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the things, you say, your purple prose just gives you away
by mg at 09:12 PM on June 24, 2002
Several weeks ago I was watching Charlie Rose. IF you’ve never seen it, and chances are high, since Charlie is on PBS, it is an interview show with no commercials, idle chitchat or make-believe bits. It is just Charlie and his guest talking all serious-like.
As many times as you see your typical guests, the movie star, singer or author, there are serious guests, a politician, scientist, or serious artist. Charlie can ask some really annoying pseudo-intellectual questions, and the guests can respond back with some doubly annoying pseudo-intellectual answers, but, generally speaking, there are meaningful and engaging conversations between intelligent and creative individuals.
I only bring this up to preface a question Charlie asked a couple weeks ago, a question I am about to pose to myself, and to all of you. Now, I can neither remember the name of the guest, an author, or why he was on the show, some book of note, but I remember the question.
The book most have been vaguely autobiographical because Charlie asked the author what he hoped someone, after having read the book, would know about him, the author. I sat there for a second and said out loud, to no one in particular since I was home alone on a Saturday night, “That is a great question Charlie.”
And the author said, before his blah blah answer, “That is a great question Charlie.”
I’ve obviously forgotten what the author answered, but that question has stuck with me for weeks. Since I haven’t written a book, yet, I’ve only got this site on which to base my answer. So, what do I hope someone reading Bad Samaritan (for a reasonably significant period of time) would know about me, Michael?
I’ve got an answer, an answer I will tell you, but I want you to answer it first. For those of you who have been reading this site for a while, or even if this is your first time, what do you “know” about me? I’m curious.
Now, this sort of question has the potential for a budding meme. I’m not very good at starting memes. The Three Minute Blog did reasonably well. But I think this has the legs to really catch on, and, more importantly, this should be an interesting question and answer for all the consumers and producers of blogs and journals.
I encourage you all to write up a similar preamble (long winded as mine, or not), and pose the questions to your readers: “What do you know about me?” And then I encourage you to answer the question yourself, “What do I hope you know about me?” or, even more interestingly “What do I think you do know about me?”
So, go on now, answer the question here, ask it over there (and let me know if you are asking it), and I’ll answer it here myself in a couple days once the answers have (hopefully) poured in.
comments (7)
What I think I know about you.
You are jaded but hopeful. You are thoughtful & pensive. Your friends mean a great deal to you. You do not play easily with others, but once you do, you play well. You are sincere. You are a shy exhibitionist. You have hopes of creating some kind of positive ripple on the face of the world (despite the name of your site!). You've probably done this already more than you know, because your heart/soul/stuff is good. You are smart, in the emotional/artistic way, which with it comes some of the chemical imbalance that is known to make smart people manic/depressed/a little crazy (i.e., interesting). You write more when you are cranky, you go & enjoy your "real" life when you are happy. What people think of you & your site means more than you usually suggest.
What you know about me...
I don't know, I comment sporadically & don't have a website. But my comments probably show that I am both confident & self-conscious. Also, that the way other people think & the way they make sense of this crazy-ass reality we've constructed for ourselves fascinates me. Can you tell through type that I am a loudmouth?
What I hope you know about me...
I want to do good things during my stay here. I like cookies, but not cake. Except cheesecake or shortcake. With fruit on it. I am a sensitive little girl, so I prefer that people be nice to me. My opinions & philosophies are everchanging as I try to chip away at the infinite. I believe nothing for sure. People are innocent to me until proven guilty. I like you. (Though by your definition, I don't know you one bit.)
The end.
by Linz at June 25, 2002 8:56 AM
I like this question, but my answer may not be quite what you're looking for since we've met IRL. I had been here a few times before meeting you - had you bookmarked and checked it out every so often - so here's the impression I'd say I had before meeting you: puts on a tough front sometimes, but really a pussycat deep down; reeeeeally smart; prone to ranting; one of those sensitive guys who kinda hates admitting he's one of those sensitive guys. This seems to all bear itself out in reality too. I think Linz has you figured out but good!
by Chris at June 25, 2002 2:30 PM
What do I think of you?
You're a butt.
by Eviltom at June 25, 2002 5:33 PM
When it comes to women, you're an ass man.
by Dan the Goose at June 26, 2002 5:15 AM
By reading your site I get the impression that you’re very extroverted and outspoken. It seems like you are the center of attention and you use humor to get that attention. After listening to your audio blog post, I get a different impression. It sounds like you are quiet and more introverted than your written blog personality.
Both your written and voice blogs show that your are pretty smart and rather easygoing. You seem to have lots of off-line friends. You are one sweet web page designer and each BS design gets better than the last. You have good taste in movies too.
Overall, I think you’re interesting and a fun read. I don’t care what other people say about you.
by MrBlank at June 27, 2002 9:36 AM
As far as I can tell, you're just one cool dude.
by MrAnonymous at June 28, 2002 12:00 AM
You are an alcoholic sex-fiend. Wait, shit, that's what our readers would gather from my posts.
by snaggle at June 28, 2002 4:58 PM