Hello again! If you are reading this, it means you would like to learn a bit more about me. To simplify the process, I've developed a few "Orry Topics" you might be interested in. If you like, you can simply continue reading down this page to get the whole story, or to focus your reading on a specific aspect of my life, just click on the topic of interest to you!
Hobbies, Memorabilia, and Other Fun Stuff
Though my given name is Marcia, I am better known on Prodigy as Orrymain. Ype, I know ...
Orry sounds like a guy's name, but trust me, I most definitely am not a guy....so why Orrymain?
Orry Main is the lead character in the John Jakes novel NORTH AND SOUTH which was later
made into a mini-series which starred Patrick Wayne Swayze. When NORTH AND SOUTH
aired in 1985, I was intrigued and fascinated by the relationship of the two main characters, Orry, a southerner from South Carolina, and his best friend, George Hazard of Pennsylvania. The two had studied at West Point together and eventually both became generals during the Civil War --- but on opposite sides, of course. Their struggle to maintain their friendship, their caring, and their passion during the most difficult of circumstances captured my heart. I was particularly taken with Orry who grew up with the pride and prejudices of the Old South and yet had the dignity and foresight to see a different, more "equal" future for all people.
Several years after watching NORTH AND SOUTH, I learned to appreciate and understand the contribution Patrick Swayze himself brought to his portrayal of Orry Main. I've researched the man quite a bit, and find him to have an unusual amount of awareness, compassion, and integrity, not only in his professional life, but also in his personal dealings.
When I finally purchased a "modern" computer in March of 1995, I wanted a screen name that would show my enthusiasm for Patrick and yet still reflect my own beliefs and energies. There was really no other contender, so here I am --- Orrymain!
Life in Quakesville has always been rather calm. My parents settled in Arcata, a coastal community in Northern California, shortly after their wedding. Five years later, with my toddler sister in tow, they moved to Sacramento, in part to be closer to my father's parents who resided in the Bay Area (near San Francisco). Two years later, I became a reality and our family was complete...except, of course, for the dogs which would eventually become members of our family as well.
Dad was a teacher at the high school level. Even though his specialty was history, he somehow ended up with English and Journalism classes mostly. Mom, meanwhile, was an early career gal who actually had never intended to get married. In Sacramento, she found employment at an insurance company where she held a number of positions including Executive Secretary. My sister also went into the field of education. Currently, she is a Principal in a nearby community.
I work part time in the customer service field these days. Dad died in 1993 and Mom retired several years ago, and while she's had a blast, is now battling cancer. As life goes on, we do our best to make each day the best it can be!
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Along with my love for my real-life puppies mentioned on my home page, I also enjoy collecting stuffed animals. You'll find everything from bears to poodles...and even a very large donkey at my place!
One of the sports I've always enjoyed watching is figure skating.
Paul Wylie is one of my favorite figure skaters, and with routines like his celebrated "This is the Moment", he has garnered quite a following. Paul has finally decided to return to Harvard, however, after twice deferring his entrance into law school to perform as a skater. I wish him well, but will miss his dramatic interpretations of many of today's top movie musical scores!
My interest in figure skating began with PeggyFleming who first caught my eye with her grace and elegance at the 1968 Grenoble Winter
Olympics. Throughout the years, Peggy has continued to show her grace by how she dealt with life, including her public survival of cancer this past year.
A few years later, I was awed by the smiles and charm of Janet Lynn . Though we see less of Janet, she still made a large impact on many of today's skaters and I'll never forget how she fell in the Olympics but got up smiling with no regrets!
Scott
Hamilton and the brother/sister team of Peter and Kitty Caruthers wowed me at the 1980
Sarejavo Winter Olympics, and the sport has simply gotten better and better over the years. Nowadays, it is
Michelle Kwan who is captivating the skating world! Michelle will, I believe, continue on in the fine tradition of those like Peggy Fleming and Janet Lynn. She will be someone who is remembered!
Along with skating, I have enjoyed other sports including bowling, but my baseball has been my favorite. I love the Oakland A's of old, and spent many nights in the 70's glued to the radio listening to Monte Moore call the play by play action. "My" A's won the World Series 3 straight times, and wowosa, was that a feeling! While I was partial to several of the players, Reggie Jackson has always been my favorite, and when he departed the A's, I continued to follow his career with the Orioles, Yankees, and Angels...and back again to the A's. I have many fond memories of "my" A's, and though they are once again going through a transition, they will always be my sentimental baseball favorite!
I also like to write, both journalistically and as a pen pal. Unfortunately, time has not allowed me to follow through as much as I would like with writing, but it will always be something I value. Amazingly though, I'm not much of a reader, which often tends to surprise my friends. The last novel I read that truly touched my soul was Dominque LaPierre's THE CITY OF JOY which was the basis for the theatrical film which Patrick Swayze starred in.
In recent years, I've spent a lot of time working on my memorabilia collections
(ype -- I have more Swayze collectibles than you can possibly imagine!). It can
be an expensive proposition, but it sure is fun, and you never know what will
pop up next! My love for television and movies, however, has been a very big
part of my life since I was a child, and continues on to this day. I grew up
enjoying the talents of performers ranging from Doris Day
to John Wayne,
James Darren to
Bobby Sherman,
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Page Last Updated 03/13/03
Why Orrymain?Growing Up In QuakesvilleHobbies, Memorabilia and Other Fun Stuff
The Beatles
to The Osmond Brothers,
Patty Duke to Paul Newman, and Robert Fuller to the
aforementioned Patrick Swayze! My problem is I am such a pack rat that I've run
out of room to hold all the memorabilia I've acquired on these stars and others!
to the About Me Page.
