Introduce yourself, if you're a reader. Let me know---and let others know---who you are, or at least, why you're here.-- Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), March 05, 2000

Answers

what you see is what you get - - - an almost 79 year old man - - bewhiskered and bemused. A lover of thoughts, therefore also a lover of words which wrap them. Doug is my real name. Why am I here ? When I started surfing in June or July 1999 I began to see journals here diaries there. I ran onto Nova Notes early on and miss as little of what goes on as possible. His seems to be the epitome of thought, public expression and the ability to e-mail other contributors privately.

-- doug (ionoi@webtv.net), March 05, 2000.

Hi, I'm Kay. I'm here because I discovered online journals a couple of months ago and I find them a fascinating way to learn about other people's experiences. Nova Notes is one of my 4 regular reads, and i love to read it because it is so well written and Al is a very positive person to read. Who am I? Well, a 28yo Australian woman who likes we journals? I also keep my own (http://www.crosswinds.net/~kayoz).

-- Kay (kayoz@crosswinds.net), March 05, 2000.

Oh, Al, you know who I am! I keep reading you because I enjoy the daily art, I love to compare the normalcy of your life with the normalcy of my own (we both live normal lives in spite of our challenges, I mean -- or is that what a normal life is, to go on in spite of whatever?) I discovered online journals through Xeney, put my own up almost a year ago (my archives go back a bit further, because I was writing the entries before I figured out how to publish them. Al Schroeder, your journal remains in the top five journals I read daily.

Sunshyn

-- Sunshyn (sunshyndream@aol.com), March 05, 2000.

Hi, I'm Meg. I've been a reader of online journals for about one year now. Your journal was the first journal that I ever read and I kept coming back because you were always so funny and your journal entries were always so interesting to read. I also have an online journal (click here to read it) and I keep track of the events of my life as they unfold. At the moment I am remodeling my site to reflect some recent changes in my life. I own my own graphic design business and I am a college student. Nice to "know" you, Al! Thank you for sharing such an outstanding journal with us.

-- Meg (meghlcl@aol.com), March 06, 2000.

Hi Al, I check in to Nova Notes every so often because I love your writing style. The way you share your life makes me care about what happens to you and your family. Mamalade http://www.powerup.com.au/~mamalade/

-- Mamalade (mamalade@powerup.com.au), March 06, 2000.

I'm a 25 year old married woman. I'm an A.B.A. therapist for autistic pre-schoolers. I'm hoping to get a master's degree in Autism at Oakland University. Your journal caught my eye because you are the parent of a boy with autism. That's what first caught my attention. Then after reading your journal I saw that we also had some common intrests such as science fiction and mythology. But I also kept reading your journal just because you have a gift for writing.Don't let a few negative people get you down. I think most of your readers really feel that you have a talent with words and look forward to reading about your daily thoughts and experiences. Your journal is one of the 4 I read every day and I love it!

-- AJ (joijoijoi@hotmail.com), March 06, 2000.

Hi, I'm Dana, an almost 20yearold that's engaged to be married in May. I work as a secretary and I come here because I find you, AL!, fascinating. You never run out of things to say and I find people like you interesting. I've been reading your journal for about 5 months and I'll continue to read as long as you write.

I have a journal also (http://freespeech.org/dana), but its nothing compared to yours. You know how to express yourself through writing.

-- Dana (dana@antisocial.com), March 06, 2000.

Hi! My name is Amy. I'm a 27 year old, married woman. Currently I'm an editor but I will be going back to teaching preschool this fall. I enjoy reading your journal because you are a wonderful writer. I do enjoy the stories about Barb, the boys, and you. I also like reading your opinions. Keep it up, Al. Don't let anyone bother you, you're doing a great job.

-- Amy (Bugbug73@cs.com), March 06, 2000.

I'm Sarah, I'm a 29 year old Web Design Consultant living in the UK. I came to Nova Notes via the Diarist.net awards page and read Al's much-deserved Award-winning entry. And I'm hooked. I love reading about other pepole because, as Al puts it, you often find that there ARE no ordinary lives. Except mine, of course. (http://freespace.virgin.net/sarah.bonnett) Keep it up, Al!

Sarah

-- Sarah Watkins (Sarah.Watkins@onyx.net), March 06, 2000.

Hi Al!

We've already met. I meant to say last week I can hook you up with some Girl Guide/Scout cookies by the case. Anyway, I have a picture of me for you (and the world) to see. http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/renhold/0227.htm

I'm not sure I said *why* I read. I know I mentioned once you remind me of how my hubby thinks & writes. Of course, i love to hear a man talk about how much he loves his wife & kids. :-) The reasons change on any given day, multiple reasons for a multi-faceted guy.

-- Andrea (renhold@nbnet.nb.ca), March 06, 2000.

Misty

26 years old

married

I started reading you because I use to work with Autistic children, and I was very interested in reading from a parent's point of view. I think you are an inspiration. I love reading about your joys and heartbreaks. I love when you talk about Barb, you can almost feel how strong your love is for her and your family. It gives me hope. That is why I come here.

-- mis (mis000@hotmail.com), March 06, 2000.

I am a 32 year old married man. I have two kiddos (ages 4 and 1). Al, your journal was the first one I was exposed to (through a web log). Been hooked ever since.

I am very much the family man....try to live a spiritual life, though not always succesfully. My favorite book right now is Kiss Of God, by Marshall Ball....uhm...I don't get out much, heh. But truly, playing with the wife and kids is (as the teens say these days) "da bomb"

bob (who is going to now try the linking html that dave so nicely taught me...drumroll please)

bobbeltran@hotmail.com), March 06, 2000.

I am a 32 year old married man. I have two kiddos (ages 4 and 1). Al, your journal was the first one I was exposed to (through a web log). Been hooked ever since.

I am very much the family man....try to live a spiritual life, though not always succesfully. My favorite book right now is Kiss Of God, by Marshall Ball....uhm...I don't get out much, heh. But truly, playing with the wife and kids is (as the teens say these days) "da bomb"

bob (who is going to now try the linking html that dave so nicely taught me...drumroll please)ATTEMPT #2, sigh

bobbeltran@hotmail.com), March 06, 2000.

well now, this is silly, isn't it. I'm sure this is really endearing me to everyone now!!!

(who is going to now try the linking html that dave so nicely taught me...drumroll please)ATTEMPT #3, sigh

And If I Die Before I Wake...

-- Bob (bobbeltran@hotmail.com), March 06, 2000.

Hi Al,

Is it just me or did anyone else notice most of the people who responded before I did are female? I am also. I'm 33 and single, no kids. I used to see your name in Pamie's forum, but didn't start reading your journal until you won the award for "Farewells". What is that? I wondered? I checked it out, read the background information about Jamie's death, and I was touched. I like your writing style and check in just about every day.

-- Joy (joypierce@yahoo.com), March 06, 2000.

Hi Al,

I'm Amanda, 23, grad student. I read Nova Notes for a lot of reasons. I like astronomy, which is featured more in the archives, I'm hoping to have children someday soon, and I like to read about them. I'm also think of myself as a scientific agnostic, and I find it really interesting to read your opinions as a scientist who also has a strong faith. Isn't variety the whole point of the web? And of course none of the above would matter if the writing weren't good. Thanks for letting us read your life.

-- Amanda (missdufour@hotmail.com), March 06, 2000.

well, okay, hez isnt my real name, but its as good as. im female, 34 years old (ouch! that really sucks admitting that!), living in california. i dont know why i read, and i dont know why i write. i guess im a voyueristic-exhibitionist!

-- hez (lmjaliashez42@hotmail.com), March 06, 2000.

I am 22 years old and a student. I have been a vegetarian my entire life and have been intending to email you since your entry on the subject but never find the time. I have a cat and a horse and a boyfriend who lives a thousand miles from me. We are planning on getting married in the summer of 2001. That is, the boyfriend and I are planning on getting married, not the horse or the cat.

In August of 1999 I started my second online journal (the first one was in 1997 and did not last very long) at http://larisa_81.tripod.com/statue/index.html. I thought I was being original, then came across a journal on a different site. I wondered how many there were out there and began looking for them. I came across yours in several places including in the Open Directory Project and through a webring or two, but I didn't start really reading until I saw your journal mentiond in some of my favorite journals.

-- Lara (larisa_81@mailcity.com), March 07, 2000.

Al.

I found Nova Notes follwing a link on an autism resource site in November. Haven't missed an entry since.

We've beautiful twin daughters (Jenna and Bridget - age 6) on the opposite ends of the spectrum of autism. I have been so appreciative of your wits and humors. Al,Barb: I have a little Jamie here in Bridget. Everything you have ever written describing your Jamie's personality, his dislikes, his attractions....it's wee Bridget. I have never idenitifed so uniformly with another on the spectrum. I think of you both so often, and your words. I am much less affected cleaning up the dozen cracked eggs off the kitchen floor, and trying to get self smeared balmex out of her hair now,....I now think of your family while cleaning the messes.

Thank you for your spirits and wits. Thank you for sharing your joys and such heartfelt sorrows. - Susan Hatboro, PA

-- Susan (ahichrie@aol.com), March 07, 2000.

Al, I found your website through a forum posting on Pamie's page.
The thing that I like so much about your writing (and journals in general) is that they show that one person's normal life is a good story in the works to another... every life is different, strange, and fantastic, no matter how normal they may seem to those who live them.
Thanks for this peek into yours.
(My journal is still in the fetal one-month stage - go to Animate to see what's in the works.)
Thanks for this first opportunity to pimp my site, too.

-- Julie (ZepFiend@aol.com), March 08, 2000.

Al, my name is Ildi, and I've just stumbled upon your site. I'm a 36 year old factory worker from Canada, who found your journals while searching for info on Bill Pullman. I've only read two of them, but enjoyed them immensely. Had a good laugh reading "Rising in the morning". I suspect I'll be a regular reader from now on. You have a wonderful writing style, and a refreshing sense of humor. I'm looking forward to reading through your previous journals.

-- Ildiko giczi (mokuci@home.com), July 28, 2001.