InSanity~Normalize, Don't Stigmatize Mentall Illness.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

100 THANKS, and Girls Rule and Boys Drool!

Having done it this weekend [See former post for explicit details], I'm a bit sore. Ever try doing the Happy Dance in heels? Gentlemen, be honest now! Oh, and excuse these people. They insisted on returning for this post.

When I started Life by Chocolate in 3/09, it was both the worst and the lousiest of times. Facing the shock and despair of marital breakdown just weeks after celebrating our first anniversary, followed by a job layoff to further intensify my choco-needs, it was clearly time for some blogging. After all, I had no idea what blogging really meant or how to do it, and my computer skills leave much to be desired. Plus, blogging sounds kind of grotesque. Doesn't it? You'd think they could come up with a more pleasant word. Anyway, the vote was unanimous. Time to blog.

For the first 5 months or so, I was stuck at 7 followers. [Those 7 still have bruised arms from all the twisting.] I stared at the comments sections waiting, just waiting..Suddenly, there was a comment from someone without a bruised arm. Best yet, it was Blase at My Game It's Your Move. New to it all, I didn't even know how to follow him how he found me. I was shy with Blase for months before he gave me a shirtless hug today when I drove out to Raleigh to track him down.

Suddenly #2, as per so many of life's greatest moments, a nice Jewish man entered the scene. He took the time to read my earliest Yiddisha pieces, and did some shout-outs on his blog. My following crept into the double-digits. I'm naturally referring to Ian at Daily Dose of Reality. Then Tina gave me my first award. She is the most gifted of the bazillion bloggers out there (I say this without having read the bazillion blogs AND without doubt). She's also very sweet, especially considering her stories are scary as hell. I was also published along the way, with a featured picture in Being Single Magazine. This was a boost, especially since I got a rejection from another publisher this weekend. It was also a boost because I'm smoking hot in the picture. [Hint: it's not me in the photo.]

Now the thank you speech really begins. Sorry, but I did put 100 in the title. I'll try not to go over. These great bloggers have become friends, and you can find their links on my page: Aion/IBlogYourProfile, Jesse-CopyBoy, Seductress, SarahWriter, Michael/AsBlackAsObama, Tom/Tgoette, Tina, Blase, and Ian. Ally and Lisa Marie have been supportive too. Pat is an amazingly gentle inspiration. He even took the time to send me a step-by-step email on a basic computer task.

These longtime friends have been very supportive of Life by Chocolate (the way of life and also my blog): Bert [who first encouraged me when I was pondering the concept of blogging. Your check is in the mail, Bert. I told you that several months ago, huh? Damn mail service!]; Joanne; Jody; Rachel; Carol and Randy; Jason and Becca; and Donna.

Of course, I also thank my family and Jeremy for being so darn adorable and enjoying chocolate.


A few random plugs:
Dr. Heckle is hilarious, takes no time out of your day, and needs some loving.
TSHendrick and Reputation@Stake create my #1 favorite, the Non-Review. These men's brain cells go where no other human or cockroach's brain cells have gone before or ever will again. E.g., the battle of the Hexagon vs. the Septa-whatever. My life with never be the same since that defeat! Reputation needs some lovin' too at his new site, thestupidbet.

Now for the GIRLS RULE AND BOYS DROOL part~

Guys, I adore all of you, and I'd clone you for myself and straight, single blogger girlfriends if I could. But let's face it, none of you did it for me this weekend! My sister bloggers did! Heck, I didn't even need to switch teams [not that there's anything wrong with that. In fact, I've been trying to get drafted since my last blind date from hell. It's just that I'm also contemplating starting a Jewish convent. It might perhaps serve me better.] Anyway, my point is that it takes a woman to get the job done!

I made my needs known, you boys jumped into your cold showers or whatever, and the girls jumped into action. BossyBetty voluntarily stared at the number of my following with me, and we did the potty dance together. (Did you dance with us, boys? I think not!) Rapunzel shared in my desperation and cheered me on. (Did you boys? I think not!) Alice set out to send someone over. (Did you boys? I think not!)

ALAS, IT WAS THE AMAZING BUMPKIN who jumped off her swing to save my weekend by sending the EQUALLY AMAZING TRISH on over to do it for me! Both of these women's blogs are fabulous. They get me literally dancing cheerfully, with their upbeat stories, pictures, music, information on fashion (Lord knows I need it!) and bursts of happy energy. They are both feisty divas who helped me (a feisty non-diva) do it this weekend!

I'm getting signaled that my time was up 55 minutes ago, so I'll close by thanking all of you boys and girls. It has been a uniquely special experience doing it with you. I'm not even going to try to downplay it; it meant so much. I hope we'll do it again sometime in the future. Chocolate kisses and grateful hugs, Robyn

40 comments:

  1. Congrats on hitting triple digits!

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  2. As a half Jewish married dude, I must say, you deserved the greatest full Jewish single dude that is out there. If only I knew any.

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  3. Congrats! By the time I got here, you had already hit your 100 mark!

    Wow, somehow I didn't know about all of that messed up garbage you dealt with :( I'm sorry. That doesn't kill us, makes us stronger so they say, right? And you my friend are a strong chick!

    Keep on keepin' on and bringing us lots of awesomely hilarious dating stories, lyrics catered to your life, fun photos, etc. Thanks for the mention. You rawk, Robyn, um, pun not intended.

    FourthGradeNothing.com

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  4. Great to read a little more of your story, and I am giving this one the big star, to come back later and check out all these new bloggers. Here's to a hundred more girlfriend, they come much quicker now.
    Loves,
    The Bumpkin

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  5. You go girl! It's quite a milestone to conquer, Robyn, and you nailed it! And you know all them followers wouldn't have signed on to read your blog if your content wasn't so funny and awesome and heartfelt like it is, so let it be a testament to the quality of your writing moreso than anything else. The plain fact is that you RAWK! And you can totally use that word if you want to. LOL! On to the next 100!!!

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  6. Congrats on the big milestone.. your completely nuts,, in the best possible way of course..lol.. and also congrats on rising out of the mire and coming full circle - positivity rules...

    =]

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  7. Great post and I can't wait to see you reach your next 100.onwards to 500 and beyond. :)

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  8. What a fun post Robyn, seriously, you are a lot of fun to read! I am looking forward to following you to the next 100 and beyond! Have a day filled with lots of sweet chocolatey love XO - Trish

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  9. I’m following, I’m following!! Just following way behind on that “Follower” thing – on my own and everyone else’s blog.
    Congrats on hitting # 100!

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  10. What can I say but I have adopted you..And I heart you lots!!! Congrats!! You are amazing and wonderful and beautiful!! Many Many more wonderful things too....When I skipped on your blog i was instantly hooked,, I couldn't hit "FOLLOW" fast enough!!!

    HAPPY 100!!!!!

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  11. Thank you all 100 more times, especially to my new girlfriends Trish and Bumpkin. I see a whole new world of gal pals to connect with ahead too.

    Anthony, I'm not completely nuts. Mix some chocolate in too. Now add some more. Don't go sparingly.

    xoRobyn

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  12. What a great tribute...I cant believe you can recall all of those...and in order...you are a super woman..Glad to have met you..!

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  13. Robyn, thanks for the shout out! You give too much credit. Your blog is great because of your posts. It's funny because of your personality. Infact, your blog oozes with personality (in a good way)!
    Congrats on the 100!

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  14. Robyn, thanks for the shout-out, you certainly deserve it! When I started, at the end of June last year, I had no one...many times not one single comment came my way, but I kept on plodding along, and now I have reached almost 200! I don't do anything special, I just write a bit of poetry for my own amusement, but someone once told me to get on as many blogs as I could and get myself known in the Blogoshere. I don't follow Twitter, or MySpace or FaceBook or anything like that, I just blog...and that really changed my life! Sure, I've had the odd scrape and things haven't been easy, and one thing I won't do is let the little blogs get beaten down or put off, because I would always stand up for anyone.
    So, have some chocolate on me! Here's to the next 98...because in case you've not noticed, you have now 102 followers!
    Hugs from across the Pond!

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  15. Congratulations on topping the century mark. You have proven that doing it is mostly harmless.

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  16. I like the idea of a Jewish convent - the nuns would have such attitude.

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  17. lots of chocolates for a wonderful landmark!

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  18. kissed and hugs right back atcha. Congrats on 100 and more. And thanks for the shoutout! :)

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  19. Congratulations and thank you so much! I'm happy to be a part of the first 100. Before you know it you'll be celebrating the first 1000. Cheers!

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  20. May your followers continue to multiply so long as the Nuns do not appear in my dreams and they never "follow" me :D
    Your the BEST!
    xxoo
    Aion

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  21. Congrats Robyn. You are charming as they come and deserve throngs of loyal followers. I'm certain that the numbers will continue to grow.

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  22. Little birdy told me that you had a fabulous blog and, sure 'nuff, you do!

    Looking forward to more! :)

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  23. Congratulations!! I read most of the bloggers you mentioned and am now off to check out the ones I'm not familiar with!

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  24. Hey, you didnt even thank ME!

    oh, this is my first visit. Ok then, nevermind....

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  25. OH, I "drool" alright! I drool every time I think about you coming down here to Raleigh...

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  26. Also, I do drool...but only at the girls who rule, so I guess it works out.

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  27. You are definitely entertaining me! Love the blog Love it! You are cracking me up as I read your posts. Saw your profile on my girl Trish's blog and thought i should stop by and say hey! I am your newest follower! look forward to reading more! have a fab night and stop by sometime! XOXO Jessica http://kitchenbelleicious.blogspot.com

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  28. Thank you, thank you everyone - for ruling and drooling!

    more hugs and chocolate kisses,
    xoRobyn

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  29. GB, good point. I can see it now:

    Sister Sonia Borgenstein says to Sister Rahel Herwitz "Put on a jacket. It's cold outside!Is your son married yet -the one who just finished high school? Why didn't you call me yesterday? This black outfit is slimming on me, nu?" ecsetera.

    xoRobyn

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  30. I would have done it with you but I was busy doing a lot of homework. I agree with you on the name 'blog' or 'blogging.' It's so weird to say those words in the real world.

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  31. If you do this we will update you to diva stauts!
    Loves
    http://bumpkinonaswing.blogspot.com/2010/04/dear-noreply-commentbloggercom.html
    We can not reply to you from our blackberrys.

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  32. PS.

    I love that you love Take on a Walk on the Wild Side. It confirms and alludes to the fact that you are my kinda girl!
    Where's our next post.
    Oh Snap, we keep each other motivated too!

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  33. Thanks for the follow, Powdered Toast Man. I'm thinking perhaps "blog" should just be replaced by "Powdered Toast Man." It sounds much better.

    Bumpkin, the next post is coming, hopefully this eve, my friend. You mean I can still dress shlumpy and become a diva?! Woohoo, I'll check out the link.

    Thanks Lydia!

    xoRobyn

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  34. 105 FOLLOWERS Robyn you da man GIRL!!!That's awesome, I couldn't be happier for you! Your blog is amazing--as you know!--and so are you and your stories!!:D

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  35. 114! You're moving crazy fast!

    Wait a minute? Is that my name? I was supportive? Wow! You've got a great blog here, lady!

    Sorry that it's taken me so long to get to this.... It's been super busy! Congratulations again on 100!

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  36. Belated congrats on your goal Robin. I see you're already up 15 followers since you posted this so you'll be at 200 in no time.

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