I would be surprised if anyone who regularly reads this site doesn’t know the inimitable Belinda from Ninja Poodles. I’d be more surprised if anyone didn’t know what a Ninja Poodle is simply because, well DUH, and also because saying “Ninja Poodles!” is so darn fun to do.
My first experience with her happened in this hilarious thread. I’ve been in love with her ever since. Interviewing Belinda was a joy. We started with 72 emails and ended it with a very lovely, long phone call. Her accent? Is adorable. Don’t listen to what she has to say on the subject. Trust ME.
When did you start blogging and why?
I started reading Dooce when someone in my online “significant-others-of-people with bipolar-disorder” support group posted a link to one of her posts that dealt with her hospitalization for depression. Prior to that, I didn’t know “blogs” existed. it was from Heather’s blogroll that I first started reading other blogs, and I liked many of them. I have a distinct recollection of the two blogs that first turned on the “Hey, this is something I’d like to do myself!” lightbulb for me: Finslippy and Jen and Tonic. JenB, in particular, was a real inspiration for me in the beginning, and has remained a source of support ever since, and I now have the privelege of calling her my friend. For that alone, blogging rocks.
It felt good from the very beginning, too. Two of the first things I chronicled were from Alex (“Aluminum Underpants”) and Bella (“I Needa Make You Happy”), and thanks to them, I’ll never have a shortage of material.
Who do you read every day, rain or shine?
The Arkansas Times’ Arkansas Daily Blog
In my head right now is Mocha, arching an eyebrow as if to say, “Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?”
All right, FINE. Defamer. Happy now?
[*sidenote: the remainder of this interview was conducted with a box of tissues and a pout from the interviewer. Ok. Back to the interview.]
There are others which I would consider “MUST reads,” but they’re not people who post daily, so you couldn’t strictly call them DAILY reads. If those people posted daily, however, I would definitely read them daily.
But the sites I name above absolutely warrant a stop at least once a day, sometimes more. If I turn on a computer AT ALL, I will read Blogography — that’s how good it is. I know I’ll get a laugh, some hilariously creative tooning, and maybe even something to think about.
Actually, now that I really look at that list, I realize that what those three bloggers (Dave, Sheryl, and Busymom) all have in common is that they almost always make me feel good. You really can’t do better than that to assure return traffic.
Why did you choose to share that piece of yourself in the photograph?
Because you told me to over the phone, and frankly, I’m a little scared of you.
Plus, I would have worn those shoes and that skirt and that toenail polish at BlogHer, so I want you all to carry that image in your minds as you imagine that I’m actually there… and that you’re starting at my feet for some reason.
What don’t you write about? Anything considered a no-no in your book?
Nothing so far.
How do you feel about meeting bloggers in real life?
Oddly enough, now that it’s a pretty sure thing that I WON’T get to go after all, there is a small, odd feeling of relief mixed in with all the sadness and regret. Because now? None of you will know how fat I REALLY am, or how absolutely unlistenable is my hillbilly contralto speaking voice. AND, now I won’t be living with the crippling fear of saying something incredibly stupid and not being able to edit it out before publishing.
Also, I can relax about my husband deliberately embarrassing me, because for months he has been threatening to throw a conniption fit in the lobby, in front of the elevators, claiming to be “askeered of that there UPPITY-BOX.”
What is your favorite thing that you wrote or got a strong reaction from readers?
A couple of my favorites were “NEVERNEVERNEVER!!” and “The Great Pony-Getting Adventure“. Some that got a lot of response either in comments or emails were “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?“, “We’re Thinking Of Instituting A Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy” and last month’s “Last Embrace.”
If you had a super power, what would it be?
Finally, something I don’t have to think about! There is no question, no hesitation, when I tell you that my super-power would be teleportation. Seriously, there’s not even anything else in the running, as far as I’m concerned. My ridiculous husband always chooses invisibility–pffft. With the power of teleportation, I would rule the world. Or at least always be able to cook anything I wanted at a moment’s notice.
Because, HELLO? Teleporting to the grocery store for fresh basil? Heck, forget the grocery store, the farmer’s market. Heck heck, forget the farmer’s market — ITALY! Oh, yeah. I’d be all over the whole teleportation thing. And in my version, anything/anyone I’m touching would totally teleport with me.
And then? Well, I wouldn’t even need the BlogHer conference, would I? Because I’d have already met you all in person by now! Truth be told, you’d all probably be all, “Geez, I hope that Belinda person from Arkansas doesn’t just POP in here again. Is she a pest or what? I wouldn’t even let her come over if she didn’t keep bringing that fresh Belgian chocolate…”
Belinda doesn’t need to bring me ponies, poodles, fresh basil or chocolate. I’d love her to teleport here right now. She can, however, bring that darling family of hers with her, because they. are. precious. I may have agreed to take our family vacations together next year during our phone call. She’s that persuasive.
Thanks for the interview, Belinda! You make a great subject.
Hop on over to Sarah and the Goon Squad to read her interview of me.
Tagged: Denise, Jenn, Marian, Liz Henry, Grace Davis, and Erica from Swirlspice
Even if you’re not tagged, please feel free to join.
deannie Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 5:47 am
Awww, just beautiful! Loved this interview. I had not read her space…don’t know why. Have corrected that now. Thanks for sharing this lovely conversation.
Belinda Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 8:19 am
Oh, yeah. You agreed. See you in Haiti! Bwahahaahahaaaaaaa….
Caffeinated Librarian Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 9:28 am
Good lord, ladies! You should warn folks about those favorite blog entries - I was sitting in my office bawling while reading them and I’m sure anyone walking by thought I had lost my mind!
Thanks of introducing us to Belinda. Gonna have to add her to my blog rotation.
Caffeinated Librarian Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 9:29 am
*sigh*
of = for
Yup, it’s a Monday alright.
colleengirl Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 9:38 am
Two things:
1) Ninja Turtles is the best name ever. I laugh with delight whilst I think of it. I’m not sure anything can top that.
2) FIVHEADERS UNITE!
colleengirl Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 9:40 am
oops! I’m with Caffeinated … FIVEHEADERS. fiveheaders. five.headers. fiveheaders. goodbye.
Busy Mom Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 9:40 am
Great interview! Thanks for the kind words. Perhaps we shall wreak havic at BlogHer ‘07?
QofS Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 9:56 am
Is it weird that I LOVE Belinda, yet have not met her??? I mean, if she were in need, I have no doubt all of us would get in our cars or hop on a plane and be there to help. Seriously.
I wish she could come to BlogHer. I want to hug her so badly.
Is that weird too?
Liz Henry Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 10:39 am
I stalked Chadie a little bit
and wrote it up here: http://badgermama.blogspot.com/2006/07/meeting-new-bloghers-chadie-from.html She answered the interview questions on her own, and I asked her some new ones here: http://www.workersdojo.com/2006/07/the_meeting_has.html
Erin Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
I love Belinda for SO many reasons - the laughs on her blog (and the sobs), the gorgeous boy she brought into my life (my very own NINJA POODLE!!!), her friendship… the list could go on and on. Great interview.
Elizabeth Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 3:10 pm
I must have missed her post where she said she isn’t going to BlogHer? That makes me very sad. I remember reading “I Needa Make You Happy” and falling in love with her whole family. I hope she comes to BlogHer ‘07.
Liz Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 6:54 pm
Mocha, my hats off to you. (insert bow here). You have taken something so simple and turned into something absolutely amazing. I enjoyed learning about Ninjapoodles and learning about you with Sarah’s interview. You are definitely one of those people, where if I had the guts, I would actually call you. Just from what I’ve read here and the interview you sound like total fun to be around and hang with. I know that YOU would crack through the shell I have and reach the inner me and bring her out to have some fun. Thank you for letting all of us get to know, thank you for this wonderful idea, and thank you for all of the reading material that I will have now for days on end.
Dana Said,
July 17, 2006 @ 7:08 pm
OOH! I love this! I think I’m boring though. Now that i read all these!
Mocha Momma Said,
July 18, 2006 @ 6:33 am
First of all, I know that I didn’t close a tag and everything is bold. It’s making me cringe, but oh well. I did this before with italics and when I looked back at the post the tags were rampant. All over the place. Delete, delete, delete…. still… nothing.
Deannie - If I were better at this, I would have recorded it. Her voice is lovely and her timing for humor, impeccable.
Belinda - Haiti’s fine with my, my pale sister. I will tan. You will BUUURRRN.
Libby - I could have warned you, but then you would be prepared and that’s no fun. I’ll NEVER warn you. I’m evil like that.
Colleengirl - Oh, the Fivehead Club has another member? Goody!
Busy Mom - Absolutely to the havoc-wreaking in 07. Belinda, I believe, brought you and I together. Is that right? She gave me a list one time on the phone, “Oh, you will LOVE her and her and her and him and her and him and him…” You were on The List.
QofS - That isn’t weird at ALL! In fact, you were in that first comment thread over at BlogHer, too, and that’s where I met YOU. She just oozes love and makes us all fall at her feet. Which, by the way, are quite cute.
Liz - Thanks! I wasn’t sure how the tagging would go. Lisa Stone said I’d get extra karma points for tagging people I didn’t know.
Erin - Belinda is just so R-E-A-L to everyone. Plus, the dog thing. Who doesn’t love a poodle?
Elizabeth - She admitted it to me and I knew this would be an “outing” of her for that. I tried really hard NOT to give her a difficult time of it on the phone. That’s why we’re going to Haiti together. I must have done a sucky job.
Liz - Shell cracker. That’s me. Your compliment made my day! Just so you know, when people call me I usually answer in a weird way. Don’t hang up if I answer “Pete’s Pool Hall.”
Dana - You are not boring. What are you, on crack? That reeeediculous. I loved your interview! Most of mine are all lies. I never did that stuff. Nu-uh. No way. Wasn’t me.
Chadie Said,
July 19, 2006 @ 5:20 am
Teleporting - yeah - that is no bad thing. But maybe is that not a superpower, it is more sort of magic.