I don't blog
I had my semi-annual dentist visit this week, and although I love my dentist I break out in a cold sweat in the dentist chair. I wasn't a fluoride baby, and anyone who thinks fluoride in our water supply is a bad idea should come talk to me. But that's another post.
Anyway, as I was leaving my dentist starting asking me restaurant questions. People love to talk about restaurants, as you may have noticed, especially with a restaurant critic. I suggested he read my blog and was about to give him the URL, but he said, "I don't blog." ...
You'd be surprised how often I hear this. I felt like saying, "I'm not asking you to blog. I'm the one who blogs. All you have to do is read, and if you feel like it, comment. I'm always grateful for comments."
OK, sometimes I suck readers into blogging (see Owl Meat, jl and Bucky), but you don't have to blog.
A lot of people out there still have blogophobia. They don't know what blogs are, and they don't want to sound uncool and admit it. So they just insist they don't blog. What I have to do is come up with some new name for what Dining@Large is so I can say, "You ought to read my online tidbits column" or whatever.
The hygienist used cinnamon paste/grit to clean my teeth this time. How weird is that? I thought there was only mint, but it turns out there's also chocolate and bubblegum for the kids. You'd think they would give adults a choice.
Comments
EL, I think the subtext to "I don't blog" is "I'm a serious person--I have no time for frivolity." Unlike, say, the regulars here.
You are speaking about a man who makes his whole office dress in costume on Halloween, and he always dresses as a female. This year, I hear, he was a cheerleader, but my favorite was the year he came as the tooth fairy. Can you imagine having your teeth drilled on by the tooth fairy? So probably that wasn't his subtext. :-) EL
Posted by: Dahlink | November 15, 2008 7:38 AM
Better things to not do than not blog:
1. Eat creamed corn
2. Exude confidence
3. Drink plonk
4. Do anything to or for someone for his own good
5. Serve creamed corn
Posted by: jl | November 15, 2008 8:52 AM
How about 'On-line chat'? That's more like what we do here than in the limited number of other blogs I've ever read. Even You Don't Say is not so conversational as what goes on here. Also OLC has a slightly salacious sound to it. After all, isn''t adult fair the raison d’état of the internet.
Oh, how about 'I run a chatroom for food porn'? Same idea. Make it hot and they will come.
BTW, I wonder if Cinnamon Girl is getting royalties for the grit?
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | November 15, 2008 9:35 AM
Or the other response: "hmmmph... i don't read blogs" in a contemptuous tone, as if they're one step up from on-line porn.
Posted by: Pigtown | November 15, 2008 10:07 AM
EL asked "Can you imagine having your teeth drilled on by the tooth fairy?"
There was a radio serial a while back called The Tooth Fairy. Done by the same folks who did Chickenman.
Posted by: Retired in Elkridge | November 15, 2008 10:22 AM
in other non-blogging news: had a wonderful experience at Annabel lee tavern last night. when we got there it was PACKED but the owner kurt was extremely nice and gracious. Once we got seated i had a great pork chop atop a wonderfully thick cheddar risotto. first time i have eaten there. good stuff.
Posted by: ryan97ou | November 15, 2008 10:23 AM
How about, "I would really like to know what you think about restaurants. You can leave your comments on my blog." Fear of the unknown is a terrible thing. Dining @ Large was my first experience with a blog and it has opened up a whole new world of information and entertainment.
Posted by: Regina | November 15, 2008 11:05 AM
Glad you got out there ryan - I took the visiting parents-in-law out there last weekend and they enjoyed it as well. Most importantly - they have duck fat fries available now, so the only slam I had against them (my hatred of sweet potato fries) is now a thing of the past.
Posted by: Josh (jwiv) | November 15, 2008 12:42 PM
I love sweet potato fries. Tasty and even a tad more healthy also.
I wish more places offered them.
Posted by: PCB Rob | November 15, 2008 2:04 PM
I'm with you Regina. Dining @ Large is my first experience in the blogging world, and I can't tell you how much I enjoy this site. Literally minutes before I read this topic today, I was telling my mother some of the funny and intersting stories, comments, and dialogue. While I have been a long time reader but fairly new blogger, there really is such a sense of community, and genuine caring (i.e. The responses Cosmo Girl received when she got a job, Laura Lee's first entry...I think it was her first). I am really glad I came across the sandbox.
Posted by: Trixie | November 15, 2008 2:28 PM
There was an article in the Economist last week that dealt with how blogging is now respectable.
I would link to it, but I don't link.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | November 15, 2008 3:57 PM
And Trixie, how many other blogs have you found where OMG means Owl Meat Gravy?
Posted by: Laura Lee | November 15, 2008 5:46 PM
Blogging is now respectable? Drat, I was just getting ready to start. Guess I'll have to go back to hiding bodies.
Posted by: Lissa | November 15, 2008 10:31 PM
What I don't understand about sweet potato fries is why they always have sugar on them.
PCB Rob notes that potato fries are healthier, and they would be without the sugar.
Posted by: Rosebud | November 16, 2008 7:01 AM
I have had some excellent sweet potato fries in my time and have never encountered sugar on them. When I had lunch with a friend at the Cross Keys Inn recently, my sandwich came with sweet potato fries, which my friend couldn't resist!
Posted by: Dahlink | November 16, 2008 7:50 AM
You know what I'll be doing today?
1. Blogging about food
2. Watching the Ravens hopefully win
3. Watching my fantasy football team no doubt lose
4. Explaining to my wife that there are three...yes three football games on tv on Sundays
5. Making a crab and cream of corn soup.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | November 16, 2008 8:09 AM
You know what? I think we go to the same dentist. Seriously. I was there for Halloween this year (unfortunately, I was on well water until I was 7 or so. I'm with you on the flouride thing).
Anyway, my dentist WAS dressed as a cheerleader. It made the whole trip a little easier.
And if it is the same dentist, I don't think gravitas has anything to do with his aversion to blogs. I'd guess he doesn't spend much time on computers at all...
Posted by: kitpollard | November 17, 2008 2:43 PM