In a rare moment of bravery, I let Cool Mum read through the memoir that I’ve been writing. Her review was generally positive with the comment:
It seems a little self-deprecating.
I said that it’s because I’m a terrible writer and I have no business behind a keyboard, typewriter, or stone tablet and chisel unless I’m trying to sell one. (FYI, do NOT get into the stone tablet and chisel business. Those units are hard to move. Literally!)
This was the line that sparked CM’s comment:
My senior year, I was voted ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ by my class (fooled ‘em!)
Longtime readers of this blog (both of you) may think back and realize that yes, there may have been a little self-deprecation along the way. This is where if you were watching a TV show, we would cut to some flashbacks all spliced together. Instead, here are some fitting lines all spliced together
Same neurotic blogging! (in a title) … the only thing we are more clueless about than parenting is fashion … my fashion sense is bankrupt … I am a big nerd.
And these are just from the past month!
A cardinal rule in humor is that you only use a joke three times max. By using self-deprecation as a humor tactic approximately 500 times (like once a blog post), that rule was broken, trampled to death into a fine dust, forgotten, exhumed, and trampled into a finer dust long ago.
I’d like to think that all of our self-dep was not done as false modesty, like we were calling ourselves fashion casualties with the secret hopes that people would think that we were even more stylish than ever. We really think that we are duds when it comes to our duds. But honestly, it’s not that funny. Especially after the 2nd year of talking about it. It’s almost like taking the easy way out and going after the biggest target that won’t offend anyone: myself.
I didn’t make any specific resolutions for 2010. But now after turning the corner on cynicism, bringing my obsession with self-deprecation to light is a breakthrough that some people pay tens of thousands to a therapist for.
Most importantly, how cool is it to dis yourself all the time? I should find a legendary humorist and study how he crafted a persona that was real and relatable. Lemme see… here’s a legend: R. Dangerfield. Great feelings of self-worth, here I come!
No related posts.
I ran into your mom in Home Depot (don’t ask) and she told me you were blogging. I hurried home, shower door tucked under my arm, and immediately turned on my computer to read. Just like old times! I knew you had the gift!!!!! You should always listen to your high school English teacher. We know stuff about you. Now that I’ve found you, I will be a regular reader. Love you.
Mrs. Shayman
I frequently tell people, “I wonder where I’d be if I had listened to Mrs. Shayman…” Fortunately, I am happy where I am and still feel inspired by your encouragement to press ahead in my writing!
A. I do this, too. I’ve been told it’s bad. We should stop.
B. This is probably a weird comment, but I really like the font you’re using on your headings.
C. How stinking COOL is it that your high school English teacher is reading your blog???
A. Let’s!
B. Thanks. It took WAY too long to decide on a font, but I’m happy with it.
C. I does make me feel pretty cool. ^_^
Are you being self deprecating in your title on your blog with the decision to stop being self deprecating? We think you are great!
You caught me! Thank you!