It’s been 10 years that we have been writing Climbing Moss and things have changed and things have deteriorated, but some things are still the same! So let’s reflect…
22nd October 2015 Climbing Moss posted our first post, a short rambling piece, introducing ourselves in what we thought was a quirky and fun way! Now, it seems very different to what we write about and how we write it! Looking back at those first posts the format was completely different, a different host site (Blogger) meant limited control over the look of the posts and we can’t even show you an example because all of that is gone. We transferred all the posts to WordPress a short time later when we realised the limitations – which is better… but still not great!
But what is in those first posts that are still true? Well, we are still us, an ‘ish’, Best Friends and we do everything together (well almost!). We still love Dogs and other animals and they still contribute to the posts, some have gone, some have almost gone and some are new. We still go on Holiday together and go to concerts, still watch and listen to each others media choices and still don’t get them at times and we still argue – although it’s more muted these days (hopefully)!
We still post every Thursday if we can – there are times when the regular schedule is interrupted due to holidays or simply because we have nothing to tell you about due to the lack of adventuring, caused by injuries, illness or just nothing to do!
The total number of posts that remain up as of the writing of this post is 430, that means we have failed to post or have removed 90 posts over the 10 years. We have gained followers – and thank you to those that subscribed or signed up to get the post emailed to them each time! But that total is still less than a 100. We have had a number of posts that have had 1,000’s of views over time, but again, not the viral success we thought! On average we get about 1,000 views a month, which isn’t bad, but rarely do we get a comment or someone sharing a post.
We continue writing because it gives us focus, but it’s never become the ‘Internet Phenomenon’ we were sure we were writing in that first post back in 2015. We really need to go through and delete old coffee Shops posts that don’t exist anymore and old reviews that have no relevance, because ‘Tastes Change’. Seemingly we did have a brilliant idea for the Coffee Shop Map because a number of other blogs and websites have used our idea and template even down to the icons!
The Change in tastes is probably most evident in the ‘Top 100’s‘ of those first years, there were an odd number – His didn’t add up to 100 and he only listed Women (even though he still isn’t able to name 100 Men he finds interesting). Her’s haven’t changed as much (certainly the Women), but there is a very definite shift towards the Asians for both of us!
So that brings us on to what has changed. Well we started off posting about Climbing Walls and Demi Lovato Albums, now it’s about Korean Beauty Regimes and Reviewing K-Pop albums and Coffee Shop reviews. We have very definitely shifted our main focus East, having become obsessed (yes, i think that is safe to say) with all things Korean, we visited the country last year (as i’m sure you are bored of us saying) and also Japan and found a true love of the first and a major dislike of the latter (there are still bits of Japan he likes more than she does, but it’s more the streets, architecture and stuff, more than the people and culture), but you can see that in the relevant blogs.
But we have also been elsewhere and shared our experiences, having Loved Greece, liked Spain and were happy to be home from Sicily and Corsica! We have shifted away from Climbing walls at the moment due to injuries, illnesses and the sheer cost of memberships these days – plus everything is overhanging ewwww! Our interests have become more honed, we still dabble in Art both digital and traditional, Ash works on miniatures and RPG related things, Bob works on Languages and Tattooing. Our world views have changed which I guess comes from experience and time and of course pain which we seem to attract.
So who are and what are we now? Well originally we asked questions and we thought of re-answer those questions from that first blog post, but re-reading them they are rather odd and dated, so we are going to change them and answer them and see what has changed…
1.What is your favorite food?
Her
2015 – Pizza
2025 – Ramyeon or Enchiladas.
Him
2015 – Can’t remember a specific, but sweet things, biscuits, cake etc – some things don’t change!
2025 – Tteokbokki
2. What’s the #1 most played Artist on your iTunes (Now Music)?
Her
2015 -Her: Forgiven Durden – Razia’s Shadow
2025 – Stray Kids or Enhypen.
Him
2015 -The Pretty Reckless – Going to Hell
2025 – Aespa
What is one of your favorite quotes?
Her: I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for what I am not.
Him: Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside a dog it’s too dark to read a book!
2025 – That hasn’t changed.
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Her
2015 – Indoor – Reading. Outdoor – Saying hello to animals.
2025 – Indoor – Art or playing with dogs. Outdoor – Hasn’t changed.
Him
2015 – Being creative (Painting/writing/making clothes/etc) Outdoor – Rock Climbing
2025 – Indoor – RPG and Art. Outdoor – Walking a long way.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Her
2015 – Dusting 2025 – Stopping myself from calling anyone I normally email an Idiot.
Him
2015 – Hoovering 2025 – Dealing with Bureaucracy.
What is your favourite form of exercise?
Her: 2015 – Depends on my mood, I like most sports and will do any given the chance. 2025 – Hasn’t changed much but I do love weightlifting at the Gym.
Him: 2015 – Rock Climbing 2025 – It would still be climbing if I could but now a days I am limited to swimming.
What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year?
Her: 2015 – 3am/ Doesn’t matter/ Warm or October. 2025 – 4am/Doesn’t matter/ Any month in Summer maybe June.
Him: 2015 – Either 10am if I’m awake that is! or midnight/ Thursday/ July. 2025 – 2am/3am / Late on a Summer night when it’s still hot enough to walk around in a T-shirt. Thursdays / July.
What’s your favorite mode of transportation?
Her: 2015 – Helicopter – 2025 – Korean subways – such cute little jingles! and they are so clean and silent.
Him: 2015- Hovercraft – raced them at school they are fuuuuuun! 2025 – Hand glider/ Wing suit – always wanted to try but Bob wont let me.
What is your favorite body part?
Her: My eyes
Him: My back, I can’t see it, so it must be amazing
2025 – Hasn’t changed.
What sound do you love?
Her: 2015 – Wolves or dogs howling – 2025 – Hasn’t changed.
Him: 2015 -Ballet points over a wooden dance floor 2025 – Same and peace and quiet and no interference from neighbours.
If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
Her: A New Year’s party, where the proceeds would go to charity (animal charity). Masquerade Black Tie, because there is not enough occasions to dress up and where your finery these days. But not exceptionally expensive.
Him: A big party in a private grand house, with a fancy dinner (Black Tie and looking gorgeous!) then all change for a riotous fancy dress with a band that will play whatever if anyone wants to get up and sing. With prizes for the best fancy dress and kids party games, but for adults!
2025 – Hasn’t changed.
If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?
Her: 
Grand Canyon or the Eco park in Jeju.
Him: Looking South in Red Road – Hongdae – Seoul.
If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
Her: 21 I guess, though most of the time I don’t remember how old I am (so I guess it’s irrelevant)
Him: 17, I don’t really know why? why not? I never got ID’d I always looked older than I was.
2025 – Hasn’t changed.
If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
Her: 2015 – I would have chosen Heath Ledger. 2025 – Same
Him: 2015 – Zanna Wilford she was a photographer and pretty much was my mentor. 2025 – Richard Branson.
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
Her: How can anyone answer that question…. There are so many things…
Him: First contact with an alien species, preferably on their planet.
2025 -Hasn’t changed.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Her: 2015 – The ability to be able to play every single instrument. 2025 – Speak every single language.
Him: 2015 – Learn to play the piano. 2025 – Be a better artist or be more successful with social media/writing.
If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?
Her: Do every dangerous, stupid thing I’ve ever thought about.
Him: For a day?
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
If you could meet anyone, living/ dead, who would you meet?
Her: 2015 – Living: Kevin Richardson and his pack. Dead: Heath Ledger.
2025 – Living: All of Stray Kids. Dead – Heath Ledger still.
Him: 2015 – Living: I don’t know Taylor Swift? Dead: Oscar Wilde.
2025 – Living – Ginny Di Dead – David Bowie.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Her: 2015 – Houses buy houses all over the world. 2025 – Still buy houses but now I know where in the world I want to live.
Him: 2015 – Thats easy! buy cars for everybody. 2025 – Buy a narrow boat then a house somewhere else.
If you were reincarnated as an animal what would it be?
Her: 2015 – Wolf. 2025 – Wolf or Binturong.
Him: 2015 – Wasp. 2025 – Why did I say Wasp? No, A Red Panda!
If you could know the answer to any question, besides “What is the meaning of life?”, what would it be?
Her: Why are there so many stupid people?
Him: Why do we have an idiot who spends its entire life harassing us, trying to destroy everything we make etc.
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Her: 2015 – Dorian Gray. 2025 – Magnus Bane.
Him: 2015 – I don’t know? Ooooh Batman. 2025- Katniss Everdeen
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
Her: 2015 – Jensen Ackles. 2025 – Some random rapper whom I can’t remember the name of or Chloe Price?
Him: 2015 – Rhys Ifans. 2025 – No change.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Her: Magic
Him: Older, taller..
2025 – Hasn’t Changed
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
Her: 2015 – Ooogle prettiness or cuddle my dog. 2025 – Same, 30 minutes isn’t enough time for anything else.
Him: 2015 -Tumblr, Pinterest, Covet, Instagram. 2025 – Something D&D related.
What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Her: Dogs, Dogs and more Dogs.
Him: The Life of Him.
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
Who are your current celebrity crushes?
Her: 2015 – Bex Taylor-Klaus, Sam Clafin, Bob Morley (not Marley) and Ruby Rose
2025 – Lee Know, Lee Heeseung, Lim Semi and Bibi.
Him: 2015 – Err Taylor Swift? Oh Shelley Hennig, or Kathryn Prescott…
2025 – Yu Jimin, Kim Chaewon & Kathryn Prescott (still).
What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to?
Her: I can’t answer that, it’s a ridiculously long answer, it went on for about seven days.
Him: The Mystery Jets Christmas party about nine years ago, on Eel Pie Island, 8 bands in a converted boat shed and about 250 people. Madness, brilliant madness.
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
What would be your perfect car and what colour?
Her: A yellow Jeep Wrangler or a Black Impala
Him: A Midnight Purple Porsche Carrera RS
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
Can you go an entire day without caffeine?
Her: What the fuck is wrong with you? Stupid fucking question.
Him: There isn’t any caffeine in tea is there?
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
Can you sew?
Her: Well I can sew.
Him: 2015 – Yes. I am learning to make and design clothes. 2025 – Yes but no to hand sewing.
What is your favorite Disney Princess?
Her: Pocahontas
Him: I dunno – Taylor Swift? Oh after discussions Snow White.
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
What’s the best/worst gift you’ve ever given/received?
Her: Best Given – iPad to Him and Mum
Best Received – My first dog, Muffin
Worst Given – A puzzle that was missing 20 pieces.
Worst Received – All the following are present given to me by my father’s family – A diary that was 2 years out of date and partially written in, or bottle of bubbles that was only a quarter full and had no stick, A broken bracelet, 2Pence in an envelope that said Happy Birthday for Christmas. A receipt for shopping…
Him: 2015 – Best Given – Nightmare before Christmas Coffee Mug to Her.
2025- The first Wishtrend package that I got Her, 4 years ago.
Best Received – the aforementioned iPad, or my BMX Raleigh Ultra Burner when I was about 12.
2025 – But also a painting that Bob did for me.
Worst Given – Oh there are too many to isolate down, amongst school friends we give away all the accumulated crap we have as a Santa sack each year, so any number of Dr. Who memorabilia, alternative medicine books and crap DVDs
Worst Received – A model of a liner ship, that I was told to put in the fridge before opening it!
What’s your favourite drug?
Her: ‘shrooms, E, weed, coffee…
Him: MDMA or I’m still tempted to say love or Adrenaline
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
What is more attractive: Nice hands or nice feet?
Her: 2015 – Eww feet!! 2025 – Definitely Hands!!!! Some people have really nice hands.
Him: 2015 – The biggest compliment you can give a ballet dancer is you have really lovely feet! 2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
Paris, London and New York… which one would you live in, which would you visit for a day, which would you visit for a month?
Her: Live in New York, Visit Paris for a month and and visit London for a day
Him: Leave London as I’ve been here forever, Paris for a month and live in New York – yay we agree!
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
What are your favourite smells?
Her: Wet dog, Mulled Wine, Snickerdoodles, Sun after the rain and the Ocean. Ooo blown out birthday candles
Him: Givenchy la De, Diesel, Wet Paint
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
Alcoholic beverage of choice?
Her: 2015 – Whiskey Sour, anything at all as long as it’s not Gin, Vodka or Martini. 2025 – Any flavoured Soju or Sour beers, oh and Caipirinhas.
Him: 2015 – Jack Daniels Honey or Bourbon (but not Knob Creek!) 2025 – Stouts or NEIPA but I still like Bourbon.
Did you ever had a crush on a teacher?
Her: Err which one, Mr. Dean. Miss Hodder (my god she was amazing). Mr. Griffith, Ms. Hanna. Oh, oh, oh The South African English Language teacher, Can’t remember her name I don’ t think I ever got that far.
Him: I went to an all boys school, where we had all male teachers, old men in mortar boards and gowns, about from the the Religion department who were old nuns and everyone knows how evil those old bitches are.
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
What does a person have to have to make them sexy?
Her: A Sense of Humour, down to Earth, Caring, They have to be into music, Open-minded.
Him: OK She says I only like girls who have ‘Chubby Cheeks’ (Her words, not mine). Natural Style, Likes fashion, likes to go out and party, ok fine, they have to be skinny!
2025 – Hasn’t Changed.
Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.
Her: No. Because a picture can be taken out of context.
Him: Yes, I used to be a photographer so of course I would say yes, but I can read a lot from a photo, even a crappy one!
2025 – Hasn’t Changed much with the exception of AI that can open a whole can of worms.
What do you first think of when you wake up?
Her: “I need sleep. grrr fine give me coffee. Oh but 10 more minutes first”
Him: Whatever is currently the latest project taking up my time, usually the newest chapter I’m writing.
2025 – Hasn’t Changed much apart from why is it so late….and why am I still tired?!
Well there we go, 10 years and still going, but what will we be doing in another 10? Will we still be doing ‘The Blog’ well honestly only if it grows a lot and soon! So, if you like our posts please share the link to someone else and help this little corner of the internet grow (a lot!).
Thank you for reading each week and maybe comment, which was your favourite post, or the first post you remember? We will be back next time with another post on Coffee, Korean Stuff or a rant, who know, well you will if you come back then!
Climbing Moss 