Ha ha–April Fools! No? Seriously?

Being that April is “Letter Writing Month” with NaBloPoMo, I thought I would start things off with a letter from the editor (that would be me):

Dear Reader,

I would like to take this opportunity to say “Thanks” to those of you who keep coming back here every day (all 3 of ya!), frequent commenters and lurkers alike. To the “Blog Friends” I’ve come to know over the past 5 months: I love love LOVE to read your posts and comments, and look forward to seeing what you all have to say on a daily basis. And because you bring so much joy to my life, I’d like to return the favor by hi-lighting some of your genius:

15 Minute Lunch: I lurk here. I specifically find myself returning to this odiferous post.

Veggiemacabre: The things that happen to this guy! Don’t believe me? Check this out. Or maybe this one. Still not convinced? Try this!

[redacted]: Again, I lurk. And I laugh. See why here.

Spambait: Mentioned already in a post the other day, but I wanted to point out specifically why Baron Destructo is my personal hero.

All that being said…

I recently started frequenting a blog authored by one of the Executive Producers of a popular TV show, a gem which has quickly become one of my new daily favorite reads. He recently came under attack by an outraged fan, chastising him (the show head), the other producers, and the network for some casting decisions made during one of the show’s past seasons. The fan expressed himself obnoxiously, which of course, garnered a quick-witted response from the blog author (not wholly undeserved). While the exchange was slightly uncomfortable, in the end the author made a valid final point: “Hey, here’s a novel notion you may want to consider. Perhaps your opinion is just one of many opinions, no better or worse, correct or incorrect.” (To which, of course, the obnoxious fan retorted with the proverbial “Oh don’t give me that crap!” But that’s neither here nor there.)

I, for one, echo the blogger’s thoughts exactly. What are we all doing here, after all? Expressing opinions, going through the paces of a little self-guided therapy session, putting to bed old demons by writing them out on paper, shedding light on some of life’s light-hearted moments. I don’t know about you, but that’s what I’m in it for! But for those who may not see it that way, or who may be confused at the point of this whole ‘blogging’ thing, or just in response to that obnoxious fan (should he ever make it to my teeny corner of the blogosphere and read this-doubtful), I thought I’d conclude with a vocabulary lesson, a “Word of the Day”, if I may.

OPINION: 1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty; 2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal. -Synonyms: notion, idea, impression, sentiment.

I don’t know about you, but I’m FULL of opinions (many of them silly and often baseless). If you don’t like mine, well, I can’t help you there. As for yours? Feel free to express them here. But do keep in mind that, being the Editor, I reserve the right to block you, delete you, or whatever the situation may require, should you turn into aforementioned Obnoxious Superfan Opinion guy.

Yours truly,
Essaytch
“Editor at Large”

The Right to Write

I spent the afternoon in a writing class. While it didn’t teach me how to write the next great American novel, (you know, the one we’re all perpetually writing in our minds), it did offer some writing exercises aimed at getting the creative juices flowing, so to speak. Although there were few of us present, including one woman who seemed to harbor some kind of animosity towards me, it was a productive day. The main thing I took with me was simply the challenge of writing something every day, a challenge which should be easily met considering it is National Blog Posting Month (yes, I am participant #5144). And because its NaBloPoMo, I can guarantee that much of what I write on a daily basis will likely end up right here, for all to read. I can’t promise it will all be witty, charming, fun…or even good. But, that’s part of the exercise, isn’t it? And with that, I present my first submission:

Myself in Third Person:

She sits in the plush purple chair, breathing in the familiar smell of coffee. She could read at home, but she’s spent the entire weekend on the couch already, watching television. Besides, she’s got to finish the book before the book club meets again on Tuesday. Her latte “for here” is her environmental good deed for the day, saving a cup from its inevitable contribution to a landfill somewhere.

She looks up as the door opens, ushering in a family who, by the looks of it, have just come from church. She cringes as they set up camp near her, pulling up an extra chair on which to prop the baby carrier. As long as they remain, she won’t get much reading done. With all the “Mommy” whines from the dolled up 5 year old, and the squawks from the infant, her mind will wander, distracted and annoyed until they pack up their mini-van and go.

“Why do people bring their kids to Starbucks, anyway?” she wonders. Then she recognizes the tired look in the mother’s eyes and the relieved expression cross the face of the father as he takes his first sip of coffee. “Aaaah,” she thinks. “This is their one moment of heaven, in liquid form, ushering back the days of their own single hood. They probably spent all day on a Sunday in Starbucks too, reading fiction and savoring coffee.” She does not envy them one bit.Already distracted, she glances over at the cute barista behind the counter, the one with the faux-hawk and tattoo, peaking out from under his wrist band. He was there last week too, and partly the reason she had ventured back to this particular Starbucks again.

“If I come here every Sunday, will he eventually recognize my face?” she wonders. “Will he memorize my drink, a Vanilla 1% Latte in a ‘for here’ mug? Will he notice my increasingly obscure choices of literature and ask me about them?”

Probably not…but for now, at least she could enjoy the view.