I've never been popular in my whole life. I think there must be something inside me that didn't get enough attention as a kid or something because I seem to find myself looking for it all the time. I think about some of the career paths I have walked down: I've been a musician, a pastor (who gets to get on a platform and talk to people ? getting attention ? even if I do have something selfless to say ? I like the feeling I get when I feel like people "get it" ? anybody else have this in common?), I've been a stand-up comedian (here, there's a real pressure to get people to like you because if they don't, they let you know fast). I even started "blogging" because a lot of great bloggers are out there and they seem to know how to type just the right things to get lots and lots of feedback. Heck, I figured I'd tried everything else, why not see if I get some feedback, too. And you know what I found out?
Blogging is frackin' hard! And what is the whole point of a blog? To get comments. Yes, it is! You know good and well that to write things because you have to simply "get them off your chest," you could write in a diary or a journal (by journal, I mean, the "book," not the "webjournal"). You could even type it on your computer and save it away in your "My Documents/Private Diary of 2 am Thoughts." Nobody would ever have to see it. But, you don't. Why? Because we have something inside us that wants people to give a crap! We don't want our thoughts to remain silent. Especially controversial thoughts. Why? Maybe because controversial thoughts gain ATTENTION! And with attention comes what? More feedback. And I am no different. Musician. Artist. Comedian. Pastor (Actually, I should use the word "Preacher" here instead of pastor.). And now, Blogger. The only difference is that nobody reads my blogs. Well, if they do, they rarely comment on them.
I got fired because I blogged. I wanted attention. I got attention all right. And you know what? I still blog! Why? Because I'm an idiot? No, because I figure somewhere out there, somebody might just care enough about what I'm saying that they'll comment back. Maybe even get a whole revolution of blogs going. Who knows? Maybe I could be one of those "Expert Bloggers" ? you know who you are, if you are even reading this - that draws conversations and big dialogues over at my blog because I'm just cool enough to get people's attention.Only I'm not cool enough.
And I've commented on other blogs. My, oh my, how I have commented and "prostituted" myself all over the blogosphere. Who cares, I guess. Some guys (and gals) are really popular. They can write, "I had an orange today," and they still receive thirty-five comments ("Hey, Me too!" - by JoeBlogg, among thirty-four others saying, "Hey, I love oranges!"). Nothing for me, though. Sadly, I actually make up my own comments and put fake names on them just so if by some chance somebody comes along and reads it, they'll think, "This guy must be cool. He must be popular. People are commenting on his." Sadly, I have done this before.
I'm a failed blogger. I could hang my head in shame and bow out gracefully. But, I will probably continue to post these random thoughts because somehow, it means something to me. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow, somebody will see it and the whole "Emerging Pilgrim Blog Revolution" begins. And if not, maybe I'll just take it on the road. Time once again to hit the Comedy Clubs. At least there if I don't get laughs, I'll get some food out of the deal.
Bryan Thompson is a humorist and living in Marianna, FL.
![]() Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:51:44 GMT Obama lavished with airtime -- and criticism - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - As the media moves to correct itself for glowing coverage of the Democrat, it's entering a period of shallow analysis. By ON THE MEDIA, JAMES RAINEY It seems like just about everybody has spent the last week beating up on the media for showering too ... Veterans group hits McCain on troop pullout 'Generation Gap' Widens in the 2008 Electorate Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:43:11 GMT Oklahoma determined to have a strong finish - Fort Worth Star Telegram
Fort Worth Star Telegram - By MIKE JONES "Our whole mentality now is WTLG [win the last game]," Harris said Wednesday. "Come out and finish. It’s national championship or bust. Sooner, the better Players put success on Stoops Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:03:29 GMT "X-Files" movie both satisfies and disappoints - Seattle Times Seattle Times - Mulder and Scully are together again in "X-Files: I Want to Believe." The story may be silly, but the agents' romance is compelling as ever. The X-Files: I Want to Believe AU Review Scully have I loved Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:01:06 GMT Dynamo top United at soggy RFK - MLS - Major League Soccer
MLS - Major League Soccer - By Charles Boehm / MLSnet.com Staff WASHINGTON -- After two aborted tries on previous dates, DCUnited and the Houston Dynamo finally completed the first of their two league meetings on Wednesday night -- and some of Thursday morning, ... Mullan, Ching power Dynamo over DC United 2-0 Dynamo outlasts United despite lengthy delay Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:07:00 GMT Pittsburgh Cancer Center Warns of Cell Phone Risks - ABC News
ABC News - By JENNIFER C. YATES and SETH BORENSTEIN AP Writers AP The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer. Red alert! The cellphone warning has been issued Pittsburgh cancer center warns of cell phone risks Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:01:03 GMT Bashir Visits Darfur, Pledges Sudan Will Protect Relief Workers - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Paul Tighe July 24 (Bloomberg) -- Sudan's President Umar al-Bashir, indicted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in the Darfur conflict, visited the region yesterday and pledged to provide security for international relief ... Bashir returns to Darfur How Sudan Was Brought to Court Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:39:29 GMT Powerful quake injures 92 in Japan - CNN
CNN - (CNN) -- A strong earthquake injured 92 people and destroyed 31 buildings in northern Japan on Thursday, authorities said. People at an auto dealership in Karumai, Japan, clean up glass shards after a strong earthquake Thursday. Japan's North Hit by Magnitude-6.8 Quake; 95 Injured (Update3) Powerful earthquake hits Japan, dozens injured Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:51:37 GMT Clickbank Data Feeds |
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