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Getting Rid of the Avatar ~ Introducing The REAL Sharyn's Slant
For the past nine months, many of my hub friends have received glimpses of the real Sharyn’s Slant. Yet my HubPages profile has always been a royalty-free “avatar” that is not me. Of course, I easily explained this by saying:
“OK, OK, so that really isn't me on the slanted ladder. It really is close to what I look like EXCEPT, well: My hair is darker. My butt is a little bigger. Yup it is. She's probably got blue/green eyes, mine are dark brown. She's probably about 22 years old. I'm not. But until I get a decent photo of me to post, I'm using her and I hope she doesn't mind. She is royalty free . . .
What her and I truly have in common is the slant, a personal point of view.”
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I was honest in my profile! Yet I feel it’s time to introduce the real Sharyn’s Slant. I hope you enjoy learning more about me. I’ve tried to keep it simple only giving two answers to the questions I asked myself. You may not like what you learn. You may love what you learn. Either way, this is the real Sharyn’s Slant.
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SHARYN vs. SHARON
The proper spelling of my first name has always been Sharon. I chose Sharyn for HubPages simply to be creative.
SMITH or JONES
My last name is Smith and I’ve never liked it. But I don’t like the name Jones either. Many times when I tell someone my last name is Smith, they do not believe me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ordered pizza only to get a return phone call to verify the order is not a hoax.
TWO TYPES OF FAMILY MEMBERS
~Two-Legged
I am the eldest of three girls and have always wished I had a brother. I have two sisters who are both married. One has four boys, the other has two girls and one boy. I also have one great nephew. Since I have never had children of my own, I have always considered my seven nieces/nephews as “my kids.” They all mean the world to me (whether they realize it or not). My father recently turned 80. My mother passed away at the age of 68 on November 8, 2005. See my article Life Can Change In An Instant Part 2.
~Four-Legged
I am an animal lover and currently have two female cats named Peanut & Punkin. My dog, Buttons, lived to be almost 15 years old and was the love of my life. I’ve had other wonderful dogs and cats in my life that have either passed on to the Rainbow Bridge, or I was unfortunately separated from them due to a relationship breakup. You can find several articles I’ve written about my wonderful, four-legged family members.
TWO FAVORITE PASSIONS
~I have always had a passion for writing, expressing my thoughts on paper in my younger years, and now on the computer.
~I have a passion for helping others, doing nice things for people, especially when they lease expect it.
TWO FAVORITE JOBS I’VE HELD
~Program Manager/Event-Meeting Planner
~Home Health Aide/Caregiver for the elderly
TWO THINGS I ADVOCATE FOR
~Animal welfare
~Equal rights for same-sex couples
TWO THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY
~Animals
~Writing
TWO THINGS I DESPISE
~Wearing reading glasses
~Drug dealers
TWO FAVORITE MEALS
Mac & Cheese (Kraft Deluxe)
Pork, sauerkraut & old-fashioned dumplings
TWO FAVORITE BEVERAGES
~Orange juice
~Kool Aid with Splenda
TWO FAVORITE COLORS
~For the first half of my life, I always loved orange (peach)
~That has changed more recently to yellow
TWO FAVORITE “SERIOUS” MOVIES
~Sweet November
~When A Man Loves A Woman
TWO FAVORITE “FUN” MOVIES
~Mrs. Doubtfire
~Yours, Mine & Ours (the original version with Lucille Ball & Henry Fonda)
TWO FAVORITE HOLIDAYS
~Easter (I was born on Easter Sunday)
~Fourth of July
TWO FAVORITE SEASONS
~I usually say Fall
~But as I get older, I’m beginning to think Spring
TWO THINGS I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO BUT NEVER HAVE
~Adopt or foster a child
~Be a private investigator
TWO THINGS I REGRET
~Not finishing college
~Remaining in unhealthy relationships for way too long
TWO THINGS I FEAR
~Insects that sting
~Blindness
TWO MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS I’VE COMPLETED
~18
~49
TWO PEOPLE I THINK ARE AWESOME ACTORS
~Charlize Theron
~Barack Obama :)
TWO WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME
~Unique
~Giving
TWO BAD HABITS
~Cigarettes
~Not eating breakfast
TWO PEOPLE I STRIVE TO BE LIKE
~My mother
~My grandmother
TWO THINGS ABOUT THE WEATHER THAT THRILL ME
~Rainbows
~Lightning storms
TWO THINGS I WISH I WAS BETTER AT
~Singing
~Weeding out people in my life that aren’t good for me
TWO THINGS I WISH I COULD CHANGE ABOUT MY BODY
~My left foot
~My right foot
TWO THINGS I WISH I HAD MORE OF
~Self esteem
~Time
Well, I hope you enjoyed learning more about Sharyn’s Slant. And maybe I even made you giggle once or twice. Try answering some of these questions about yourself. It can be very eye-opening and fun too!
This is Sharyn's Slant
Don't Be Afraid To Let Your True Colors Show!
Comments
And she is beautiful with has gentle smile and loving eyes. YEAH, how wonderful to see the real you. Also you seem to be a great, fun and loving lady. You must be a loyal friend and I am glad animals find a champion in you. Thank you for the big reveal.
Cool hub. Always so nice to learn more about the people that I've come to really like here at HubPages.
- Author
Hello HB,
Thank you for your wonderful comments. I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thanks so much for stopping by. FYI, I think later today I am going to play around with Focused Color ~ thanks to your creative hub. It looks like something I will really enjoy. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Sharyn
- Author
Hey Susan,
Thanks for your comments. I agree. I love learning more about my friends here on HP. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
Sharyn
I loved ya before and I still love ya! It was nice to learn more about Sharon with an o! :))
- Author
Aw Linda, Thanks! I love ya too! I appreciate your friendship and support and the sunshine you bring into my life :)
I really like the real Sharyn's smile and attitude toward life. And now that you have shared all of the above, I really like the real Sharon, too.
Awww Sharon - I absolutely loved this. You should definately link it to your profile page when you revamp that! I think it is so awesome when hubbers break away from the hiding stance behind the screen to really introduce who they are. I liked you before - I like you even more now because you have let me have a bit of a better look! Truly beautiful hub!
- Author
Hi drbj,
Thank you so much for stopping by to read. I very much appreciate your kind comments. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Sharyn
- Author
Hi Stacy,
I'm so glad you liked this. I will definitely link it to my profile page. I know what you mean about "hiding behind the screen." Not any more :) It is great to learn more about our friends here. Thanks so much for your kind comments.
Sharyn
Well Sharon, I think you fit right in here on HubPages. I like your assessment of yourself. Keep on writing!
Girlfriend, SHARON,
I feel like I already know you because of your writing but this was fabulous. You are just as beautiful OUTSIDE as INSIDE... I am honored in every way to be your friend and I am glad you are writing again. It becomes you!
Voted UP & UABI & Inspiring... Love, Maria
Hi Sharon, HubPages do this to us - thanks to so many wonderful friends we step forward, sooner or later, and expose our true selves.
You and I have many things in common, therefore I am going to follow you right away. (I am so glad you've commented on my story, otherwise I would not have known you are here.)
Here in South Africa you will find thirty-eleven Smiths per square mile, and I've never met a bad one.
I'm looking forward to read your hubs.
- Author
Hi Lela,
Thanks so much for your kind comments. I hadn't written much for several months and am really glad to be back. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Sharyn
- Author
Good Morning Maria,
Thank you my dear friend. I am glad to be writing again too. For awhile there, I just couldn't and had to give myself some time. But I was bursting at the seems. Look out! Thank you for your support always! Love,
Sharyn
- Author
Hi Martie,
Ha, I love the stats about "Smiths." Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I look forward to reading more of your hubs too!
Sharyn
...what a lovely hub subject you make - and you are such a wonderful delightful writer too - thank you so much for allowing us to see this other fabulous side of you - a radiant attractive classy lady who is honest with herself and shows us not only the beauty on the outside but also from within - rating a hubravo from the epi-man for this life-affirmation ......
lake erie time ontario canada 1:17pm
Hi Sharyn/Sharon - you are so awesome! I see lots of similarities between us too;) my dog is Peanut (mini daschund) my worst habit - smoking! Best habit - writing and we have both always wanted to help kids (adoption- fostering whatever!and we both despise the same things! Ha! No wonder why I love you!
How wonderful to meet the real Sharyn's slant. I thought this was a very clever, fun way to introduce your true self and enjoyed the photos and the question and answer format.
Am glad that you make time for the two things that make you happy- writing and animals.
Voted up across the board including funny because I did chuckle when I saw Barack Obama's name as an awesome actor. I don't think anyone can be elected president unless they have good acting skills and look great on camera! (smile)
- Author
Dear Epi,
Thank you for your wonderful comments. They mean so much to me, and I so appreciate the "hubravo" from you.
Sending hugs from the south side of Lake Erie, 4:21 p.m. EST.
Sharyn
- Author
Hey Kel,
We DO have lots of similarities. I knew that when I first met you and caught on quickly to your awesome sense of humor. As far as us both despising the same things . . . don't reading glasses just suck. I mean, I am thankful for them, but I never had to wear glasses until my mid-forties and it was very difficult to get used to. Now I have a pair in every room, purse, etc. And despising drug dealers, oh, don't get me started about the scum of the earth. Ugh, I should write a hub . . .
Hope you are enjoying your Sunday!
Sharyn
- Author
Hi Gail,
I am so glad you stopped by and am really happy to be following you and your awesome writing. Yeah, that thing about Obama just kind of came to me and I thought, yes, it does make sense, ha! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Sharyn
Hi Sharon, I loved this, it's great to meet the 'real' you, a fabulous piece of writing and now we know a bit more about you!
voted up and best wishes MM
- Author
Hello MM,
Thank you for such sweet comments. I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for stopping by!
Sharyn
Interesting memoir. Loved your amusing style of narration.
Hi Sharyn - I am sooo glad that the avatar isn't you, you are soooo much nicer in reality.
And I really rated the originality of this hub. We should all do something like this to introduce ourselves to other hubbers ... always supposing we had the guts to be as honest as you have been. :)
- Author
Hello Vinaya,
I'm glad you like my "style." Thanks for stopping by.
Sharyn
- Author
Hi Angie,
Nice to see you! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. It is always great to learn more about our fellow hubbers. I hope all is well with you!
Sharyn
Don't underestimate your influence on your nephews and nieces, and beyond! I became a beekeeper because my great-uncle was one. I barely knew him, but was fascinated by family stories about him.
- Author
Hi aethelthryth,
Haven't seen you for a while. Thanks for stopping by. You are right, I hope that I have influenced some of the kids, at least, in a good way. Take care,
Sharyn
very nice to meet you sharyn!
- Author
Hello PDX,
It's great to meet you too! Have a great day!
Sharyn
Geez! Be a good sweet girl and don't open the door to uninvited stalkers. Your profile shines better than ever..and that little girl inside of you..makes you look so pure. Thanks for this sharing!
LORD
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TOO SHARYN!
- Author
Hey Lord,
Could you leave a nicer comment? Ha, just kidding. Thank you so much for your sweet comments. Happy Holidays to you too!
Sharyn
Well I think the real Sharyn is wonderful, beautiful, and a super good human being. I admire her very much!
- Author
Aww Lisa,
What a super sweet comment. I feel that way about you too and am so glad we met here on the hub :) Thank you so much!
Sharyn
You look very smiley, natural and happy in your pictures. I always find it quite difficult to be natural when someone is going to take a photograph of me! Anyway, nice to meet you :).
- Author
Aw, thank you icountthetimes,
I do understand, I usually do not like my picture taken. That's why I used the avatar for so long, lol. Great to meet you, thanks for stopping by.
Sharyn
Sharyn! This is soooooo damned cute! I LOVE it. You are too creative for your own good, girl. What a clever way to let us into your life. Your kitties are adorable. I have 2 also...plus 2 dogs. Listen here, change your profile picture to the one of you and "punkin." That smile is too gorgeous not to show off on every hub! You like the way I ORDERED you to do that, like an evil Step-mother? I can't help it. I'm very bossy. But I make up for it in other ways. I just don't need the pressure right now of thinking what those ways are. Trust me. HA! This is UP and awesome as hell !! Well, OK, I'm sure that hell's not awesome, but you know what I mean.
Oh.....of COURSE you were talking about me! Everyone needs SOME excitement in their life!! lol..
You and Sunshine are little whipper-snappers that old ladies like me don't have to obey. So there. I'll tell you the same thing I told our girl, Linda Sue. I absolutely cannot allow myself ONE more avenue of online socialization. I sit on my fat ass all day in the office running our business....and spend FAR too much time on HP....which I am working on cutting down. My fingertips are bleeding...my butt is numb, my neck is killing me and my eyes are crossing. Do you ladies honestly want to be responsible for me being placed in a Nursing Home? Shame on you. (My Mom taught me how to play the "Guilt" game) She taught it well. I learned it well. Having said all this...I need to remember my manners and say Thank you for thinking of me. That BTW, is a way to say: Yeah, that's nice....NO THANKS. I'm having more fun than I can stand as it is!! lmao
- Author
Dear Paula,
I have some bandaids and Motrin and would gladly share with you. I also have many pairs of reading glasses so you can take your pick. I have extra pillows that will help your numb butt. I'm a home health aide and will not let you go to a nursing home :) "That BTW, is a way to say" PALEEEEZE? Think about it. Or at least keep the option open.
Seriously, we love you and feel you would really be a great addition to the group. But I do understand. It's hard to find a balance. I am on the computer all the time and I have many aches and pains because of it. Three fingers on my right hand have been numb now for about three months. I tried a chiropractor a few times with no relief. My regular doc says it has to do with how I am sitting at my desk and using the mouse. I just live with it now :)
Just know that you are thought of very highly and let us know if you change your mind. Okay? Okay!
The other SS
Goodness, child! I hope you don't have carpal tunnel coming on! You need to rest a while or change the way you are holding your arms, or something. It's OK Sharyn...save your first-aid kit. But it's nice to know when I do get old and decrepit, I can move in with you and you'll be my private nurse. Sounds like a plan, girlfriend!! Never fear, I always keep all options open. Hell, I've been hanging on to "options" for decades!! lmao....I love you girls, but I have my stubbornness to keep me at bay...
- Author
Paula, unfortunately, I think it's more than carpal tunnel! And stubbornness? That's okay, you are just taking care of yourself! That's a good thing :)
Life lesson 101.....We teach people how to treat us by how we take care of ourselves...If we see no value in our time and energies or sacrifice too much for too many....this is precisely how we are seen and treated. Thus, have no right to complain....It takes a long time, SS to get here, but it's well-worth all the bumps we suffer a long the way.. Peace, GF
- Author
I agree Paula. I'm on that road currently, as mentioned in my New Years Resolution hub . . . letting go and moving on. Gotta take care of me too! Thanks GF!
GOTTA TAKE CARE OF you first...& always. Then you have more time, energy and peace of mind to pass on to others!
Trust an old lady on this.
- Author
I don't care how old you are Paula, you act like a youngin':)
Hi Sharon,
I could have swore I read this before but you have given this hub a major overhaul and it is very good. The Pictures are very good too.
Nice hub. Nice to be 'out' lol
I also noticed that I was not following you. Although I was before. Anyway I am now so there. lol
- Author
Hi Molometer,
Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm glad you liked this. It was time to throw that avatar to the curb :) Take care,
Sharyn
What a great way to give your readers a little insight into Sharyn's Slant. I'm heading to your hub library now, to read more!
- Author
Hi Annette ~ thank you so much for stopping by. Great last name btw ;) I look forward to checking out your writing as well. Take care,
Sharyn
so pleased to meet the real you and delighted to be your newest follower. I've always used an avatar on Hubpages too except that every now and then I put a picture of the real me up-- and then take it down again. Don't know why I am so attached to that avatar LOL but maybe I should come out from behind it more often-- really enjoyed this hub and know I'm going to really enjoy your Hubs now that I know you a bit better
- Author
Hi Robie ~ it's great to meet you too and I look forward to reading your work. I was quite attached to my avatar too but only for about nine months. When I was searching around for what else I could use, I decided it was time to use the real ME. Thanks so much for your feedback!
Sharyn
Hello Sharyn!
I do believe a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Is due?! 50! Welcome to the club! You had posted a most gracious comment on my first hub and shared your big day was coming. I want to wish you the best!!!!!
I look forward to following - and learning from - your wonderful blog. I'm new to Hubpages, blogging and social media across the board so I hope I got the 50th BIRTHDAY WISH out appropriately.
My very best to you .
Nancy
- Author
Hi Nancy ~ thank you so much! I'm in the club, yay!!! It was the 22nd and I am thrilled to say, uneventful, meaning I had a great weekend with friends, but the age change is not that big of a deal (as I felt it might be). Thank you so much for the birthday wishes. Best of luck to you on HubPages!
Sharyn
Why don't you like your left or your right foot??
I like Pumpkin!!! You should use that pretty pic of you and Pumkin asa profile pic :)
I like learning about this virtuous woman who goes by her own slant!
Great hub! Voted up and shared!!!
Hello Sharon - Yes you did make me giggle. This so very nicely done. It is so nice to really mean the lady behind the wonderful writing!
- Author
Hi Audra ~ thank you so much. About the feet, well, honestly, I have ugly feet. Well at least they are ugly to me. If I could change them I would. I really appreciate your compliments. Thanks for voting and sharing too!
Sharyn
- Author
Hi Cindy ~ giggling is good! I'm glad you did. Thank you so much for your great feedback! Hope all is going well with you :)
Sharyn
Sharon, I agree with Paula and Audra - that photo of you with Punkin is so gorgeous! (And I mean of you, not of the cat!)
Thanks for pointing me to this hub, it was fun to read. I’m very lucky that up to now I haven’t needed reading glasses even though I’m older than you. I can imagine they will be a nuisance because my husband and daughter who wear glasses are regularly losing theirs and to be honest I’m the same with my sunglasses.
And belated congrats on your 50th 4 weeks ago, I missed that somehow!
PS how long does it take to get used to a new avatar? :-) I am still surprised to see my photo every time I post!
- Author
Hi Yvonne ~ thanks for your compliment on my pic with Punkin. About reading glasses, ughhhhhhhhhhh, I hate them. You are lucky you don't need them. But you may adjust a little easier since you already wear sun glasses. I never even wore sun glasses, so the transition has been frustrating (for years at this point).
Thanks for the birthday wishes. It came and went quickly and was not as big of a deal as I thought it would be. (That's a good thing.) And it didn't take me that long to get used to the new avatar, maybe 4 months or so? ha ha, I'm kidding. I love your new profile pic! Thanks for stopping by.
Sharyn
Sharon/Sharyn, I am glad we can become friends, and has promised I have strolled on over to your profile! This is an awesome way to get to know you, you did a great job here. Simplistic but straight to the point, and I liked the humor part! I enjoyed the Obama part, cute, and the drug dealers part, hahahahaha! Great hub Sharon, have a great day! Voted up, funny, and awesome!
- Author
Hey Josh ~ DITTO! Thanks so much for stopping by. Glad to hear you caught the "Obama part" - I thought it was funny, ha. Thank you for your votes. I look forward to checking out your writing too.
Sharyn
Why always TWO when you can make it THREE or FOUR (lol)!
Anyways, I believe, there always will be two sides in every personality of an individual, just like what you've revealed on your hub.
Very interesting dossier - it was fun to read! Up and more.
- Author
Hello travel man ~ I appreciate you stopping by to read and comment. Thank you so much!
Sharyn
- Author
Hi Patty ~ I'm so happy you found my lil dossier fun to read. It was fun to write. Thanks for stopping by.
Sharyn
Sharyn, I really enjoyed reading about you and I like the style you used to tell us a little bit about you. I read on one of your other sited that you live in Parma and I grew up in Lakewood. You look very much like my best childhood friend, although we are a little older than you. I have 2 cats also. Up and awesome
- Author
Hi Pamela ~ wow, I was born at Lakewood hospital and lived there for the first two years until we moved to Parma! The house was on the corner of Robinhood and Madison. My grandparents owned a tailor shop just down the street. After my Grandmother sold the big old house, it was torn down and replaced by an apartment building. What used to be our large yard is now a parking lot. And yes, I currently have two cats. At one point a few years ago, I had nine after my "Momma Kitty" had a litter. Thank you so much for your feedback.
Sharyn
Sharyn, It is a small world. It's too bad you grandmother's house isn't still standing as there are still so many beautiful old homes. I lived on a couple of different streets, but on the corner of Belle Ave. and Bayes for all my teen years. I did a lot of swimming at the Madison Park pool when I was young. I love coming back for a visit when I can, especially in the fall as the colors of the trees can't be beat. It always feels like home when I return. I don't miss getting stuck in the snow! I'm glad I found you on Hubpages. Pam
- Author
Hi Pam ~ Oh yeah, I wish the house was still there. I don't remember it of course but from pictures, it was a really big unique home. Why it would be torn down seems senseless to me. And btw, we really didn't have a bad winter at all last year. I got a new snow blower and didn't get to use it. I'm glad you found me too!
Sharyn
Sharyn, this is the first time I've seen this and it is just GREAT! Love the long list of "two things." Hmmmm...I might 'stand on the 5th' on a few of those...LO Love the pictures! And I remember so much from the earlier days...your hubs, stories about animals; personal challenges and painful things....great humor, too. Where was I or where have I been that I didn't see THIS? It's so great.. Love it..you are a wonderfully warm, giving and caring woman and I am so glad to have you as my friend. Kathy
- Author
Hi Kathy ~ Aw, I'm so glad you did come across this. I'm sure you learned some new things about me. I wrote this when I finally decided to change my avatar. Thank you for such beautiful and warm comments. You know I'm glad to have you as my friend as well.
Sharyn
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