Here’s the thing about my blog. I really only started it because I always have these wacky things running through my head and I thought perhaps a smattering of friends and family, my future self, and maybe 3-12 random strangers out there might enjoy reading them.
Then yesterday happened, and I got Fresh Pressed. All of a sudden I was thrust into the public spotlight without any warning and it was surreal. And, OK – a few thousand hits in one day isn’t really big potatoes compared to some much better and more famous blogs, but I’ve only been doing this for maybe a month, and compared to the 10 average hits per day I’d been getting up until then, it was like living a dream. No, more like living IN a dream. Kind of like living in a bad dream actually. I even had a dream last night about my teeth falling out. Weird.
The whole day I felt really torn. I think I expressed this feeling pretty well already in a comment, which is that, on the one hand I was like “YAY! I’ve been picked out of obscurity and deemed worthy of judgement by strangers!” and on the other hand was like “Oh my god holy crap what if one of my coworkers stumbles across this blog and I get fired,” and also a little bit of “Um…I’m glad so many people are concerned for my happiness, but I’m confused why so many people think this is serious and don’t understand I’m being sarcastic.” It was equal parts those three sentiments. And a smattering of “They like me? They really like me? But I’m not wooooorttthhhyyyyyyyyy.”
I guess it was hartening and sweet that some strangers cared enough about my happiness to suggest remedies for my misery, and that others thought I was funny. But then all of a sudden there were strangers judging me (yay?) and it was really really weird. I tried to keep an upbeat outlook on the whole experience but I don’t know. Although, I’ve come across this sentiment before, so I know I’m not alone. And that helps.
The best part about it all? Last Friday I went out for Mongolian BBQ and THIS was in my Fortune Cookie. Weird huh?
Before and After getting Fresh Pressed Yesterday
So given how I felt about yesterday, I’m not sure whether I’m excited at the thought of prospering in the field of entertainment, or whether I’m terrified at that thought. But thank god I still have a few years to come to terms with destiny. Which is good, because yesterday was probably the least productive day I’ve had in years.
- Girl Normal
marinasleeps
July 29, 2010
So like does WordPress through names in a bag and pick out the lucky ones for Fresh Pressed? Girl Normal, I would have to things are looking up for you. So if you take your act on the road (Marina requested it first here!) : Come to El Paso TX!
Then we can be like Hey! then like Nayyyyy!
girl normal
July 29, 2010
I have no idea what I did. I’ve been blogging for like, 2 weeks or something. It rather took me by suprise. But anyway, here’s some “Official” lingo about it, in case that helps:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/five-ways-to-get-featured-on-freshly-pressed/
marinasleeps
July 29, 2010
Sorry for the mis spellings … I am at work earlier then usual and the receptionist is not here to make the coffee!
girl normal
July 29, 2010
No worries. I know you know I’m not a morning person.
mamamayhave
July 29, 2010
The dream about your teeth falling out is a classic stress dream, I have it all the time. It doesn’t sound as bad as it is. I hate that dream, because it seems so real! I wake up checking to make sure my teeth are still there!!
BernieLuvsEllen
July 29, 2010
Well, your style of writing is soooo captivating! That is why you are destined for greatness. Okay, well like you said in a few years. Go you! I love your attitude on Life and Girl Normal, brava!
perpetuallypeeved
July 29, 2010
I couldn’t imagine. As much as I’d like to be Freshly Pressed, I feel a lot of pressure already. I run into people and they are like, “oh, your blog was so funny yesterday” or they know things about me that I forgot I was sharing publicly. It weirds me out. And, then I have to think… wait, did I write about them?
sarahnsh
July 29, 2010
I generally don’t get comments on my blog and don’t get too many hits so I just write because I want to write and don’t care what it says. I’ve had the teeth falling out dream, so don’t freak out. I believe that it isn’t a dream so much that when I wake up I run to the bathroom and check in the mirror to see if I have all my teeth.
It’s amazing what kind of stuff you can share on a blog. Me personally I’d like to stay anonymous, so I make sure not to have info after my state, my city, my email address, ect. floating around. My co-workers are pretty tech savvy, they live on facebook.
Marc Kemp (aka Albert Farnsworth III)
July 29, 2010
I’ve never had the teeth falling out dream. I’m thinking, “what are teeth for?” They’re to chew something worthwhile, something meaningful. Adults need teeth where babies do not. Sometimes senior adults lose their teeth b/c they didn’t take care of them. I’m thinking symbolic. The person that wrote stress could be right. Maybe you’ll be stressed out b/c of your new fame about what you should write about b/c you don’t just want to write about anything meaningless or unworthy of an audience because a. you like feeling the attention whether you want to admit or not and b. you base your worth in other people’s attention. I’m thinking deeper. I’m thinking that you shouldn’t worry about it b/c you are worthwhile. If you write about walking to the bookstore, running into an old acquaintance that you didn’t really connect with and don’t feel like trying it again with, then that’s worthwhile to a friend. Don’t worry about whether or not you’ll attain wealth. If it happens it will happen b/c you click with people not b/c you’re trying to force it. Maybe I’m all wet, but don’t let it get to you or be overly concerned about substance. We’ll like you b/c you are worthy of our attention. You are different and that’s very valuable!
girl normal
July 29, 2010
Actually, I have the teeth-falling-out dream all the time. I think it’s because I tend to be high strung. And because I had some particularly traumatic/humiliating experiences growing up regarding my teeth. (New Post Idea!)
But regardless, some interesting insight and interpretation to the teeth-falling-out dream in general. Thanks for sharing!
girl normal
July 29, 2010
And also, I actually AM a raging narcissist. I mean…deep down, why else would I start a blog and put lots of pictures of myself on it?
So…yeah.
fightoffthelethargy
July 29, 2010
Your posts are priceless and that’s saying a lot considering how desensitized (I don’t think this is quite the right word, but I’m gonna go with it) I can be to certain things. You should totally post your traumatic teeth story.
Warm regards,
Ellen
girl normal
July 29, 2010
It’s less of a “story” and more of an entire phase of my life. But yeah, worth writing about for sure.
Thanks for the kind words.
teapotchronicles
July 29, 2010
Love it. And thanks for posting about how to increase the odds of freshly pressed… I guess I just haven’t cared enough. And? I swear. A lot. So I suppose I’ll just celebrate your success
. Btw, your self portraits are pretty much priceless.
Conflicted Mean Girl
July 29, 2010
Freshly Pressed and catapulted out of anonymity – a narcissists dream! Congratulations.
I’ve actually heard that teeth falling out dream is a sign of a fear of people finding out your secrets… you know or maybe you’re overdue for a cleaning…
Love the fortune cookie though. The day before we found out I was pregnant my husband got a fortune cookie that said “Soon a visitor shall delight you” – she’s not so much a visitor as she is the 5 month old snot-dripper inhabiting our former junk room but she does delight us. We still have the fortune hanging on our fridge and we like to think it was about her…
See how I made this about me? A true narcissist…
girl normal
July 30, 2010
Hee hee. =)
Rama
July 29, 2010
Who is not narcissist?
Laura Pearlman
July 30, 2010
My biggest blog-related fear is that people won’t realize I’m kidding. I really liked your post yesterday, and I’m sorry a few people misinterpreted it.
girl normal
July 30, 2010
Thanks! At first I was like “Oh no! I’ve got haters!” and then I was like “maybe I really am just a miserable cow.” And finally I was like “Wait. These people don’t know me! I’ll make fun of their comments.” I don’t know if that was the wisest course of action, but I like to not take myself too seriously.
I noticed you have a lovely disclaimer right in your tag line on your blog. That is probably a great idea. Assuming people read it…
teapotchronicles
July 30, 2010
Hehe. These pictures crack me up every time I look at them
lookingforsomethingtofind
July 31, 2010
After reading this, I feel lucky I haven’t been freshly pressed, as my writing is full of errors, and anything over a year old sounds really whiny. Which might also be why I haven’t be featured.
Sank
August 12, 2010
I can relate. My post yesterday where I wrote “kids are safer in a Gay bar than in many church basements..” was picked up by on online news paper and published across Minnesota.
Where do I go from there? hahah
girl normal
August 12, 2010
Whoah! That’s crazy. Good luck (you’ll need it). I hope they got your permission first
Des
August 17, 2010
Your blog is hilarious. It reminds me somewhat of mine.
I love the random ideas and thoughts.
Des
August 17, 2010
http://adayinthelifeofdes.blogspot.com/