I took this interview from a website and added a few questions of my own. This is a modern version of man’s search for meaning.
When is your Blog Birthday?
July 29, 2005.
Why do you blog?
I originally began this blog with the sole intention of having an account of my first year of teaching. Then the blog’s purpose expanded into keeping my friends and family in Texas aware of my MsAdventures in NYC. Before Blogger, though, I had at least two other blogs that I wrote in on a fairly regular basis. I enjoy writing, particularly for an audience. I’m a natural-born blogger, I suppose.
What do you usually write about?
I write about the trials and tribulations of being a middle school teacher in Harlem. I write about daily life in NYC. I write poems. I write about books I’m reading. I write about my family…
What don’t you write about? Why?
I don’t like to write too many blog entries where I just chronicle my day, journal-style, without any creative writing attempts or at least, some humor. I find blog entries like that very tedious to read and to write. Also, I don’t share anything on my blog about myself that I wouldn’t feel comfortable with anyone, and I mean anyone, knowing. I apply this same rule of thumb to anything involving my friends or family. I withhold all the details - no matter how juicy - if a friend or family member specifically asks me not to blog about something. I respect other people’s privacy, as well as my own.
Who reads your blog?
My parents were my first loyal followers. In the beginning, I had to repeatedly correct my mom: “No, Mama, it’s called a blog. BLOG, not blob.” Cade reads my blog. A lot of my mom’s co-workers read my blog. At least three cool people who leave signed notes read my blog. Other than that, I’m not sure who reads about me. It’s exhilarating and a teensy bit creepy, no?
What is the worst experience regarding something you wrote in your blog?
I haven’t had any experiences I’d deem “horrible.” Some people will inevitably take things the wrong way, and that’s fine. I love to get a reaction from my writing. As British poet Wendy Cope wrote, “Write to amuse? What an appalling suggestion! I write to make people anxious and miserable and to worsen their indigestion.” Sometimes responses are positive; sometimes responses are negative. All are good.
How do you deal with criticism?
I enjoy receiving comments, as long as they’re not from spambots. If a comment is highly offensive, I might delete it. It’s my right. I keep most comments, though. It’s funny, because I never get comments on the entries that I think are most comment-worthy. For instance, I innocently used the term “illegal alien” last week and one super “politically correct” person tried to lambast me. But no one called me a hick or anything when I wrote about my dad scraping up roadkill or my uncle having a pet raccoon. I was disappointed.
What is the best thing about living where you live?
There’s always something to do. You could live here a lifetime and never see half of what’s out there to experience. Also, NYC is the intellectual and creative capital of the U.S. Oh yes, and I love having four seasons and an extensive public transportation system.
What would you do if you were president of the US?
I’d admit the War on Terror is a sham and a waste of resources, energy, and lives. I’d start spending more money on education and public works programs.
What actor would play you in the movie of your life?
Antonio Banderas. I’d like to see him work hard (really, really hard) for the money.
What is your favorite color?
I like many colors. I only prefer they be bold colors that don’t make plaid patterns.
What is your favorite food?
I love fresh fruit, brick oven pizza, barbeque, fried chicken, marshmallow cream, cinnamon bread…
What do you wish you could change?I wish I could do anything I want whenever I wanted. Novel, huh? In particular, I wish I had the financial security to get serious about my writing and start pursuing my ultimate goal of publishing a book.
What gets on your nerves?
Ignorance. Jorts. Much of popular culture. Chronic cellphone use. People who take up more than one seat on the subway. People who say “exspecially.” Paris Hilton. The list could go on and on, exceeding Blogger’s maximum character length.
When you were 10, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I think I wanted to be an astronaut, which would become a Rockette, which would become an actress, which would become a doctor, which would become a…?
What are your hobbies?
Writing, reading, shopping, making lists, exploring the city, keeping up with documentary films, snarkiness, and clever conversation.
Next goal/aspiration?
I’m interested in starting a graduate program and beginning a career outside of education. As I mentioned earlier, I also have a lot of writing ideas floating around my head and scribbled in notebooks.
What would your book be about?
My first one would probably be something involving my experiece at I.S. 666. They say, “Write what you know.” I’m probably going to start out writing what I wish I didn’t know, what I wish weren’t true about my experience with the NYC education system.
What do you want to tell other bloggers?
Keep in mind that blogging is still a fairly new medium and doesn’t have the mores of normal social interaction. People are capable of saying things on blogs they would never say in real life. Blogs are highly subjective. Blogs can be used for malevolent and inflammatory purposes. Despite all of this, I think blogging is fun and worthwhile and can be a great writing exercise.
