And then one day the entire “Message Center” disappeared from everyone’s page.  I actually found this humorous even though it was very frustrating.    “Well,” I again thought, “the site is new and they are going to have some bugs to work out.”

Then all of a sudden MORE things started happening .  T here were more unexplained Playlist deletions, unexplained graphics disappearances or an unexplained inability to post graphics.  This was in conjunction with many many “Oops message.”  Then all of a sudden there was an inability to post pictures from the website “Photobucket.  “Well,” I again thought, “the site is new and they are going to have some bugs to work out.”

Well, I’m giving the site the benefit of the doubt and I’m sure they will eventually get things the way they need to be.  This is and could further be a great site for just want it is intended.  And I for one am looking forward to that time.  Afterall, the site is new and they are going to have some bugs to work out.

In the mean time, I have joined two other “social networking” websites.  I will be testing one over the other for a while to see how the sites perform.  Other people from here are over there and many of us have reunited. 

This does not mean that I nor some of the others will be totally leaving the AARP community; we are just doing over there what we enjoyed doing over here with much less frustration or aggravation. 

Yes, I will still be around but it won’t be as frequent as before for a while.

~!~

John

I only recently became aware of the fact that the AARP website has created the Social Networking section which they refer to as the Community. I have enjoyed other Social Networking websites but there are, of course, drawbacks given the extreme age range. I am very pleased that the 50+ crowd now have a place to go and enjoy the features we can find here. I also want to say I am very impress with what the website and the ability they have displayed to get this section up and running very smoothly. That is why I decided to write my “ABOUT ME” in a Journal entry rather than only putting it on the front page of my profile. That said, here goes.

HI, MY NAME IS JOHN

The about me question often becomes awkward as one does not want to project the appearance of being conceited, pompous, or a braggart. However, I believe if one plans to make new friends or become reacquainted with old friends on this type of website they need to answer the question.

I am a businessman who has lived and worked in the Miami, Florida area for thirty two years until recently when I moved  and am now in exile in West Central Florida. (Yes, It is a long story but you can go ahead and ask).  

IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO FLORIDA

YOU MAY WANT TO STOP BY HERE FIRST!

I have very strong moral and ethical values. I have been involved in sales, sales management, and sales training my entire adult career. I approach everything in life with a very positive attitude. And I try to be as respectful and honoring of others as I can.

When I first started my career I was very influenced by Zig Zigler the motivational speaker. I enjoy his wit as well as his wisdom. I’ve adopted his personal philosophy, which is “YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT   OUT OF LIFE, JUST AS LONG AS YOU HELP ENOUGH OTHER PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY WANT OUT OF LIFE.”  That has worked very well for me.

I am told I am considered humorous yet with a very dry wit. I can carry on a good conversation, and above all I pride myself on being a total gentleman from the booming boomer year of 1948!

Most of my current friends are family members, current or former associates, people I’ve know from church or civic associations along with their friends and their families. I would be delighted to consider anyone reading this  a friend but I prefer to first know a little something about you.

Okay, now about my interests!!

My interests are very simple. I have very few hobbies, however, I thoroughly enjoy the company of and the communication with a few very important close personal friends. 

You will also probably come to understand that I take great pleasure in enjoying time with and living vicariously through my kids (Carey and Rich) including their cousin (Vanessa) who is like a third daughter.

(LtoR – Carey, Rich & Vanessa)

I also enjoy their friends and Carey’s two dogs (my only grandchildren so far)!

I LOVE being involved in my church. 

Anything else Motown, along with anything by:

Bonnie Raitt,

Josh Grobin,

Elton John,

Henry Mancini,

Patti Labelle,

Santana,

The Righteous Brothers,

Most Movie And Theater Soundtracks,

With some old and new country and classic rock.

On another note (excuse the pun) I was also recently reminded of how great the old gospel quartets were singing “ALL DAY SING” and “REVIVAL TENT” music. Talk about great memories. I could listen to those folks for hours.

About my motion picture interests:

I enjoy a variety of movie types. Some of my all time favorite movies have been:

Monty Python And The Holy Grail,

Full Metal Jacket,

Message In A Bottle (a major tearjerker but worth it),

The Notebook,

Bull Durham,

Rudy,

Gung Ho,

Doctor Zhivago,

Harvey.

The Unsinkable Molly Brown,

And The Sands Of Iwo Jima.

 About my reading interest:

Because I have a mild case of dyslexia, I would rather listen to books on tape or CD. I read a variety of book types. Some of the ones that come to mind are:

The Holy Bible (Good News Translation),

Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance,

The De vinci Code,

The Secret,

The Purpose Driven Life,

Anything By Zig Zigler,

And Any Good Biography.

I find most biographies tell me quite a bit about affluent or successful people and how they overcame obstacles to become successful.

About my television viewing interest:

TV shows are subject to mood swings but I guess I would say I enjoy most current evening dramas and old classic sitcoms or anything else humorous. I am not a big fan of reality television but then again there is The Apprentice.

I would love to hear from any reader. We can compare our lives, interest and things as we are.

WELL, THAT’S ME. BUT THAT IS ONLY THE… WELL, YOU KNOW…. 

BIG NOTE:

THE GRAPHIC BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN STOLEN.

BUT I WOULD RATHER OWE SOMEBODY SOMETHING

RATHER THAN CHEAT THEM OUT OF ANYTHING!

Aaaaah, young butta fly! You question names!

Must answer here!

Because I am often asked why on this site my name is changed with regularity I will explain.  Over the past ten or twelve years I have been involved in many church, social, volunteer and website organizations. In each one of these I have often been tagged with a name or have given myself a name that the group members would use to address me.

Now when I wake up in the morning, those little voices in my head tell me what name I should use as well as what song will be locked in my mind for the rest of the day.  So even though I am have an actual given name the voices tell me people may call me any of the following that may be appropriate:

Dad, Granddad, Grandpa John, Papa John, Farmer John, Cowboy John, Mister "O", Big O, Big Ho, Double O, Hardcore Male Tramp, Father John, Deacon John, Brother John, Crazy John, Coach, Trav’lin Man, Mov’n Man, Beachboy, Beach Guy, Beach Bum, Puff The Magic Dragon, Sarge, Colonel, Caveman, Maddog, Tubby, Emperor, Your Royal Highness, Your Majesty, Sweetheart, Sweetlips, Hot Lips, Baby Doll, Baby Boy, Bubbles, Wizzard of Oz, Grumpy, Dopey, Grouchy, Dog Walker, Dog Feeder, Kumquat Taster, Urban Cowboy, Badonkadonk, Cooter, Bubba, And/Or Tater Salad (Or Just Tater For Short). But you DOESN’T haz to call me Johnson!

I’m the guy who is incredibly picky, but when I find someone I like I want to spend the whole night curled up in their arms.

I am the guy who will gently move your head onto my shoulder, not because I think you are sleepy, but because I want to be closer to you.

I’m the guy who likes to kiss you in the rain, more than inside your bedroom or in an expensive restaurant.

I’m the guy who says, "Okay, but you owe me..." jokingly not because I actually want something, but because it means I get to spend more time with you.

I’m the guy you can ask to go absolutely anywhere and I will take you and have fun because it means I am spending time with you.

I’m the guy who never forgets all the sweet little things you do for me.

I’m the guy who loves to end a hug with a kiss.

I’m the guy who you can talk to about anything.

I’m the guy who will have many inside jokes with you and will remember each one.

I’m the guy who will brag about you to all of my friends.

I’m the guy who will listen when you talk.

I’m the guy who loves it when I can sneak up and hug you from behind and then kiss you just below the hair line on the neck.

I’m the guy who loves you for you, and doesn’t care what other people say about us.

I’m the guy who never gives up hope....

No, the little girl in the picture is not my Granddaughter. 

Last summer I attended a “50’s style” theme party.  Okay, I do understand that my jeans are too baggy and I don’t have enough hair to slick back but that’s beside the point.  This little girl was with the family at the table next to my date and me.  She is the adopted daughter of the hostess of the party.  As the music began to play the little girl would rush over, take my hand and without saying anything, walk me to the dance floor and just start dancing.  I can vividly remember the smile on her little angelic face.  0ccasionally she would become preoccupied with something going on at your table and I would be able to dance with my date. 

At the end of the evening the hostess profusely thanked me for being so patient with her.  She went on to tell me I was the first man she had ever not been terrified of.  She had told my date a story earlier in the evening and assumed my date had already told me.  You see, the reason why this little girl was terrified of men and had been adopted by the hostess was the little girl had been brutally sexually molested for the previous two years by a family member.  She had been in the court system for nine months before she was released to the lady.  This lady eight years prior adopted a ten year old little girl and that girl had just received a full scholarship to a prestigous university. 

I’m glad I didn’t know about these circumstances until the end of the evening.  At least I had the enjoyment of the dances without having those thought running through my head.  I can’t help but believe that had she BEEN my granddaughter she would not have suffered during the very beginning of the short life she had lived up to this point.   If you are a praying person, please pray for this little girl.  And then pray for all the other children in the world who might be living this type of nightmare.

It is believed that today (July 11^th) is her birthday. Happy Birthday, Christie!!  Any many many more!