>Why are You Reading This?
>”So what do you do now?”
It was the inevitable holiday cocktail party question, asked by anyone who still remembered my TV reporting days. Thank God this year, I had an answer that involved more than changing diapers and knowing all the words to “Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy.”
“Well, I write a column for the Scene,” I said. “And I write a blog. Two blogs, actually.”
“A blog?” the man asked. “A blog about what?”
“About my life. About raising four kids and uh, you know, whatever else comes up.”
He looked confused. “And why would I want to read about that?”
I paused. “What?”
“You write about your life,” he said, smiling and shaking his head. “Why would I want to read about that? I don’t get it.”
“I don’t know,” I said after a moment. “I guess you wouldn’t.”
“Well, what exactly makes it into your blog?” he wanted to know. “Like what kinds of stories?”
“It just depends on what happens. Anything that’s funny or interesting.”
“Will you write about this party?” his wife asked. “Will you write about it tomorrow?”
“You know?” I said. “I think I will.”
>He looked confused. “And why would I want to read about that?”Sheesh. I’ve never gotten any comments like that about having a blog and mine gets maybe 1% of the readers you get. He isn’t your main demographic, although you do have some men who read here though! I know you do!
>I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE reading your blog(s) daily. In fact, that is one of the first things I do when I have a spare moment!! I read your blog because you are hilarious, real things happen to you (that are sometimes funny, too), and you are a great mom!! See what he is missing!!
>Crack me up! I’d say 95% of the folks whom I tell about my blog don’t get it. That’s okay, I don’t get them either.
>I didn’t get the whole blogging thing for quite awhile, either. This is what I’ve learned: some people blog and it’s interesting, some people blog and it’s not. You’re interesting to read about. I may not be so interesting. But I don’t really care that much anymore about not being interesting 🙂
>I get this all the time. This post is hilarious.
>Why WOULDN’T you want to read about that?What a dork.
>Why do I read your blog? Because I also am a mom in a blended family and we have a teenager, a preschooler, and a baby. I love your stories – they make me laugh and make me feel that I’m not alone. (I am also a devoted fan of your Blender column.)That question is kind of like asking why you would want to talk to anyone, especially someone with whom you have lots in common and who makes you laugh.
>You should have given him your blog address and told him that he could check it out for himself.
>Of the social groups I run in, only one is blogger-free (except for me). That’s the only time anyone has ever said something like that about blogging to me. Everyone else just gets it.
>Love this… probably because it’s just so true. What people don’t get about blogging is that it’s like any other form of writing. What makes it entertaining isn’t necessarily the topic (although it CAN be), but the WRITER. YOU are entertaining whether writing about breastfeeding, random exchanges at a party, or parents misbehaving at a soccer game. I don’t come here for the TOPICS, I come here to read great writing!
>That’s funny… my husband subtitles my blog “My dull and boring life.” He wonders why people read mine! (Nice, huh?) Did you tell him yours is an award-winning blog? where you write about the jackasses you encounter on a regular basis?
>We’ve got to come up with an answer to this insane question– I’m always like, “I write about when I told my oldest about sex, and the game the boys play about farting, and all the stitches everyone gets,” and by then people are usually backing away.Anne GlamoreTales From My Tiny Kingdom
>Is he for real? If you enjoy reading books or magazines or newpapers, why can’t someone enjoy reading a blog? Sheesh, men sometimes!
>Too funny. I have tried many a time to translate ‘blog’ to my British family – no luck.CheersThis is my calling card or link”Whittereronautism”until blogger comments get themselves sorted out.
>Why do I read you? Humor…nice to know someone else is dealing with the same things…and who needs soaps when I can read blogs? 😉
>Eep, this is turning into me asking for approval. Thank you! But please know that wasn’t my intent when I wrote the title. 🙂
>Boy, that sounds like the kind of conversations I have, too.I hope you just smiled sweetly. You’re obviously doing very well with yours!
>What an ass. I feel bad for his wife, who is probably treated to the same “your life is dull and unimportant” attitude.
>Hee-hee! We bloggers like to talk about how RUDE some idiots are. That’s always fun!
>Same old, same old – patting women writers on the head…I guess some people feel the same about novels, movies, etc.Their loss.
>Soooo, about that party…nothing really happened there, huh?
>HiLARious!! I will be chuckling all evening. Thank you!!
>Ask him if he likes Gene Shepherd or Garrison Keillor. Or, heck, Mark Twain.’Cause you’re doing what they did. Telling us about our lives, only funnier! And sadder. And just more. You and Anne Glamore. And Chris. And Moreena….
>I agree with Lisa Milton and Liz. Men have been patting my sorry head for years because I’m a comedian. If they patted lower, I’d be less annoyed with their condescension.And yes, we are all the Mark Twains of our various generations. I was at the video store checking out a movie and I mentioned my blog for some reason. (constantly cruising men) A REALLY hot guy about 40 was on one side of me and a 19 year old was on the other side. At the same time they both said, “What’s a blog?” I should have replied, “What I do instead of have sex.”
>Ugh, how RUDE? I also LOVE reading your blog. I agree,some people just don’t get it, or care I guess. That’s why I blog in secret… that and it makes it easier to get way with talkin’ smack about everyone I know. Keep writing, sweetie. In my world, you’re a superstar!
>If you think it’s hard explaining that you write a blog….you should try explaining to people why you would ever read a blog…I say because I am a voracious reader, you are a great writer and it’s damn entertaining!!!!
>Because it’s a way of connecting and relating and it’s hilarious!
>I’m glad I don’t have to answer such questions about my blog. I just do what I do, and the lack of readers speaks for itself 😉
>Well now that was rude… or am I just being a bitch?People enjoy reading about your life, and writing about their own lives. It’s interesting to look outside yourself. He’s a jerk. Sorry. I’m cranky!
>Imagine what it would be like to answer that question WITHOUT a blog. Ha…I did that for about 7 years. Not the most uplifting moments in my life.
>Oh, I wish you could’ve taken a quick pic of his face with your cell phone when he started his bs!I can just imagine the look…that, What-a-silly-woman!look.Hope he finds his way here!Marianne at Writer-Mommy
>What an awkward question. Clearly, he doesn’t know about blogs. Or that parenthood can be funny.surcie.typepad.com
>I think I’ve been at a cocktail party with that guy. I’m so sorry.
>My husband likes to say he can kill a cocktail party in two minutes just by talking about his job.He likes his job, and it is an interesting job, but people who don’t work in his industry just don’t understand what he does. When they insist that he explain it to them, most people’s eyes start to glaze over like they were sitting in 7th grade algebra.Just wanted you to know that it isn’t just bloggers who get weird reactions at parties!Meanwhile, I just tell people I’m retired and watch their confused expressions (since I’m under 40).
>Some people are such pricks!(I found this through the link on Britney’s site.)
>I’ve had comments like that before. I once told a really co-worker that my blog was about her. And she was all like, “Really?!!?” and I said, “Well, today it is.”