Okay, to fully understand where I’m coming from, I should start at the beginning. I started this blog with no great ambitions really. I had no idea where I was going with it or that I’d end up starting four more blogs, for Pete’s sake. Including this one, where I talk post about my life as a fiction author and market my books.
As you can see, I’ve learned a bit about blogging since then.
Now, one of the most interesting and significant posts I’ve written for this blog has turned out to be Top 10 Funniest Blogs of All Time!!!
This post has been the single most popular one, ever since I published it. With the possible exception of the one I did about “Weird Al” Yankovic, which got Freshly Pressed. But that was only for one day. Afterward, traffic dropped off faster than a body rock over a cliff’s edge.
Many things occurred, but let’s take them one at a time, okay?
1. I’ve learned about a lot of great blogs in the comments to what is probably my most popular post.
2. One of the most awesome blogs I learned about was The Bloggess. The Bloggess was so awesome and funny, I damn near died the first time I read it. Laughing, that is. Ha ha ha …
So, I kept reading it. I could tell that Jenny Lawson, aka, The Bloggess, was suffering, but using humor to mask the pain. I knew what that was like. Because of dystonia.
And when she invented the hashtag #furiouslyhappy, I thought Damn! I’m #furiouslyhappy every single damn day of my freaking life.
Well, The Bloggess impressed me so much that I wrote a Blog of Note post about her blog. A good one after doing a really lame one. Har har har … you’ll get this joke later … I promise …
3. I’ve gotten to know the fine people at World O’ Crap through my blogging. In fact, I’ve made mention of them on another blog in a post about Perry Mason. This led to yet another post, in which my fictional lawyer character made a late motion to introduce cheesecake photos of Della Street into evidence for Chris Vosburg’s birthday.
And I also wrote a Blog of Note post about World O’ Crap.
4. In response to something I happened to see on LinkedIn, I wrote a guest post that talked about what it was like to have dystonia. As you can see, I mentioned it on this blog almost reluctantly and for fear of seeming like a complainer or whiner. But it was the truth and a hard truth. And the host called it inspiring, so there you go. And here’s the guest post.
Okay, having said all that, here’s the thing. This whole month has been really weird. Maybe because it’s leap year? Who knows.
The month started off with me nearly dying/becoming a quadriplegic while attending an indie film seminar after which I reached the startling conclusion that I could actually be a film producer, if I wanted to. This led to a weird epiphany of sorts. Kinda.
Meanwhile, I’ve been preparing for a book launch by linking back constantly to this post. Hurray for the Internet! 
Plus I have all the other stuff I have to do. You know. Sh*t I did while I wasn’t here. Ha ha ha …
However, I’ve noticed something ever since this realization hit home.
I think my blogging has come up a step or two. Maybe. Because this blog’s subscribers have more than tripled over the past few months. For this, I feel incredibly grateful. #gratitude
And my page views recently reached more than 100,000. When I saw that, my jaw nearly dropped into my lap.
Moondoggie, clearly looking to hug someone
So … in celebration, I, Moondoggie and the fine folks at World O’ Crap (including the awesome Scott Clevenger and Mary Clevenger) would like to remind you to (if possible) please give to the Annti Evict-O-Thon (at least, I think that’s what that gesture means). Please read this post for details. And three cheers for the Internet and cutting and pasting. Again!
Plus, I noticed a couple of things while reading this post on The Bloggess.
From the post (and I quote): “Becoming a bloggess: Tenaciously taking a joke way too far for the sake of sheer ridiculousness. Might be considered dangerous. Approach with caution and a booze slushee.”
I read that and I realized, OMG! I’ve done this. With Gene Weingarten.
Ever since the mistake I made. Maybe. About the treasure hunt prize.
Then I wrote this, only to get a less than fully satisfactory answer.
So … does this mean I’m becoming a bloggess?
I also noticed this definition (and I quote): “Throwing a Simon Pegg: Being an excellent sport even when completely baffled, because there’s simply no reason not to do something random and silly to bring joy into the lives of others.”
And here’s a photo of Simon Pegg holding twine, which caused Jenny to call him “a damn saint.”
Simon Pegg's hand, holding twine
So … if I put up pictures of my dystonia-clenched hand holding twine, will that mean I’m throwing a Simon Pegg? Am I a damn saint?
My dystonia clenched hand, holding twine
I'm not giving you the finger. I just have dystonia. LOL!
PS: I’m sorry to kill anyone’s buzz with this, but all of this is horrible. Terrible sh*t happens and it makes me sad, but also makes me appreciate what I have.
PPS: It’s just come to my attention that Davy Jones has died. 
Rest in peace, Davy.
PPPS: This morning’s sunrise was spectacular. Isn’t it awesome to be alive?
Debbi, thanks for the kind words (and the plug for the Annti-thon!). I was surprisingly (well, it came as a surprise to me) saddened by the news about Davy Jones. Thanks for ruining my first cup of coffee, Twitter.
And the major remaining item on my bucket list is to become just famous enough that I could make the Bloggess furiously happy by sending her a self-portrait With Kitchen Utensil.
You’re welcome, Scott!
It was my pleasure to spread the word about the Annti-thon. Now that I have a few more subscribers, maybe the word will go a bit farther. Here’s hoping.
I know how you feel about being just famous enough. Too much fame would be bad. http://midlistlife.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/being-famous-sucks/
However, being just famous enough to make the Bloggess furiously happy would be awesome. Here’s my 15 minutes of fame: http://midlistlife.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/discovered-at-last/
And here’s my other 15 minutes of fame: http://youtu.be/hlTfFf8PEEk
[...] February was a short, but strange month. However, it ended on what I hoped would be an inspiring note. Maybe? Warning: this link includes graphic images of a tortured cat and a gnarly hand holding [...]
[...] This alone makes me extremely happy. Especially given my condition. [...]
[...] make this quick, because my hand is so gimpy sore from all the blogging and stuff I’ve done during the past week for my book launch (for [...]
[...] … even though I’m constantly tortured and it’s making me slightly nuts, I can pretend to Mrs. Peel and explain everything. Because [...]
[...] Perhaps if I chew enough gum, it’ll relax me enough so my dystonia won’t be so bad. Wouldn’t that be awesome? #silverlining #gum #dystonia Maybe this will [...]
[...] you, Lawrence, for doing all that typing. Really! [...]
[...] out for gimps amputees with one hand! I can certainly relate. George Ruhe for The New York [...]
[...] So, Gene, if you’re reading this really crazy post, I hope you’ll consider it an olive branch extended in friendship, albeit with slightly gimpy hand. [...]
[...] this to the woman, who probably thought I was just having a great time. Nor could I explain that I was a secret gimp and suffering, too. Or that pretty is a [...]
[...] happy fool, who laughed at herself when she tried to tear open a packet of sugar at Starbucks with one hand that’s barely functional and half the sugar spilled on the table. Instead of getting mad or frustrated, I thought, “I [...]
[...] tough to reveal your vulnerabilities, but I posted these photos to try to meet Jenny Lawson’s definition of a bloggess. Exhibit 1: Dystonia hand holding twine. Exhibit 2: I'm not giving you the finger. That's [...]
[...] a living, maybe? Only to have the rug cut out from under her by 1) having a stroke; 2) developing dystonia; and losing her [...]
[...] happy to type when I don’t need to, I do the nightly teaser quizzes (sp?) on his blog. When I can get my fingers to move. Ha ha ha [...]
[...] going no matter what, because I can drive. Dystonia be damned! [...]
[...] was late, I was tired and my hand was torturing me as usual, so rather than argue discuss the details (like the fact that the whole point of a proof copy is to [...]
[...] So, Joanna, in my completely uninformed opinion, and with no authority to make this call, I say you’re a bloggess. [...]
[...] Please watch it. You’ll understand why I’m so happy I’m not dead and that I can walk and travel anywhere and drive a car at all, even if I can’t always park it perfectly. And why it brings (happy) tears to my eyes that I’m able to write stories and sell them for a living, and even manage to maintain five (count ‘em five) blogs. [...]
[...] still doing the same thing. Constantly reinventing myself and pushing the boundaries of my slightly gimpy abilities. Josh Hanes for The NY [...]
[...] given my physical limitations, I could quit, anytime. But then I’d be admitting defeat. At which point, I may as well be [...]
[...] tried to explain this. Over and over. This will save my gimpy ass the [...]
[...] when I found out there would be cameras and that I couldn’t hide my horrible twisty hand behind a podium, this is what I [...]
[...] I beg the court’s indulgence for the belated nature of this motion. My client has nothing but lame excuses to offer, and babbles on blogs like a fool about her epiphanies. But she’s trying her best to [...]
[...] … as I started to pick through dusty crap with my one good hand (with the other twisting and clenching non-stop, as usual), my husband told me we’d just missed a phone call from my sister. And I said I was just [...]
[...] my fingers are about to fall off sore, so here’s some stuff I found on the [...]
[...] this man a hug. I want to tell him to let it go. Let go of the anger. I live in secret Guantanamo. My body is a torture chamber and death is my only escape, but I don’t want to die. So I choose to be a happy fool, rather [...]
[...] She went a bit overboard at the end, but I can relate, as a fellow member of the bar and butt of the cosmic jokes. [...]
[...] no! I feel compelled to write something, because I’m retarded an idiot a writer. Even though my fingers on my left hand can barely move and torture me constantly, due to a movement disorder tha…, I write like a damn fool. [...]
[...] but no! I feel compelled to write something, because I’m retarded an idiot a writer. Even though my fingers on my left hand can barely move and torture me constantly, due to a movement disorder tha…, I write like a damn fool. [...]
[...] but no! I feel compelled to write something, because I’m retarded an idiot a writer. Even though my fingers on my left hand can barely move and torture me constantly, due to a movement disorder tha…, I write like a damn fool. [...]
[...] stunned that this blog is nominated for anything is putting it mildly. To understand why, please click here, because I’m way too gimpy to write it all out again. Ha ha ha [...]
[...] stunned that this blog is nominated for anything is putting it mildly. To understand why, please click here, because I’m way too gimpy to write it all out again. Ha ha ha [...]
[...] … as I lay in bed this morning dreading the prospect of another day with dystonia, I thought of Barry Eisler throwing the drapes aside and saying, Wake [...]
You’re an inspiration to others with Dystonia. Even with all the pain in your hand, you still manage to blog! Im going to read more of your blog. Great work! I too have Dystonia, cervical Dystonia. I have a blog http://www.dystoniadiaries.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for leaving your comment, Donna!
I’ll mention your blog here and include it on my blogroll.
Hang in there! Stay strong!
*hugs*
[...] I really have a grip on that guidebook. Well, actually, it’s my dystonia. Ha ha ha [...]
[...] Then, I had to eat dinner, which meant stuffing a sub sandwich down my throat, as fast as possible, because I had a writers group meeting and I had to take a shower, which takes forever when you have one gimpy hand. [...]
[...] Then, I had to eat dinner, which meant stuffing a sub sandwich down my throat, as fast as possible, because I had a writers group meeting and I had to take a shower, which takes forever when you have one gimpy hand. [...]
[...] Then, I had to eat dinner, which meant stuffing a sub sandwich down my throat, as fast as possible, because I had a writers group meeting and I had to take a shower, which takes forever when you have one gimpy hand. [...]
[...] UPDATE: I see you’re also getting your head in a more “Zen” place, Vin Zandri! Awesome. Thanks for inspiring this post! [...]
[...] it so far. Now, do you understand? Ha ha ha [...]
[...] it so far. Now, do you understand? Ha ha ha [...]
[...] it so far. Now, do you understand? Ha ha ha [...]
[...] it hit me. Was I actually becoming a bloggess? Had I tenaciously been taking a joke way too far for the sake of sheer [...]
[...] happy fool, who laughed at herself when she tried to tear open a packet of sugar at Starbucks with one hand that’s barely functional and half the sugar spilled on the table. Instead of getting mad or frustrated, I thought, “I look [...]
[...] was laughing so hard, I nearly forgot I was being tortured constantly by my own brain. Like this:LikeBe the first to like [...]
[...] since I started it with this post only six freaking years ago. My time flies while you’re being tortured having [...]
[...] So, Gene, if you’re reading this really crazy post, I hope you’ll consider it an olive branch extended in friendship, albeit with slightly gimpy hand. [...]
[...] of all, because of my condition, which I’ve compared to being endlessly tortured in this post, it’s difficult to write novels, let alone five blogs or anything [...]
[...] order to live in a body that’s a torture chamber, you have to choose to be happy or go [...]
[...] Damn it! I’m so tortured happy, I forgot to ask for your vote. [...]
[...] PS: I’m going to review this book as soon as I can get my shit together, because I really loved it! It was so funny and inspiring that I nearly forgot I was being tortured constantly. [...]
[...] like to think that Nancy Kappes brought Jenny and me together, to remind her that I’ll never enjoy the golden days she does. I’ve blogged this twice, [...]
[...] I a shit-eating fool or is this an Internet miracle or [...]
[...] This made me laugh so hard, I nearly forgot I was being constantly tortured. [...]
[...] am just a human being trapped in a body that tortures me constantly, and yet I’m able to be a happy fool. But I don’t need two blogs to do the work of one. [...]
[...] photo and think of the choices I’ve made. I choose to be happy, no matter what, even though I’m tortured constantly, and I must deal with that for as long as I live. And I want to live. But not off of my [...]
[...] I think about where I was here, I simply can’t believe how far I’ve come down the road to finding [...]