Pearls Before Swine
We were just talking on some subject related to books, bookselling and our store, and I just blurted out something along the lines of, “I should probably tell you that I have a blog that has some readers, but it’s anonymous and not representative of the company in anyway.”
Only I may have mumbled/rushed it a little, and first reaction was just to stare.
Not exactly what I was looking for.
Turns out she thought I’d said something about reading a blog, and she was waiting for me to finish with how that related to our conversation. Also turns out that she’s worked with bloggers before. No big deal. Just don’t give away company secrets, and so forth.
Possible traumatic experience diverted.
She told me a little later that she expected this confession out of the blue to be followed with “And by the way, I got a movie deal so I’m quitting tomorrow,” which made me laugh since there’s nothing movie-worthy about this blog. Now if they wanted to set a TV show in my bookstore, I think we would do much better than Pam Anderson’s Stacked. Our only problem is that we don’t have any through plot. Hmmm. Maybe I should look and see what they do on the Office.
Anyway, the reasons for my impromptu confession were many:
1.) She could have very easily run across this site surfing the internet and recognized my “voice” (not to mention any and all actual incidents that took place in my store).
2.) Within the last couple of months I’ve had two authors that I’ve communicated with through this site walk into my store. One left moments before I arrived, and the other walked in while I was shelving, approached me, and asked for his/her book.
3.) I was afraid that soon one of my friends or family members would slip up and say something about the blog within her hearing. Already I’d had two of come in asking for specific books I’d highlighted, which—while great for the authors—manages to send my anxiety spiking.
Anxiety now? Fair to middlin’. I’m slightly freaked that the Boss may have gotten home last night and chosen to toodle around the site and archives. The fear due to content so much as the fact that I write these entries in the morning, often with only a cup of coffee or less in my system, and I’m prone to spelling errors, word switches and unfinished thoughts. I sometimes wonder how y’all suffer through it, but to have this represent me to the Boss makes my tummy a little sour.
It’s nice that I don’t have to hide it from her anymore though. Now I can ask her some of the questions y’all ask me and you’ll benefit from a hell of a lot more bookselling experience.
All two of you.
5 comments:
Trying to hide your blog is like wearing a sheer skirt and standing outside with the sun behind you. After awhile, everyone knows!
Your blog is great. Let the typos fly... it's blogging, you can always go in later and fix 'em. (I write one that's linked to the LA Times. I've made some whoppers in the past).
Only two of us??? The blogline feed says you have 56 subscribers. Hmm...you'll have to adjust your self-degredation :)
It's obvious that your boldness in coming out is directly linked to your bra episode a few days ago. You're getting progressively more daring.
Next, you're writing a screenplay. Mark my words.
I usually only comment if I have something relevant to add. And remember, for every comment you get there are 200+ lurkers. Something like that, anyway.
I'm an author working from home and I'm also a self-employed software programmer, so I can say all kinds of nasty things about my boss. (ie. Me.)
I am amazed about how many of us bloggers (myself included) are concerned about the issue of being "outed".
Sometimes, I feel like I am living in some Communist country where we have to hide ourselves, except that the Iron Curtains are in our own minds.
This phenomena helps explain how censorship in the media can exist. We start by censoring ourselves!
Post a Comment