In Blog We Trust
I don’t know what this post is going to turn out to be, exactly, but I’ve had all of this stuff swimming like fishies through my mind lately, and there’s a line of thought in the current, I just know there is. Maybe by the end of this, I’ll figure out what it is.
It started just prior to my pre-midlife crisis exodus from Dayton. It was difficult for me to respond to comments during that time, but as you know, I always read them, and they stay with me. I’m spoiled by the preponderance of absolutely kind and intelligent messages I get here, so when I received the following, it sort of took me aback:
I don’t believe you at all about Jay Silverheels having any affair with you. I knew him and he was a Preacher/Medacine Man and so when was this suppose to have all happened?
Why anyone would even want to show this side to their life is beyond me? And to wait this long to paint such a picture for Great People and One for yourself that is totally disgusting?
You had better run a retraction on Jay Silverheels because he is my Granfather and I knew him personally and He was way to Religious to bother with the like of you! I will be having my Lawyers Contact you?
This was in response to this story, and it truly blew me away that someone could read it and not know that it was fictitious.
Then, I got this one:
i think all this is a bullshit sincerely andrea
That comment was regarding this post, which is completely true. I kind of liked her message though, because it sounded a little like she was typing with an Italian accent.
Anyway, a couple of weeks later, this comment arrived on my blogstep:
This is such biased bullshit. “Normal, unpierced children” that’s kinda messed up to say.
Okay, this one was responding to a very old, as per usual sarcasm-infused post, which you can find here (if you haven’t fallen asleep yet). Seventy-three pretty wonderful comments on that one, almost all of whom understood the subtle-as-a-sledgehammer tone, then blam!
I thought and thought about how to respond. Snappy answers and evil comebacks swirled around in my head, but then I let them go. But comments like those leave me with thoughts like these:
There are people out there who don’t “get” my sense of humor.
There are people out there who take things very seriously.
There are people out there who cannot discern fact from fiction.
I get way too concerned about these things.
In the end, I didn’t respond at all. Dee Jay (Tonto’s granddaughter) can sue me for all my millions, but I really hope her lawyers explain to her that, seeing as I wasn’t even a twinkle in my daddy’s eye when her grandpappy was Tontoing, and all of fourteen when he retired, the story was probably meant to be fiction. Humorous fiction.**
I considered suggesting that Andrea call the Dayton Police Department (Riverside Division) to verify the McRobbery attempt. I was tempted to explain to the pierced, very serious commenter that actually, I feel an affinity to those with holes in their faces, and to check her irony valve, but really, y’know? I just don’t feel the need to have to defend myself here. This is my peaceful little island, and they were just tourists. So, I let that one go too.
Of these types of comments, I think the one that got to me most was the one with the Italian accent: “i think all this is a bullshit sincerely andrea.” I felt a little hurt, and a little indignant. It really bothered me that someone would doubt the veracity of one of my non-fiction essays. And then it occurred to me– it could all really be bullshit.
For all you know, I’m a 300-pound linebacker from Anaheim. Peter Parkour could be a pole-dancer, Little Miss a forklift driving father of five, and Wendy a small, keyboard-savvy South American tree frog. Any of us could be more full of bologna than an Oscar Mayer meat packing plant (sorry guys, for using you as examples).
But I believe every word that my blog friends write. Actually, I believe every word that almost every blogger writes when they’re writing about their own lives. I choose to believe it, because I have no reason to doubt. Most people with personal blogs have no angle– there’s nothing for them to gain by fabricating the details of their lives. My blog buddies don’t take away from my life with their stories, they enhance it. They bring me oodles of joy, as do most of the folks who sit snugly on my sidebar.***
The exception to this unflinching trust is when a blogger fabricates details of their lives to garner the sympathy of others, or for personal, professional, emotional or financial gain. That’s when the possibility of dishonesty becomes a problem for me. There’s an invisible Internet line, and for me, it gets crossed when I feel as though people are being duped or taken advantage of. Teeni at the Vaguetarian Tea Room wrote an excellent, thought-provoking post addressing this subject, and I thank her for it, because it’s been on my mind so much lately.
I know of a blogger who once spent hours making a gift for another blogger, only to be given a false address to send it to. Other bloggers give enormous gifts of time, energy and emotional investment to invisible online friends. Some go as far as to send money to people that they’ve never met. All of these actions are based on the unspoken understanding that what is being conveyed by the blog poster is true. When that turns out not to be the case, I become a little angsty and gut wrenched. Not so much for myself, because I know with certainty that I will always take my coffee with a little cream and naivete, and I really like wearing my Pie in the Sky hat®. But I feel for others, because I know from my own blog that there are some incredibly loving, giving people in this world, and I don’t like to see them taken advantage of on any level. We who have forged friendships through blogging give pieces of ourselves to each other. When trust is broken, it chips away at our Internet Joy. It’s hard on everyone.
***********
Okay, back to the first part of this post. As for my blog and those doubting Thomasinas who wrote me, I will say this: Truth is almost always stranger than fiction, unless maybe you’re Stephen King. You can choose to believe or disbelieve anything you read here, and it’s okay by me. I’d prefer that you just sort of pass me by altogether if you can’t tell the difference between fact and fantasy, or if you were born TSFYOG.**** If that’s not possible, okey dokey, but I probably won’t respond.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go down to my secret laboratory where I’m working on my latest invention, an Internet Polygraph machine which I’m selling to Microsoft for $40 million. It’s true, I swear it.
**Note to heirs of Mel Torme, Richard Deacon (aka Mel Cooley), Marty Feldman, Dick Wilson, Buddy Hackett, and Madge the Palmolive Lady: I hope that if you come across that story, you’ll take it in good spirit, and with a sense of humor. Please know that I have no money and no job, otherwise I’d probably be too busy to produce crap like this.
***On the flip side of this, my blog readers don’t believe every word I write, and that’s a good thing, since I write both fiction and fiction. How smart you all are to effortlessly glide between the two, and to be intelligent enough to know that no, Johnny Depp isn’t really stalking me.
****Too Serious for Your Own Good
CuriousC said,
October 10, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I think this all is brilliantness. sincerely, Curious “C”
I sincerely thank you, C.
museditions said,
October 10, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Well, I, for one, had always suspected you were a 300 pound linebacker from Anaheim. Who’d you get to write that bra-fitting post for you?; it sounded pretty darned authentic! Oh yeah, and it’s people like you who are responsible for the fact that Los Angeles hasn’t had a decent football team in, like years! I mean, like, you almost ruined the Raiders, and then…
But I digress. I don’t have anywhere near your readership, but I’ve occasionally responded to a comment with something like…”Uh. Um. Well, that was actually meant to be, uh, tongue-in-cheek, you know?” I’m with you, MB. I tend to believe what all the wonderful, sincere bloggers out there say about themselves. As you say, there is no reason to mis-represent ourselves here; it’s a place where we can share our deepest truths. Do we attempt to present ourselves in the best possible light? Surely many of us do, but that is true in many “live” social situations as well.
If someone is out to gain sympathy and attention, while secretly laughing at us “gullibles”, well, that says more about that person than us, and, I think that person would actually benefit from some attention—of the intervention kind. But then, it’s not my way to choose others’ paths for them.
I do find I proceed more slowly in forming relationships with bloggers than I do with flesh-and-blood people, simply because I have less initial information to go on. But, after communicating for a while, I tend to feel I know a blogger’s voice; her/his passions and points of view, and I would never know such a diverse community if I just looked around in my town.
So, I do feel the small risk of occasionally being “scammed” is well worth the pleasure I receive from getting to know you and others of much wonderfulness.
Thank you for an excellent and thought-provoking post!
Actually, my bra is really a “Bro,” (a.k.a “mansiere”) which was invented by Cosmo Kramer on “Seinfeld.” I’m sorry about the football thingie.
You put this well, Muse. We do probably try to put our best foot forward. It’s more like omitting some of the more tedious details of our lives, and writing about the more interesting ones. Somehow, I sense that people probably don’t want to read about the soup I made for dinner, or the dive bombing fly I killed in the living room. So it’s more about omitting the mundane than anything else.
I know we’re not all sane or fabulous or flawless (except maybe you and me), but I do feel lucky for having such shiny happy people commenting on my blog. When I get the muddy unhappy ones, it’s kind of a surprise, especially those three, which came in such a short time span.
As for the scammers, well, I just spent a weekend in the heart of Nashville, and it was an eye opener. Maybe moving there will savvy me up a bit when it comes to scammers (although I think my friends would bet against it). But I agree with you– it’s ALL worth it!
teeni said,
October 10, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Excellent, excellent post. I’ve seen people get way too worked up over posts that were obviously (to me and MOST people anyway) works of fiction, meant to express a writer’s talent or to entertain an audience. Unfortunately, some people don’t recognize that and that is why it is worth a few visits before passing judgement on a blog. Of course there are always trolls who just pass through and say something nasty just to get their own jollies (yes, some people are way too easily amused).
I totally agree with Museditions’ thought that the small risk is well worth the pleasure of getting to know so many wonderful people through this medium though. I will just continue to use the internet, occasionally reminding myself and those I care about that there are things to look out for, and hopefully all will be well.
That’s exactly right! I wish that, if in doubt, people would read a little more before leaving hate mail. Mean is fine. Dumb’s okay. Mean and dumb is just an awful combination.
I love your blog, and the post you wrote about the whole “scamming for sympathy” thing. It’s hard to get too angry about it, because some of those who do it are obviously troubled. I just think that we humans are feeling jaded enough these days without this little corner of the universe being tainted by it. That’s just life though, huh? And percentage-wise, I think the ratio of honest to dishonest bloggers is amazing. Like you, I plan to just enjoy the ride.
boundandgags said,
October 10, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I sense a humor on you that’d be a missed by some. Sorta sincerely, Chris.
Personally, I love hate mail (not that what you received is hate mail. I don’t think anything you write could get anyone to produce bile). And I get a bunch of it. I used to get some on the site but, due to the comments they got back, I get it mainly in email. I don’t respond to much of it. Only the ones that tickle my fancy (which is conveniently located next to my anatomical snuff box). But, as you know, I hate being tickled!
Comedy is tough because someone can take a piece of fiction as fact and fact as fiction. All that means is they missed the joke or were looking for a reason to snap. The joke was there as the more chuckle savvy readers of your fine work proved. All you can do is keep hitting the funny for those who enjoy and leave anyone else in your wake.
Heehee.
From what I’ve read, you respond to hateful comments extremely well. I’d love to be a fly on the wall of your e-mail box.
Nasty comments probably bother me way too much. Mostly, they make me a little sad, but in a way, they’re eye openers. I’m always surprised when someone doesn’t think, or read, or reason. That’s my problem really, not theirs.
I always wondered where a fancy was located.
joanharvest said,
October 10, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I’m still imagining Wendy as a South American Tree Frog. This was a wonderful post and very thought provoking. I will swear on a stack of Bibles that everything I have written is true especially about the wasband. He really has almost burned down the house a few times and really did try to electrocute a squirrel.
My daughter is always warning me about getting duped on the blogs. I always thought the parents were supposed to warn the kids but our house is somewhat twisted. But I love it.
I have forged great friendships on the blogs. I agree with everything that both you and Muse had to say. And of course I believe everything that CuriousC and Teeni say because I have had the pleasure of meeting them and they are real women not frogs and forklift drivers–pole dancers, maybe. Though I would rather imagine Peter Parkour as a pole dancer.
I can’t even imagine having a blog and lying on it. It would be pointless and meaningless.
I had never read the Lone Ranger post before. You would have to be a moron to not know it was fiction. You mean Johnny Depp isn’t really stalking you? I’m disappointed. Oh, maybe he is stalking me. YES!!!! I can see him parked across the street……..
Joan, I know that every word you write on your blog is true. There are so many things that make me say, “Oh my gosh! That reminds me of the time I….” And your relationship with your wasband is not so much crazier than the one I’ve got with mine.
I don’t think your daughter needs to worry about you. You’re a very smart (low cal, low fat) cookie.
By the way, I thought I saw Mr. Parkour pole dancing in Nashville this weekend. Johnny Depp was on the pole next to him. I tipped them big.
trishatruly said,
October 10, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Moonbeam.. Babe. I believe it was Dorothy Parker who said ” I don’t care what they say about me in the press as long as they spell my name right.” I could be wrong on the authorship of that sentiment but just remember: you are creating art and art provokes response. Some good, some bad, some indiffeernt. I’d rather not have indifferent. Wouldn’t you? If EVERYONE liked me I’d think there was,… no, I’d KNOW something was wrong with me!! I am not in this for popularity and neither are you, thank God!
You write brilliantly. Don’t censor or edit your words to suit others and certainly don’t worry about a few loose screws rattling around out there. With your readership the percentages alone would expect a few nut jobs!
Your loyal and constant reader,
Trisha
Yes! What you said. Response of any sort is preferable to no response at all. And I’ve written some posts where I almost expected some hate. But it always astounds me when I get out of left field hatred in response to some of the silly, happy crap that I write. I really do like loose screws as a rule, but these lug nuts can be a different story.
And thanks for the kind words (((Trisha))).
Little Miss said,
October 10, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Gawd, you are a fabulous writer. I love reading your writing because it makes me wonder how your brain works. For example, how cleverly you think up things like wearing your Pie in the Sky hat. I love it! You writing is so clever, humorous, ironic, honest, soul-full – just utterly enteratining and enjoyable. Please just keep doing what you are doing… It’s the best!
Instead of telling you what a sweetie you are all the time, I’m going to just start doing this:
”
If you figure out how my brain works, would you please let me know? I have friends and family who’ve been wondering for years. Actually, the problem is that half the time, it doesn’t work at all.
You should see my Pie in the Sky hat– it’s Dutch Apple.
Heather said,
October 10, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Wow, I once aspired to be a blogger who achieved some notoriety and be able to launch a writing career. UM, not so much anymore. When I do stick my big toe into the fray with my political rantings and ravings I just can not handle the ugliness that people leave in the comments.
You are a great writer, MB.
I have noticed that I just don’t seem to have the thick skin required to be a pundit. I think with today’s society and the lack of manners displayed it really requires a suit of armor.
Heather, at times, my skin is so thin you can see sunlight through it.
Keep writing! We may not all agree (and how boring it would be if we all did), but we’re so lucky to have the right to express ourselves.
Alex the Bloggin' Kat said,
October 10, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Very nice.
I find it (somewhat) amazing that satire and humor are seldom grasped by folks whose heads are filled with concrete.
Also known as “blockheads,” huh?
CuriousC said,
October 10, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Moonbeam, you are awesome. WHAT trishtruly said 10 times. well, what everyone here has said, I agree with. and God Love Joan (since she mentions me) and …
Have a Great Weekend. Keep entertaining us, you are a tremendous writer… Put me on the blog tour for that book, will ya?
I sure will put you on the book tour. You’ll recognize me as the ninety-year old with the cane.
Great comments on this one, huh? Such smarties!
thebeadden said,
October 10, 2008 at 9:10 pm
That’s because Johnny is too busy stalking me, Moon. Excellent post. I think we all take our chances when it comes to the WWW. Because you never know. It’s funny too, when I started blogging, I never thought I would form friendships with people. But you do! In the end, you take a risk, hoping people are, for the most, part being themselves.
Maybe not 100% because we do have an edit button.
For example, I have a potty mouth, for real! It’s a terrible, terrible habit, picked up from work. I do it without even knowing it. To the point my husband has said “you are swearing in front of your Grandmother.” OOPs! She just laughs, thank goodness.
But for people who are blogging for gain or sympathy. That is just not right. To toy with emotions, for the heck of it, because one is getting a kick out of it. That’s just about as low as you can go.
At any rate, I do hope you have a great week-end. It’s a long week-end here in Canada. Thanksgiving.
Take care, Moon.
I thought we were going to let JD take turns with the stalking.
We do take our chances, and it’s well worth it. No way will I let anything dampen the affection I feel for all my invisible Internet friends. Even if they heavily edit themselves, I’d never be disappointed meeting them in the flesh. And in a way, we get a more honest version of each other. You don’t go to work and hear people say, “I secretly hate you, but I’m going to be fakey and pretend I don’t, so that I don’t get fired,” or “That orange dress makes you look like you’re covered in vomit,” or “God in heaven, I’m PMSing like a lunatic and I’m thinking about driving my car into the next mean old man I see,” but we do express these secret thoughts to each other. I love it, almost as much as I love knowing that you have a fucking potty mouth.
Happy Thanksgiving!
raincoaster said,
October 11, 2008 at 5:24 am
You…you mean you’re NOT a 300-lb linebacker? Oh, fuck, I’m not flirting with you any more, dammit!
Oh poop, coaster of rain. I was really enjoying it!
David said,
October 11, 2008 at 10:59 am
Thanks for this thoughtful post moonbeam, even with its first doubtful sentence … Very thoughtful commentary too people- way to go! ♥
It’s very personal this blogging stuff we do, words we key in made available to the whole world in a flash. This techno-wonder of the Internet is big, and has brought about big changes, unexpected changes, in so many areas of our commerce. As a few of the comments mentioned, it’s so cool that we can virtually meet and communicate with people all over the world, I guess that’s sizzle on the blog-steak. That’s what keeps us reading.
There’s a mystery element too, since the authors often maintain some level of anonymity. Sometimes the authors of blogs I read actually meet up “in real life”, often posting about it later. But mostly we remain invisible to one another but for the web pages we publish. It’s almost as if this invisibility enhances our existences somehow. I choose to keep my blog very silly and lightweight, never discussing politics, work, or anything heavy, mostly because blogging is an interactive recreational entertainment activity for me. As you said “no angle”.
Regarding the veracity of it all, well that’s kind of a two-edged sword. Middle-aged reading folks like us already understood the questionability of published words, so the new medium of the Internet, for all its speed and power, was largely irrelevant. But the ability of us ordinaries to get our words out there to be read by anybody is enticing as well as risky. Some bloggers reveal way too much, but if they write it well it’s as compelling as any other “officially” published story or article. It’s a short form, the blog post, and maybe it’s still evolving.
Sorry to prattle on but this is a very motivating topic for me. I never expected to become a “blogger”. But here I am it’s still great fun a year and half later and I’ve met all you interesting people. Your blog, moonbeam, has always been a favorite for its high quality writing, great sense of humor, and that sincere genuineness that permeates your stories.
When non-computer/internet people (yes, they do exist) ask that question “So what the hell IS all this blogging stuff anyway?” how do we answer them? I usually say that it’s just creative writing for the masses. If you’re not a reader, then don’t even worry about what “all this blogging stuff” is– you’re not missing anything. But if they don’t like that answer I go on to tell them about the many special interest blogs out there … crafts, sports, the media, etc. Even if you don’t care to read our kind of introverted minutiae, you (blog noob) may find something interesting in the great big blogosphere. And if you’re not a reader, then there are plenty of photoblogs too.
The 2 most frequent problems that face blog noobs are navigation and authority. Often these go together. People who are not good at clicking on stuff, or don’t know what to click on, often are intimidated by computers and the internet and perversely assign way too much authority to what they read on the screen. Because it’s on a computer screen, it must mean something. What a silly notion, huh?
I’m so glad you are posting again and wish you luck in this exciting juncture.
What brilliant comments, David. This really needs to be a post of its own.
Blogging is unbelievably fascinating to me. The reasons we do it, the way we do it, the responses we get to it, etc. One day (before the giant Death Star hits), anthropologists will be looking back at our hard drives (or wherever we store this stuff) and scratching their heads over all of it. Sociologists will be studying the Blog World, and professors will be teaching courses on it. I’ll never quite understand the attraction it holds for so many of us, but I really do love it.
Adam said,
October 11, 2008 at 11:17 am
I don’t think I’ve ever read a post of yours and not felt perfectly comfortable in being able to decipher whether it was fact of fiction. It’s just not that hard to tell. You’re an excellent writer, and anyone with even a little sense of perspective should be able to follow along.
There are those, like your mysterious commenters, who have absolutely no sense of humor. Unfortunately, there’s nothing for it, even if you’re able to convince them it was meant in jest, they won’t think it’s funny and they won’t get it—because they suck.
Thanks, Adam. In their defense (and after thinking about this for a while), most of these commenters do leave their names and what appear to be real e-mail addresses, so they should get at least three Brownie points. But um…they still suck.
Willie G said,
October 11, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I think I’ll keep it brief. I like you, even if you are a liar..
Thanks, Willie, if indeed that is your real name.
kaylee2 said,
October 11, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I love you and these people are stupid. did i just say that? I know whats false and not!
Thanks, Kaylee. Yes, you did just say that.
Kendall said,
October 11, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Great post, MB, and as always the comments are a delight. I see in you a quality I recognize in myself: I can get 9287 positive comments (in person, on the blog, from students, etc.), and I just sort of smile and nod, appreciative but not really taking it in, and then I get ONE criticism from some drunken asshole friend of an ex-lover who thinks I did wrong, or who thinks all I’m writing is a bullshit, and it sticks with me forever. I sometimes miss out on ironic comments myself, being dense and earnest even in the best of times, but I always, always cheer when I get an announcement of a new post from Moonbeam McQueen, because I know it’s going to be like a conversation with a good friend who is funnier than I am, but who tolerates my company, even if I am too literal sometimes. I wish Johnny Depp would stalk me, even though I am a twenty-five-year-old muscular bulldagger truck driver from Georgia with a chain hanging off my waist and a pit bull (no lipstick) in my cab.
What a visual, Kendall! I thought you were actually a thirty-one year old muffin baker from Poughkeepsie.
Well, I guess we do share that personality trait. Give me A+’s in every subject, and I’ll fret and obsess about the A- for three months.
Like you, I’m often “dense and earnest” (wouldn’t that be a good name for a comedy duo?). But mean? I don’t think so, unless the menopause demons have invaded my soul, in which case I usually refrain from leaving comments anywhere, even on the little suggestion cards they have at restaurants.
I don’t “tolerate” your company– I thoroughly enjoy it!
kaylee2 said,
October 11, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I emailed you!
kaylee2 said,
October 11, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I hope I am not like that
am i?
kaylee2 said,
October 11, 2008 at 8:16 pm
BTW I love your writings. They touch my heart everytime
Thank you, Kaylee. I did get your e-mail, but I went to Nashville this weekend, and am behind on answering. I did reply to the second one though, so now it’s your turn!
romi41 said,
October 12, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Ahh..I know what you mean. I’ve been ripped on a few times by people feeling that I am not legit or that I am cold and insipid and insincere in my search for “love”, not taking into account that every one of my posts is also tagged under “humor” and “sarcasm”! So I just laugh it off and respond humourously as I do with all my other comments, ’cause the way I see it, I’m not going to let anyone else mess up the zen of my blog, and neither should you!
Oooh….”blog zen.” I love that. I promise to laugh this stuff off from now on. Ha ha! (Practicing)
thegirlfromtheghetto said,
October 12, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Oh, the lunatics out there in the blogospere. Two weeks ago I was basically getting death threats about Kate Gosselin. Yet I had even more hits based on searches like Kate Gosselin Bitch. People love to over-react on here. Its just crazy.
I believe all of my blog friends on here. Why wouldn’t I? I tell all my bullshit, and I do it just to be a good storyteller and make people laugh, or make them realize that life isn’t pretty and we all have our problems. I’m this open in real life, and I’d use my real name if only I wasn’t looking for a job or terrified of stalkers. Hell, my BFF in real life, The Big A always calls me out on my blog. If you read my post on my favorite E. Lansing Bands she told another blogger which guy I liked from the post, and his name and what instrument he played, even though I was trying to keep that on the down low since I’m married and my hubby teases me about stuff like that.
People who lie on here bother me , then again, look at “What’s His Face” who wrote “A Million Little Pieces” and he got called out on tv by Oprah. Karma will catch up with all liars, so screw em!
You’re a great storyteller, and I get a great feel for your personality from your blog. I don’t think you could lie if you were paid to do it. The anonymity thing is tricky, but I try to keep mine for some of the same reasons you do (although it’s becoming more and more difficult).
I can’t believe how worked up people get over the stupidest things: Kate Gosselin? I’ll take “Get a Life” for a thousand, Alex.
If I were a liar, I’d want to be a James Frey liar– the kind who makes a kazillion dollars before being found out.
gypsy-heart said,
October 12, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Good grief, but I am not surprised. There are all kinds of people out there. We do need to be somewhat cautious.
I love your sense of humor.
I’ve been told I am too symbolic and deep…could be that I am though. :O
I haven’t felt any of the blogs I visit lie. Once in a while I wonder about motives..or the drama when they tease about no longer posting ..then they start posting again..then announcing they are no longer posting again. Too much drama for me. Reminds me too much of my family. eh, eh, eh
Plenty of us get you!!
Oh, please….you are not “too symbolic and deep.” You’re just you, the fabulous gypsy-heart, and your blog is gorgeous and wonderful.
By the way, I’ve decided to stop posting. Oh wait– I changed my mind!
Red said,
October 12, 2008 at 11:41 pm
McQueenie (and I hope you dont mind me calling you McQueenie, cuz I always call you that .. and that’s even how you’re down in my phone
) but yeah, McQueenie .. I love ya no matter what they say .. what they think. I think of you as a 300 pound tree frog slash forklift driver. and I know you are .. I am as well .. we must stick together, and stand up proud !
Red, my forklift-driving tree frog friend, you can call me anything you want. I cannot wait until you hop on over here to Tennessee so we can meet!
thegirlfromtheghetto said,
October 13, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Thanks Moonbeam. I love to hear I’m a storyteller! So are you, of course!
Lucky said,
October 16, 2008 at 10:55 am
I don’t understand what people think you would gain from that BS.
I truly enjoy reading your blog…the fiction and non-fiction parts of it. Before I disappeared from the blog world, it was a favorite that I read EVERYDAY.
You know, sometimes I wish I could say I make up the stuff I have talked about on my blog…it would be easier to digest. hahahah
Clayton Moore said,
October 17, 2008 at 2:30 am
It’s all true. Jay never lied to me or to anyone, and had no reason to. Thanks, Moonbeam.
Wendy said,
October 17, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Well I loved this post and there were so many things that made me love it, I can’t go into them all. The Italian doubter was fantastic. Molto polite! What I find fascinating is why she read the post, and why haters read posts at all. Then I think of them out here in the world, walking and driving around among us, and I feel very unsettled. I’m sure she’s not nearly as polite when behind the wheel of a car.
I feel sorry for the person claiming to be Jay’s grandchild. I try and stay clear of humorless people who crash the party and inflict their grim proclamations on us. Uninvited and unwelcome, they feel the need to stick around just long enough to spread their poison, then vanish, never to be heard from again. But this case was a little different, because illiteracy is just plain sad. Though I admit I do envy Internet-active illiterates for their abililty to remain unfettered by spelling and grammar, and for their eagerness to dive into the deep end without hesitation and show everyone they stopped paying attention to the teacher somewhere around second grade. It’s a big F.U. to education, and that takes a thick skin, or a lobotomy, and my hat’s off to them in either case for letting their freak flag fly.
Yet my favorite part of this post was the mention of me. Those South American tree frogs are so beautiful. I even have tree frog stickers!
I can’t thank you enough. ♥
kaylee2 said,
October 20, 2008 at 4:43 pm
im getting that transplant
Peter Parkour said,
October 21, 2008 at 2:24 am
Great post, great points,
GREAT SCOTT!!! A POLE DANCER??? 
You can link me any time. 
thegirlfromtheghetto said,
October 22, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I miss you and hope you are doing well. I have a personal story you might like when you come back – read the search for the coach purse from today!
The Curious Case of Kaylee A. « Moonbeam McQueen said,
December 30, 2008 at 9:49 pm
[...] the message. At one point, I was feeling so crummy and conflicted about the whole thing that I wrote a diatribe about blog honesty (in large part inspired by her online antics), but obviously, she didn’t [...]