On October 24, 2007, I left LiveJournal (where I was affectionately and rather grotesquely known as “vagynafondue”) and started Oh Honestly, Erin. It was scary, leaving a comfortable home for my writing after 6 years, but I felt it was time to move on, to claw my way out of the pigeon-hole, and to hopefully reach people outside of the members-only club that is LiveJournal.
It took me awhile to find my voice again, and WordPress caused a thousand knockdown-dragouts between Henry and me, but now I can’t imagine writing anywhere else. I don’t even know for sure if many people still read this thing, I know I lost a lot of my old LJ friends when I jumped ship, but it’s OK. Because it’s a part of me like a bad coke habit and I only see future possibilities, Henry exposés, and late night benders on the horizon.
With that, I’ve asked some of my friends to pick a few of their favorite OHE posts from years past, which I will be highlighting all week. Because maybe if people see that my friends actually read this shit, it will seem more legit. Otherwise, if left up to me, it will be a post full of county fair bullshit and Jonny Craig videos.
(Henry even said he would pretend like he knows how to read by choosing some of his own favorites. I’m not holding my breath on that one; blue never did look good on me.)
And if any of you have any personal favorites, please leave a comment and let me know. It would be like a virtual birthday cupcake for me.
And make sure to stop back at the end of the week, because there will be a “thanks for reading this shit” giveaway*. I felt bad that I dropped the ball on that last giveaway over the summer since, you know, my grandma died. But you forgive me, right?!
(*I promise to try and make it worthwhile.)
My friend Casey (formerly of the band Joke Flower) is here to kick things off. Thanks, Casey!
An Open (Love) Letter To Oh Honestly, Erin
Hello, Oh. How are you today?
On this occasion (your 4th birthday!), I wanted to let you know what you mean to me and how important you are in my life.
I know we haven’t been acquainted for a vast amount of time, but every moment I’ve spent with you has been precious to me.
I’ve been asked what my favorite parts of you are. How am I to answer this? I may as well be asked my favorite song, book or film.
It’s an impossible question to answer, for they are far too numerous!
Of course, I have been with many blogs in the past (haven’t we all?), but never have I laughed so much, or felt so at home, as when I’m in the warm embrace of your (often sarcastic) words and (frequently macabre) images. From the artistic beauty of blossoming zombie friendships in the cemetery, to the perfectly placed, exquisitely timed “motherfucker”s; from hilarious tales of law firm shenanigans, to images of Henry The Elder surrounded by gigantic, bright yellow cocks…each new missive becomes my favorite!
But I can’t even say that zombies, giant yellow peenz and “motherfucker”s define my love for you in themselves. You have also taught me so much. Through your words and pictures, I have discovered that Jonny Craig, although unquestionably talented, is a supreme douchebag; I have been introduced to the infinite joys of the wondrous Wacky Worm; I am now convinced of the timeless genius of Robert Smith and his merry band of minstrels, THE CURE. (TOLHURST!)
Oh, when I immerse myself in you, it’s like venturing into a small, warm room (perhaps like a closet) that’s full to the ceiling of treasures, just waiting to be discovered.
So, I just wanted to wish you the best of all possible birthdays, and I look forward to spending many more days with you, enjoying your endless charms.
In short, I love you lots like tater tots!
Yours truly,
Casey
12 Responses to “Belated Blog Birthday!”
Say it don't spray it.
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This is a hard choice for me; so many of your posts have made me Tolhurst so bad. I have to think about it.
Okay, I’m going to the loo to think.
It really means a bunch to me that after all these years, you still read this.
I was actually just harangued over the weekend for being too humble. But I can’t imagine, with friends like you, being anything else. Apparently self-deprecation is lame and I should just be an arrogant asshole blogger who assumes that thousands of people are reading this. People just don’t understand how much I really do appreciate things. I never take anything for granted and am constantly happy when I do get comments here or there. So thank you for sticking by me. <3
Are you effing kidding? Your self-deprecation is what I love about you, and I guarantee I’m not alone on this. In spite of your crass and in-your-face writing style, you’re still charming, real and kind.
Whoever said that to you is probably just trying to make you feel like shit, and what a dick move when you’re celebrating your blog’s birthday. Fuck ’em.
It’s hard to admit that I have both an LJ and a Google Blooger account that I almost never use. I miss a lot that way.
My first exposure to OHE was a link to your blog about Trundle Manor about a year ago when I was researching TM in one of those “how the hell don’t I know about this place already” fits. I enjoyed the insight as well as the writing style.
Then came the first Castle Blood Matinee article, which I still think is the best thing that has ever been written about us. The “hyperbole that rings true” struck a chord in all of us and we literally couldn’t wait for a visit that year. (I write a lot for the attraction and am VERY nit-picky when somebody else puts something in print, and this one raised the bar for all other articles.)
Omitting anything personal in the blog due to bias, I would say that my favorite things are the fair/amusement park trip reports because they relate so well to what Kari and I do in our spare time and the adventures play out in a similar manner. The stand-out exception to all of this is the “Gingerbread Crack House” story, which I loved from start to finish and wish that I had been so clever as to come up with that particular gem of an idea.
Happy WP Anniversary!
Chris
Thank you, Chris! My favorite thing about blogging is that it enables me to make friends with really incredible people, and I’m happy to add you to that list. I’m glad you found this thing and that our paths finally crossed!
If you ever start using your blogs (LJ or otherwise) again, please let me know!
Well, why don’t you just take me to a buffet and ask me which is my favorite dish?! My dear, every one of your posts shines by itself. Even when you expound more than once on a particular subject, I find you are never repetitive. Do you realize how difficult that is to accomplish in the often unforgiving world of writing? Quite simply, I adore you. I adore your family. I adore your art. I adore your superfunk nail designs. Just…everything.
Oh, alright. My favorite LJ post was when I asked you to make Henry take a pic with your cracktastic neighbor (the one with the Bozo hair), AND YOU DID. How I laughed. How I still laugh! Poor Henry.
I love you, Sandrababy!
That is one of my favorites too and I laugh every time I think about it. It was the Blogathon request EVER! I will dig it up and post it on here for you this week!
But there are too many to choose from…I think I might find something though.
I would love to have you contribute, Brandy! <3
Whenever I say that my favorite thing about blogging is the people it allows me to meet, you're totally one of those people.
Right back at’cha! Honestly, Erin, (I couldn’t resist) I am so glad to have met you too.
I can’t tell you exactly what it was about this post but when I read it I was instantly hooked. http://www.ohhonestlyerin.com/archives/5298 and I can prove it with this post http://brandaleeb.blogspot.com/2010/07/crap-piled-on-more-crap.html. It’s been a little over a year now that I’ve been reading your blog; one good thing to come from Blog Frog.
Hi! I just re-discovered this and re-read it and got all warm & fuzzy inside. I’m still really touched and happy and over-the-moon that you wanted to use my letter.
Long may you run, Erin. x
Hi! I still adore that letter so much!!
Don’t be a stranger. ;)