Wednesday, January 22, 2020

John's New Year's Resolution Gets A Thumbs Up - Plus A Quick Squeegineers Update!

On extremely rare occasions I find that John has written something in my drafts folder, completely unprompted. I found this draft a few weeks ago, loved it, thought you guys would like it, too, and then completely forgot about it 'til now. ::facepalm::

I also threw in some photos of John in a unicorn horn hat from our friend Christie's birthday party, because I feel they really add to the Post Experience.


:D

 Take it away, John!


 *****

I bet you thought about changing some things for 2020. I know I did. Of course, there's the usual: get healthier, take out the recycling, floss. But one thing that's been on my mind is that I want to interact more on social media. Is that weird?

See, in my life, I've always wanted to be kind. I want to be that person who asks how your day was, who tells you you did a good job, that I'm proud of you. I tell Jen I love her every day. But when it comes to social media, too often I'm silent. I lurk. I see a post that makes me smile... and then I keep  scrolling. I'm giving nothing back for these little sparks of joy, and that bugs me. Honestly, I don't even know why. It literally costs me nothing to hit the 'like' button, and only a few seconds to type out a quick, "This is amazing!" or "Awesome job!" or "I never knew llamas even could juggle!"

And here's the thing: this is SO IMPORTANT. This matters. So much of our communication is through social media now that the affirmation we used to get from real world interactions has to happen here. When I post something online and my friends like it, I'm friggin' thrilled. It makes me feel clever and respected and valued. It validates whatever thought or feeling I was expressing, and that feels amazing. I want to make all my friends feel that way.

So that's my New Years resolution: to like and comment on more posts, every time I'm on social media. It may not seem like much, but I think it's going to make a lot of folks at least a little happier - including me.



***** 

Since I read this I've been trying to comment a little more, since I already "like" most things. It takes a little extra time and it can be hard to know what to say sometimes, but John's right: it's totally worth it.  



*****

  
Completely unrelated Cool Thing: After my Squeegineers post some of you very sweetly pointed out there might be Scary Legal Issues with giving away stuff in lottery form, which of course Freaked Us Right Out. Ahh, but here comes the cool part: after wading through all the legalese we've landed on the perfect solution, and I like it so much better than our original plan!




So now our "Squeegineer Sweepstakes" is open to EVERYONE, no Paypal donation required. If you *do* donate then you're still automatically entered, but for everyone else: e-mail us at Squeegineers at Epbot dot com, and put "January Squeegineer Sweepstakes Entry" in the subject line. Boom. That's it! You can e-mail anytime; we'll gather them all up at the end of the month.

Scroll to the bottom of our Squeegineers Page to read the mountains of fine print, but that's the gist: all Paypal supporters are automatically entered every month, and everyone else can e-mail each month to enter. It's a little more logistical work on our end, but I love that this throws it open to any of you who want to enter, not just the ones who can afford to give us money. After all, our whole goal was just to give away some little things to show how much we appreciate you guys, and we love and appreciate ALL of you. 


K, I think that's it! Thanks, love ya, & can't wait to announce our first winners February 1st!

32 comments:

  1. You guys are just the best. THE BEST. Non-awkward internet hugs! <3 :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Llamas can juggle? How did I miss that??? LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This post is awesome! (Personally I'm pretty consistent with Likes and one-line replies to posts. Except here. I'll set a goal to post more blog replies. 😊

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aw, what a sweetie. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so glad others had the nerve to bring up the legalities of it all. I thought of it but was too afraid to say anything. Also, I love the thought of commenting more I so need to do that.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jumping in to say that I love reading all your posts, because I rarely comment. I am a huge Disney geek and have visited Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood a lot, but have never been to the Florida parks, so I really appreciate your park posts so I can dream and plan for someday!

    ReplyDelete
  7. As a lurker I've never stopped to consider how commenting can affect the creators and the community.

    Damn you, and your lovely, shining humanity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is it weird that I want a cross-stitch of your last line for my office? :D <3

      Delete
    2. Nope, I bet it would go well in your office. :D

      Also, John makes an excellent point. Thank you John. And Jen.

      Delete
    3. If I had the design skills I would do one for you.

      Delete
  8. John is awesome in his arm crossing, unicorn hat wearing, manliness. Of COURSE he wants to put a little more kindness and light into the world!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Just to say that I basically never comment but always enjoy your posts -- and I don't recognize 90% of the cosplay costumes/characters you post. But always fun to see and read about. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm a lurker too... here to say; John, that is an awesome resolution! I'm going to make it mine as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I second that!
      Your resolution is like the affirmative version of the old saying "If you can't say something kind..."
      If you can say something nice, than do it!
      Sorry if this comes out strange, english is not my first language (nor my second...)
      Love to you both.
      Chris

      Delete
    2. I love it! I'm totally teaching this phrase to my son!

      Delete
    3. @anonymous, I like adding that second bit!

      Delete
  11. FOEs lead by example. �� I need to lurk less and respond more too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great resolution idea - and who doesn't love a resolution they can do sitting on the couch!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's a great resolution. It's so easy to just type something and have it drift away in the ether, wondering if anyone read it or thought it was interesting at all.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lurker checking in! I'm usually too shy to say things online (unless I know the people I'm talking to), but the posts here on Epbot and Cakewrecks never fail to make me smile. Thank you all for what you do to make this old world a little brighter! :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. I was just thinking about why I don't comment on things more often. I think part of it has to do with the fact that in person I often speak without thinking and then regret it later (never anything too egregious, usually just things I feel dumb about later). But when I'm writing a comment I have time to think about it and what other's reactions might be. As a result, I very often write a comment without posting it because I feel it's not clever enough, or it's already been said, or I just think it's dumb. Time to get over myself though maybe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is me as well. I will often start a comment and then delete it before hitting send. I'm not great with words so I'll spend way too much time trying to come up with something unique, something witty or clever, or the right thing to say. If my comment does make it through my finger clicking send, I will spend the next several hours rethinking and making edits. Most of the time though, I'll delete the words and end up posting an emoji or a gif. :)

      Delete
    2. Same! (I had a longer reply but I deleted it.)

      Delete
  16. Wait.. llamas can JUGGLE?!?!?!?!

    ReplyDelete
  17. John what an awesome resolution! I'm only on Instagram but it can be good there too! Usually I just "heart" posts, I should comment some too :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi! I've been reading and lurking for probably six or seven years now, and I just never had the courage and the time to say anything, but since you posted this . . . well, I know a "just do it" when I see one. So: Y'all are awesome. I get excited almost everytime I see you've posted something new. You've inspired me to do stuff with crafting and cosplay (not that I'm great at either, but I try) and you introduced me to steampunk (for which I will forever be in your debt), and yeah. Thank you for being you and for sharing your life with people on the internet and also for sharing all the stuff you get excited about.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sometimes, your posts have perfect timing. I've been fighting a big baddie of a cold all week, feel good one day and crappy the next, and a boost like this is just what I needed. You guys are wonderful, not only in your creativity and craftiness, but also in your glorious sincerity. Keep it going in 2020!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I know this doesn't relate to the post, but I highly recommend watching The Healing Powers of the Dude on Netflix. It's about a boy with social anxiety starting middle school with the help of his emotional support dog. It's a positive and generally uplifting show. And I want them to make season 2. 😄 Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am a Serial Liker and hope that the people I interact with enjoy it. It is hard to come up with something to comment that isn't totally bland but maybe I will work a little harder at it too!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'll admit, I'm pretty relieved that you changed the way the Squeegineer Sweepstakes works. There are Scary Legal Issues involved for a reason. That initial post actually messed with my head just a little (I'm a gambling addict) but I didn't want to bring it up because I thought I was being ridiculous and didn't want to ruin everyone else's fun. Hah...

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've been trying to be more intentional when I'm on any kind of social media. It's so much more social, and connected that way. I'm grateful to have the option to be a lurker, but it's also nice to not just lurk.

    I often rely on the like button a little too hard, so I'm trying to add what I like about something in a comment.

    So... Thanks for bringing both of your voices to the internet, and pushing positivity over negativity. I know we all "hear" the negatives more loudly, so thank you for being good examples.

    ReplyDelete

Please be respectful when commenting; dissenting opinions are great, but personal attacks or hateful remarks will be removed. Also, including a link? Then here's your html cheat sheet: <a href="LINK ADDRESS">YOUR TEXT</a>