Sunday, January 20, 2008

It's not good-bye. It's see you in the funny papers.

I started this blog in 2004, the night before my 40th birthday. I had to have something to do because I was afraid to go to sleep and wake up old.

Since that time, I've written lots and lots of words here about lots and lots of things. You've read about my fear of hotels, my desire to behave childishly, and my love of the guy who stocks frozen peas at Wal-Mart.

You've been with me through numerous fun medical journeys, like the joy that was my lady business check up, the hilarity of my thyroid operation and how fantastic it is not to have a gallbladder.

You've read what it's like to live a day in my skin, you know that I can't dance if I want to, and that I am in crazy love with Michael Buble and vampires.

You've seen me angry and even angrier, happy and even happier (at someone else's expense of course).

You know Kitten, the Big Dog, Deputy Pretty and LT DB, The Evil Red-Headed Berta Lou and of course, Mr. Man.

I've written for you when I was stoned, injured, and profoundly broken hearted.

Now I'm done.

There are many reasons that I will no longer be a part of the blogosphere, but when you boil them all down, it's pretty simple. My dream and my family's dream for me, the dream of writing and having published a book, will never have any real chance if I continue on here.

You know, giving the milk away for free and all that.

The editors who are kind enough to give me actual cash for allowing them to publish Wiping the Crazy Off My Face in their newspapers will (hopefully) continue to do so, but with material not published anywhere else. The ugly fact is that I have been copied, plagiarized and a time or two, have actually had what felt like my whole life stolen and published somewhere else. It's my own fault really. Nobody ever said the internet was a nice place to play.

I genuinely appreciate and adore each and every one of you who has sweetly encouraged me, shared with me and laughed with me over the years. I will miss the give and take this blog has afforded me. I've learned a lot about writing humor here, with each of you as my teachers.

If you've enjoyed the time we've spent together, consider sending a quick note to your newspaper's editor and letting them know you sorta like Wiping the Crazy off My Face. It would also be fantastic if you would mention you will refrain from blowing up his or her office if they contact me about syndication.

I love you, I'll miss you and thank you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.



Copyright © 2004-2007, Sherri Bailey
This blog may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the author.

Tell me you love me at: HumorWriter@gmail.com

Tell me you hate me at: Yeah. I'm so sure I'm going to make that easy for you.

Blogroll Me!


Add to My Yahoo!

14 comments:

Leeuna said...

Sher,
I will miss you so much online, but I'm sure I will be reading you in the newspapers all over the globe. Your brand of humor deserves national syndication and yes, you deserve to be paid boatloads of money for it. I hope someday to be reading your books. I wish you the very best always. You have brought so much joy to others with your words. Thanks again for all the laughs you've given us.

Love you lots,
Leeuna

Annieofbluegables said...

I cannot believe it! Yours is the third blog I have searched out and found, and began to follow and the third to discontinue. . .
The first two got sick and are having health and emotional problems, at least yours looks like a positive move, but since I live in PODUNK West Desert, and our once-a-week paper covers weddings, funerals and Eagle Scout advancements, we will never get your syndication. I am very sad, and was looking forward to many more months and perhaps years of following you. . .
Best of luck. I will have to settle for reading all your past posts. I hope you leave them on for us to read. . .?
a

Sherri said...

Lee-You-Na!

Thank you for your support and your wish of boat loads of money. Truly it isn't about the money...it's about finally taking some positive steps to do what I know I was built to do. You know?

Annie of BG,

I'm sorry to leave you humor deprived for a time, but it's been nearly 4 years of blogging and the time has come to do it differently. If you'll keep an eye on my website (Wiping-the-crazy-off-my-face.com) there will be a way to subscribe to occasional stories posted to readers via email. Just not quite there yet.

Jami said...

I'm sorry, but we (and that "we" is all your readers and not the royal "we" we normally use) can't allow you to do this. You leave us no choice: we are currently holding a big pecan as hostage and if you do not change your mind about leaving the blogosphere we WILL CRUSH THE PECAN AND EAT ITS GUTS! So it's all up to you. Make the right choice!

Seriously, if this is the choice you have made, it IS the right choice. You better know that we will miss you MUCHLY! (Yes, spell-check that is SO a word!) Please drop me a line or a comment or something from time to time just so I'll know that one of my favorite OCD Southern Baptists is doing OK. Love you!

Sherri said...

Jami,

Threatening pecans is never the answer, but I always appreciate a hostage situation when trying to get what you want in life.

My decision was months in the pondering stage, so not decided upon quickly. I am working on something on the website that will allow me to offer new articles from time to time to my readers.

Of course... I'll be around!

Love you, too!!!

Flutterby said...

NOoooo!!!! Who the hell else am I going to share my birthday and middle name and all the insane OCD shit of our every day lives with???? I totally did not *get* your twitter notes yesterday but then, I don't *get* a lot of stuff anyway most of the time. The pecan pie is gonna get it. And then we're breaking out the flying monkeys. And I might just throw in a flying squirrel too.

Ferd said...

Good bye, Sher.
Be happy!
Be on the lookout. Success comes in many guises, often unsuspected.

Sherri said...

Flutter,

It's not like I'm going to kill myself. I'm just not going to do this particular thing any more. Not a biggie. Please, do not harm any squirrels. (But thanks for loving me enough to want to.)

Ferd,

First things first: I LOVE your pic! One of my most favorite movies.
Second, that success things sounds ominous. Are you going to sneak up on me or something?

Anonymous said...

Well hell!!
First TSG and now you.......

I'm totally bummed.

Good luck and all that crap.

Sherri said...

Oh Bunn,

Your beautiful words have made my eyes well up.

Thank you. And all that crap.

Alpha Dude said...

I am going to miss you.

Blessings to you.

Sherri said...

Alpha,

Thank you for the lovely email. You're the best.

Sher

Jaesoreal said...

Seriously?? Wow!! At least you are leaving on your terms. I will miss your blog, though I have been sooo busy lately I haven't read it like I should. Good luck on everything!

Brent Diggs said...

Sher,

Best of luck in the paying world. We will miss you.

Don't forget us.