Sunday, August 12, 2012

What Comes After My 15 Minutes?


So… how was your week? Did anything exciting happen? Not sure if you heard, but I wrote a blog post that may have gone a little viral.

As of writing this sentence, last week’s blog (Dear Hypothetically Gay Son) has been viewed 137,219 times on Ask Your Dad Blog. It was reprinted on The Huffington Post, read and tweeted by Ellen DeGeneres, and shared on Facebook more times than I can count. Needless to say, it has been an exciting week.

When I started this blog, my hope was for it to be more of a conversation than a soap box. Last week’s post brought that dream to life in the most unexpectedly fantastic way.  I now have what most writers only dream of. I have an audience. So now what do I do?

Well, I’m going to keep writing about what I’m trying to know: how to be a dad. And while it was incredibly nice to have thousands of people telling me what a great dad I am, or will be, the proof is going to be in the pudding. Earlier today the pudding was all over my kitchen floor, and in my daughter’s hair, and in my hair. Then we yelled at each other. Then we laughed. 

Later, at the park, I caught her on her hands and knees drinking muddy puddle water by a method that could only be described as “dog like”. I have a lot of work to do. And I am going to keep writing about it. I hope you’ll stay with me for the journey, because I’m damn glad to have you all here.

Before I leave last week’s post behind and start writing posts about poop and potty training, I’d like to say a few things.

Last week’s post connected with something much bigger than me or my son. That is obvious from the response. I am incredibly humbled to have written something that had such a profound effect on so many people. There are many better writers out there that will never get the chance to have thousands of people thank them and tell them that their writing made a difference in someone's life. I don’t take that honor lightly. I may never write something that goes viral again. My fifteen minutes may be up, but your comments will be with me forever. So thank you.

Lastly, it appears that some of you will be sticking with me. You’ve subscribed to my feed, liked the Facebook Page, or followed the Twitter account (They’re on the scroll bar on the right if you still need to find them). Welcome! I have some big hopes for this blog, and one is to make a difference for people. This Friday I am going to start something a new. It is going to be called Five Dollar Fridays. Don’t unsubscribe yet, just hear me out.

For the last little while I have found one, small charity or cause to donate five dollars to every Friday. When the Chick-Fil-A fiasco was going on I donated five dollars to Utah Pride Center with a note that said “This is my chicken sandwich”. Last week I gave my five spot to a dear friend whose dog needs a legbrace that she can’t afford.

I’m going to keep this up, but now I’m going to write about it. I’ll do a little research and post a write up with links on Fridays. Then I'll tweet it and get it up on the Facebook. If you want to donate five dollars (or more, or less) feel free. If not, please stay subscribed for my regular scheduled, poo-filled parenting blog. My hope is that I can take some of the love I’ve received for last week’s blog, and spread it around. I inspired you. You inspired me. Now let’s see who else we can get. I’m excited. I hope you are too.

Love,

Dad

Father and son

23 comments:

  1. You at terrific, John. Congrats on your success. Now -- deep breaths. It's gonna be awesome!

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  2. Sounds brilliant. I'm along for the ride.

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  3. I'm a new one on board here. Absolutely love the photo you've posted. Now that you are prepared for your son being hypothetically gay, you may have to prepare for the nightly conversation my husband has with our 3 1/2 year old son, "Good night. I love you." "but Daddy, I don't love you. I love Mommy." "Well, I love you, Alex." Our son looks at him with pity as this old man just does not get it, "But I don't love YOU."

    But don't worry - there are a great many people across the internet who do appreciate you.

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    1. LOL, I feel your husbands pain. Our 2 year old daughter already goes through fazes of who she "loves" more. Usually it's mom. Still, as soon as she wants to play "Airplane" she comes running back to dad ;)

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  4. I've been wanting to start reading a good dad blog, and I think I've found it. You are funny and sweet and a bit self-depricating. Perfection! Congrats on your success.

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    1. Parenting and humorous self-deprecation are like PB&J and Milk. You can have them separate, but they're SO much better together :)Thanks for reading Kathy. Glad to have you!

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  5. Found your blog through a friend's posting on facebook. Your an amazing writer and you have a new loyal reader here. I haven't stopped talking about your blog all weekend. Nice work dude, looking forward to more. I just know you are going to have a book deal someday...

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  6. I'm not a parent (yet), but I hope to be someday. I love reading parenting blogs and yours is now at the top of my list! Thank you for writing!

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  7. You didn't also notice the influential re-tweet by Alison Franc and her 13 followers?

    Your viral post brought me here, but your other writings made me subscribe. Thank goodness (for us readers) parenthood lasts longer than 15 minutes.

    -Alison, blog consumerist, momma to a puddle sippin' tot.

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    1. I noticed and appreciated EVERY tweet. My phone was going crazy for 72 hours!! Thanks Alison, I'm very glad you're here :)

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  8. The post went viral, all right, and deservedly so. The fact that your piece had people bawling speaks to your sensitivity, your ability as a writer, and the bone-deep terror inherent in coming out to parents.

    Your humor didn't hurt, either, and is the reason I threw your letter up on my blog, General Gayety, which is all about humor and the LGBT life. Thank you!

    Leslie
    www.generalgayety.com

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  9. I really did enjoy your post last week, but I actually subscribed because a friend referred me here and I liked reading all of your recent entries. Keep up the good work!

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    1. Thanks! As long as you all keep reading, I'll keep writing. To be honest, I'd probably keep writing them if everyone stopped reading too... but it's more fun with you here ;)

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  10. I'm not a parent, not even close really but every post you've written seems to just draw me in.
    I love the way you write and your view on the world and the way that you put yourself forth on the internet.
    Continue the great work! You're parent and non-parent fan base loves it!

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  11. I just found you via the viral video and I'm glad I did. You summed up in your letter precisely why being gay should not even be an issue to a parent (minus leaving the bedroom door open). You are what a dad should be.

    I have seen the opposite side via a dear friend and it is ugly.

    You really have to be a parent to understand how excrement and bodily fluids can take over your life. :)

    I can't wait to read some of your other posts.

    Oh, and sleep while you can. With a toddler plus a baby, suddenly those power naps are eliminated...

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    1. There's a video!? I was not aware. Do you have link? I'd love to see it.

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  12. What's that I smell? It's not baby-poo! Could that be a... book deal?

    It will happen; your stuff is great. Looking forward to all the upcoming posts about childbirth and becoming a new parent (again!).

    :)

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  13. I'm in! Can't wait to see who you picks are!

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  14. i really enjoy reading your posts:)
    Kudos, internet celebrity dad!

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  15. Loved the picture :)
    He looks a lot like you :)

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