In order to try to prove that I am not a threat to
Twenty-five different people that know me in my personal life chimed in. This includes people I grew up with, go to church with, neighbors, coworkers, one of my brothers, and my parents. There are over 120 comments on the post at last count. Due to some of the responses I received, I am beginning to realize I hadn't really thought this through.
Some people chose to have fun with it. There were lots of axe and hatchet jokes and even a few mentions of hidden bodies. My childhood friend, Amanda, left a lengthy comment that is probably my favorite one. My father mentioned that I could not be a threat to women since he had to bribe the neighborhood girls to go out with me. If you didn't see this when it happened, it is worth a look to read through the comments. Several of them were funnier than anything I could ever write.
Many of the others took it very seriously and I choked up while reading a couple of them. This was all meant to be in fun (and it was), but I did not expect some of the responses I got. Thank you to all of you who helped. I love you all and value our friendships.
A few of them painted a glowing picture of me. One, in particular, said:
"Brett could never be an axe murderer. On the other hand, he has been everything else: rebel, preacher, biker, tattoo artist, comedian, writer, photographer, videoman, gamer, extreme sports, etc. If there's anything he hasn't tried, just give him time. And he excels in everything he does."There were several comments along these lines. While I can't really dispute anything in this sentence (other than excelling at everything), it does give an impression that I cannot even begin to live up to. I reminds me of "the most interesting man in the world" from the Dos Equis commercials.
I am not that guy. I do like to make life interesting and definitely strive to have fun wherever I am, but have never fed baby eagles on the side of a cliff. I wasn't actually a tattoo artist, but I did own a tattoo shop for a while.
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| Proof that I was a biker. VP and founder of motorcycle club. Two years ago - I miss my Harley |
Putting all that to the side, I believe that Red was convinced. She even shared with me her real name, even if it was an accident. If she is willing, I would like to meet. I don't have a time frame in mind and our work/school schedules would have to coordinate for both of us. Since she lives 900 miles away, it's not just a quick weekend trip.
The following paragraph is for Red (don't anyone else read it):
If you would like to meet, let me know and we can arrange something. I am always looking for excuses to travel and I have never been to Delaware. I have no expectations other than putting a face with the blog. I think it would be fun.
Everyone else can read now.
I promise that my next post will have nothing to do with any of this. I have a childhood trauma story I am going to try to tackle. I had an evil teacher when I was in the 4th grade. Between her, broken crayons and a space alien, the 4th grade was definitely my worst school year.
Thank you and welcome to all my new readers.
well I have to say I read nothing more after I saw the "amazing picture" of Biker PREACH!!!! As you know it is my background on my computer...and how dare you blurr "ME" out of the picture.....
ReplyDeleteIt would have gotten a lot of looks if it had been you on the back.
DeleteWell deserved, Brett
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shane.
DeleteDelaware! I've never been to Delaware! Do you need a chaperone? Your mother
ReplyDeleteThank you, mother. It's just a thought.
Deletesuch a cute exchange - Brett's mother - you're high style!
DeleteJeez...what a bighead.
ReplyDeleteYeah. You're right. I think I pushed the envelope too far.
DeleteThe main thing I was trying to say was that they painted a picture of me that is much bigger than reality. I could never live up to the image in those comments.
Although, it was hard to stay down to earth reading all those. Makes you realize how much your friends mean to you.
Somehow I have missed this famous blog post...??? I guess I'll scroll back and look as I'm confused but not surprised how many people vouched for you since you are a great guy! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. It all happened really fast.
DeleteIf you do come to Delaware, come visit me at the Jersey shore!
ReplyDeleteThat would be great. I have been to NJ one time to pick up a Jeep I bought on the Internet. I was within a mile of the ocean, but headed the other way to make the long drive back to Illinois.
DeleteNow any self-respecting paranoid gal who likes to overthink things might ask, “What if he just hopped around to twenty-five different computers in the public library and wrote all those things himself?” I guess it’d be hard for you to fake usernames, though. “What if he’s created twenty-five different Blogger accounts for himself?” I think the internet breeds its own peculiar strain of skepticism. "What if he's actually a 'she' writing from a goat farm in Estonia?" You never know.
ReplyDeleteThis is fun to watch. A blog with a plot is a rarity!
That would be a LOT of work and according to the comments, I get kind of lazy. Of course, if I wrote the comments, then that argument would only strengthen your position....nevermind.
DeleteYes, this is NOT actually an argument you’re having with yourself. Therefore it’s not at all suspicious if I go on to say that you’re stunningly fashionable and tech savvy and have a fine taste in French wines and possibly the word’s most interesting gentleman. I’m…I mean YOU’RE…you’re quite a dapper fellow.
Delete(See? I knew I wouldn't have to pick apart the so-called "evidence" he provided. There are plenty of others out there to handle that.)
Delete;)
I agree! A great guy indeed with not an axe murder-ish thing about you.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Axes are too bulky anyway.
DeleteGreat post. And if you can't get to travel the 900 miles there's always a webcam! Sounds fun. And you do sound like a fun guy.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am not as fun as I used to be. Much of that excitement stemmed from my younger, wilder years. I still like to have fun, but I am much more cautious and aware of other people.
DeleteHow fun! Thank you for this post.... ahhh my daily dose of enjoyment! Can't wait to see the responses you get to this - and look forward to seeing what Red says to the paragraph I wasn't supposed to read.
ReplyDeleteBut you know, other than my own selfish enjoyment, I do think this whole thing is really neat. And it would be so great for you guys just to meet even if just to be blog friends or whatever.
(that youtube video was hilarious!) Thanks :-)
What? You read it? Shame on you.
DeleteThat is just one of about a dozen DOS EQUIS commercials centered around that guy. They're all different. Search DOS EQUIS and you can see some of the others.
Now I remember the commercial.
ReplyDeleteNot to plug my own blog, but my post this morning might help make a meeting easier.
In the REALLY BAD IDEA department, I'm assistant-directing a play (comedy) running the end of this month, and my parents plan to come see it. Since your mom is up for the trip, we could do the whole "let's meet" and the "meet the parents" thing at the same time. REALLY BAD IDEA, but it made me laugh to think of it, so thought I'd share.
That would be awkward or funny. I can't decide which. Since my father does his best to make every situation as awkward as possible, I think I know how it would go.
DeleteWell, with my dad out to get you, "awkward" would be lying thick on the ground already.
DeleteAt any rate, I am loathe to give anyone the opportunity to make up my mind for me, which is what my family habitually tries to do. Hence the "REALLY BAD IDEA".
You two are going to fall in love and get married. I just know it! Please have vegan options at the reception, or else I will starve.
ReplyDeleteOh, and my friends would not do this for me. Last time I asked for them to write something nice about me on FB, so that my love interest could see, they told him to run because I had no heart. Hardy-har-har. Jerks.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking that about my friends and family, too. "weird" would come up, and "stubborn" but I can't think of too much else.
DeleteThat's why this whole thing blew me away. I thought it would be fun to do and expected four or five people to offer snarky and off the wall comments followed up with a "he's a good guy." What happened was really cool and totally unexpected. I feel like I need to go visit each one of these people personally to express a heartfelt thanks.
DeleteI met my wife on the Internet. Thankfully, we weren't 900 miles apart, and thankfully, I haven't axe murdered her yet. Each time I consider doing it, I remember that I "love" her. Yeesh.
ReplyDeleteI am meeting more and more people with that story. A company that I worked at had three women that had met their husband's on internet dating sites.
DeleteBFTS - that's so interesting. Did you ever post about how you guys met? I'm going to ask you this on your blog in case you don't come back her to check for responses.
DeleteAnd Brett - also very interesting! I meet people online but never thought it could actually lead anywhere. But... maybe...
Brett, you are hysterical. I have met a number of people on the web, including a lovely young Turkish rug dealer who actually came and stayed with us a few days. Be bold, Dude.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. Hopefully, I can keep it up. This has made for easy writing. I love meeting new people. I always wanted to be the family at church that housed visiting missionaries and enjoyed being the traveling speaker who got to stay with people.
DeleteAre you me? My 4th year was one my least favorite as well due to a teacher who picked on me all the time as well.
ReplyDeleteThis one of the few teachers that I still have ill feelings toward. I will tell the whole story in tomorrow's post.
DeleteSome forward sizzle on your posts?
ReplyDelete"Stay tuned for more exciting adventures with Red and traumatising stories from 4th grade"
The Red Saga is much better than TV - Good luck!
(Shamelessly self-promoting)
DeleteIf you're enjoying this plotline, you really should read my current post!
Yeah, so have you guys heard of this new thing . . . totally cutting edge and magical. It's called "Skype." :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, video conference each other first. It's sort of like meeting, but without all that pesky travel.
Then, maybe you guys could pick a midway point? Something neutral. Say, maybe in . . . Maryland? I just so happen to know someone there that could be a chaperone, er blog friend to hang out with. Yeah, that's it. Totally not with ANY curiosity as to the sparks that will fly when the 2 of you finally meet. Nope. Just completely altruistic intents, right here y'all. :)
It is comforting to know that there people out there looking out for our best interests. We will keep you posted. Thank you.
Delete