There have been so many people that I have known or been acquainted with through the years with whom I am no longer in regular contact. I look for some of them on the internet and sometimes I think I find them. This kind of searching makes me think of the likely possibility that some of them are making an attempt to find out whatever happened to me. Unfortunately, “John Johnson” returns about 806,000 results in Google and even I have no idea how many of them may include a reference to me.To make it easier, I am using this site to let them know that yes, I’m the one that they remember and I’m still doing stuff. I will be posting the link in places that people will likely look in to find me.
Besides the people I remember, there are people that I think know of me, although I don’t necessarily think I know them. I’ve never been a background person, so my name is out there wherever I have gone and whatever I have done. Of course, it helps to have a memorable name.
Occasionally, I consider this when I come in contact with someone who clearly knows me and who calls me by name, while I am struggling to try to remember who they are. I play along, hoping something they say will cause me to remember, but sometimes I never do. I always assume at first it must be my memory that is faulty. So no matter what, I will at least reply excitedly, “Hey, [reading aloud whatever is written on your name tag], how are you doing?”
First, donkey chicken
Hey there. I have been sure that a google search for my name would be a waste of time, but things at work are slow and I started with an image search before I added my middle name and found this. I am active in the theatre scene in Peoria, IL. Peoria is not a large town and yet I am one of two John Johnsons active locally. People will sometimes see a review in the paper and ask me about my show when I am not doing a show right then. I presume the other John Johnson gets the same.
Being John Johnson has given me extra challenges all my life. I was tired of the “My name is Yohn Yohnson. I come from Wisconsin” song by the time I was four. People still “surprise” me with it and expect it to be new to me. When I was going into Jr. High we moved to a town of 700. I became the fourth John Johnson in town. Not long after I was married, my wife received a card of condolences on the loss of her husband. With the use of the return address she was able to call the sender to let her know that her card had not arrived at the home of the correct John Johnson, but we could not help her find the right one.
I truly do not mean to complain. I just thought it might be nice to share my minor annoyance with someone who should understand.
I am not familiar with Shades State Park (did I get that name right?)but we stay and hike at Turkey Run once or twice a year. We love it there.
Also, I don’t grasp the concept of “donkey chicken”. Is that a donkey that is afraid as well as stubborn, or is it a chicken that doesn’t taste just like chicken? I may never know.
I’m closing in on time to go home. I guess I’ll go back to facebook. How many John Johnsons do you suppose are on there?
I came across your site when Googling my name. Yes, it’s the same as yours! I was born approximately 10 years before you on 04/19/52 in Litchfield, Il and grew up attending school in Alton, Il. I’v lived in St Louis, Mo which is just across the mighty Mississippi from Alton since 08/80. Feel free to e-mail me if you’d like.
Best wishes,
JTJ