My good friend and arch-nemesis Tony Posnanski (The Anti-Jared) made an interesting observation yesterday about the way this space seems to be evolving, unfolding into a more serious tone much of the time.
I don't know how such a circumstance could have occured, unless I've simply exhausted every lame fat joke in my book and grew tired of making scales and stalks of celery converse.
I guess I blame you for this subtle shift. Yes you... you laughed at my ha-ha's, left gleeful remarks when I made things rhyme and even indulged me a few knock-knock jokes (well, some of you anyway...). Writing those kinds of goofy things make me happier than a puppy playing with a slightly smaller puppy. As long as I'm producing this blog, you can be certain there will always be a certain amount of silly nonsensical nonsense. Like the Underdog tattoo on my ass, it's part of who I am.
However...
It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the more serious posts I put out there seemed to generate more buzz, more comments, more raw emotion (and now I feel really stupid for hiring that rocket scientist who figured it out for me... thanks for nothing, Doctor Rodmonivich).
I noticed something else as well. While I could pound out two or three silly posts in a surprising short amount of time, the serious ones took quite a bit longer. And they took considerably more out of me. Sometimes I feel drained after writing one, like a lemon wrung of its juice.
A famous Nietzsche quote goes something to the effect of, "When you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."
What does that mean? It's a warning that when you seek to understand the "abyss," or the darker elements of life or truth (or weight loss), you can end up getting swallowed by that emptiness. The binge eater swallowed by seeking understanding about why he eats like he does... how appropriate.
So Tony might be right (but please don't tell him I said so). The balance seems to be shifting and this space seems to be undergoing changes, growing up just a tad. It's turning into something that it wasn't a few months ago.
Funny, so am I.
The funny posts lift my spirits when I'm feeling down, but the serious ones give me things to chew on other than cookies.
ReplyDeleteI like not eating cookies.
I like the funny sh*t, Jack. But if you insist on being insightful, I guess I can live with it...lol.
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ReplyDeletesounds like maintaining weight loss is serious business and your gearing up to ahieve it. im sure you will this time, with some great jokes sprinkled in!
ReplyDeleteWell don't go all Steve Martin on me for God's sake. Remember what a wacky funny guy he was? And then he became a "serious" (translation) not good actor. Now he's back at the funny, and he's sort of lost his funny card. Bring back the Jerk!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I get something out of all sides of your blog. Enjoy you when you are funny, learn from you when you are profound. I too have noticed and appreciated your shift. But don't go too far. This fat drudgery is hard enough, and Jack Sh*t helps me get through it all sometimes by making me laugh and forget for just a few minutes even.
I like the funny AND the serious. It's really great to laugh at your funny side, and greater to see that this losing weight thing is a serious and important journey for you. Keep doing 'em both!
ReplyDeleteI too enjoy all sides of Jack Sh*t! I do think we have to look into ourselves though during this journey and work on some of the deeper issues sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI think the change is good. I am right there with you on your last post. i have gained and lost the same weight SIX times. Why have I gone back to my old ways after my victories?
ReplyDeleteI think you have a great funny bone, but I do like to read your serious side as well. Keep us laughing and thinking Jack- Your doing great! Underdog huh...Im trying to visualize the tattoo...lol Not pretty. lol :)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like everything you write, be it serious or silly.
ReplyDeleteAnother great thought provoking post!
You are an observant and wise man, Jack Caca.
ReplyDeleteI like a mixture because that's who we all are, really. Some days we're serious and some days we're silly. I think just sticking to one or the other would cause me more heartburn than an xtra large sausage pizza! :)
ReplyDeleteI always liked your funny posts, but knew you were covering a more serious side. I think I like you better uncovered.
ReplyDeleteSnap!
I think it's reasonable that the more thoughtful posts tend to get deeper responses than the fluffy funny ones. For the (highly) amusing lists, what's there to comment on? You can "Ha!" and "LOL," name your favorite, maybe add another, but there's nothing to really say. You can't debate or discuss or be moved, you can just laugh and move on.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of room for laughter, and I think it's a welcome and needed respite, and they're great posts to have. But I don't think you should shy away from being serious. Personally, I tend to enjoy the thoughtful posts more, but I think there's room for both. Just write what you feel like writing.
I like both, Jack! It's your blog, so do what works for you!!
ReplyDeleteI like the funnies Jack, but the other stuff is inspiring...I like the balance of the two! Just keep writing!
ReplyDeleteThat harcore emotional darkness crap really does take a lot out of you. Maybe that's why I've stopped blogging so much. I haven't got much bright and cheery to say anymore. Then again that may just be me. A fellow blogger calls me his Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteBoth kinds are good.
ReplyDeleteMaking these changes does require a lot of abyss staring.
What ever you do be true to how you are feeling.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that's what you do best Mr. Shit.
All of the good responses have been taken.
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of having virtual rotten tomatoes thrown at my head by an angry mob, I want to say that if you're in the least bit worried about what your audience wants--in terms of the funny/serious balance or otherwise--please don't be. (This coming from an adoring reader, no less!) Your precious health, your precious LIFE is what is in question. I imagine you started blogging to help yourself, and you should continue blogging in whatever style or tone you desire to continue helping yourself. More readers, less readers, more or less comments...who cares? Just be good to yourself--that's the bottom line. I wish you successful maintenance and vibrant health, Jack. :)
ReplyDeleteDon't ever grow up!
ReplyDeleteJack, I like it all & the balance of the two is great. BUT, you need to do what feels right & good to you! I also find the thought provoking posts so time consuming to write. I rarely get anything else done beyond the blog & read other blogs!!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to whatever you bring because I have enjoyed both the funny & serious!
I love all your posts, serious and not so serious. I think that you should be able to write what you want (it's your blog dammit).
ReplyDeleteEven your serious posts have a tongue in cheek attitude, and that is very refreshing!
I love reading your posts Jack, the serious ones really give me pause to think and evaluate my own journey whilst the whimsical and fuuny ones give me a chance to change clothes after i've wet myself.
ReplyDeletekeep it up bud, we all think your fantastic and talented.
I believe in taoism it states there is no cup without the void within it....ha hhaaaa trumped your nietzsche quote....lol. Now I need a look of pontification and a black beret. hmmm....or here's one..it's all good man..... or how about ' And be a simple kind of man, Be something- you love and understand" Perhaps the deepest southern rock song in existence. The honest and navel gazing posts do drag energy out of you. It's worth it though, when you get up the next day anyway and take a walk and eat right while every shlocky song that comes on the radio makes you want to cry. Miley cyrus be damned. Keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteChris
I like you - both kinds.
ReplyDeleteEvery post. Love it. Silly or serious.
ReplyDeleteSometimes balance is needed.
It's all good. I laugh at every post you write, even the serious ones sometimes. So you still have us smiling. And I might tear up or something might hit me hard from your sillier posts. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, considering I've only read two of your post, sorry I didn't quite get through the one inbetween the serious one and the eating at the buffet party one, I think you're a great writer. Funny. and the serious one, that's just your emotions, everyone has those...why not blog about it. I think what people are saying here is that they read you because you write well...funny or not.
ReplyDeleteAs being the biggest and best Sh*t in our house, we just want to say we love everything you write!Horace was right, the best part of being in this family is the love and being full of Sh*t!
ReplyDeleteThank you loving father and husband!
Mr. Poopy,
ReplyDeleteIn the words of the very wise Mr. Gump, your blog is like a box of chocolates.
Except it doesn't make my ass fatter.
Love you, man.
Well, there have been 32 comments telling you how wonderful you are, so instead of repeating that, I'll just leave you with my favorite knock knock joke.
ReplyDeleteMe: Have you heard the latest knock knock joke?
You: no, why don't you tell it to me?
Me: okay, you start it.
You: knock knock
Me: Who's there?
Why did that girl have to mention sausage pizza? :) All of the comments after that were lost in a daze of memories from afar....very tasty memories...mmmmm....DAMN! Snap out of it Skinny Tammy!
ReplyDeleteYou've got the perfect mix going on...lovin' it every day. :)
Well, I dig it all. That party post you wrote the other day was laugh-out-loud funny, but then the serious posts really make us think and give insight into your journey.
ReplyDeleteI like it all. It's how life flows...sometimes absurb, sometimes reflective.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the meet-up. Hope we can catch MerryMary sometime and try again. It may require a minor kidnapping.
It's funny the way things work, Jack. I intended my own to be serious, educational, and cerebral, but it soon morphed into semi-ridiculousness. We all find our way over time. So glad you're settling into your own.
ReplyDeleteJack - it's your blog, and you write it for you, for your health, for your journey, for your wellbeing. We're just the fortunate ones you are sharing with along the way. Never apologize for not being funny, for being more introspective. You've helped me alot in both kinds of your posts... i always seem to find the serious side of them anyway.. the stuff that gets me thinking. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. You're such a gret writer. I feel like I can relate to you... funny at times, super serious at others. I think that's a good balance in life to have. I was just thinking about that abyss quote the other day. I consider myself to be a thinker as well, and it's easy getting wrapped up in it all... understanding. The more you come to understand, the more you realize what you don't.
ReplyDeleteI like the balance between silly & serious, seems real to me.
ReplyDeleteYour observation about the time it takes to write different types of entries is the main reason I found that I'll never be a daily blogger. I love to read the musings of the daily floggers among us, but I find that it takes significant time for me to write when I've got something to say.
One of the things I appreciate most is the fact that I never know if you are going to make laugh or think. or sometimes both. I appreciate it all!
ReplyDeleteThe serious posts make the funny ones even funnier. The variety of posts just show what a multi-faceted kind of guy you are, Mr. Sh*t! Don't become one dimensional; if that happens, then the humor becomes one dimensional, too!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the thought-provoking posts, so I applaud the gradual shift towards incorporating more of those. You do a great job of always having new content, so however you do it, keep it up.
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