So this is what a hangover is. I don’t remember this picture being taken. Why am I putting this on the internet?
I was eating a PB&J out of tinfoil during class and thinking about blogging, as I often do. I had recently read a friend’s blog that he just started a few months ago and doesn’t update very often. Its future doesn’t look good—a few more months it will likely become another blog corpse silently occupying net space. As I read his first tentative posts, I was reminded of my own blogging beginnings that stretch back to my senior year of high school.
It was a secret blog, called The Drevet (now deleted), and I posted a mere two times. The first one was the obligatory and awkward, “Hello world,” in which it seemed I was preparing to face all of humanity and be utterly rejected. It was the kind of introduction that set the bar so low even I couldn’t reach it. After only two months I stopped thinking about The Drevet and life moved on.
As I continued to reminisce and munch on my sandwich, I stumbled across another phase of beginnings: college. At this point, I suddenly realized the striking similarity between getting drunk for the first time and blogging for the first time.
When I first overindulged, not a moment before I turned twenty one (wink), I was fascinated with the very experience of it. “Wow,” I thought, “so this is what being drunk is like.” It didn’t matter what came next in the evening because we were already having an awesome time through the act of inebriation itself, which was to us was inherently interesting.
In the beginning, I was also captivated by the phenomenon of blogging. The fact I could publish whatever I wanted for strangers to read and maybe enjoy was both thrilling and terrifying. And just as newbies feel awkward around alcohol, like they’re doing something taboo and exciting, I would get nervous in front of the computer screen, staring at the blank blog post box and wondering what I would say to the world. What if someone actually read it?
As a baby lush, I felt the constant need to discuss my level of sloshedness with my fellow drinkers, “I’m not drunk guys,” “Do I seem drunk?” “I’m drunk drunk drunk drunk drunk,” etc. To everyone else this kind of blathering indicated it was time to change conversation partners. The more experienced drinkers had already found out that being drunk is not interesting or special, but to me the topic was endlessly engrossing for everyone and worth repeating dozens of time in the same night.
Similarly, in the first blog posts, I was self conscious about the fact I was blogging and tended to talk about the act itself, how it was hard to think of something to write or that I didn’t think anyone was reading it (no one was), and the end result was that I wouldn’t say anything at all and my predictions would come true. And just like a group of okay friends that get drunk at home hoping for something exciting to happen and then end up going to bed early, I wasted the potential of blogging by using it in a sarcastic and apathetic manner, only to defeat myself in the end.
Through many unfortunate nights and some unfortunate blogposts, I learned the real magic comes with a critical combination of both substance and medium: blogging and content, or alcohol and activities. But like most things, this is the kind of lesson that one must learn through their own experience, though we hope for our own sakes that newcomers learn it before anyone heads to the bathroom to vomit.
And my metaphorical vomiting days aren’t over yet. I will always be learning both how to drink better and how to blog better.
Snotting black 
I love this post, it’s so well written and the analogy is very apt. As others have said above, it can take a while before you find your niche, or personal style, and can settle into a writing groove. And the very best way to get better at writing is to do lots and lots and lots of it. So those early blogging attempts aren’t so much failures as they are steps to something better. I’m glad you stuck with it long enough to bring us this post!
That’s a great way of looking at it—the bad is part of the process as well as the good. I like it.
Thanks for reading!
been there a long time ago. thinking about killians for st pattys . alot of blogs die and seldom we cry or wonder why. few leave comments or footprints too; drag
Mlurb……
i beg your pardon did you mean glurg or blurb?
well I meant mlurb…kind of a sad sound to go along with the tone of your original comment, which actually had a nice rhythm and sound.
well thats cool not everything is glurg blurp. like manic thursday purr it s discontent. metal monday says let s be busy til tomorrow, tuesday wants more. so all bloggers got something to say.
How unique. I have never seen any other comparisons of writing that first blog and seeing it published to morning light sobriety after evening drunkenness, but taken as a whole, yeah. It’s bonafide. I totally relate to this. These days, however, I have come to the awareness of the awesome power of ideas being seen; ideas being expressed in this medium. This is such a fresh, next-step for democracy: empowering ordinary people who would have otherwise remained silenced by the traditional mechanism of publishing.
Completely agree—it takes out the middle man completely. Who needed him anyways?
I love that picture, and I love this story. Blogging is a sort of history.
With so many layers too—-you’ll have to thank anonymous friend for the picture. I clearly wasn’t in a state to approve or deny its being taken.
Blathering. A word not used nearly enough round these parts by my reckoning.
Nice post =)
And yet blathering is done so often—thanks for reading!
Definitely interesting. I am Italian. In my country everybody is allowed to drink as of the age of 16. That means that kids don’t have the possibility to say no because the society urges the them to drink. They see a bottle of Whisky…take some shots…are happy for a few hours (or get hospitalized)…wake up the next day having a huge headache and wanna do it again because it makes them popular in school. The teachers say it is weird not to drink. Parents, relatives and friends do the same. Alcohol may not be a giant problem in the US that figured out that it’s not intelligent to make the future of the country drunk by imposing the 21 year limit thing, but it definitely is here.
Interesting. I think Americans have a weird relationship with alcohol. My personal belief is that it would be better if we could drink with our parents while we still live at home in order to avoid the craziness of university.
I think that like 0 per cent of all American kids do not drink at home if their parents don’t find a cache for every drop of booze they got in their household. Alcohol might be like drugs. Make it available to the mob and nobody wants it anymore. It just doesn’t work here.
I love this post and can definitely relate to what you are saying I am still in that beginning stages of a love hate relationship with the blogosphere and actually looking forward to delving into it more. As for the being drunk for the first time that was many many many…. yep many years ago but still a fond and loving memory I cherish to this day (yet at the time or I should say the day after I hated myself). I look forward to reading more about you keep up the good work.
Thanks a lot! It seems this post has been bringing up the drinking days of yesteryear for a lot of people. I’m glad to facilitate the reminiscence.
You are talking about the “act” in this post. Have you come back full circle?
It would appear that I have—I usually don’t talk about the “act” in my posts, but I found this an interesting idea to explore.
My first blog met the very same fate. I can only hope it’s really deleted, not floating around out there for people to stumble upon. Such a strange thing, blogging is. I like how you relate it to drinking. Maybe if I write two or three blogs in one sitting my confidence will improve as much as it does with two or three drinks 🙂
Pound it out, sister. I like scheduling my blog posts, because then I can read through them really quick beforehand after giving my eyes a rest.
Great blog…about blogging! I felt the same way when I started my original blog/journal on Livejournal YEARS ago… I have since started to learn what blogging is really about and what kind of balance it requires!
Also, congrats on being Fresh Pressed, very cool! ^_^
Thanks so much! Some things just take practice. There will be blood.
…I blog for the simple reason that I have no one with slight intelligence to talk things out with locally. I also think that blogging is a way for me to work through my own block of stupidity because we all have them.
You amuse me. Good post.
From the sounds of it, you could be living in Oklahoma….thanks for stopping by!
As someone who has just started blogging myself, I took some valuable insights from this blog. Thank you! Your analogy between drinking and blogging was a very interesting and effective way to frame your piece!
I appreciate it—-blog on, blogger!
It started like this for me too! I posted just twice since I started my blog in 2008, and only realized the potential of blogging when I posted 3-4 times in a row and got a comment for the very first time.
Blogging for me is about presenting yourself to people who actually take the time to ‘write’ and ‘read’ (not like Facebook) and making a connection, through your words.
It’s beautiful! 🙂
I agree—the blogosphere can be a beautiful, beautiful place.
A nice analogy; they both can give me a headache ;P
Just don’t try reading blogs with a hangover….
Snotting black. This is really humorous. Plus so true. A familiar experience and I must Iadmit I did an over drive trying to peep at my Stat. I intially wanted to be famous along with my cat Jolawi but I soon discovered it was all about building relationships. Congrats for getting Freshly pressed.
Thanks a lot! I didn’t even know there were stats until about a month in and then I couldn’t stop looking at them….I’ve moderated it now, but it’s still hard to not become focused on it.
Good luck to you and cat Jolawi!
I have never been drunk but I did get stoned on Hash a couple times (second time to verify the observations of the first, which was “Interesting, I could see why some people like this but it isn’t for me”). Your experiences are much like what I feel doing my personal blog (on a sex dating site so nobody actually reads it), but nothing like my blog here on WP, which is a news amalgamation on the subject of bicycle safety.
Bicycle safety is actually important, in contrast to what I usually do on my blog, which is make up whimsical things. The good thing about the blogosphere is that there’s a place for everyone.
Kudos on having your essay appear on the WordPress home page, I always wonder how they make such choices. Is it your longevity as a blogger? The content? Your overall site? Whatever it is, you got it girl.
I’ll now use one of my favorite wordpress features — “Random Post” — to check out what you write about when you are not writing about blogging…
cheers to blogging! your blogging journey definitely hits home with me! Although I’ve still relatively new to blogging, I think I’m starting to get over that awkward drinking phase. Thanks for posting this!
And thanks for reading! It’s a phase most go through and there’s no shame. Ever. Another commenter mentioned that it was just all part of the process and I completely agree.
Sigh …
Blorbs?
Ok … I Give Up. What’s A “Blorbs?”
A “blorbs” is an inquisitive sound you make indicating you would like clarification. Though apparently it causes equal amounts of confusion…..
Oh, Ok … I See.
Thanks, (Dan @ CC.C)
I blog because of this “nagging feeling” of necessity. I actually need to blog to feel better and to “calm the voices” in my head. 🙂
I will say that blogging is medicinal and therapeutic for me. Before blogs, I simply filled spiral binders with my constant pontification and bantering so technology has enabled me to “bore and confuse” a mass market from the comfort of my office chair.
In my case, I always blog while sober…………. I guess I enjoy the experience too much to cloud it with any self medicating. I believe it depends upon the person and what works best for them.
I am glad blogging exists and we have a medium, audience and instant feedback while exchanging ideologies and ideas. This is something we could only dream about 25+ years ago.
Carry on and pretend I am not lurking in the cyber shadows!!
A~N
And yet we are all cyber shadow lurkers. Nothing wrong with that.
🙂 Yes we are. I’ll see you (and others like us) in the shadows.
A~N
🙂 LOL
Wonderful…ma’am just to add up..i am new into blogging and this is one of the most amazing blogs i have written and also look upto as inspirations…awesome post..will keep snotting back
Yes please! All snotters welcome.
Hi, firstly, I think it was Osho who observed that sooner rather than later, the Black Holes would be discovered to have a White Beyond, and has been proved latterly correct. Meantime, on a scale of one to ten, notwithstanding Blogger’s Block, which is all that your write up is about, between sobriety and inebriation, where would you number this particular post? But Bravo, well done !
Thanks!
You should re-publish The Drevet here, I’m curious. I like your analogy in this post. Going through crazy drunk experiences is definitely a learning process. Nobody can teach you how it is before you actually do it. Same with blogging. The horrible thing for me to realize was how stronly my stage of development differs between the two areas. My first blog is less than a month or 5 posts old.
The best blog post for The Drevet was one I never ended up writing, and it was about the host of the TV show Cheaters. So much potential wasted.
I think there’s a fairly steep learning curve for blogging, especially if you read other peoples’ and comment on them. You can learn so much.
Ahhhhhh, finally I see how it is done! 😉
Seems so simple, doesn’t it!
Reblogged this on minttusuklaa.wordpress.com and commented:
I will not blog about the difficulty of blogging ever again, because nothing is more boring. I’ll start doing it, instead of just talking about it.
I just stumbled here a minute ago for the very first time (and I’m sure I won’t be the last one to do so – congrats on being FPed! :)), but I must say that you are a brilliant!
This analogy works perfectly, and is exactly what new bloggers like me need to realise to get past that awkward beginning. I won’t write another post about the difficulty of blogging, I promise that to myself right now.
Thank. You. Seriously.
No, thank YOU for your kind words! Blog on, blogger!
Loved this post, it’s so true! You’ve got to find your groove within blogging, but you’ll always be a bit embarassed of those first few posts. I think everyone who really has tried to pursue blogging has some blog skeletons in this history haha.
Oh so many skeletons…the archives can be a scary place.
The funniest thing about starting a new blog is that you honestly think that somehow you might end up with 9 million adoring fans from the very first post, so you spend so much time trying to figure out exactly what to say in this perfectly-crafted post that is ultimately destined to fall off the front page long before anyone ever reads your blog. I do remember my first time drinking — I definitely annoyed everyone around me with my constant stream of, “I’ve never had a drink before. Am I drunk?” I can totally see the parallels, “Is this blogging? Am I blogging now? I guess I’m a blogger. Right? Am I? Hey, why doesn’t anyone want to talk to me?”
“Wait come back! I was going to talk about blogging more! Where are you going?”
In the end, it’s probably for the best no one reads those first posts.
Awesome this is my first visit on your blog and I must you are a great writer hats off to u girl..:)
Thanks for stopping by!
Cool post. I don’t blog, but I have written about my kayaking trip on here last year haha. I love to cruise around this site and read people’s writing. It’s neat.
Despite popular belief, there are good things in the blogosphere. I say welcome to all. There’s plenty of room.
Reblogged this on Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde and commented:
I love this! I’m glad I’m not the only one who has started and restarted a blog several times. Well done.
Thanks so much and thanks for reblogging.
And we’re certainly all in the same metaphorical blog I believe. It’s such a neat shared experience.
It is! That is what keeps me blogging! I loved your post. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
Lindsey
Brilliant post! Your comments about starting blogging remind me a lot of myself in regards to the amount of post I made (My first blog only got updated three times *hangs head*) I’m hoping this year will be different though as I have decided to start blogging again. Have followed your blog and I’m looking forward to your future posts.
Raise your head, man! Put your fingers to the keys and type, TYPE!
Thanks for following and good luck with your blog year ahead of you.
It was really hard starting a blog but when you get into them they are fantastic and after a while the views start coming and you feel happy but then you realise that you are actually getting the enjoyment from writing them because they are your views and your honest opinion.
I believe that ultimately you have to write your blog for yourself–can’t do it for the views.
I just stumbled on your blog on my way to working on my thoughts of the week and it made me smile. As a newbie to the world of blogging I found your analogy both amusing and a little scary since it has been a very long time since I took my first drink! But I do see the similarities — too little and you never get to appreciate it, too much can be self-indulgent and a turn-off – I suppose it is all about moderation.
Anyway, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading! I agree it’s important to find a balance and you’re own style.
lol.. you got one on the nose!
Nostrils…AH!
I relate to this soooo much! And that’s saying something because I’ve never drank in my life. (A literal sip or two of some alcoholic drink per blue moon doesn’t quite count, I guess). But about being self-defeating and blogging about how hard it is to blog? Done it more times than I can count. I’m still trying to find my own voice and niche but I’ve come a long way I guess. You worded it so well. And congrats on being FP’d!
Thanks so much! It really is all about finding your voice and learning to be comfortable “out there” and loving it. Blog on!!!!!
Just started to blog, and even though I do not usually drink (at least not in America), it seems like a very good comparison for blogging. Loved it!
Thanks for reading!
This is a great post! I am new to the blogging world and it is fascinating and funny that you compared drinking with blogging. 🙂
I’m glad the comparison worked!
I’m actually reading these comments early on a Saturday morning after a nasty sleepless night which was probably the result of indulging in a bit too much red wine with my husband. He, fortunately, doesn’t seem to be affected by alcohol consumption quite like I am. Lately I have taken up the blogging mantel following in my sister and daughter’s footsteps and have been enjoying it. In my blog I use quotes and my artwork as a frame for what I am blogging about – mostly short blogs. In a way my blogging is making me get off my behind and produce a bit more in the way of art simply because I feel I can’t post another blog without another piece of artwork. Who knew blogging could be so motivating?
It’s extremely motivating, and after a while it becomes a whole portfolio of your work! Like a present that you made yourself over many months!
I am a new blogger who has vomited (literally) quite a lot over the last week or so. A great post and I hope to hear more of your inner musings soon!
Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the chunks. It’s been a while since I’ve had any unfortunate expulsions because of alcohol, but it’s never any fun.