1. The large number of people who, whenever I posted admonishments against people who annoyed me in meatspace, thought I was speaking directly to them—against all evidence and even across state lines.
Me: Curse you, foul creature, for failing to submit those TPS reports before the 3 p.m. meeting. I damn thee!
Commenter: What? When did I do this? Why are you so mad at me?
Me: Beg pardon? You know I’m talking about work, right?
Commenter: Well, how am I supposed to know that?
2. The number of people who felt a need to fix my attitude about everything.
Me: Dammit! I hate it when people put piccalilli on my hamburger.
Commenter 1: Hey, that’s not fair, Dan. A lot of people LIKE piccalilli. Maybe you need to give it… and them… a chance.
Commenter 2: Yeah, Dan, I’m not sure what brought that on. Don’t you think you’re being a little unfair?
Me: Huh? I personally don’t like piccalilli. That’s all I’m saying.
Commenter 1: I’ve never heard of anyone who didn’t like piccallili.
Me: Sure you did. Me. Right now.
Commenter 2: No, I don’t think so.
3. Those who thought that when I offered an opinion on something they enjoyed immediately assumed I believed they were idiots.
Me: Man, fuck Kajagoogoo. Other people can like them, but I hate them. Fucking Kajagoogoo. And fuck bucatini pasta too.
Commenter: LOOK, I can LIKE Kajagoogoo and bucatini pasta if I want to, and your ARROGANT and ELITIST attitude has NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
Me: All right. I’m just saying I personally don’t like Kajagoogoo and bucatini pasta, because…
Commenter 1: I AM SO SICK TO DEATH OF SNOBS LIKE YOU DERIDING THE GLORIOUS UNION OF KAJAGOOGOO AND BUCATINI! CANCEL MY BLOGSCRIPTION IMMEDIATELY!
4. The folks who felt the need to provide ongoing reviews of my posts.
Me: To get to the other side! And that’s why that chicken crossed the road. Chortle chortle!
Commenter: This wasn’t as funny as that post you made May 5, 2003. Why don’t you write posts like that anymore?
Me: Uh, because they already done been written, boss?
Commenter: Well, if you just want to sit back on your laurels I suppose that’s a good answer. Also, you know that post where you said, “Remember when candy bars were as thick as a baby’s torso?” Well, I don’t remember that.
Me: I figured some people wouldn’t since it didn’t happen.
Commenter: Yes, but how is that post relevant to me? To my needs and memories?
Me: You know, I’d love to help you find what you’re looking for, but I’m not sure what it is or where you lost it. In fact, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t exist.
Commenter: Also, this post is going on too long. And I know I never wrote this. In fact, there aren’t any posts that look exactly like this one, so I think none of this stuff happened.
Me: Um, sez you?
Commenter: I smugly sit back, now that I have made my point.
Me: What?
