Category: Questions Answered

Life Before the Internet: A Nostalgic Reflection

The author reflects on life before the internet, recalling a slower, more engaged existence without constant digital distractions. While technology has made life easier and connected us, it also breeds addiction and unrealistic portrayals through social media. The nostalgia for a less connected time highlights a complex relationship with modern technology.

Do you remember life before the internet?

I like this question because I do remember life before the internet. It was so much different from life now. There are days I wish I could go back. We’ve become so reliant on our phones and being “online” that trying to unplug from it is nearly impossible. I constantly find myself checking my phone even though I know no one is messaging me. Or if they are, it doesn’t require an immediate response.

But life before the internet? It was slower. You couldn’t just look things up. News traveled by mail or phone call. There was no such thing as email. What did I do without the internet? Well, I didn’t have cable growing up either, so my TV watching was limited. I mostly played outside or played with the toys I owned. I did have two brothers growing up so that was also a source of entertainment. Honestly, it was a magical time to be alive. You had to be there.

But I also remember when technology started to be introduced. I remember when AOL was the big thing. I remember when cell phones went from big, to small, to big again, so we could watch videos on them. I remember when a phone call would kick you off of the internet. I remember having a timer on how long I could be online. It was about an hour, by the way. Maybe an hour and a half. Two hours if I was lucky.

I remember when you had to buy ringtones for your cell phone. I remember when cell phones couldn’t really access the internet. If you wanted to listen to music, you had to turn on the radio, or own the music on CD, vinyl, or cassette. There was no Apple Music or Spotify. There was no iTunes either. YouTube? Didn’t exist. Truth be told, I’m even older than Google.

The internet has made life easier, but it’s also made life worse. The creation of social media has plagued us with living in a world that’s always polished. Rarely do we post things on social media that aren’t good or happy times. We live for likes on posts and photos. We yearn for the feeling of being popular. And I was there for MySpace when you could rank your Top 8 friends. I remember it all.

Ironically, while I was in the middle of writing this post, I paused to scroll Instagram for 30 seconds. It’s like our brains are trained to participate in social media and there’s no way to stop it. It’s an addiction. I don’t wish for social media to not exist. There are good uses for it, and it has allowed me to keep in contact with people I otherwise wouldn’t be able to. It’s just that sometimes, I just miss the when the internet didn’t exist.

Collectibles: Everyone Has Something

Do you have any collections?

Collections are something everyone has. Some hide theirs, and others show them off. Do you show yours off? Or do you collect them in private and hope no one finds out? Me? I show my collections off. If I hide them, then what’s the point in collecting?

I really only collect two things. I’d love to collect more, but I don’t have anywhere to put stuff. I also don’t think there’s much else I’d like to collect anyway.

The first thing I collect is comic books. Old comics, new comics, I collect them all. I don’t actively hunt down certain issues of comics, but every comic I buy, I read, and then I store it away in a box. I haven’t counted how many I have, but it has to be about 1,000 comic books by now.

Most of my comic books are Marvel, but I also have several DC and independent comics. Some of the independent comics are just as good, if not better than Marvel or DC. If I see something I’m interested in, I’ll buy it. A good story is a good story, regardless of where it comes from.

The second thing I collect is Funkos. I love Funkos, and I have since I started buying them. I easily have a few hundred of them by now, and I have them sitting on shelves where people can see them. Which ones do I have? There are way too many to list, but the majority of them are Marvel related.

I do have several Funkos that have nothing to do with Marvel, too. I have a few Stranger Things Funkos, Silicon Valley, Happy Days, and even a few Metallica Funkos. I have no intention of ending my collection of Funkos. There’s always new ones coming out, and if there’s one I like, I’ll buy it.

There’s nothing wrong with collecting things. Some people might call it weird. Some people might hate it. But at the end of the day, if it makes you happy, then that’s all that matters. Collections bring people joy. So collect on!

My Podcast Listening

What podcasts are you listening to?

While I don’t listen to podcasts as often as I’d like, there are quite a few I do listen to. They are all over the place too which makes it fun in a way. This list won’t be in any real order. I’m just going to go through my Spotify so I make sure I get them all.

The first is The Office Ladies. I’ve been a fan of The Office for years and it’s super fun to hear stuff about filming, what was improvised, other details of things that happened, and just all things Office related.

The next on the list is Best Film Ever. This one is a podcast about films and TV. They do several different segments. One they talk about films and if they are the “best film ever.” Another segment is about if shows have a good first episode or not. They also do a segment where they review a movie and then tell you if you should see it or skip it. Of course, it is only their opinion and you are free to watch or not watch anything they talk about.

The next few are similar. There is REAL ONES with Jon Bernthal, Metaphysical Milkshake with Rainn & Reza, The Late Show Pod with Stephen Colbert, and The Back Lounge Podcast. While each one is different from the other, they are all interview type podcasts. A couple of people talking about whatever they want. These are always fun to listen to.

Norse Mythology: The Unofficial Guide is a podcast about Norse mythology. It uses different sources to talk about different things in Norse mythology. I do own several books on Norse mythology that I plan on reading, but in the meantime, listening to podcasts about it is super helpful as well.

Bellied Up is a fun podcast were two guys go to a bar and talk about literally anything. A majority of the podcast is people calling in to seek advice or ask questions. It’s a funny podcast to listen to and I highly recommend it. It also helps if you live in the Midwest in the United States. A lot of Midwest references in this podcast.

Lateral with Tom Scott is a fun one where they take turns asking questions and then the rest of them try to solve the question being asked. It’s almost like solving riddles. This is a good one to listen to if you’re trying to stay awake since it requires you to use your brain if you decide to play along.

Who Is NO/ONE is a really cool podcast that runs along a comic called NO/ONE. I highly recommend the comic. It’s amazing. The podcast is a continuation of it and it’s one of the coolest things I’ve seen someone do.

Foreign language podcasts. That’s kind of self explanatory. The one’s I mostly listen to are German since I’m still trying to learn it. It’s hard to listen to them if they require me to do exercises, but if it’s just a couple people talking I can listen to it whenever.

I’m always open to new podcasts as well. If there are any I should check out, let me know and I’ll give them a listen!

The Possibility of Tattoos

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently. I’ve known for some time that I want to get some tattoos. How many? I would like to cover both of my arms with tattoos. I just haven’t yet because I don’t know what I want, it costs money, and I’m not really a fan of needles.

A couple of years ago, I wanted my left arm to be covered in different kinds of tattoos from Norse Mythology. Then, it became any kind of mythology. Now, I kind of want it covered in band logos and symbols. From the start, I’ve always wanted my right arm covered in comic book stuff. That’s never changed and probably won’t. I love comic books, the characters, and the art. And while I do like Marvel so much more than DC, I wouldn’t say no to a Batman tattoo.

I just think it’s more reasonable to cover my left arm in things from the bands I like. There are so many bands that have had an influence on me, and I’d like to honor that in some way. Music will always be a part of my life, and it just makes sense to wear that as a part of me.

I’m swear I’m so indecisive at times, but at the end of the day, I know I either want something Architects (band) related or Mjolnir. Where would I get it? On my left forearm, above my watch. Architects are a band that I found when I needed them the most. They’ve had a bigger impact on me than any other band. And why Mjolnir? Because it’ll be a reminder that no matter what happens or how I might feel, I’m still worthy.

If I Could Change My Past, Would I?

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been wondering about what I would do if I had a time machine and could go back in time. It’s quite an interesting question to give yourself. Would you tell yourself what’s coming? Would you not tell yourself, knowing that what’s coming could be good or bad? Would you go back at all?

I’m 31, and while I’m not exactly old, I’ve lived a bit. I’ve done things I’m proud of, I’ve done things I’m not proud of. I’ve done things I’d love to relive, I’ve done things I’d wish to forget. I’ve had my regrets. I’ve overcome those regrets. I’ve lived my life, and I’ve played it safe.

So, if I had a time machine, would I go back in time? The short answer: yes.

What advice would I give myself? That’s a hard question to answer. I don’t think there’s any one answer to that question. I wouldn’t tell myself everything to come. That would ruin the fun. But if I could say only one thing, it would be this, “While life may be difficult and it might suck, it will always get better. The rough times don’t last, and the good memories will always outweigh the bad.”

I wouldn’t change my past or try to warn myself of what’s to come. The reason I am who I am is because of the life I’ve lived. And as much as I’d like to live a different life, I don’t think I ever could. To live a different life would mean that I’m no longer me. I’d be a variation of me.

I’m proud of who I am and what I’ve done to get here. Life isn’t always rainbows and sunshine. As long as we make the best of the time we have, that’s something to be proud of. Nothing will ever be truly perfect, but we can make moments perfect for a short time.