This is not a real post, mainly because it’s late, I spent most of the evening doing things that were not this, and I’d like to get some sleep tonight. And I KNOW, it’s supposed to be I-answer-all-your-questions-day, and trust me, that’s coming. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe Friday, because tonight I’m going to dinner with my theater ladies so we can have our monthly try-new-cuisines dinner. We’re trying Korean tonight. You know what Dad thinks about that, right?
“WHY WOULD YOU EAT KOREAN FOOD? THEY WANT TO BOMB US. IT’S LIKE *YOU* WANT TO BOMB US IF YOU EAT THEIR FOOD!”
Thanks, Dad.
I told him I was an emissary, like Dennis Rodman. He didn’t think that was funny at all.
So ANYWAY, we have some totally exciting geek-out news here at the Football. What could it BE, I wonder?
Some of you already know what it is because I emailed some people and I posted it on Facebook and also Twitter. I couldn’t help myself. I was so excited that I had to tell SOMEONE, dammit. Or a lot of someones.
OK, so, if you’re a blogger, you know about this (well, a WordPress blogger, anyway) but WordPress has this thing called Freshly Pressed. Freshly Pressed is where these people who work for WordPress read a bunch of posts, and choose ones that are their favorites and highlight them on the Freshly Pressed page. See, if you click there, you can see the ones they’ve chosen recently. Aren’t they pretty?

Here’s the badge you get once you’re Freshly Pressed. There are little hearts and EVERYTHING. Ooh! Ah!
Being Freshly Pressed means that a lot of people see your blog. And read it. And comment on it. It also means your blog is probably not garbage, and someone at WordPress has actually read what you have to say, and approves. You probably will get more followers. It’s all very fancy. (Dad said, “What’s the prize?” and I told him “More recognition and followers?” and he harrumphed. Dad doesn’t get the blogging thing, yo.)
Now, how do you get Freshly Pressed? You write posts without too many cusses. You tag posts appropriately. You put in pretty photos. You don’t write insanely long posts. You don’t have typos all up in that bitch.
Well, I don’t cuss (much, ya bastards) and I use photos (some say TOO MANY photos) and you know I hate typos like some people hate spiders or maybe pine tar. OMG CAN YOU IMAGINE SPIDERS COVERED IN PINE TAR. Wouldn’t that just be the worst?!?!? Otherwise…um. Yeah. I don’t use tags. Because when I moved over here, I didn’t understand the tagging system, and then when I figured it out, it seemed like too much work to start it up, so I just put everything in categories, which was the lazy woman’s way out. Don’t ever let it be said I don’t like the lazy woman’s way out! And as for writing posts the length that someone might read…heh. Heh, heh. You’re all my loyal readers, you know my issues with editing. And yet you still love me! Aw, you GUYS!
So I thought, oh, well. No Freshly Pressed for me. That’s cool, I can live without that, I don’t care, I have the best followers ever, anyway.
Some of my favorite blogs have been Freshly Pressed. Some of my favorite PEOPLE have been Freshly Pressed. If you’re reading a WordPress blog and you see a little Freshly Pressed widget on the sidebar, like the one up there, you know they’re super-special and sparkly.
Well, last week I wrote the post about Steubenville. And I thought, this is something I’d like more people to read. This is something that could benefit from being Freshly Pressed. So I actually tagged it. And sj tweeted Freshly Pressed, and they responded that it was a powerful piece, but they’d already highlighted some Steubenville posts. So I figured that was a nice “too late, Charlie” and oh, well.
Then I got the itch to write the body-shaming post. Which was odd, following on the heels of the Steubenville post. Usually my rants are more spaced-out. But when an inspiration comes, I think you just go with it. So I wrote it. Oh, and I loved how it turned out. And if you know me at all, you know I don’t like ANYTHING. So for me to like how it turned out – that’s something.
So I tagged it and sent it out into the world. Fly free, little post.
It got read. And commented on. And shared. And I watched the stats rank up, and people mentioning that it should be Freshly Pressed, and I thought, nah. It won’t happen.
But shh, I wanted it to happen. Because I wanted more people to read it. Not ONLY because I wanted more people to read my blog (hell, can we all just be honest and admit we want that? Why else are we here?) but because – well, I assume most of you read that. Think of how that might have changed you, having read it as a kid. I sure as hell wish I’d read something like that as a kid. The thought that maybe, just maybe, someone might read that and share it with their kid…or react differently toward their child…or toward anyone’s body…well, that thought made me so, so…hopeful, I guess. Hopeful that maybe things could change, a little.
But nah. Me and Freshly Pressed? Nope.
I did a guest post at Black Box Warnings yesterday (which you all should read if you didn’t – I like how it turned out, and was so honored to be asked to be a guest, especially somewhere I admire this much) and the stats were racking up over there, as were the likes. I was having a good day. So many comments to reply to, both here and there. Lots to do. A blog to write when I got home.
Then I went to my salon to get my hair done (I needed a trim, I was getting frazzly) and got there much earlier than planned. So that meant extra time to play with the phone! Wrote some emails. Read some blog comments. Just about to go into the salon and BAM. Email with this subject heading:
Congrats, you’ve been Freshly Pressed!
Because I’m a weirdo, the first thing I thought was, “Which of my friends is screwing with me right now?” Then I thought, “Oh, maybe for the post at Black Box Warnings? That’s ok. That was a pretty good post. And the blog deserves it. Good.”
Nope.
When I opened it up, it clearly was FROM WordPress. And stated that my post “You’re Gonna Carry That Weight; Carry That Weight a Long Time” had been chosen to be Freshly Pressed.
NO.
EFFING.
WAY.
I cussed in that post!
It was SUPER-LONG!
I didn’t have any personal photos! I actually had less photos in that one than I normally use!
AND YET IT WAS STILL FRESHLY PRESSED!!!
(Can we just revel for a minute that a post with a Beatles song lyric for a title got Freshly Pressed? I think my most beloved John Lennon, somewhere, wherever, is liking that very much. I know that I am.)
First I said (pardon my language please; in real life, sometimes I’m cussy) “No way. NO FUCKING WAY.” Then I reread it. Then I made a noise like a puppy if you accidentally step on its paw, which is kind of a yelp-whine. Then I started crying. Five minutes before my hair appointment, because THAT’S how you want to go into the salon.
I then forwarded the email to sj with the message “OH HOLY SHIT SJ WHAT THE HELL?” and to Eric with the message “I’m pretty sure you and Sara just got me Freshly Pressed” (they totally inspired me to write the post; I’m not even going to pretend that came out of the ether, they deserve the due credit for this one.) Then also I emailed more people because GEEKING OUT. Then I was late for my appointment so I had to run but she made me wait a half-hour so I emailed ALL THE PEOPLE with “I KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW” and “I’M PRETTY SURE THIS WAS SENT IN ERROR” and “I KNOW I AM CRYING IN THE SALON WAITING AREA.”
And now I am home and probably this would be a lot more effective were I to wait until it was actually UP on Freshly Pressed to geek out about it but here is my reasoning why I can’t do that:
- if I had to hold off on this news, my head would explode.
- I don’t know when it’s going up so how long would I have to wait, exactly? Good grief, this is like waiting for Christmas when you’re four years old. IT’S LIKE IT’S NEVER COMING. (Not a euphemism.)
- Most of the people on Twitter and Facebook and here have read it already so it’s not like I’m ruining anything for new readers. (But if you want to read it again, go to, jellybeans. Plus read the comments. They are wonderful.)
- I AM SO EXCITED I CAN’T EVEN.
So, once this happens, although Dad thinks there should be a monetary prize (sorry, Dad), I think this means there will be new readers. You GUYS! New READERS! We should be very nice to them and not scare them off, unless they are asshats, then we can totally scare them off, I don’t even care. Are we all so excited about the potential for our little tea social to become this gigantic rave? Wait, if it’s a rave, is it going to be like one of those foam parties I saw on 60 Minutes one time? Those look totally unsanitary and someone there is sure to get a yeast infection and my grandmother said “That looks like someone spilled the dish soap. AMY DO YOU THINK SOMEONE SPILLED THE DISH SOAP?” and I told her yeah, probably.
Also, that post? So many people will be reading that post. And maybe they’ll share it with other people. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll reach someone it’s supposed to reach. Like the equivalent of a young-me. Or a young-you. Someone who really needs it.
I can’t even pretend I’m too cool for school about this, you guys. It’s a total honor, and I’m so jazzed about it I keep bopping around the house like a Muppet.
FRESHLY PRESSED.
Seriously.
No, seriously.
Holy hell.
March 27th, 2013 at 11:51 am
Amy,
And here’s to many more…
Le Clown
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:33 pm
You are wonderful. Thank you so much. I’m so glad I suspended my coulrophobia for you.
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March 27th, 2013 at 11:54 am
Okay, first, I’m astonished that you haven’t been Freshly Pressed already. Good lord, you’re amazing. Second… ME TOO! AHHHHHHHHHH!
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Thank you! And congratulations to you, too!
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March 27th, 2013 at 11:59 am
The Fresh Press was very well deserved. It’s pretty exciting when it happens. The next 48-72 hours will be crazy. Enjoy it. It was a really great post.
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:30 pm
It is ALREADY crazy! But good-crazy. Busy, but good.
Thank you so much! I’m so happy it was that post. I’m proud of that one, and I really wanted more people to read it. And read it they are! Whoa!
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March 27th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
As I told you last night, you are FAR braver than I about telling everyone before it’s up. I was all “Nope, WHAT IF THEY CHANGE THEIR MINDS? I CAN’T TALK ABOUT IT!”
[hug]
Well deserved.
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:30 pm
THEY DID NOT CHANGE THEIR MINDS!!!
Whew.
Hugs back. You are the most amazing, and I adore you.
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:39 pm
[ahem] Widget.
(Is it shallow that I hate that it TOTALLY CLASHES with the restof my blog?)
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:40 pm
I’m going over to do that right now! I had a kabillion comments to reply to. KA! BILLION!
Hee, no. Mine might blend in. Green, blue. We’ll see what happens.
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:45 pm
I need to have Meg make a new one for me.
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:47 pm
I forgot the background was cream! It looks lovely. I saw it in my widget area and giggled. It’s like I unlocked a level in a video game, right?
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March 27th, 2013 at 10:09 pm
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!
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March 27th, 2013 at 10:09 pm
Hee! YAY! (How many levels until I save Princess Peach?)
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March 27th, 2013 at 10:10 pm
All of ’em.
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March 28th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Don’t worry. Deep down we’re all shallow.
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March 28th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
Hee! This made me giggle. We totally are.
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March 27th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
I am also amazed that you haven’t been Freshly Pressed yet. Because you have deserved one on several of your posts, but you’re right, this is a very important one to have been Pressed. Congratulations times a billion, you deserve it so much. I’m so happy for you :D
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:29 pm
Thank you! I really didn’t try before. I didn’t tag ANYTHING. You have to put tags on your posts in order to be Freshly Pressed. And I figured, if they’re not Freshly Pressed material, why bother? But this one – well, this is awesome. I’m so proud that more people will read this one. Because I WANT more people to read this one. This is WONDERFUL!
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March 27th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I raise my Shiny tea cup to you with a well deserved “Congrats!!!”
Why?
Because you’re awesome and you deserve it! Way to go!!
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Thank you so much! :)
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March 27th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Add me to those surprised you haven’t been Freshly Pressed before.
I am super happy about this: first, because I hope it does get people thinking, I hope the whole world reads that post, frankly. And second, because you rock. (I just saw Rock of Ages the movie last night for the first time, so imagine me doing that little hand signal of rock-ness.)
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:27 pm
Hee! Thank you! I never did anything to make Freshly Pressed before. No tags. Too long. Not Freshly-Pressed material, I guess. And I didn’t care, really, but this one? I care. This is amazing. SO amazing.
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March 27th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Freshly Pressed is a better place for your work being there! Congrats! Very Deserved! I am new to your blog but your writing, as I have already posted, is Amazing. This won’t be your last Freshly Pressed I am sure!
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:22 pm
Thank you so much! It’s kind of out of nowhere, this. It’s just amazing to me!
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March 27th, 2013 at 2:56 pm
It’s a good thing that I JUST got on WordPress or I’d have no idea what any of this was about. (Well, I kinda knew what it was before. But now I can actually SEE it!)
Congrats!
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:21 pm
Thank you! It’s scary and exciting and overwhelming and humbling all at once! And so many people! Eep! *waves tentatively at new people*
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March 27th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Congratulations! Well earned, well deserved. That was one of the best you’ve ever posted, and you’ve posted a lot of great ones.
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:21 pm
Aw, thank you so much. That’s so nice of you. I’m a little overwhelmed. This is a LOT of love in one day. Where does one put all this love, I wonder? *looks around for storage space*
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March 27th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Yay! Congrats!
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March 27th, 2013 at 9:20 pm
Thank you!
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March 28th, 2013 at 12:44 am
I had to wait until I could get on the computer to see the Freshly Pressed adornment. You know how much I admire your writing. Even though I don’t comment on every post, I do read all of them.
This is so cool. Very, very happy for you.
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March 28th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Thank you so much, John! I’m almost to the end of the last 24 hour of comments. So. Many. Comments. This is WONDERFUL!
I love that you’re always here. That makes me feel very secure and very loved. Thank you so much!
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March 28th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Holy hell! I missed this! Beyond well-deserved, and for such an important post. All the hugs, love, congratualtions!!
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March 28th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Thank you so much! Yesterday and today have been INSANE. I never imagined anything like this! This is wonderful and exciting and a little scary all at once!
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March 28th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
“FRESHLY PRESSED.
Seriously.
No, seriously.
Holy hell.”
That was pretty much my reaction to being FPed for the first time this week, too. It’s petty darn awesome. And it was a great post. You completely deserve it!
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March 28th, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Thank you so much! I know, right? I never thought I would be Freshly Pressed. And when people told me certain posts should be, I would think, “yeah, right” and move on with my day. This AMAZES me.
You are wonderful and I love your blog. So glad to have found you! And YOU deserve it as well!
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March 28th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
*MUPPET ARMS*
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March 28th, 2013 at 8:11 pm
TOTAL Muppet arms! :)
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March 28th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
You just keep on geeking out, you lovely blogger, you! YOU. ARE. FRESHLY. PRESSED.
I’m glad I knew you before you got famous! ;-)
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March 28th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
Hee! I haven’t stopped in 24 hours. Well, I did sleep a little. I probably geeked out in my dreams.
I’m only INTERNET famous. I don’t think it counts. :)
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March 28th, 2013 at 3:08 pm
Yes effing way. *huge smile*
Congratulations.
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March 28th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
Thank you! :)
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March 28th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
That FP badge looks lovely on your blog. It belongs there.
Congrats and all that! *big hug*
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March 28th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
Aw, Andreas. Thank you. YOU belong here too, you know. I’d rather have you here than that badge, if it ever came down to it. So don’t you ever go anywhere, buddy.
Hugs back. You’re the best. THE BEST.
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