Ok, that’s a dumb name, but it’s on par with “de-lurk” as far as I’m concerned. I’ve never been a big fan of “de-lurking days”, I guess because I always assumed if people wanted to comment, they would. I always felt like it was just too obvious a plea for comments. I don’t begrudge anyone that, I’ve seen the fun had by those involved, it just was never for me… before.
I’m about to boldy go where I’ve deigned to go in the past — I’m asking you to de-lurk. *gasp! dismay! shock abound!*
Ok, so it’s not that big of a deal, I’m just really curious to see who is reading. I love to meet new people and I don’t just write for me, even though that’s the cool thing to say. I’ll keep it real for you, kids: I write for the fun of it and you are part of the fun. Without you, I’m just talking to myself and I get enough of that as it is. 
Lately there have been some new folks commenting and I’ve been following some links in my traffic to skulk about on blogs who have visited here… maybe even yours. I think it’s time we introduced ourselves, don’t you think?
So, uh… hi! *waves* Leave a comment, would you? It doesn’t have to be profound; I’m just curious who you are. Tell me a story. Tell me about your blog. Stroke my ego. Stroke somethin’!
Then maybe later we can brush each others hair and gab about American Idol. And if you get that reference, I’ll send you an IT Girl’s mouse.
Here, I’ll give you a topic to break the ice: speaking of “de-” things… why is “pantsing” someone the same as “de-pantsing”? I’ve never understood that. Pantsing implies the application of pants, not the removal, but de-pants just sounds dumb. To pants or de-pants… that is the question!
I am totally new here! *waves*
@mel: hahaha! Nice to meet you, mel! *waves* How do you feel about hurling canned goods?
I read daily! Have for a long long while. HI!
I, too, have pondered this pantsing issue. And come up with nothing!
So, not sure if I qualify as a real, bona fide, lurker. But, since I don’t comment as often as I read, I’ll say that sure…I’m lurker-ish. And I’ll explain myself!
I’m a shy gal, not prone to just jump right in to things. I like to test the waters. Hang out for a bit. Get comfy. See who’s who and what’s what. And sometimes I hang out and what I determine in my shy head is that I’ve stumbled across a tight-nit (knit? how do you spell that? why have I gone dumb?) group of friends and I feel that I’d simply be imposing if I actually said anything. Which, I know is silly. But, it’s my head and that’s how it works.
So, that’s why I’m a lurker-lite around here. Sometimes I’m wearing my big brave pants and other times I’m wearing my shy pants. And then there’s those times that I’m working at home and I’m not wearing any pants and I just don’t know how to behave and then I find myself rambling about pants. Such as now. Oops. hee
Hi there! I read often but never comment. Nice to meet you.
Hi! Daily reader, sometime commenter here. I have nothing to add on the pants issue. However, I’m curious about the hair brushing and American Idol thing. Sounds vaguely familiar, and yet I can’t place it. Hmm…
Firmly on the side of “de-pantsing” for exactly the reason you state. “Pantsing” implies that pants are applied, not removed.
Also- I’m a long time reader through several of your blog permutations.
I’ve commented a few times, but not recently. Hi!
Hi. I read often, but don’t comment often at all. I’m more of an absorber really, taking in the internet without spewing anything all over anyone’s keyboards.
I’m a semi-lurker. I comment if I have something to say or if i don’t feel like such a putz commenting. But, I do read often!
BTW, I’ve never heard of the word “pantsing.” I guess you do learn something new every day.
De-pants. Pantsing, in my mind, is what you have to do to a toddler who just doesn’t get that you need to wear pants or underwear outside the house…
Lurking – I think Andrea captured my brains ramblings much more succinctly than I could right now.
(how appropriate that my captcha is fear!)
Been commenting more lately, usually about some TV program we watch, but thought I’d give the old hello anyway! Ask me anything…
Um, the whole phenomenon of pantsing or depantsing is a mystery to me. Why would you want to embarrass your friend by pulling their pants down? Weird…
Hey there. We know each other in real life (Because this isn’t? Why do I feel compelled to say it like that?), but I pretty much visit daily. Your ponderings and rants are a wonderfully entertaining distraction from the grating monotony of this paycheck machine I seem to be stuck in. Well, you know firsthand
But you were one of the lucky escapees…
Anyway thanks for the constant entertainment as well as a glimpse at a life I could have if I could just get my shit figured out one day. Not to say that I could do it as well as you, of course. But we’ve gotta have aspirations, right?
And “props” for always “keepin’ it real.”
I get my joelle fix via rss reader since I work behind a corp. firewall, comment forms are funkadelic at times. Today seems to be a good day.
Well, helloooooooooooooooo! Thanks for saying somethin’.
Hello! I do comment now and again, but you asked… I found you through PDTD while searching for the WW points for something or other. I started the first version of my blog in, I think, 2005 because I was having so much fun reading you, Kathy, Mike, Chickrawker, etc.
Hi. Um. I’ve been a closet fan for years, actually. I do programming (mostly PHP) and love EE and adore your work but know I could never actually be on par with your work so I just adore it. I also love drinking a Good Drink and I have two kids that qualify me as a “mommy blogger” which means sometimes I make my own self gag with the sickly sweetness of the mush.
I also own your book. I’ve been blogging since 2003 and loving Moxie since 2005.
And apparently I leave godawfully long comments. You asked.
Hewwo! Long time reader, occasional commenter here!
Hurling canned good is an excellent way to relieve stress!
Howdy- long time reader, first time commenter.
Devil wears Prada?
Hi-While I comment now and then-I couldn’t resist the urge to jump on the pants/depants chatter. I remember one time writing in my “forced” journal in high school about my fellow volleyball teammate getting “pantsed” on the bus. My teacher-who was supposedly only supposed to “glance” at our journals to make sure we were doing them-actually wrote in mine correcting me that it should be de-pantsed. I was annoyed because it was a creative writing exercise-and spelling and grammar were supposed to not be important. That was the last time I really wrote anything true in that journal. I turned it into a storytelling exercise. Jerk.
The topic of my blog is pretty evident by the title-though now that the adoption is complete-I guess I’m a mommy blogger now too.
Longtime reader, but infrequent commenter. Andrea summarized my feelings on the commenting issue perfectly! I’ve been reading you for so long now that I honestly don’t remember how I came upon you. I’ve followed you through domain changes, and I was a reader of Put Down the Donut, but I don’t know how I originally found you. I’m glad I did, though! You were one of my inspirations to start my own blog (which has since gone private because of what I do for a living).
Also, Jennifer beat me to it, the “American Idol” reference is from a Devil Wears Prada conversation between Nigel and Andy.
Hi! *waves*
I read all the time but never comment.
I had never read a blog until I heard about PDTD at a WW meeting. From there, I found you, Kathy, Mikey, Mac, etc. etc. etc. Now I have, um, a lot of feeds in my reader, and it’s all because of you! Aren’t you proud?
Ever since I fixed your feed in my reader I’ve been back around. And I love to comment, so it’s not like I never “holla”
awww! Yay! Wow, I’m surprised at the people who found me through the Donut. That’s so funny… we’re bringing it back. I know we keep saying that, but we really truly are. It’s in the works. And it’s going to be full of awesome.
@jennifer: you win! ding ding ding! email me your mailing address and I’ll send you some goodies.
Hi here. I am a recent lurker. I found your site through thesneeze.com (steve is a friend of mine). When Steve was not posting regularly, I decided to click some of the links on his site to see what he thought was cool. So, I found your site and I like your sense of humor and writing style (Im strokin’ sumthin’.. as per your instructions).
On the whole de-pantsing issue. I have to say I have never hear of pantsing. I only know it as de-pantsing. But, I didn’t grow up in the USA so maybe its a cultural thing. I think pulling someones pants off for no reason is cruel and can be a “scarring-for-life” experience for the de-pantsed “victim.”
I was at a swimming party when I was about 13-14 years old and the boys were getting changed in one room when one guy thought it would be funny to hold a friend of mines pants down and let the girls in. I felt so bad for the guy… even to this day when I think about it. So I say lets end the barbaric practice of depantsing NOW! I will be putting up “End depantsing now” T-shirts for sale on Cafe press later today. Proceeds will benefit the victims.
Hi! I’ve been a reader (lurker?) of yours for years now. I generally stop by daily and usually don’t comment because… ? I guess because I don’t usually have anything witty to say, or it doesn’t come across the right way in text. Either way, I enjoy reading your blog! And, San Diego is so much more fun than Cleveland.
My blog is nowhere as fancy as yours, and I’m not a great writer either. I just put whatever is rattling around in my brain out there so that it’s not rattling around anymore.
And, for the record, I am also perplexed at the whole “pantsing vs. de-pantsing” thing. Furthermore, why do we “embark” to get on a plane, but we “deplane” to get off? Beyond that, I find the terms “embark” and “disembark” totally odd—they have NOTHING to do with what they mean! It’s not like we’re talking about dogs or trees when we use those terms.
Anyway, it’s nice to meet ya!
I’ve read your blog through most of its remodels since….04? I seem to remember a masthead with Guinness, but I don’t remember how I found you. Always enjoyable!
hi from bremen *waves* well, i’ve been reading before your “break” on that other domain (what was it called again?) and again since you got back here. i think i either found you on the donut as well or through Y’s site…
Hi Joelle! I’ve been reading you for years now and found you through Mikey’s old blog…electric bugaloo. I don’t comment very often but read you daily and peak through your flickr as well. I’ve been dying to know, because it looked delicious-what was in the Pineapple Upside Down Evil?
Another Andrea checking in
I recommended Susan Minot about a billion years ago, and have been reading for many many years. Life on the West Coast always reads better than life here on the East Coast (Richmond VA).
Always a pleasure!
@Darryl: I think you may be on to something there. lol. I could totally see that shirt selling! hi.
Its so nice to see people still reading me from way back in the day. I’ve had many incarnations… originally tenth-muse.com starting in January ‘03 and then I went to Snappy Hour.com and then to YetUpbeat.com and now I’m back at tenth-muse.com because… it just makes sense to me.
Thanks for stickin’ with me!
@Shannon: I’ll ask my bartender friends. It tasted just like pineapple upside down cake. I think it’s pineapple juice, obviously, grenadine and well, some other stuff. hehe! I’ll see what I can find out.
Just me. I’m pretty sure I’ve been reading you since the beginning. Still reading.
I have been reading for a long time now, but I can’t remember if I have ever commented. I’m a 30 year old teacher from Oregon. I rarely use my own blog anymore, but I write about my experiences teaching middle school and my love life…nothing too exciting. I enjoy your site.
HI -
No blog myself, but I have been reading you since about 2003. I have followed you through a couple of domain changes cause I like what you write! you have introduced me to some great blogs – like Y’s and Mikey’s.
Thanks!
Been reading you since – well since about 5 years ago I think. I rarely comment, but stop by every day to get a laugh.
Sorry that your fish died.
I think I came your way via Ms. Pants. I read you before “the Donut”, and while the mess was going on about that ()&@)(@!& stealing your content. I was really sorry to see you stop writing for a while, but totally understood that sometimes you just have to walk away.
Thanks for sharing a little bit of your life. I really enjoy reading your blog.
Karen
*lurks*
I’ve been reading you for a while, but I am a quiet reader…
I’ve been reading forever it seems. Not a very dedicated commenter I’m afraid.
But,
Hello!
Instead of “lurking” can we just call it “looking”?
I comment every now and then. My husband builds kit cars for a living and we have a blog on our web site http://www.shmotorsny.com that follows a car build he’s currently working on. We live in northern New York now but spent about 10 years in Oceanside, CA where my twin brother and mother still live.
*waves*
Hi everybody! I totally commented back to everyone a few comments back, but it was somehow eaten… probably to due to toomanytabitis.
But hi! It’s so nice to see people have been following for so long.
That makes me feel all warm n’ fuzzy. Thanks!
Hi Joelle,
Great request. I found your blog when I bought your “It Girl” book on blogging. I’ve gone back and read your entire blog and really enjoy it. Love the book too—but still have more to read and apply. Looking forward to hearing about Eddie Izzard. So—that’s my delurking!
Kendall
Would I be de-lurking if I commented now, because I do comment…but only…oh…twice a year? lol
Hi
I am a one time commenter….
Your post about mistaken meaning of words, how as little girl, your cousin was helping you buckle your shoe… and you asked him if he could see your
P—-.
I laughed so hard I had to say something on that post…
So hey now that you have asked.. I thought what the heck. I could make this a bi yearly event instead of a once every five year event.
Love Love Love your blog. I read it everyday.
Though we don’t have much in common, I think reading about your life is just plain fun.
Knowing the little I know about you from your blog, I think you are VERY BRAVE, (The loss of your parents at such a young age has made you have to be very independent.)
SMART: You could have stayed in TX and done the 9-5 thing for the rest of your life… but instead, you bit the bullet and started your own business with Kathy..( Cripe you didn’t even meet her till much later!)
FUNNY: Man are you funny… you have the same kind of humor I do… Not too many people can make a trip to Target or the Nail salon a gut buster.. and don’t even get me started on your random phone shots of people and their wardrobe malfunctions.
LOVING:The grace you have used in handling people you love. whether they are in your life now or not is beautiful. You are a friend till the end to those you consider your true friends, and those that are not, you have still managed to carry yourself with alot of class.
Wow how’s THAT for stroking… Now you know why it is best I don’t comment too often.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog… along with my vitamins I take in a daily dose
Hi! ::waves::
I’ve been reading pretty consistently since the first incarnation of Tenth Muse, but almost never comment. Come to think of it, I don’t really comment anywhere much. My own little self-consciousness, I guess.
And I miss PDTD, where I really tried to participate!!
Hi Kendall! *waves* Thanks for picking up our book.
@Danalyn: I say it counts! Thanks for tweaking that script last night, it helped mucho mucho.
@Marcy: Wow, thank you so much. What kind things you say! *strokes*
@Jen: Hi! *waves* Well, miss no more because it’s coming again soon. I’m super excited about it… I miss it, too! Thanks for reading!
Hi
I’ve been reading for years, too. I think I’ve only ever commented once (it was Eddie Izzard-related).
Anyhow – your posts always make me laugh. Thanks for that!
I like “Hump Day Holla.” Has a nice ring to it. I’m brand new to the blogging world, but am becoming more intrigued by the minute. Love your blog!
I’ve been a reader for a really long time, I know I started pre-Donut. I’ve left a few comments over the years but not many. I’m not much of a commenter anywhere though. I enjoy reading what you post, it’s interesting and entertaining.
My domain has always been the same, but I had server issues and have yet to put my blog (or anything for that matter) back up on my new server.
I cannot even remember where I found you – Donut maybe? But I’ve followed you for a long time. Your quirky take on life always makes me laugh. And honestly, I’m bored at work a lot and need it!
Returns to Lurkdom.