Yeah, just what the world needs . . . another blogger. But what the heck, blogging seems like it could be fun. I’ve been thinking about it for months, and I think I’ll like it. As always, though, time will tell. Like a blogger-in-training, for years I’ve been spending a whole lot of time on my backside, so I’m ready to spend some additional seated hours each week actually donating to the blogosphere. The launch month is April 2015. Here we go.
Music, movies, food and beverages (good pizza! good beer!, the former a whole lot harder to find than the latter), art, traveling, theater. Much of my adulthood over the decades has been devoted to investigating these and other interests, and I’ve had a blast in the process. I’m not an expert on anything, which I suppose makes me a dabbler, but I bring an open mind and open ears and open eyes to the subjects I love. And I probably know more than I realize. One thing for certain is that a blazing rock concert, or a tense movie drama, or a great museum exhibit, gives me the same bang now, well into my boomerhood, as ever.
A few months ago, one of my nephews asked me and my wife what we had been doing recently, and we reeled off a list of movies, concerts, plays and such that we’d been to. My nephew had had this kind of discussion with us many times before. This time he paused for a second after my wife and I stopped talking, and then said that the two of us are culture vultures. I think that the idea had never fully dawned on him before. Funny, I had never thought of us that way either, but he was right, sort of. Culture enthusiasts is a better term for us though, because culture vultures can be obsessive and pretentious, and we’re not that.
And so, this blog will be an excursion into many of the things I love, cultural or not. I’ll throw in some gripes, too. I’ll review, reminisce and expound. Hopefully the blog will help get my thoughts and feelings into some sort of tidy order. And hopefully my take on things will connect with at least a few readers out there in cyberspace.
Name’s Neil Scheinin (SHAYnin), by the way, reporting from suburban Philadelphia, PA.
Of course, a special tip of the hat to Sandra Cherrey Scheinin, who is proofreader, editor and chief photographer for this blog. Her contributions are immense.
UPDATE: Hello, and welcome to my blog. Today is January 22, 2018. Pretty much everything I wrote above (in April 2015) remains accurate. But it is time for a bit of an update.
First, my range of topics has expanded since the opening months, which is all to the good, I think. And the nature of my stories has changed somewhat. Some of them are pretty loopy, which wasn’t the case during the first eight months of this blog’s life. I seem to gravitate towards loopiness.
Also, I take most of the photos for the stories these days. My wife, who now is the former chief photographer, remains incredibly valuable to me as proofreader and editor. I hate to think what the articles would be like without her eagle eye and nimble mind.
And I want to mention that this is an award-free/tag-free/challenge-free/etc.-free blog. It’s very nice of people to nominate/tag/challenge/etc. fellow bloggers. But I have to decline any participation in those processes. It would take me away from the time I need to write my stories. I’m an old guy who writes slowly!
That’s about it for now. Thanks for stopping by.
Neil Scheinin
Welcome to the blogging world! There is always room for more voices.
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Thanks. My first month as a blogger has been very enjoyable.
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It’ll be great!!
Best wishes
Opher – from Opher’s World
(Thanks for the likes)
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Thanks, Opher. I appreciate your good wishes.
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Thanks so much for the follow on my travel blog. I’m enjoying yours too.
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Thank you, Peggy.
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Thank you for liking my posts on my blog “longitudes.” I read your About Me section, and it looks like we have a lot in common. I’m a culture enthusiast as well, particularly boomer culture. I look forward to reading your posts!
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Thank you, Pete.
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Hi Thanks a lot for visiting my blog and liking.
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Somdatta, I enjoy your blog very much.
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Very fun blog you’ve got here, Neil (and Sandra.) Having lived in Bucks for several years prior to moving over to “The Dark Side” a.k.a. South Jersey – I esp. enjoyed your articles on the Mercer Museum. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier and your like! Cheers!
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I’m glad you like my blog, Patricia. Thanks for your kind words.
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Thank you Neil for the nice mention re: Jazz at Vintage. I just found your blog!
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Hello Michelle. Glad to meet you.
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Thanks for the visit and the “like.” Do feel free to come again. You’ve got a neat blog here yourself.
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Thank you, Nina.
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Hiya Neil > A lot going on here. Looks like a good one for a wander round. Have a good weekend 🙂
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Thanks, Andy. I think that you and I will enjoy each other’s blog.
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Hi Neil! Thanks for visiting my blog. You have a great one! Looking forward to more posts 🙂 – Faye
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Thanks, Faye. I like your blog a lot, too.
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Thank you for stopping by Storyteller. — Ray
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You’ve got a good blog, Ray.
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Thank you for following Storyteller. — Ray
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I like reading your pieces.
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Just came across your blog and glad for it!
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Thanks, Becky.
I like your blog too!
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I agree, just what the world needs….but it fulfills an inner need for me and perhaps for you. And you never know who will hit it and get something.
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When I started the blog, I wasn’t certain what it would lead to. So far, I’ve enjoyed working on it. There’s a good bit of satisfaction to be derived from writing.
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Hey, thanks for stopping in on my blog – and a read of a couple of your posts shows many other indicators of your good taste! Seriously, I don’t follow many other blogs (day job gets in the way of some of the fun stuff) but I’ll look forward to your future posts with interest.
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Andrew, thanks a lot. I appreciate this.
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Hi Neil! I enjoy your blog so I nominated you for a Liebster Award! More details here: https://aprilgreene.com/2016/08/01/i-got-some-kind-of-award/ Cheers 🙂
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Thanks very much, April. I appreciate it.
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Neil, enjoy your takes on things. When I first came across your posts I mean’t to mention that one of CB’s favorite writers is Pete Dexter. Another Philly boy. I was going to include a book piece on Cincinnati Babyhead’s page but I’ll stick to music and film for now.
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Hi. I remember Pete very well. He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News. After he left that paper he wrote a great novel that I’m sure you’ve read — “Paris Trout.”
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Yeah. His early stuff centered around Philly. ‘God’s Pocket’ takes place in South Philly. Don’t know if it’s a factual neighborhood or not. ‘Brotherly Love’ is another one. I just love his work. All of it. They did a good job on the flick of ‘Paris’. Dennis Hopper and Barbara Hershey are fantastic.
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You know, I never saw that movie. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the info.
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Neil, thanks for the follow on my humble blog, which no doubt you stumbled upon due to a couple of posts on the Cape Cod area. The follow is greatly appreciated and you are warmly welcomed aboard. I have to say I was quite surprised at the extent of natural, wild areas on the Cape, particularly being so close to New York, Boston and plenty of places in between. We found the use of a bike was a great way to get around and see a bit more – might see that in an upcoming post. However, I should doff my cap to your greater expertise here as I have only spent 4 days on the Cape, nothing compared to your good self. MM 🍀
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Hello, John. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m a fan of your blog. You’re doing a good job!
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Dear “yeahanotherblogger”, thank you for stumbling onto my blog and giving it a like. I promise it was an accident and I apologize for any unpleasantness. I quit blogging more than a year ago, but recent dire events woke me from my slumber. I look forward to exploring your blog. Have a great day.
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Trump is enough to give any normal person nightmares!
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Hi Neal,
I wanted to write and thank you for following and liking my blog. I really enjoyed reading the few posts I have read on yours, as well as your about me section. I feel like I have found a kindred spirit, cheers and I look forward to reading about your further adventures in writing.
-Fed
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Hi Fed. Kindred spirits unite!
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Thanks for stopping by and liking posts on The Expositrix! I’m hoping to get my head on straight and get back in the posting/reading scene…
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Good luck!
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Thanks for visiting The Glasgow Gallivanter. Happy New Year!
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Hi. I wish the same to you and yours!
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Hi there – Noticed a “like” from you on my blog this morning so thanks for that. Have just popped across to see what you’re all about and it’s been a lovely surprise – Refreshing to see someone who freely admits that what the world REALLY doesn’t need is yet another blog but for those of us who enjoy this world it’s a real joy when you find someone who is into much of the same things in life. I also write about music and film but that is often just the anchor that allows me to go on and write about other things, specifically the memories attached – Been known to have a bit of a rant but also been known to include pictures of my local area and musings about modern day life. I see you’ve been to see LA LA Land, as have I, and although I loved it, nothing for me could ever compare with the original Fred & Ginger, Gene Kelly musicals of yesteryear – Just can’t make ’em like that nowadays however so LA LA Land a very acceptable alternative.
Look forward to following your blog – Alyson
P.S. I come from the North of Scotland but I am finding a close affinity with my fellow North American blogging buddies so just goes to show, small world nowadays!
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Alyson, it’s a pleasure to “meet” you.
I really appreciate your taking the time to read some of my pieces. In a short while I’m going to swing by your blog again.
Bye —
Neil S.
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great site! love when people can laugh at themselves 🙂
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Hi. Thanks a lot. It’s good of you to say that.
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Culture vultures!! I love that. I don’t think it’s too pretentious. Sounds like a life well lived!
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Hi. Thanks a lot for looking at some of the stuff I’ve written. I appreciate it.
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Of course! Thanks for taking the time to venture over to mine as well!
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Just found your blog today, and so glad I did! Can’t wait to read next week’s post! 🙂
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Hi, Ashley. Thanks for the visit and for the kind words. I appreciate what you have to say.
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Thanks for stopping by the travelingtodd’s.com and giving us a like. I read a few of your posts and found them interesting and look forward to reading more. Glad to see you’re still around two years later.
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Hello, Linda. I’m glad that I’m still around two years later, too!
Take care – – – – – –
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Thanks for the comment on ‘The Getaway and Al’. (It disappeared after one view). Al was a beauty.
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CB, I tried to post comments on your blog today about The Band, but they wouldn’t go through. I wonder if there’s a problem with your settings. WordPress has a Help desk. They might be able to figure this out. Take care.
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I’ve a message into somewhere (My daughter did it). I’ll check out that Help desk. I’m just on the basic setup, maybe that has something to do with it. Funny it would start doing that now. A few others have gave me the same heads up. Thanks Neil. CB can’t continue without all the fantastic comments I get, I’m enjoying this endeavor.
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Ok now the scene is set I can go exploring….Louise
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Onward!
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Hey Neil. I’m looking to shake things up on CB’s page. I wonder would you be open to me using one of your pieces down the road? I might have asked you this before. thanks
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Welcome to the blogging world! Enjoy the journey. 🙂
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Hello. Thanks for visiting. I’ve had a good time writing articles for this blog. The plan is to keep on going on!
Take care —
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I admit that it was the name of your blog which caught my attention and your sense of humour seems to wiggle its way into your writing. I’m looking forward to reading more 🙂
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Thanks. I appreciate what you said.
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It’s always nice to stumble upon another blogger in a similar age bracket!
I found the hardest part of starting a blog was picking a WordPress URL name. Fortunately, the URL is really just a place holder – I change my blog name every time I find a new focus in my life!
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Margy, that’s a unique approach to blogging!
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That’s a different way of looking at it. How do your followers keep up? I’m genuinely interested. 🙂
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I just wanted to thank you for liking my blog, UpDateNYC, that was very kind of you and wish you all the luck with your blog.
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Hello. Thanks for dropping by.
Let’s keep up with each other’s blog now and then. We all need readers!
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True. We all need readers!! 🙂
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You seem to be doing something very right, in terms of driving traffic to your blog. Mind sharing your trade secrets? (Aside from writing scintillating posts, of course!)
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Hi.
Well, I look at other blogs (I looked at yours, for instance), and sometimes those bloggers reciprocate. Over time I’ve built up a sort of network that way. But it’s hard to maintain an audience — I find it hard, anyway.
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Aaaaah. Yeah, I know that’s the standard move on Instagram (follow for follow). Interesting. Thanks!
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It’s funny (or sad) but when I first got a notification, I thought the computer was saying, “Yeah, another Blogger,” like in a very blase, yeah, it’s another one, another blogger. I mean, just for a millisecond. But enough to distort reality for a second. A strange moment. So then
I became intrigued… 🙂
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Hi. I’m glad it worked out in the end.
Take care —
Neil S.
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I think I’m the opposite of a culture vulture. ;-0 The more crazy life seems to get, the more I hunker down at home with a good book, or writing a story to escape the bombardment of false facts. I find fiction much more truthful. I like your blog, live in NE and get to Cape Cod rarely. But you are spurring me on to visit again soon.
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Hello there.
Thanks for dropping by.
I know what you mean —- we live in troubled times.
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Sigh. And yet, the people I know – family and friends – are stellar. Just don’t read about them in the news…
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Hi Neil. Thanks very much for dropping by my site and letting me know that you did with a ‘Like’! 🙂
It does mean a lot. As you mentioned in one of your comments above, I find it hard to maintain an audience too. It’s a ‘you scratch my back I scratch yours” thingy – for me at least!!!
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Hello there.
Yes, I think that what you say is true. That process, though, is OK. It’s a way to develop a readership.
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Nice introduction, Neil. And great blog name 🙂 I’m glad I found your blog. I look forward to reading your posts. – Amor
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Hello Amor. Thanks for finding this humble website!
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Thanks for visiting my blog which inevitably led me to yours. Seems like blogging has taken a liking to you…3 years and counting?!
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Hello there. Nice to meet you!
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Hi Neil. Can’t find you on Facebook or Twitter, but I just wanted to give you a heads up.to let you know you have been nominated for two blogger’s awards that will appear in my new post which comes out tomorrow June 6.
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Hi Amy. Please see my response on your site.
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I love your soul and spirit!
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Thanks for the follow 🙂
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👍👍
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Thank you. I posted a reply on your site.
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