Ms. Bella's World

I recently stumbled into a small corner of the internet, long since coated in dust and cobwebs to discover echoes of my past self hidden there. I am, of course, referring to the old website Livejournal.

It’s been 20 years since I created that blog and 15 years since the last time I’d posted, so it was an unexpected time capsule of a younger me. Some of it was rather amusing, some of it heartfelt, and some of it … well, let’s just say I was not always very cheerful and I was more than a little harsh on myself.

But, in all of it, I found it rather amusing that some things have not changed a lot. Here’s a list, from past me (2005), of things I liked, with a few notes from current me. How many things on my list were games? Let’s count –

1. Diablo/Diablo II – I put these together because I consider them parts of a whole. I also get a real kick out of kicking monster ass when I need to let off some steam. These by far are my favorite two games, and I play them repeatedly and probably will for a long time to come. I have no favorite character to play, though I love the paladin for his auras, the sorceress for her long range spells and the barbarian because, well if you build him right he’s a freaking tank. (Side note : hurry up Blizzard, if they can make a movie of Doom, then a Diablo movie should be a piece of cake) ( for the love of God, do NOT make a Diablo movie!)
2. The Sims/The Sims 2 – Yes, once again I paired a set of games together. I love playing these because I can create little characters and make their lives as happy or as miserable as I wish, depending on my mood. Haven’t gotten Nightlife for Sims 2 yet, but plan on it. ( Sims 3 is one of the best iterations of the game, despite some bugs and Sims 4 has been … beautiful but vapid and expensive. And it turned out my favorite part of the game was building houses.)
3. Knitting/Crochet – I enjoy the satisfaction of completing a project, the feel of the yarn in my hands as I work, and oh yeah, let’s not forget the long bus trips I take when I go to work. Without some sort of needlepoint I’d probably go postal and kill someone. Okay, not really, but it would drive me nuts. (my past self would be horribly disappointed at my lack of needlepoint in the past few years)
4. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – A good, clean, happy reality tv show, where someone gets a nice house and a new lease on life. I’m a sucker for a sob story. (the first couple of seasons were goofy and fun, but later seasons became overblown spectacles)
5. Surface – Just started watching this, but I really like the storyline so far. Can’t help but love Nimrod. (I can’t remember what this was anymore)
6. Supernatural – The whole different monster each week theme has got me hooked, can never wait to see what kind of something the boys are going to come up against next time. (funnily enough, I don’t think I watched this past the second season)
7. Carmageddon – Reckless driving at high speeds and not only can you hit the pedestrians, but it’s encouraged. Definately a “blow off steam” game for me, and rather amusing to watch someone else play too. (LOL! This is still a fond memory and one of the more amusing games I’ve ever played.)
8. Doom/Doom II – The FPS. I know there were FPSs before Doom, but this to me defined the game. Spent many happy hours playing and watching this played. Can’t wait to see the movie, just to see the game brought to life. (Yep, still have fond memories of seeing my Dad play this)
9. Quake/Quake II – Another great FPS. Really got a kick out of the monsters and the weapons you used in the game. The music kicked much alien ass as well. (I actually preferred this one to Doom and the music still kicks much alien ass)
10. Duke Nukem – Did anyone think I was going to forget ol’ Duke in my list? I mean, after all I seem to have a fondness for old style FPS games, don’t I? In fact, talking to hubby into building me an older box, just to play them. (Best protagonist in an FPS game)
11. Jewelry making – Bead Stringing, hemp, wirework, bead looming, it’s all fun and relaxing and when I’m done I have something really nice to wear or give away or sell. I love glass and metal beads, semi precious stones, polished stones, they all have their uses. (again, my past self would be disappointed that I don’t do much bead work anymore. I could, I still have many of the supplies)
12. Star Wars – Note, I didn’t specify. That’s because I love all the movies, and damn what the critics said. I loved seeing the whole story played out, the rise and fall of the empire, the transformation of a young boy into the terror of the galaxy. It is a space saga. (Future me here – I LOVE the original Trilogy. I did love the prequel trilogy, warts and all. The sequel trilogy? Disrespected the original characters and was poorly written.)
13. Cats – No, I don’t mean the musical (though it was okay). I mean the animal, the small, fuzzy, prickly little beasties that we live with. They’re both independant and clingy, they’re intelligent and loving, and have a sense of humor and mischief. I’ve rarely been my whole life without a cat around, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. (Apparently still very much true, as I am slave to 4 feline overlords)
14. Star Trek – Again, note that I didn’t specify. How can I? I am what is known as a Trekkie, without the costume and the mad dash to any and all conventions. I own all but two of the movies, have some at least some of every tv series that came out, and have even read a couple of the books. Yes, I have favorites (Star Trek – TNG was brilliantly done and the characters were fantastic), (Spock was my favoritie of all favorite characters), (Enterprise really wasn’t that bad, it was a nice look at early space exploration). (Spock is still my favorite character, followed by Scotty and then Q, Enterprise was a decent series, even if not the best. And William Shatner is just awesome)
15. Harry Potter – I have read all the books (except the newest one, no time), and seen all the movies to date. This is a truly inspired series and I will be kinda sad when it’s over. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know all the characters, and seeing what happens to who. (Funny thing is I don’t think I ever did watch the final two movies, but the books were really good. I’m not sure I would call them inspired now)
16. Lord of the Rings – Yes, I have a friend who hates this with a passion, but I grew up reading The Hobbit and LotR so my mind was made up about the trilogy long before the movies came out. The special effects in the movies were terrific, the actors chosen to play the roles were, for the most part, inspired, and the scenery was the best. Now, they need to do The Hobbit and I’ll be happy. (Still my absolute favorite author, world, and movie trilogy. No, they shouldn’t have done The Hobbit. At least not as a trilogy the way they did it.)
17. The Cat Who series – Let’s see, a writer who falls into millions, two spoiled Siamese cats with a nose for trouble, and all the murders that one person can handle. They are really fun to read, amusing, and move right along from beginning to end. (I still own many of these books. I should read them again, if I ever find time!)
18. The Thomas Covenant Trilogies – These are really deep, involved books, filled with mistakes and redemption. Yes, some people say he ripped of Lord of the Rings (note, a ring of power) but other than that small detail, I don’t see it. (Still own the first and second trilogies of this. The protagonist is one of the most unlikeable I’ve ever read but the world was so strange and shifting that it became a character in its own right)
19. Pern – For those of us that have read any of the Dragonriders of Pern books, that is self explanatory. The series is brilliant, as is the author who wrote it. It’s not her only series, but I’m not going to sit here and list everything McCaffrey has written. Needless to say, she is a prolific writer and a damn good one too. (Yep, Still own many Pern books and I’ve even reread most of them within the past 4 years)
20. Xanth – Again, do I need to explain it? Those who have read Piers Anthony know Xanth and either hate it or love it. I happen to love it, bad puns and all. After all, that’s part of what makes Xanth Xanth. (Still own many of these too and reread the first 4 within the past 4 years. Too bad after book 20 or so, the puns got a bit stale)
21. Nora Roberts – Not a thing, but an author. A great author if you happen to like romance novels. I enjoy them for the I need something light and easy to take my mind off my problems for awhile, but I want a really good storyline, not just some kissy kiss in my face drivel. Roberts delivers a great storyline and lots of fun romance as well. (Yes yes, I still do like her older books. Can’t say anything about newer stuff, stopped about a decade ago)
22. Cooking – I love to roast, stew, bake, I just really enjoy cooking. It’s fun to experiment with ingredients, try new recipes, create new recipes, and I have the bonus of know exactly what it is that I’m putting in my mouth and gut. (Everything here still stands true)
23. Reading – Umm, duh? I guess it’s obviously since half of my list consists of books or authors it stands to reason that I like to read. At least I hope so, since I own some 500+ books, plus 250+ cookbooks, plus I work at a library and use it frequently. Oh, and that didn’t count the 30 or so knitting, crochet, jewelry and cardmaking books I have. (I may have pared the number of books … wait, who am I kidding? I have a TON of books from my almost 20 years at the library!)
24. Fishing – Something I haven’t had a chance to do in a long time, but I remember it fondly and really enjoy it. It’s peaceful, but quite fun when you catch something. And if you’re lucky, you end up with dinner. (And I still haven’t had a chance to do this. Maybe I should dig my pole out of storage, get a fishing license, and find a nice pond or creek to go fishing in this year)
25. Anime/Manga – Yes, I like cartoons and comic books. What’s not to like? Many have good storylines, great graphics, and it’s a chance to suspend your disbelief for awhile and enter a world that may be similar, but is usually nothing like the real world. Many comics are actually quite well written and involved, and encourage people to expand their vocabulary and knowledge. (I still love finding a good anime or manga series, though I have a lot of old stuff to catch up on.)

Okay, I know this is long, and I should probably have put it under a cut, but I’m being lazy right now. Anyway, that’s probably not a complete list, but I’m tired of brainstorming the things I like, so this will have to do.

— End of transmission from Past Me —

So, there you have it, warts and all. A little peek in to the past.

Have you ever stumbled on an old blog or site you created and then abandoned? And what did you discover from rereading it? Leave a comment and let us all know.

Until next time, bye for now!

(PS – 6 of the 25 items were 100% video game related)