Thursday, February 2, 2012

That's What I Wanted

Over the past two weeks, I've been spotlighting the first blogs I ever read way back when I discovered blogging in 2008. I didn't start a blog until two years later, in 2010, but there were a handful of blogs I read in the beginning. In my first post in this series, I mentioned I never commented on the blogs I visited then because I thought you had to have a blog to comment. Shocker, huh?

What that means is that for two or so years, I followed blogs without posting any remarks and wishing I had a community of people around me to talk to; at 3 a.m. or 11 at night, like they had. What a great feeling of belonging that must bring, to have people around you, all different kinds of people, to be in your life and part of your life. I wanted that community. Instead, I'd watch with my nose pressed up against the window, wishing I could be part of all the fun and friendships I'd see.

A blogger that I followed silently, and I say followed silently not lurking because since I didn't know you could comment it can't be called lurking if you have no idea you're doing it, was Ann Imig of Annsrants.

I followed her home from a comment ( a VERY clever, smart ass-y one) at another blogger's place (that blogger will be spotlighted also).

After reading Ann for awhile, she-- knowing nothing about me since, again, the no commenting rule that I thought existed that didn't exist -- celebrated her first year of blogging, a blogging anniversary. A blogoversary, she called it. It was the first time I heard that word and I thought she came up with it herself. So dang creative.

This post on her one year from 2009 still makes me laugh. Aside from how very funny and representative of Ann's delicious humor this is, the best part of this anniversary post were the comments. I read all the bloggers commenting on her site that day in celebration of knowing her; all the love, the high fives, the (((( )))) which I didn't know WHAT THE HECK that was *I thought it was bewbs*. But, still, I could decode enough to figure out virtual hugs and sincere happiness that Ann was a blogger.

I scrolled through all the comments on her first *blogoversary* post (Ann, I thought this was your word and you were so wondrous to think of it), and I wanted that. What she had: people to share my life with. People that I would be happy to know, and that would be just as happy to know me.

Ann Imig kept me in her cozy, sweet internet world, even when she had no idea she was doing that.

I enjoyed her so-good-she-should-be-in-a-magazine humor, her sharp, quick essays, *my favorite of her posts: the middle school columnist series*. She had me smirking with her total deep shenanigan nonsense on occasion. Her skillful writing on current issues made me think about my position on things political. Ann was that someone to sit and share my morning coffee with over a lonely winter.

I finally grew tired of being too scared to start a blog, so in 2010, I began blogging. Which meant I could comment on blogs now! (shuttup)-- naturally, I began commenting at Annsrants. She had no idea I had been reading her for over a year when I did show up. 

And you know what? Even though I was a year late to the party, Ann Imig and the kind of people that follow Ann Imig, made me feel like I had been there since the beginning.

Thank you, Ann, for giving so much to so many.

As the creator of the inspiring National Listen To Your Mother Shows, you have helped us find our voices; you gave me my voice to tell my story on May 8, 2011, at the LTYM show in Madison -- a day that felt like I was in someone else's life. You've kept us warm with laughter from some of the best tweets in the twitterverse, undoubtedly why you were voted #1 funniest twitter mom by babble.com. It's happily sad that I smile on the nights when I am so beat I fall asleep with my clothes on and think just like Ann said on twitter, "Yesterday's clothes are the new pajamas."

Ann Imig: the world is a better place because you are in it. And I say that with grateful tears in my eyes.

Ann Imig: stay at home humorist and 'Sconnie Jewess

Thank you.
__________________________________________________

**This blogger was one of the handful so implicit in my making it through the winters and the seasonal depression they bring, before I began my own blog in 2010 and became a part of this incredible online community. During this month, I'll be highlighting the bloggers I call "The Great Depression Slayers of 2010." To the crucial ones I clung to before I began blogging, the ones that pulled me through, I thank you.

35 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for this series. I adore finding new people to "follow home."

    Also, you do realize that you are one of these same people you describe. You are that for many readers, I'm sure. You are for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww...thank you.

      You know I think you're something special.

      Delete
  2. Yes, I like Ann too!

    And I liked your little (shut up) comment.

    I also thought ((( ))) meant something else, but I am too ashamed to tell you what....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought it was the same thing too, France.

      On my way to visit..

      xo

      Delete
    2. You two are killing me. Because my first thought was "What else could they have..."

      and then it hit me.

      (Or whatever ((( ))) would do. Probably not hit.
      Right?)

      Delete
  3. very cool...in some ways i envy you watchign blogging for some time...i was clueless and just jumped in after i was pushed and walked around in the dark for a while...def stumbled upon some great people though and ann sounds like a winner...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awww, this is so nice. I too was a closet blog reader until one day I was all "Hey, what the heck? I need to blog." And so I did.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ann makes me laugh so much on twitter. Great choice!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love this concept! But it has me thinking... I wonder how many other 'lurkers' who adore but never comment are out there.

    I may have to do something on my blog, saying "You know, feel free to comment, even if you don't have a blog..."

    It's the quiet ones that intrigue me...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are SO right.

      I really thought that you needed a blog to comment.

      Why?

      Don't ask...it's a long story, full of imaginary rules for life.

      Delete
  7. This post proves one thing, everybody should do an end of year list of their favorite tweets. I never saw Yesterday's clothes one and it's hilarious, and in my case, so true.

    Ann has been a blessing to many of our lives. However, she mixes gold and silver jewelry together and it took me a while to forgive her for that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...and her love of leggings under things...don't forget that.

      xo

      Delete
  8. Ok, I am still afraid of twitter and don't know what the parentheses mean...but you let me hang out and comment anyway! I lurk around at Ann's place too!

    You are incredible. Sometimes it ishardto convey what the blogosphere is like to those who haven't visited. I have a friend who is hurting so badly right now, and you are one of the only things I can think of to suggest

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh.man.

      and holy cow.

      Thank you.

      Yes. Please have her email me. Blogging changed my life: NOT an overstatement.

      Delete
  9. I don't know Ann, but I have met other bloggers who inspire and have helped get me through the days, weeks, months and past few years.

    ReplyDelete
  10. awww, my favorite 'Sconnie Jewess. Thanks for shining the light on her - as she's done for so many of us through the LTYM series!

    ReplyDelete
  11. OMG - Ann is a superstar. No wonder you followed her home!

    (((hugs)))

    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been reading this entire series and keep forgetting to tell you:

    Before I HAD a blog, I absolutely would have thought you couldn't comment without one.

    Not that this should make you feel better. Because I'm completely backward. (Shhhh.)

    Anyway, I do read Ann's Rants and she's one of those people whose writing is so good, she makes me question why I'm even trying.

    But.

    That's only my own insecurities. She is so lovely and supportive and funny I can't imagine she'd want anyone to feel inferior having read her words.

    I still kind of do though.

    p.s. ((( ))) giggle.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What??? I don't know what to say. I've re-written this comment like 300 times because I can't express my shock and gratitude at reading this post. And also because Wilma the humor-serf I keep chained to my desk drawer finally wants her due. BACK OFF WILMA. BACK OFF. NO ONE WILL BELIEVE YOU ARE THE PANTS BEHIND ANNSRANTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO PANTS, ONLY CAPRIS. NO ONE BELIEVES A SERF IN CAPRIS.

    Anyway.

    You always manage to humble me--not only with your talent and ridiculous age-defying beauty (you should see her, people). Honestly if I didn't know you I'd feel overcome with "not enough." Your commitment to blogging and especially to the humanity of blogging is unparalleled.

    Thank you Alexandra. This is a huge gift during a particularly exhausting day. Good, but whoa.

    Hugs and deep admiration and appreciation,

    Ann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ann, I mean every word. I only wish I could sign a song to you.

      That wouldn't scare you, no...bad idea. Totally creep you out.

      Anyway: you will never know how much LTYM did for me.

      Never.

      Maybe one day, you'll hear me whisper it to you in your heart.

      xo

      Delete
    2. SING!!

      SING a song.

      Not a sign a song across your heart.

      That would make me Terence Trent D'arby.

      Delete
  14. Oh my, how I adore this tribute!

    Lovely words, lovely knowing where your friendship started!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  15. the community and wanting to be a part of it is what got me going on my bloggy journey too. Love this look back on what pulled you in. And I live your self- written rule too. Plus? Ann. Her too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. No comment rule.
    You are a dork.
    But I love you.
    And Ann.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ann is incredible, isn't she? This is a lovely tribute to her, Alexandra. And I concur with all that you wrote about her. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great post! I've been inspired by a few out there myself. Although, I'm gonna check her out! (in a legal and non-creepy way).

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, I love Ann!!
    I love these Great Depression Slayer posts. They're very inspiring. Thanks for doing it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ann still owns the keys to my "funniest post ever" heart when she did the two flowcharts side by side. Oh yes - Monday Morning Flow Chart.

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  21. I'll have to check out this Ann lady you speak so highly of.

    Very nice post Alexandra! Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'll have to check out this Ann woman you speak so highly of.

    ;-)

    Very sweet post Alexandra! Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I just think this is such an amazing post, and I applaud you for writing it. I think giving credit for the inspiration is what makes blogging so great. We are all out here, just these voices, writing these words, hoping they resonate and to know that they do, makes the writer feel good. Nice work here! :)
    Ashley
    http://www.thedoseofreality.com/2012/02/01/imitation-is-the-highest-form-of-flattery/

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love Ann. I didn't meet her until in person early 2010 just as she was ushering in her first LTYM. I've been hooked on her since.

    Steph

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh lady I love you even more now. We have mutual Ann love and what you've said here is so perfect.

    ReplyDelete

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