August 16 is the anniversary of the boyfriend and I first moving in together. Somehow, I realized this morning, I’d attributed the date to my OS blogoversary, which is actually August 14.
I guess it’s not so surprising; in many ways, like our apartment, OS has become a home for me. Like a real home, there’s a sense of belonging, and of appreciation. There’s even a sense of family. As many of us know, this year hasn’t been an easy one on OS – unexpected editor changes (which luckily began and ended with what seem like good people at the helm), the usual period of escalating fears of OS’s imminent demise, and dust-ups – including the recent one that’s gone to levels I would never have imagined. But all households have their good times and their bad, and we get through it.
This year there have also, as always, been so many signs of people supporting each other. I can’t say how many times I’ve been comforted by you guys’ comments on my own posts. It’s been two years now, and while I have a lot going on in the real world, including, hopefully, an upcoming career change, I don’t know what I’d do without this place.
In the year-and-two-days since my first blogoversary, most of my time on OS has been wonderful, and even in the darkest moments, knowing my OS friends and acquaintances has cancelled out so much of the other gunk. Thank you all for all the great times, all the great writing. Over the ether, I send good and grateful thoughts to all of you, and healing thoughts and prayers to those of you going through difficult times.
Last year, I made a video to commemorate my blogoversary. A lot of you were disappointed that I didn’t: a. show you Ali in real life and b. speak French. So I decided to do another video that includes those things. Warnings: The camera got a little shaky at times (or, rather, my hand holding it got a little shaky); there is not an earthquake going on. Also, you will notice my French accent is only slightly less terrible than my hair. My hair has really been misbehaving lately – I’m going to blame the humidity. Anyway, here’s the video:
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(I tried the video but it said private just as Gerald mentioned above...you might try "unlisted" as the setting in YouTube.)
Cranky - I love my Cranky mug! But rest assured, I alternate it with my Spaghetti Cat mug...two iconic internet personalities who always make me smile....
Also, Gerald and designanator, I am so sorry that I didn't put a comma between your names on my last comment - you are not one entity of course - I was just in a tizzy because I screwed up the video! :-)
You're one of maybe three dozen OS people I've been privileged to meet in person since I got here in August 2008, and just about all, including you, didn't disappoint. Hope to see you again soon on either side of the pond.
You're a great asset to this place, both in your writing and your thoughtful comments. I've not reached a year yet, but so far it's been a pleasure, and you've been a big part of that. I raise a mug (not a Cranky one unfortunately) to many more years.
Great smile.
Thanks for the french sound bytes. Reminds me of my times and colleagues working in Montreal for a couple of years. You roll your Rs much better than I ever could.
Merci beaucoup.
Lea – Thanks for your support of my French. I don’t like how it sounds here and hope it sounds better in everyday life when I’m not nervous…. As for what’s in the mug, to be honest, I didn’t want to put anything in it, because I had to lean it on the sofa while I filmed and I was afraid it would tip over (not because Ali was nearby, but because I am a huge klutz). But let’s say it was cyber champagne…. : -)
jlsathre – Thanks for your comment, and for raising a mug of your own! Your grandson is so lucky he’s learning French now; if he continues to learn, he’ll probably end up having perfect pronunciation. My boyfriend took “baby English” lessons when he was three, and while he still has a slight accent, it’s much better than mine in French; my family was disappointed when they met him and he didn’t talk like Maurice Chevalier (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
ThroughMyEyes – Aww, what you wrote made MY eyes well up! I’m glad you liked the video, and thank you so much for what you said.
Joisey Shore Redux – This might just be the first time Ali’s been called “tiny” since he was a kitten! Now that you mention it, though, he does look kind of small in the video…the power of the right camera angles…. He’s actually really big – I often say, when he’s loafing by us on the sofa at night that he looks like a baby seal. He’s 12 pounds, which the vet says is overweight, but she doesn’t fight us too much about it – I think she must know Ali is an expert at stealing things from the table…. Merci également pour ce que vous avez dit par rapport à mon accent. Je fais des efforts pour bien prononcer mes « r » mais ce n’est pas toujours réussi….. Je suis sure que vous parliez français mieux que vous ne le pensiez.
and not a committee of angels
as i suspected. : )
weirdly enough
today is my mom and dad's anniversary.
aug 16, 1947.
also
it is my pally boy Riz's b-day.
how small a world.
huggggggg
May we meet with extra tasers to pillage the land
HUGGGGGGGGG
huggggggg
May we meet with extra tasers to pillage the land
HUGGGGGGGGG
Happy second, Alysa. It's been a pleasure reading you.
I'm watching/listening to Candace/femme forte at the moment, then I'll play you!
Being in this relationship with you here, hahaha, that of being your reader and fan and you my muse, has been wonderful. Let's stay together , OK?
Thank you for lighting the room:-)
Emily
I thought I already liked you very much, but now more so.
Thank you for putting out such terrific writing, and thank you for this heartfelt video.
I hope to see you soon on terra firma. In the meantime, it is wonderful knowing you here.
It twas a fine day when you found OS. Sorry to keep missing these fine days.
r./
Onward and upward!
as an advisor in franco-american relations. to translate
america's barbarian yawping
into proper french, if that is possible.
i predict, if this happens, that a mighty alliance
from way way back
will be revivified.
and then we shall see what the germans have on their minds.
that will take alot of smarts. god knows what
they think they are up to.
england? ah, you can fake an english accent too.
Happy blogiversary to you
Happy blogiversary to you
Happy blogiversary Dear Alysa
Joyeux blogiversary a vous/tu (?)
Et beaucoups plus
Linda – Merci! Tu es une vraie amie, et c’est un honneur de te connaître. As for the tasers…don’t tell Cranky, but I’m secretly afraid to use one…but the boyfriend will fill in with me. He loves the idea of tasers!
Gerald – Thanks for coming back and watching the video, and for your kind words, though I have to disagree with you on them – especially the “wise” thing. As for Ali, I don’t know why he wasn’t more lively…maybe he was saving his energy because he detected the heatwave we’re now suffering through? As for the boyfriend, he doesn’t like to make camera appearances, though he did let me post a video of him taking part in a BBC segment about his re-constitution group, back in March. I guess he’ll only be on camera if he’s in a Napoleonic soldier uniform.
Matt – I hesitated posting a video because my own computer sometimes won’t let me watch them. But I felt bad that I hadn’t included what people wanted to see last year. I hope if you wanted to see it, you were able to. And thank you for your comment –it’s the first time I think anyone has ever implied I’m classy!
Boanerges – Haha! Maybe that is what he was thinking! He’s so photogenic, I forget that he probably doesn’t know what the hell I’m up to when I film or take pictures of him. He’s like star and I’m like a paparazzo. Now I kind of feel ashamed….
Miguela – Thank you! It’s been a pleasure knowing and reading you, too!
Eva – Thanks so much for your blessings and for your kind comments about my French. And yes, definitely, here’s hoping for more meet-ups!
another steve s – Thank you so much! Wow, what a compliment! And coming from someone who writes such smart, funny, and creative posts, it’s even more of an honor. Thank you.
Kanuk – Whew! I’m glad..but why “formal”? I felt like it was pretty average formality level – but maybe it was kind of dull? Next year, if I do a video, I’ll try to do “street” French: “Mes potes sur Open Salon, je vous kiffe grave!” : - )
Christine – You are so sweet and it’s great reading and knowing you!
kitd – Thanks so much! That mug makes me smile every day.
Tink – Merci!!!!!
Myriad – I’m glad you liked the video. Quebec French is very different – here, they often subtitle it, though most French people understand it of course. I guess it’s like Americans with Scottish accents. Interestingly, though, many people have told me they think I’m from Quebec; apparently American-accented French at times resembles Canadian French, which I guess sort of makes sense. But I don’t know if I’d say the same.
littlewillie – Thanks for coming by. I feel that you, also, are “the real deal”. As for sticking around, I can’t imagine life without OS, even though of course things aren’t always perfect here. But I feel like if others’ negativity makes me leave, that means they’ve won.
Emily – You are so, so sweet! Thank you for both of your incredibly kind comments. I love reading your posts, and so admire your spirit of creativity. Let’s definitely both stay here and play! …On the other hand, there is one thing I have to take umbrage at: NO ONE is cuter than Ali! :- )
fernsy – Thank you for coming by, despite all of the endless litigation. I hope it will come to an end – and very much in favor of you and your family – very soon.
onislandtime – Thank you for reading, and for your kind words.
Rob – Haha, oh my gosh, that is a hard phrase to say, indeed! But life without jam wouldn’t be too bad for me – I don’t like jam! : - )
James – You think far too highly of me – I wouldn’t do anything but make a mess of things, with my bad accent and almost total ignorance of current events that aren’t pop culture-related. One thing you did get right: I can do an English accent. I wish I had the moxie of Madonna, and could just pretend I’ve always had an English accent, and just use it all the time….sigh….
Kosher – You guys aren’t scary! At least, not most of you… : - ) Thanks for your kind words, and you can say “tu” or “toi” to me anytime!
Seth –Thank you so much, and thanks, as always, for your kindness and contributions to the OS Weekend Fiction Club!
Natsuki-san – Thank you so much. And as I said to Seth, thank you also for all that you bring to the OS Weekend Fiction Club.
Thanks for stopping by, everyone, and for your comments - it's a pleasure to be on OS with you.