Ten questions with Jayna of It’s Funny in Some Language

1. Describe your blog in five sentences or less.
It is basically the creative outlet for a middle-aged working Mom who is compelled to write. It isn’t political (very often), it isn’t religious (unless you worship at the First Church of Snark) and it certainly doesn’t impart great knowledge, but gosh darn it, it’s funny and slightly more entertaining than the current Britney Spears custody crisis. I write about things that make me laugh, or piss me off or generally grab my attention during the course of a day and I am confident I do a great job of making it easy to relate to. The good news for my readers is that I am a realist with pessimistic tendencies and a strong desire to be liked which means I might just tell you about the decline of modern civilization, but then I’ll compliment your shoes.

2. Link us to one post from your blog that best defines who you are.
Apparently golf is a contact sport

This one just seems to touch on several critical points of my little world:

1. I am constantly getting hurt in more and more stupid ways.
2. My husband has a gaming addiction and I have a penchant for ridiculing his gaming addiction.
3. My son is incapable of any kind of play that doesn’t include him “killing” anything and everything that comes within a 10-foot radius of whatever item he is using as a sword at that particular moment.

3. What sets you apart from other bloggers?
I think it is because I don’t take myself, or anyone else, too seriously. I try to write about the regular old things that happen in the course of living my life, but I really want to put a spin on it. I try to give my readers something to laugh about, but since I don’t know any good jokes I focus more on the inane, yet hysterical things that happen in most people’s lives. I don’t get bogged down by politics and use my blog as a platform for converting people to Wicca or the Democratic party. I want to connect with my readers and put a smile on someone’s face. If they just happen to be smiling at my expense I suppose that is a small price to pay.

4. When and how did you first discover blogging?
I have spent eight years as an IT recruiter so blogging is one of those buzz words I got to hear ad nauseum from the very beginning. I don’t think it really entered my consciousness, however, until a couple of years ago. I created a myspace page and started posting up stuff I would write and so many people would comment on the posts I decided to start posting more regularly. It wasn’t long and I started reading other people’s blogs. I was so inspired I created my blogger page and now I am here…shamelessly stumping for readership.

5. What is your biggest pet peeve related to blogging or the internet?
May I start out by saying – can o’worms? I have lots of pet peeves about blogging AND the internet, but in the interest of space I will focus on blogging. I am really bothered by blogs that are so focused on one specific thing that you have no way relate unless you plan to drink the Kool-Aid. I don’t read blogs to get educated - I go to school for that. Case in point, I paid the equivalent of a family home to get my MBA. I read blogs to escape for a few minutes and if I happen to gain a new perspective in the process fabulous, but please don’t try to convert me to Satan worship or sell me a timeshare. Actually, those might be the same thing.

6. Name one plugin, blogging widget, or service that you can’t live without.
I am currently addicted to Google Analytics. Since I began my shameless self promotion I decided to start tracking how many readers I actually have. I love being able to see how many people clicked and where they came from and how long they stayed. I think I have 9 regular readers and they are all probably the friends I placed on my “Systematic Readmyblog Harassment” list.

7. If you could choose anyone, living or dead, to write a guest post for your blog, who would it be and why?
That’s an easy one. I want John Cusack to write a guest post for me. My theory is that if I can get him to write for me that means I get to actually correspond with him. Let’s just say I have a teeny-tiny thing for John Cusack and without going into embarrassing detail I will tell you that it would be the best. thing. ever. if John Cusack had even the faintest inkling that we share the same planet. I also want to point out that he is an incredibly intelligent and politically savvy individual who might just boost the level of social awareness on my blog. I mean, seriously? My last post was about a ferret.

8. How has blogging made you a better person?
I now have an outlet for my snarkyness and my husband is very grateful. I think I am able to put some of this stuff down on paper, edit it half to death and then move on a more well-adjusted person. When I start writing about things I think it through and if it is a topic that makes me angry I am able to put it on “paper” instead of yelling at some unsuspecting citizen that crosses my path. I am learning to control that whole “in head/out mouth” thing because I just write it down and then post it out in cyberspace. It’s quite therapeutic.

9. What are your tips for becoming a better blogger?
Don’t take things so seriously. Blog about the things that are everyday, regular Joe things and do it from your own unique perspective - be YOU and don’t try so hard! If you try to use “the big words” in your blog and you don’t normally use “the big words” in real life then people are going to see right through you.

10. Name one great blog that you read on a regular basis. What makes it unique?
I love www.dooce.com. Heather Armstrong really cracks me up. I think the most unique thing about her blog is how it led to one of the traumatic experiences of her life yet she kept blogging. If you go back through the archives you get to see that roller coaster of emotions. She has been blogging for a long time and that alone sets her apart. I think that makes her seem very accessible and you leave her page feeling like you might just be friends.

Categories: Personal, Ten Questions