Apparently, I Listen to My Readers

7 Jul

Today I had a craving for chocolate and I began to systematically move throughout my apartment to unearth the hidden locations of the last bag I bought.

Thanks to a reader suggestion on a post I wrote long ago about being such a fatty fat that I can’t keep my sausage fingers from getting a hold of and devouring entire cartons worth of chocolate, I now hide the candy all over the apartment until I forget about it and then allow myself to go hunting.   Actually, I have Dave hide it.  Because the last time I tried to hide it I got a chocolate craving the very next day and retraced my steps from the day before, thereby devouring the entire bag in one evening.

My relationship with food is complicated.

In the midst of my chocolate fiesta, I began to wonder just how many things I’ve changed or tried because of reader suggestions.  And it turns out, there are quite a few:

  • I sold my soul to Tony Horton. Granted, the first day I tried P90X was just me trying a single workout for a Lollipop Tuesday.  But after the response I got for my first-time attempt, I felt like I had to give it the good ol’ college try.   And with a variety of support from my readers, I got through the next three weeks.  And then vehemently quit.
  • I play Words with Friends. When I wrote a post about checking out competitive Scrabble club and hating it, I got several suggestions that I try Words with Friends instead.  It had something or other to do with a friendly game on my terms and no stress involved.  It’s like Scrabble for lazy people.  And I liked that.  I now play regularly online and with Dave.
  • I looked in my furniture for my lost cat. And a variety of other places, actually.  When I put out an Amber Alert on my blog for my missing, beloved Hobbes, I was inundated with responses with suggestions for places to look, comfort while I waited for his return, and happy thoughts.  I listened for meows from my walls, I tapped all my furniture and listened for movement, and I kept myself on high alert at all times for the sound of pitter pattering paws on the sidewalk outside
  • I started a freaking Twitter account. It was suggested, I refused for a long time, and then finally gave in.  It has proven itself rather worthless ever since.  As it turns out, the majority of my readers aren’t Twitter fans either.  As a result, my total Twitter followers is less than 1% of the total number of my active subscribers.  But hey, just in case I get super famous super fast, at least I’ll have Twitter right there to make sure average folks can stalk me to their heart’s delight.
  • I’ve attempted a variety of stupid, scary, and entertaining experiences. Thanks to the comments on my “What’s Lollipop Tuesday” page, I am never without concepts for a new adventure each week.   One reader suggestion even led me to eat a cricket, which was probably the most disgusting thing I’ll have done in 2011.  
I’m not sure what all this adds up to.  I suppose that I’m impressionable.  Or maybe I’m changing as a person and am slowly becoming more open to new experiences and suggestions.   Whichever it is, thanks for the help along the way, ya’ll. 
 
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have chocolate to hunt.
Today’s RAK: Finding an interesting way to say thank you.

15 Responses to “Apparently, I Listen to My Readers”

  1. Jessica July 7, 2011 at 9:19 am #

    I started a twitter account in the last few weeks too and I too feel like it’s pretty much useless so far. But I’m trying to give it a chance. 🙂

    Like

    • Jackie July 9, 2011 at 9:37 pm #

      Ugh it’s miserable. But WordPress actually automated publicizing via Twitter shorly after I wrote this post and now it just updates itself and I don’t ever have to pay attention to it. Twitter is now nothing more than a redheaded stepchild to me.

      Like

  2. The_Observationalist_NYC July 7, 2011 at 10:04 am #

    You’re on Twitter! It’s kind of a useless thing, and I see no point to it, but why not join the mindless adoration?

    Like

    • Jackie July 9, 2011 at 9:35 pm #

      haha well at least I have it set up for when I become a best-selling author and more than 10 people want to know what I’m doing in a day. 😉

      Like

      • Jackie July 9, 2011 at 9:35 pm #

        on second read, it is not apparent that I’m joking. So for the record, I’m joking.

        Like

  3. misswhiplash July 7, 2011 at 10:25 am #

    She who listens to readers, is wise lady! ( old chinese proverb)

    Also you can’t beat Lollipop Tuesday it’s a WOW! and I love your antics.

    Twitter account is only good for spreading word of your blog. I’ve had one for two years, absolute crap..it is like a fancy facebook, nothing more

    Like

    • Jackie July 9, 2011 at 9:34 pm #

      Thanks, P 🙂 And you know what? WordPress automated publicizing via Twitter right after this complaint so now I don’t even have to worry about it anymore. I just post and it’s automatically uploaded. I’m so happy!

      Like

  4. pegoleg July 7, 2011 at 11:07 am #

    Listening to your readers is almost as important as listening to your mother (my new Scrabble-playing, salsa-eating BFF.)

    Like

    • Jackie July 9, 2011 at 9:32 pm #

      Oh right. For a moment there I had almost forgotten that you hit on my mom on my blog.

      Like

  5. Jules July 7, 2011 at 11:11 am #

    Small steps Jackie. Small steps.

    Like

  6. Lori July 7, 2011 at 7:43 pm #

    You should play WwF with me!

    Like

    • Jackie July 9, 2011 at 6:18 pm #

      I play it with Dave on his iPad right now, but I might start on Fbook. The idea of it makes me nervous. All that maintenance…

      Like

  7. kitchenmudge July 7, 2011 at 8:56 pm #

    Have you considered challenging your chocolate weakness? Make one Turtle (brand name) last a whole day, for instance.

    You can do it.

    Like

    • Jackie July 9, 2011 at 6:17 pm #

      I’m trying for a Dove a Day 🙂 I went from Ben and Jerry’s to Blow Pops to one Dove a day. Vice for vice, I suppose. sigh.

      Like

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