LJ Idol - Week [0] - An Introduction

[penpusher]

It's been a while since I've felt the need to introduce myself HERE, since I've been on LiveJournal for almost thirteen years! My name is Dean and I am known as penpusher here, and on twitter, which are the two social media sites I use most frequently.

I am a penpusher because I am a left-handed writer... I push the pen across the page. I was kind of built to be a writer: Only child, intently observant, obsessed with facts, and not a lot of friends growing up, so left to my own, quiet devices when I wasn't being protected/observed by my mom and grandmother. Perfect dynamics for writing. And I did write, short stories and plays were my favorites, but I would toss out the occasional poem too.

Eventually, I started keeping diaries. I made the mistake of using Appointment Books which had narrow columns to write in per day, and I used a soft graphite mechanical pencil which now makes some of those entries next to impossible to decipher! I have been trying to transpose some of my paper journal entries to this LJ, just so I can preserve them!

But to give you the backstory on me, I was born in New Brunswick, NJ, at the start of ragweed season, in late August. When I was two, and then again at age seven. I was moved to New York City and have grown up here. I have a habit of attending strange schools. Bucknell University not withstanding, I am a graduate of:

Macy's Sales Manager Training Program
Connecticut School of Broadcasting
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College
New York Film Academy (I showed the first completed film in its history!)
New York Bartending School (by request)

And all of the grade schools I attended, (pre K through 12th grade) eleven more of those over the years. As you might guess, I'm used to being "The New Guy" because of all of the new schools I've attended. And this is a new experience for me, never having done an LJ Idol before. Might as well give it a go!

I'm looking forward to reading entries from other LJers that I haven't encountered before, and I hope you consider adding me on to your friendslist, if you like what you read from me.

Comments

[pageeater.livejournal.com]

You were a clown???

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Much like being an alcoholic, once you are one, you never really stop being one.

[iwriteflash.livejournal.com]

Hi! I've only been to three educational institutions in my life, my high school, college and university. Attending 17 seems intimidating to me. You must have had *that* introduction speech on the tips of your fingers :D

13 years using LJ? Wow! I'm a newbie and opened an account just to host the idol entries. I'm having trouble already, trying to figure out the linking and stuff. Great to make your acquaintance and please give me a free pass to pester you with technical qs :D

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Hi back!

If you know basic HTML, and I'm sure you do, it's pretty easy, but if you have other questions don't hesitate to ask. A pleasure!

[fringebenefits.livejournal.com]

Clown college? Excellent!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Buffoonery, at your service!

[x-disturbed-x.livejournal.com]

I have to say something about the clown college as well. That's just awesome, lol.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. It's likely my biggest claim to fame. But... maybe not?

[goldmourn.livejournal.com]

Hello! We joined LJ within about a month of one another! Old timers, we are, eh?

Thank you for leaving such a kind and positive comment on my intro entry!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

The Old Guard!

It's so interesting the dynamic of LJ over the years, and how we might have crossed paths back then, and maybe would be old and good friends by now, but we just missed each other's comments or didn't have that one friend in common.

Well, here we are now! Have at it!

[muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com]

Welcome to LJ Idol, good to meet you. I hope you enjoy this season.

Dan

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much Dan... but I'm afraid if there were a contest for most accurate username, you would lose.

[abigailendersby.livejournal.com]

We have a lot in common, you and I. I've spent my entire life being the new kid, school after school after school. Always the odd one with the funny accent and the odd clothes, the rampant imagination and the habit of sitting alone on the playground. And this is also my first LJ Idol as well! Looking forward to seeing what you write, and very nice to meet you.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

There is a kind of shorthand that gets learned after the first few schools that does help you ease in, but the relationships that have been established by everyone that is already there, and the circumstances that were previously arranged do leave you, more or less, outside looking in in many cases... even if you have a workable toolbox of tricks to get you in there.

I remember there was one kid in school who was in the same position because he was the son of an oil company executive and he immediately brought in a bunch of swag - bumper stickers, and keychains and magnets with the oil company logo on it as way of bonding... never mind that we were in 6th grade and didn't have cars! Before the semester was over, he was gone, off to Houston or Hawaii or Alaska or some other place his dad had to go.

But here's to the New!

[swirlsofblue.livejournal.com]

Hello.

Nice to hear about your childhood writing history :)

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I didn't mention my reading history, which really was more important, but that likely would have doubled the size of this entry! Thanks for reading along.

[binaryorchid.livejournal.com]

Nice to meet you, Dean :) I am especially happy to meet other people doing LJ Idol for the first time. I like your introduction a lot, makes me want to read more entries of yours!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

And I've added you to my journal! Thanks so much.

[shimmerdream.livejournal.com]

I have to admit, I'm rather scared of clowns...

My phobias notwithstanding, I really enjoyed this introduction and look forward to reading more of your entries.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I do get that more than I care to remember! But I don't think I'll be in make up for any of these entries, so you should be able to read without fear. Thanks for braving my journal!

[mallorys-camera.livejournal.com]

I grew up in NYC too! Dunno what growing up there would be like now, but back in the 60s it was kind of a magical place for a child. Or, at least, so I thought. Looking forward to reading you!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I hear it was a "Fun City" back in those days!

There is still a little magic floating around but yeah, mostly for the kids. Welcome to!

[witches.livejournal.com]

Only child, intently observant, obsessed with facts, and not a lot of friends growing up that sounds just like me!

OMG CLOWN COLLEGE! 8D <3 <3 <3 that is amazing and something i actually considered myself in the past.

i'm really looking forward to reading more from you and i hope you enjoy lj idol!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

*hands you a slice of cherry pie*

Hey! better than throwing it!!

All seriousness aside, though, did you ever do a Clown College audition for Ringling? Or was this just a passing thought you had before you came to your senses?!

Thanks and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance!

[kagomeshuko.livejournal.com]

I've "written" stories ever since I was little. I grew up hearing "Bridget, you're a good writer." Hopefully, eventually, I'll not only be getting my master's, but in the MFA program to help me write even better than I do.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

That sounds wonderful! I wish I had gotten my Master's. That might have come in handy. Good luck!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Clown college! I heard the other day that the United States actually has a shortage of young clowns right now. Is that something you would want to still do (or are you doing it now)?

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

My clown is in semi-retirement at this point. I've done everything I can think of as a clown, so I wasn't completely sure about doing anything else!

I did hear about the clown shortage. Maybe I should be teaching people the skills? Of course, I previously did that, too!

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

Quite an experienced guy...:)...Nice knowing you Dean..and would be looking forward to read your entries!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much, and thanks for adding me to your list!

[sarcasmoqueen.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to reading you!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I hope you weren't being sarcastic! ;) Thanks a lot!

[rswndrlst.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you've lead a very interesting life! Excited to read your submissions.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Tip of the iceberg m'dear! I better go look through my diaries and LJ archives for some of my juicier tales!

[solstice-singer.livejournal.com]

I miss New York so much. I lived there for nearly three years.

Good luck this season.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Don't worry! NYC is still here and ready for your return whenever you're ready to make it! That's really the beauty of it. And, of course it's never exactly the same as before, which is why it's a city of endless fascination... the people are different, the shops and buildings may be too.

Thanks for the wishes!

[shay-writes.livejournal.com]

For some reason the image of clown behind a bar serving drinks sticks in my mind.

I can't wait to read more. :)

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Thanks for adding me, and I added you back!

[beldarzfixon.livejournal.com]

Quite interesting! I, too am left-handed, and hold my pen(cil) in the mirror-reflection of a right-hander, so in school I had a graphite sheen on the heel of my hand.

I only know enough about clowning to know it's a lot harder than it looks, so my hat's off to you there. My schooling growing up was 12 years all spent on the same campus in the same small town (kinda rare these days).

So, yes, friending as well.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Thanks and I friended your regular LJ as well as this one!

Yeah my hand was a mess after writing with certain pencils and pens!

Clowning is something unique and I hope I will have a chance to talk about it... but if you'd like to read more about some of my experiences, you might find a few previous posts if you search my tags.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Hi there, adding you. More reading material is A Good Thing...

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I heartily agree! Welcome aboard!

[sweeny-todd.livejournal.com]

That is an interesting array of schools!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

And that's a fascinating icon.

[similiesslip.livejournal.com]

I look forward to reading what you write :)

How was clown college?

Your background sounds very diverse and interesting :)

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! Clown College was a kind of whirlwind that's not easily described in just a few words, but I will say it taught me less about comedy and more about humanity.

I do agree with you: it's way too easy to say the wrong thing and regret it, later... that's actually why my journal is subtitled "First Think, THEN Ink!"

Hello

[mistearyusdiva2.livejournal.com]

That's quite an intro. Almost a veteran with LiveJournal. I am still learning the basics here .... And sometimes I think I will be doing that till the end. Have a great day and for sure will be peeping in here frequently.

Re: Hello

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yes, My 13th anniversary on LJ is in 13 days. It's definitely one of the longest continuous activities I've done! And the experience of both reading other writers and occasionally getting to meet them has been pretty fantastic overall, which I'm sure is why I continue to do it.

But we're all still learning... pretty much everything! Hopefully we all will have the missing puzzle pieces for each other, as we go. And thanks for the add!

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

Welcome to LJI. :)

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Thanks and I hope you're gentle with a newbie such as I!!