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 
You are to be commended for putting so much thought and effort into this post – and your entire blogging existence, quite frankly! Good for you!
Thanks so much—-I appreciate it. I’m glad there are people who enjoy what I put out there.
Great post! I love blogging, but I like it best when I am only focusing on one single favorite subject 🙂
Thanks a lot! It’s certainly true the more you narrow your focus the more you have to talk about–in some cases at least.
Good advice 😉 I remember my first blog .. it had one entry !
But at least it was a start….thanks for reading!
It was my pleasure 😉 !!
I am a new blogger and it has only been two posts and I am finding the process of coming up with good content as difficult (and maybe even painful) as waking up from a hangover =B
Don’t know how you keep it up but thanks for the tips=D
Thanks for reading! Just keep on blogging–it’s not all going to be Proust.
What a great post! An interesting comparison, I love it!
Cheers to that!
“I suddenly realized the striking similarity between getting drunk for the first time and blogging for the first time.” Classic.
T-shirt material? But it will have to be shortened.
Strange. Personally, I am finding almost the exact opposite to be true. My blog is about two months old, and I have found, at times, that there was more of myself in the first few posts, and now have to stop myself from angling too hard toward the persona my blog represents. At first, I was writing for me, and now at times I feel like I am writing for a character. Seems almost the antithesis of what you have experienced. It’s as if a different personality takes over now the second I start typing, which may be what I am finding enjoyable about the whole experience. It enables me to be the person I sometimes wish I was, rather than the person I need to be as a father, husband, employee etc. Call it “Dr. Jerkoff and Mr. Snyde”, if you will…
Well, arrogant sob, I think it’s perfectly normal to have more of a character online, and I find myself doing something similar when I write. It’s me but exaggerated, but it all comes from a real place.
Great post, and very applicable to my own situation.
Just remember! I was following you before you were mainstream!
/endhipsterrant
I think technically you have to unfollow me now, as per the hipster rules.
But you don’t have to. And of course I’ll always remember you followed me first. Thanks for reading, like always.
No worries. Rules are so mainstream. So long as you write, I’ll read.
This was an interesting read. I started a blog what seemed like forever ago, was apathetic towards it, at best, and it become a waste of net space. Tried again a few years ago, same thing. I think I just felt I didn’t have anything to say. So, I took some time away from my job, left Alaska, and am hitching it down the west coast and eventually across the country. I decided to give blogging another try, and find that not only is it a lot of fun, it’s also helping me keep notes about everything I’m experiencing. And so I was sifting through this whole blog thing wondering what is out there other than my firing rockets into the night sky in the middle of nowhere for nobody to see. I like your approach to it, and can relate in several ways to the metaphor. Anyway, thanks for the thought process.
Thanks for going on a road trip—it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Glad you can relate.
Congratulations on your blog. As they say, “drink and be merry”. I like the way you write…just be yourself. I believe whether you drink a beer or two it doesn’t matter for what is within shall be manifested without.
Keep up the good writing 🙂
My blog is occupying net space. 😦 please visit to be my first follower.
You’d have to change your name then, blogger outcast.
This explains so much about the blogosphere…
the endless corpses of dead blogs. Also the ones that are a live that you wish were dead.
Your writing is very good…but I think your rule about not drinking and blogging might be too extreme. I find that a glass of wine loosens up my muse. Happy St. Patty’s day!
Happy St. Patty’s day right back! I don’t know what it is but even a little alcohol makes typing impossible. Maybe it’s that combined with the little thumb.
Well there’s that I suppose, my blogging isn’t that demanding even though I do pretty much post every day. It’s mostly short playlists.
[…] the meantime, I thought I’d repost a fellow WordPress blogger’s post: she gets a little meta about blogging and makes an interesting analogy between drinking and […]
Nice sharing of thought. Great metaphor between the two acts. I’ll look forward (and backward) at reading more of your thoughts.
Appreciate it!
Hey there! I’d like to nominate you for a Versatile Blogger award. You may already have one – but then can you get too many Oscars? See http://butimbeautiful.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/the-versatile-blogger/.
Of course you don’t have to accept – but I love your blog! xx Rose
I do already have a VB award under my belt, but I sincerely appreciate the nomination. You can direct all cash rewards to the pyramids, Egypt. Thanks for reading!
Cash awards unfortunately are not included in the VBA — that’s Versatile Blogger Award to those who don’t have one or know what the heck it is.
http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com
Yep, it’s got its own blog. Holy cow!
Bummer there’s no cash…..just the fame without the fortune. I’ll still take it!
Me, too — actually. 😀
[…] Snotting Black, who compares blogging to being hungover. […]
My eternal persistence at learning to properly blog now has a shoulder to cry on. 🙂
There there, it’s not so bad….keep on blogging and learning.
Logging a learning life is a good thing. Older folks and other writers have used journals and diaries…we blog. Keep on going for it! We are with you.—Jonathan Caswell. poet.
Thanks! I love the speed of the keys.
Reblogged this on PONKY.
I really had to reblog this 🙂 cuz its what im feelin right now hahahaha. Im just happy i saw this post. Good Morning to all!
Haha no shame in that!
i thought drinking and blogging don’t mix… er, is it driving? i’m getting mixed up. it must be st. patty’s day.
Maybe it was knitting—now I’m confused too….
Congrats on getting FP’d! (that sounds dirty). I agree with the comparison 100%, remembering well that when I sat down to start my now-famous blog I was so excited the room seemed to be spinning around me. EXACTLY as if I was drunk on kamikaze shots!
FP’d is secret blogging jargon for wordpress users…part of the wordpress’s seedy cultural underbelly.
Now that you’re famous, though, it’s a piece of cake right? Can’t wait till I get there….
This was interesting. Here’s one of my metacognitive blogging about blogging post. I guess we may all be pretty guilty of it at first:
The title shows much promise. And yes, it’s something almost everyone is guilty of, so the people who don’t do it are the FREAKS!
Well said! I can definitely see the analogy between blogging and drinking. My rule now is, ‘Don’t drink and blog’ and I never publish on Saturday night – draft only.
Stick at it, there is real quality in your writing.
Thanks so much! One time I blogged after drinking only one beer and I couldn’t believe how hard it was to type. Not worth it. Good lord what if I had accidentally posted it? The horror….
Good read! yea, if bloggers stick with it they will eventually find their voice and style. Everybody loves a good story and insight into their lives. The key is to find your niche audience and tell personal stories that are inspiring, humorous, or life changing. Congrats on the FP!
http://healingbalmcafe.wordpress.com
@healingbalmcafe
I love that you compared blogging to something that typically is not associated with it. The connection is most definitely something I can relate to. Good job!
Very interesting blog, I must say:)
Thank you very much! Some people do associate alcohol with blogging, but for me that would be a veritable nightmare of spelling errors. We can’t be having those, now can we?
Drunkenness and blogging – maybe I should start a crusade against blogging, since I’ve already wowsered plenty on drunken-ness. Seriously, nice article, and I’ve always wondered why we blog – are there ONLY would-be novelists out there? (not counting the people who want to convert one)
Well, the blogosphere might be split 50/50 with would-be novelists and cat bloggers. It’s an interesting mix.
Your hilarious, love your writing. And your hangover picture looks great. Hope I look that good hungover LOL
fashionaddictsunite.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much—-I don’t look so much great as “depressed/startled.”
I must be in the minority then, as I knew what I wanted from my blog at the start. I was tiring of having to constantly retell my stories to my friends, so I decided to record definitive versions of them. All so I’d never have to retell why I stopped teaching.
Even after it became obsessed with bad movies, it’s again, a favor to my friends. Now I don’t have to explain the suspect morality behind Disney’s “Air Bud;” now they can read it! Lazy bastards…
Friends are the WORST!
Many people do start out with a purpose in mind. I just felt like I “had something to say” which usually means it’s a load of crap most people aren’t interested in. And still I wrote on….
I blog because it provides release. There’s a PSI valve on my head and it needs to be opened from time to time.
No one wants brains splattering everywhere. Writing provides release for me too….SSSSSSSSSS. (that was the valve opening.)
Hah, same here, I just told someone this morning that it’s gotten less terrifying to hit the “Upload” button… although that could be because now I drink WHILE blogging! 🙂
Well the two aren’t mutually exclusive, and that’s certainly one way to take the edge off. You clearly have it all figured out!
[…] just read this blog post by Snotting Black, and it inspired me to sit down and write […]
Congrats on getting Freshly Pressed! I agree with the other comments. The only hint that you’re in alcohol recovery mode is the bottles and shot glasses behind you 🙂 I think I skipped the blogging about blogging phase like one avoids talking about the pink elephant in the room.
Good call on skipping the phase, it’s not necessary for everyone. Crazy nights in Hungary, am I right?
I cosign with Hala J. about the alcohol. But as a proud teetotaler and newbie blogger of about a month, I haven’t yet reached that self-defeating point yet, as all of this is still very new. I write as if I have hundreds of followers (though my count sits at more like………2) and hopefully I’ll continue to do so. If by chance it doesn’t, maybe I’ll turn to the devil’s water as a chance for some clarity to write such as awesome post like this one! 🙂
Many have reached clarity without the devil’s water—you could try drugs instead! But seriously, one of my professors once told me not to publish anything you wouldn’t want in the NY Times, and what I understood from that was that it’s important to always publish stuff you’re proud of. The followers will come.
Reblogged this on ΤΟ ΠΙΤΣΙΡΙΚΙ.
I could relate to so much of this from my experiences with my first blog. There is much to be said about sticking to it though, as from a very rocky start I found a year later I had a following and had found my voice. Much like drinking, a blog with a focus topic has to know when it’s come to an end, as I did with my first. Thank you for bringing back memories for me and giving me encouragement with my current project’s goals through your observations.
Thank you for reading! I’m glad others can relate to my experiences. Blog on!
Doing handstands all the way from London, which is difficult when one is upside down on one’s hands. But I am so happy I discovered you awhile ago. And being FP’d is way better than puking into a trashcan and all that kind of thing. So hurray for you. May your followers increase.
I dare say I agree that being FP’d is better than wretching, though it might not make as good of a story.
I want to say thanks again for “burning the spotlight” on me and some others when you were freshly pressed recently. You’ve inspired me to do the same as soon as I can get my crap together. Hope you enjoyed London!
Great post, that’s an awesome comparison! I too am still learning to drink and blog better. Though usually not at the same time.
I find it’s best to not mix the two. But the one can be fodder for the other.
Very true.
My blog feels more like going through puberty. I only started a few months ago but the cringe factor of the original blog (very originally and imaginatively called ‘new to blogging’) seems as self conscious as a 12 year old me asking a 13 year old girl out to the cinema. I went through the cocky teenage phase in month 3. Now my blog feels like my life. 30 something and content to be in my skin. I may have to steal your simile and make it my own. Cool?
All content on the internet it free! Take it!
Thanks for reading.