When someone is (rationally) critical of me I usually do three things:
1. Consider the source.
2. Analyze if they have a point and if so, I consider if I want to do anything to change things and what steps will I take to do so?
3. Curl in the fetal position and throw chocolate at myself.
In a rather flurried email exchange with an individual regarding politics, the following statement was written to me.
“Like many bloggers I’ve encountered online, you’re rather narcissistic (in your opinions), don’t you think”.
Since this person wasn’t insane, calling me a string of lewd names or saying they also wanted to to weirdo fetish things to me involving carnies and mayonnaise, I decided to sit and really think about if what they were saying had merit.
And I came to a conclusion.
Yes.
I admit it, I am.
A narcissist, that is.
I try to be a good-natured narcissist, but all the same, I’m still a narcissist. No getting around it.
I probably should have clued into it when twirling around and lifting my skirt up to show off my ruffle-butt underwear to the congregation at church was my favorite weekly activity.
Or when I started a blog.
Or when I realized that I secretly desire people to sing a few stanzas of The Hallelujah Chorus when I enter a room.
Sigh.
I’d say it sucks to be me, but really, who are we kidding?
I’m freaking awesome.
:)
P.S. I should probably clarify that I do not currently twirl around and lift up my skirt to show off my ruffle-butt underwear to a church congregation.
P.P.S. Although if I DID, it would be the most amazing and unforgettable ruffle-butt-underwear-exposing-church-twirling EVER.
P.P.P.S. I am also totally kidding about the whole “singing when I enter a room” thing.
P.P.P.P.S. You all couldn’t sing it as well as me anyway. My ears are delicate instruments, people. I have to protect them.
P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Which was SO fortunate because it not only brought me closure and assurance but you know… it was a perfect excuse to talk some more about me.
P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. :)
*Giggle*
Because you know, we bloggers just are ALL Narcissists. All that “look at me, me, me, ME!” has to go somewhere. Lord help ya if you have an opinion, and some Joe down in some far away place doesn’t agree with it.
(couldn’t help it. I’m Canadian. Wait, doesn’t that mean I’m supposed to be polite, then?)
Screw THAT. (snort!)
Well *I* love ya, Loralee. Ruffle butt and all.
You are also supposed to be dressed in a Mountie uniform and say “Eh” a lot.
According to some people we met in Colorado, we’re also supposed to have kangaroos in Canada, it’s part of the “50 something states”, and Canadian women don’t shave.
Seems I didn’t get the memo. For the record, I hate poutine, I never see Mounties in those snazzy red uniforms unless it’s a special occasion, and I don’t really say “eh”.
Although I DO have a bottle of maple syrup in my cupboard. I like to look at my reflection in the glass since I am, you know, a Canadian Narci-whatever.
I always wondered what might cause a bigger distraction than my kids in church (all ages included) and now I know. I’m off to find me a pair of ruffle-butt underwear. I’ve always wanted to be the one taken out for a walk around the church or a trip to the drinking fountain during Sacrament meeting–now I will!
It’s never too late for ruffle-butt underwear, friend.
Never.
We, bloggers, we all are narcissist, hon. You’re just the famous one :P
ciao,
Amy.
I’m impressed that you know how to spell Narcissist. I’m usually too busy looking in the mirror to get it right. Got to go. It’s been a while since I’ve admired myself.
You need to go admire that life size cut out of me you have in your room. You will be a much happier person than if you just looked in a mirror.
I think we should form a Bloggers’ League of Awesome.
;)
Ruffly butt underwear *optional* hehehe
What does your critic think a blog is? Does anyone have a blog that talks about how great somebody else is (besides celebrities)? That’s not what blogs are about. That’s like telling someone they’re vain because every time they look in a mirror they see themselves. Who else would you see in a mirror? That’s all a blog really is. Only, you get to decide exactly what parts of yourself your computer mirror will reflect.
I’m super glad you’re a narcissit, because I love being able to glimpse your life. And I’m totally envious of your ruffle butt underwear – where do you purchase such an item?
It was my most favoritest thing as a kid.
Even better were the ruffle but TIGHTS.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallllllleeeeloooooyaaaaa!
Does that work for ya?
Sigh. Put more “Yaw” at the end, David.
Amateurs.
;P
Blogging is for narcissists! and commenting is for us people (like me) who are narcissists but not as witty as you!!
Also, Don’t think that I won’t sing at you when I see you at Blogher ’10. It’s NYC honey, I could stage an entire dance number in the middle of the street and no one would bat an eye. Although IF I do that you have to promise to do a ruffled butt twirl..
*I* could sing pretty close to as well as you, so next time you enter a room I’m in I will sing the Hallelujah Chorus for you. Without breaking your eardrums. Maybe you could sing it with me? Unless you’d rather I get couple of those guys who blow on the trumpets instead.
We’re all narcissists to an extent, even the person who shared emails with you, who was convinced that THEIR thoughts were SO important they simply MUST be sent to you. So whatevs. Good job shrugging it off. :)
That last bit about sharing their thoughts was pretty brilliant observation. :)
I love you SO MUCH. And the next time you and I are in the same room – before I even take your picture – I’m going to jump up and sing THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS all by myself. Because i just roll that way. Besides, if it wasn’t for narcissism, the blogosphere would be an awfully empty place. echo echo echo.
I love you, too! And I gotta admit, my narcissist comes out when you take pretty photos of me, Lou. I luff them. ;P
I would have thought it was when you decided you must find a way to be Queen of England.
Dude.
You outed me!
This is what happens when family reads your blog.
P.S. I totally would have accepted being the Princess of Wales. Either would have worked.
I know this is humor, and it’s funny, but whenever I see people talking about narcissism lately, I think about someone I know who has clinical narcissism — it sounds funny, but it’s a real thing, and it’s also the hardest mental illness to treat, bec. narcissists can’t entertain the idea that something is wrong with them.
Anyway, a true narcissist thinks they’re entitled to whatever they want, regardless of who gets hurt in the process (wife, children, etc). So while we bloggers may be arrogant or self-absorbed or overly reflective, most of us (including you) are NOT narcissists. In fact, I would argue that sometimes we spend too much time thinking about how other people feel, and how we are doing in meeting their needs. We’re too hard on ourselves, rather than the opposite.
I know, Shannon and you make some great points (Like how we run around meeting the needs of people and worry about how they feel and think, etc.)
But narcissism is in everyone, it’s not just a clinical disorder so it gets over used sometimes. I consider the term like lying? There are people who are not pathalogical liars but they are not always truthful, nor would I classify them as “dishonest” though they do have some lies (even big, awful, whoppers) in their history.
I am not a clinically narcissistic person (Narcissistic Personality Disorder is horrible, awful and I am so sorry you know someone with it. Monster tough to treat.) but I would say my dose of it is quite healthy, er, large. (Grin)
BUT it is not my primary trait.
People get way too carried away with the narcissism name-calling train and I was hoping this would get a bit of the point across in a humorous way.
Mmmm, mayonnaise.
Thought you’d like that. Heh.
Aren’t all bloggers narcissists? I mean, we start a blog to write about ourselves and our opinions, right??
I would take it as a compliment :)
*snort*
Tenor section reporting for duty, lol.
Everyone knows bloggers are narcissists. I own it. You’re a sweet narcissist, though, so we enjoy reading your blog. :)
XOOXOX Awe, thanks you. (And I could totally sing tenor with you, you know. :) )
We’re all narcissists to a certain degree. That’s why we blog. :-)
Side story: When my sister was little she would put her ruffle underpants on backwards so when she twirled she could SEE the ruffles.
OMG, I SO DID THAT TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next time I see you, I’ll break into song. Well, if I can stop talking about me long enough…
Hmmmm…. you may or may not be narcissistic… but, aren’t we ALL narcissistic in our opinions? Uhm.. HELLOOO- if that weren’t the case, they wouldn’t be OUR opinions… they’d be someone elses’s opinions. OF COURSE we make our opinions on what WE think, believe, have experienced, hope for, hate, love etc… SO… to rational criticizer dude who pointed this out to you, I say, “duh!”
I dare you to find a blogger who ISN’T a narcissist.
LOL great post. I’d love to have you over for dinner. We can talk about you :).
TOTALLY.
Please tell me you responded with this one word. “Duh.”
I love you and the fact that many times I come here it makes me laugh, smile and have a good day…today that will include thinking of you twirling around with ruffle butt at church :) (My one girl totally does that all the time…she thinks that twirling in a dress is the cats meow and I am not allowed to purchase a dress for her unless she has tested out the twirl factor of it!)
Now this comment just makes me happy. :) THANK YOU.
It’s good to see that you put consider the source first. Too many people give credence to crack pots and miserable people and worry what they think. Good for you, Loralee!
Have to give credit for that one to a good friend of mine, Craig. Whenever I bitch and moan to him about Internet ick and annoyance that is the FIRST thing out of his mouth. (Well, after “FUCK ‘EM). I’ve come to really have it be an automatic question I ask myself now. It’s been quite helpful, actually. (So has the “FUCK ‘EM” attitude, frankly.)
*rolls eyes* I will never understand why people don’t just get that if you are online and posting something anywhere… you are being narcissistic.
*gasp* Even emailing a blogger to tell them that they are narcissistic is narcissistic!!!! In fact it’s hypocritically narcissistic. Which is more annoying that just being narcissistic.
Anyone who thinks their opinion is important enough for others to read is being a narcissist. So guess what? Most humans are narcissistic.
Oy. Vey. I think this calls for a clue by four.
*hugs to Loralee* Thanks for an excuse to be a Narcissist and write Narcissist and Narcissistic so much XD. *thumbs her nose at the hypocrite that called Loralee a narcissist*
I only have one nice thing to say about the person calling you names, and that is, at least she was emailing you and not leaving shitty anonymous comments on your blog.
Isn’t it insane how badly people people want us all to think the way they do? These idiots just need to start their own blog if they are so hell bent on sharing their opinions… Shit, it worked for us.
I love you girl…. And I shutter to think about my life if you didn’t have a blog. How would I have ever met you?
Thank you for being a narcissist.
PS- Can one of your smart readers please teach me how to put a picture by my name in the comment section? Since we are on the subject of being narcissistic and all, I want a box with my face in it.
sandibenson at gmail dot com.
Thank you!
You are incredibly fabulous :)
Thanks for the giggle
I do read one blog by a woman who is not a narcissist. Of course, she lives on the other side of the planet and has lots of things on her mind that we don’t. With all the things she does blog about, I would be shocked if one day she decided to suddenly talk about her underwear. All of the bloggers I read who live in the Western hemisphere are a tad (or more) narcissistic.
You would not want me to sing when you enter a room. You would run screaming in the other direction (even my children cover their ears and tell me I’m tone-deaf — and they covered their ears when they were babies too). I love singing, but for the sake of your professionally-trained ears, I will protect you from that horror.
If self-absorption bothers people, they should read something other than *personal* blogs. Sheesh.
Did you know that I know that you know that I know how fabulous you are?
Rock on with your narcissistic self.
Oh, geez, thanks, now all I can think about is you and mayonaise (can I use Miracle Whip instead?)
Loralee this was so fun to read and to imagine church and to remember twirling in my own ruffle butts and thinkl about how cute my 3 year old is in hers! Twirly girls rock!
Of course, you already knew that you rocked, so I am just encouraging your narcissistic tendencies. That’s okay. I’m all good with your self love.
See now, ruffle but underwear was not my thing. I was so much more likely to show off my WONDER WOMAN UNDEROOS! Man, those things were awesome. Too bad they don’t make them in adult sizes. (Or do they?)
Also a narcissist. Also a singer. Also a blogger.
Coincidence? I think not!
Oh, I had BAT GIRL underroos.
They were 2 piece like a bikini and WAY more fun to run around showing off to the entire neighborhood.
;P
okay maybe u don’t twirl and show ur ruffle panties to a congrgation, but i stand as a witness that you did it at the cbc and it freakin turned me on. no just kidding. but for real, it did.
so fun meeting you my dear. ur just as i assumed u would be, narcissitic…like myself. isn’t that what makes us successful? uhmmm, i think so.
Most performers need some narcissism. ;p
You seem to have enough humility to keep it from being a big problem, though. ;)