I’m Not Sure What to Say
Posted by harlan on 24 Jan 2008 at 04:00 pm | Tagged as: talking to the void
I just saw a bunch of comments saying I’m a finalist in a contest I didn’t even try to enter.
I’m struggling a little bit with the irony here. I’ve spent countless hours trying to learn to connect with people, wondering whether I’ve done it properly, and feeling like a fool when I’ve found out I did it wrong. And now I seem to have managed to connect with a bunch of people without even meaning to.
There’s probably a life lesson here. Something like, "Quit trying, because good fortune is random."
Maybe this is the thing I’ve been waiting my whole life for. Maybe I’m going to meet a lot of people who recognize that I like being alone sometimes, am somewhat shy, but am an OK person.
I wish I could tell Jane about this. Or anyone. Obviously, though, I’ve got to keep it to myself. But it’s nice to have a good secret.
I am probably hexing myself by saying this, but what the hell: I really hope I win a Weblog Award.
Isolation Score: 2
[UPDATE] I just went and looked at the other entries for the "Best-kept secret blog" award. Here’s what I think:
- Greeblemonkey: This is the blog of a mother who loves her school-aged kids and wants nothing but the best for her children. She seems very smart, focused, and thinks deeply. She makes me ashamed to be as selfish and petty as I am. I would definitely vote for her over me.
- That Night: This blog is written by a gifted college student. She is an excellent writer and photographer. She has a positive, balanced outlook on life. I’m sure she’ll go far. I suspect that she is the one who will win.
- Das Becca: Another mother who wants the best for her child. That seems to be an ongoing theme. Also, it looks like she’s grieving for the loss of a friend. Even though she’s sad, she’s hopeful. And she’s thoughtful and deep. If it weren’t for the "That Night" blog, I bet she’d win.
- Trevor’s Blog: Trevor uses his blog to beat us over the head with what a smart, wise, caring, artistic and handsome man he is. So he can sell us books and movies, I’m guessing, that further sell us on what a smart, wise, caring, artistic and handsome man he is. Don’t tell me you don’t sense that guy’s a phony.
Hey look, at least there is one neat thing about these awards, we can find new blogs! :) Thank you for your kind words about me, I really appreciate it. Best wishes to you as well. I look forward to reading more of your blog.
Good luck!
Yeah, I hate phonies, too! ;o) Good luck! I’d vote, but I don’t know where to register…
Hey, I voted for you! I did look at all the other candidates first, though, and pretty much agree with your assessment–except for your pick for winner.
Too bad there aren’t any native populations with naieve immune systems left anywhere. We could send you over to them, and you’d be a walking biological weapon. We could clean ‘em out and take over their land.
Not everyone wants to read about a gifted, beautiful mother of four who escaped from college to sell books via the blogosphere.
Who knew writing about isolation would lead to inclusion?
Genius.
Wow, talk about hating on Trevor.
I actually found this site because of those awards, and it’s been a pretty good read so far, just going over your past entries. Keep up the good work.
Wow — I’m more than flattered by your assessment. Speechless, actually, but I think I can find some words… :)
I think that finding new blogs, like yours, will be the most beneficial aspect of this thing for me. Best of luck, and thank you. I can’t wait to read more!
well congrats on getting nominated. good eval on the other nominees too; I just checked them all out yesterday and added everyone to my bloglines, so I might be stopping by occasionally. Good luck!
Being that I have been here since almost day 1 — of course you have my vote. Let’s build a so very alone army!!
Best of Luck!
_a
I just read all of them (though not from the beginning), and you’re my favorite.
Ya got my vote too. You and the Fat Cyclists are my daily reads.
You got my vote too - I like the way you write.
You, fatcyclist and BSNYC are my 3 daily reads. You & Elden got my vote, somehow the greatness that is BSNYC didn’t make the finals.
Anyway, I do enjoy this blog.
Way to go, Harlan! It’s working, don’t you see? You’re Not Alone anymore, at least, not in cyber-space. Today the Net, tomorrow the office…
I kind of agree with you about Trevor. I can picture him stealing a salad shooter from Wal-mart and then writing about how he plans to send it to the hungry in Africa to remedy the roughage crisis.
Good luck with the bloggies.
that’s how i found you, from that website. Your’s was the only one i bookmarked.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to stop by earlier and wish you congrats… I’m excited to finally be back at the computer, and able to look through some of your older entries. It looks like you have a devoted fan club here, so they must be on to something. ;-)
you have my vote. i found your blog through the bloggies site too. i checked out all the others up for best-kept secret. yours kept my interest the longest, and is probably the only i’ll come back to. i think there are a lot of people out there who can relate to you. some probably not to the same degree, but i think we all feel so very alone sometimes, and even, or maybe especially, when around other people. Win or lose, you’ve got more readers now. I’ll be back regularly. I hope you win. Good luck!
Just found your blog through the bloggies site also. I looked at all of the ones listed in the category yours was listed in. Your blog definitely gets my vote and a place in my bookmarks. I’ll be back - I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far. Best of luck.
From the little I’ve read so far, I’d say you very much deserve the nomination.