Friday, May 07, 2010

So This Is What A Niche Feels Like

I've always been a quick learner. I was a very advanced child. I walked earlier than the other children in my family, I read sooner than any of them, I understood things that were supposed to go over my head, I asked a million questions and I talked incessantly. Just ask my mother.

When I was in first grade, they wanted to put me in second grade because I was too smart for the class. I understood at a quick pace, felt the material that I was learning was too simple for me and needed to be challenged. I was bored and distracted. I was antsy and wanted to move on in my lessons when everyone else was still struggling with what they were learning. But I never did get to move a grade ahead. For whatever reason, my mother didn't want me to do that.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I did. Would I have graduated high school earlier and gone on to higher education that would have made me something other than I am today? As smart as I was in my lower grades in school, that didn't seem to translate to my higher grades in school. Not that I got less intelligent, I just lost interest. I often wonder why I didn't find school interesting enough to pick a subject or in my later years in high school, a career. I always felt like I hadn't "hit" on the one thing that gave me enough joy to want to continue. In high school, I did just enough to get decent enough grades to get me to graduation. I never even took the SAT's. In fact, I don't ever remember hearing about the SAT's and when they were being given until everyone was comparing SAT scores. What the hell?

I have always had a wide range of interests. Liked a lot of things. In fact, loved a lot of things. Growing up, my parents let us do everything. My grandmother taught me how to knit and type, my grandfather taught me how to use tools, my father taught me how to swim, mow the lawn, garden and cook, and my mother taught me just about everything else; how to paint, draw, crochet, bake, make macrame hanging planters, macaroni necklaces and ceramic christmas tree ornaments just to name a few. She also cheerleaded and encouraged everything I did; she wasn't too thrilled about that dalliance with Joey the hot chef at our family restaurant when I was fifteen, but that crush passed and she went back to encouraging my interests.

So back to the short attention span thing...

Because of my short attention span, I have gotten a bit of a reputation for "not sticking with anything". What's funny is that I see that as a positive, not a negative. I've always thought it was a good thing that I knew what I liked and didn't like. I'm not stuck in a job I hate for twenty years like some people I know. I'm not dating the wrong guy because if I were, he would have been gone long ago. And I'm doing with my life mostly what I want. It's not always sunshine and roses and most of the time, I'm annoyed by everything, but for the most part I like my life a lot. There is so much more I want to do, and will do, but there is only so much time and money in a day. I like that I discarded (for lack of a better word) people, jobs and things that didn't work for me. And because of the ability to do that, I sometimes think my actions or ways are misunderstood.

That said, I have found a few things I didn't know I would have liked so much; one of those things is this blog. I've always been a big reader (of all sorts of subject matter) and have been writing since I was a kid. Nothing big deal, nothing published in the school paper, just stuff; poetry, short stories, lists and journals.

I love doing this blog. I love thinking of new subjects to write about, I love coming up with the titles for my posts (none of which has ever been repeated) and I love posting pictures. I also love having readers; they've come from over 42 countries! I could use more comments people (hint-hint), but I'm happy with the fact that I even have readers.

Today marks the fifth anniversary of my writing this blog. It began six months after I went on the road with Ed. I have over 1,833 blog post and more than 1,000 photos (that I have taken!). I've driven through 49 states and have been to 11 of the 13 Canadian Provinces/Territories. And I've written about it all.

So I think I've found something can see myself sticking with. I would like to kick it up a bit, in some way, and I'd welcome any suggestions. Is there something you'd like to read about, see video of, hear about? Is there a new category I can add, a subject I can focus on or an angle I can take that would make things more interesting? Please let me know! If you don't want to leave suggestions in comments, email me directly at salenalettera@gmail.com, and feel free to be candid!

Also, now that I've hit the five year mark, I'm able to add another line to access past posts - the "5 Years Ago" link!! Yay. Oh, and did you know that the traditional five year (wedding) anniversary gift is wood? Interesting.

So anyway, thanks to all the readers who have been here from the beginning and welcome to anyone who is new! And thanks for being here to celebrate my Blogiversary!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO:
The Sum Of Its Parts
2 YEARS AGO:
Look At Me, I’m Three!!
3 YEARS AGO:
A Trucking Style Birthday Celebration
4 YEARS AGO:
A Perfectly Uninteresting Event
5 YEARS AGO:
The Day The Blog Began

14 comments:

Gypsy said...

When I was in first grade, my teachers decided I was too smart for the level, and I ended up studying the second grade books over the summer, taking tests, and going into third grade the following year. I protested a lot, but my mom made me do it anyway. I went to college at 17, studied journalism, became a reporter, then quit and started bouncing around doing random things (like trucking for a few months!), and now I'm working on becoming a teacher.

I have the same short-attention-span thing where I cycle through jobs and people and life paths very quickly, and I've also always thought this approach has its own merits. I think it just means we know what we want (or don't want) when we see it, and aren't willing to put up with bullshit!

I've always wondered how my life would have been different if I'd just gone straight through school at the same level instead of skipping. Of course, no one can know what-might-have-been, but I get the feeling that we both, in our own ways, would have still walked down our own strange paths, no matter what.

Congratulations on your blogoversary! I always enjoy reading your posts, even if I don't often comment. Looking forward to reading more in the years ahead!

Unknown said...

A Happy Fifth !
You'll have to celebrate again of course when you hit the 2000th blog post.

Anonymous said...

Happy 5th!! And what I hope are many more to come. I love reading your blog!!!!!

Ms. Crawford said...

Happy Anniversary!! This blog is surely a part of you. And if it wasn't for this blog I would never have given trucking another thought. This blog changed my life, as corny as that sounds. LOL It really did, because if you weren't so open and candid in your posts, I might have NEVER met someone who loved trucking like you do. I can't wait to continue reading your posts. It's like finding a great series of books, you never want them to end :)

Lipstick Trucker said...

Congrats on your 5th year. Just think of how many more people you have met through this blog. Keep it up I love reading it. Your writing is amazing.

june in florida said...

Happy anniversary, not much to add its all been said but just keep on writing I love hearing about your adventures. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I seriously thought, when I started reading this post, that you were going to say you were giving this blog up. I was about to be sad. This has become one of my favorite things to read and when I look at my blogroll and see that you have updated it, I always head right for it. Personally, I dont think you should change a thing. This blog is YOU, or what I imagine you would be like had I met you in person. Keep it just like it is.

gems4me said...

Congrats on five years. I came across your blog by accident, but continue to enjoy. I am an OTR dispatcher, Landstar and it's enjoyable to see what's it like on your side.

I won't read your political posts because I not a fan of Obama or his politics.

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

Congrats on another year. Even though I don't comment much I do love reading what you have to say

The Daily Rant said...

Gypsy: Glad I’m not the only one out there bouncing around. Although the teaching in China thing might be a stretch for me. LOL

Glamour: Thanks! 2,000 is right around the corner. LOL I wish I could dress like the women you highlight on your blog….God, how I love the time periods you cover!

Liz: Thanks and please come back!

Plum: Grasshopper, I am so proud of you already. I cannot WAIT to hear YOUR stories.

Lipstick: Thanks! And you’re right….I meet some great people – like YOU!

June: Thanks for coming back and thanks for always commenting.

Tiger: Give up? They’ll have to pry the keyboard from my translucent, bony hands! LOL Thanks for coming back again and again.

Gems: Well some accidents are good, aren’t they? It got you here. Thanks for reading.

Heather: Thanks for reading. Every once in a while you crop up and it’s good to see you’re still around. Read anything GREAT lately? I am currently reading “The Day the Falls Stood Still” by Cathy Marie Buchanan and I’m really kinda lovin’ it.

Gil said...

Happy Blogversary! I had the same problem of losing interest as the grades progressed. My parents said I was lazy and I guess I was because I never figured out how to blame "losing interest"!!

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

I've heard great things about that book and I plan to read it at some point. Right now I'm reading ONE AMAZING THING - so far it is pretty good. The best book recently for me was THE HELP.

all things bradbury said...

happy blogiversary!!...and thanks for 1,833 posts that have entertained and informed us!!!.....i'm always in awe of how much information you give us on your subject matter and how interesting you make each story....it's a delight to read and an inspiration to those of us who also blog!!....not to mention the "awesome" (sorry) photography!!!.....keep up the good work....we're all looking foward to celebrating the 50th blogiversary too!!

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Congratulations! Your blog is only one week older than "P and me." Hahaha :D