NaBloPoMo ’14 – Jenn Satterwhite

On blogging and Facebook

2014-11-03 Jenn Comments 11 comments

Today was one of those days that kicked my ass. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. It brought me to a place where I thought “I want to blog about this.” But then I thought, “No, I shouldn’t. I may upset so and so.” Or “My blog has been down and I doubt anyone reads it amymore.” Or “Why do I even blog anymore. Do I still love it? Does anyone?” So I took the question to Facebook.

Oh, there was a time I never would have done that. It would be blog first always then maybe a link on Facebook but that would be a second thought. Today it was my first that and the blog didn’t come to me until after I read over 90+ responses to my question: “Does ANYONE blog *just* for the love of blogging anymore? Not worrying about stats, SEO, reviews, readership numbers, ads? Would you blog simply for the love of blogging? Or is that a relic of the past? Is that kind of blogging dead? It’s a genuine question. I want to hear your thoughts.”

I loved the variety of answers. Some blog for the love of it only. Some for money and passion. Some for work. Some only when they think about it. Some have quit. Every one that answered had a different reason for blogging. And I loved that. I really wanted to know if anyone still loved it because after more than 11 years (and many bumps, bruises, blood, sweat and tears), I wasn’t sure if I still did.

During the day (after I posted that) I noticed that I had 2 comments I had previously left on 2 pages were deleted. Maybe coincidence. And? Only one comment got me wrapped around the axle. It made me wonder…with the instantaneous ability to comment, question or debate someone on Facebook, are people more likely to question something you write there than to come to your house (BLOG) and do it there. Say for instance if I asked that question here, first of all, I know I wouldn’t get over 90 people responding. Secondly, would people be likely to expound on their thoughts? Dig deeper than on Facebook? Maybe start a dialogue? I don’t know. It just made me wonder if people act/react differently in a community like Facebook than they would in you home like a blog.

Do you respond differently on Facebook than on a blog? I’ll be honest. There are times I do. It’s an easy knee jerk reaction when you see something scroll by to immediately respond. Good or bad. I’m open to both. I just want the dialogue. I have LOVED the conversation my question started. Absolutely loved it. Whether your answer was “Nah, don’t have time with all my work SEO etc to have the love” or “I love it so when I feel it, I write” or even “I hate this question. It makes me uncomfortable.” I love that it make you think. Or at least react. Thanks.

On looking back on the past

2014-11-02 Jenn Comments 4 comments

A few days ago an old friend posted a picture of some young band geeks. It was me and my high school friends. It was an amazing time to take a trip down memory lane. We laughed over hairstyles. Mocked the notes on the chalkboard. Checked in on where everyone was these days. Teased about how we’ve aged but not really but totally. It was exactly what I needed. It was from my favorite year in high school. Oh, the laughs we had that year. My “soul mate” friend, Harvey (*he knows who he is) was as always by my side. We were all so young, so happy, so innocent as to what life would bring our way.

I’ve always said I’d never, ever go back to high school again. But after seeing that picture and looking at each and every face, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would go back… for a while. I could share a story with you about every person in that picture. Some would be bittersweet. Some would have you rolling in laughter. And, yes, some would have you rolling your eyes calling us geeks. And I’d love each and every story.

Sometimes you don’t realize the best stories of your life are happening while they’re happening. It’s only after they are long gone and you look back and smile that you realize, “Wow, we sure did have one hell of a good time, didn’t we?”

On going to bed and other misunderstandings

2014-11-01 Jenn

After being married to the same person for almost 25 years, you learn where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Areas where you are strong and also where you are incompatible. I have to confess something to you. There is an area of incompatibility that Clint and I have suffered through for years. Come here so I can whisper it to you. Shhhh…it’s in the bedroom. Oh, whatever! Had you going there, didn’t I you gutter-minded people! Not like “in the bedroom”, but in the room in which the bed happens to be.

You see, it all begins with 4 little words: “I’m going to bed.” Oh, sure, on the surface they seem innocent enough, but in truth, they are words that can strain even the best of marriages. You see, to him “I’m going to bed” means, I am going to go get in bed, turn out the light and go to sleep. I KNOW. Totally weird! I don’t get it either.

For me “I’m going to bed” means: I am going to: go check email one last time; check on the kids; get a drink; make sure everything is turned off, locked or put away; grab a book–maybe a DVD depending on how tired I am; grab my notebook; brush my teeth etc; make sure I set my alarm; crawl in bed and then…well, I read, watch a DVD, type on the laptop or want to talk. Honest it is most often the talking. Love the talking. Such a weakness, I get that.

Can you see the incompatibility here? (Yes, I know. HE does make things difficult!)

Here are just a few things that I have found that my beloved does NOT find amusing when we accidentally hit the bedroom at the same time.

1) Poking him after he has turned off his light because I am cracking up and then insisting he read the warning label on the bottle of sleeping pills that says May Cause Drowsiness because that is just too funny. He really doesn’t want to read it and probably doesn’t think it is funny. Also, the giggling about it for a minute or so will not change his mind on this.

2) Watching anything on my tablet that will make me laugh is forbidden because–if you know me, you know this– I do not have the little demure “how cute” laugh. If something is funny, I laugh all out, balls to the wall and have even been known to snort a time or two. Even if I retell the scene that I am laughing about, he still does not find it funny. (Oh, and shoving the tablet into his face does not help the situation. In fact, it usually gets the tablet taken away. I’m just sayin’.)

3) Just because he is quiet, that certainly does not mean he is opening the door for me to explain my ENTIRE day in excruciating detail right up to the moment he joined me in the bedroom. To him, quiet means going to sleep. Like I knew that?! Quiet means: “Okay, now YOU talk.” Duh!

4) Nights when I am in a silly, babble-assing mood, I really, really, reeeeaaally need to learn to dial down the crazy. He is not impressed by “Omigod! You are totally not going to believe this, but…” followed closely by “Today, in People magazine I read…” That will get me the glare of death or the “punch the pillow in exasperation” thing. Both…not so good.

5) I really should only listen to calm, soothing music on my playlist when I am trying to fall asleep because he REALLY does not not not like to be awakened to the screeches of me singing KISS’s Rock and Roll All Nite. I mean, he REALLY does not like that. At all. Not one bit. I’m just sayin’. Oh, and even if there is no singing involved, head banging, hip tapping, and bed dancing are also unacceptable. And singing Cheap Trick’s I Want You To Want Me is NOT foreplay. Who knew?

6) Finally, when he suggests that perhaps I go to bed a good hour earlier than he does, that does not necessarily mean that he is worried that I am not getting a good night’s sleep. Oh, no sir, it does not. It actually means that he is hoping against all odds that all of the insanity that occurs after I utter the words “I’m going to bed” will have died down and I just might actually be asleep or nearly there by the time he gets into bed. Silly, silly man. Does he not know that as soon as I hear him come in, I am more than ready to talk or sing or poke at him.

I mean, that is what marriage is all about, right?

Oh this is just perfect….he just now this very second gave me:

7) I really should NOT read my blog entry to him when he comes in, gets into bed and turns out his light. He won’t think it is funny. Won’t laugh. And REALLY will not appreciate the genius that is late night writing. In fact, as I type I am getting the glare AND the pillow hit. Awwww, I just love this man. But really, I am totally about to lose my laptop if I don’t go. Now.

Besides, I have all the seasons of Gillmore Girls to rewatch on Netflix. Which will violate #2, but I like to live on the edge. Might even fire up the old Spotify just for fun! (Yes, it actually IS okay to feel sorry for him. Just don’t tell me about it.)