But The View Up Here Is So Lovely
August 09, 2007
It's been over a year since I've publicly aired any of the feedback I get on this site and, frankly, I don't know why I've waited so long. I often get precious gems from crabby people who take the time to sit down and write me, and it seems like a disservice to my readers that I don't divulge these trinkets more frequently.
I seldom have the opportunity to respond to the feedback because most people don't have the nerve to leave an email address. That is why a particular remark left on this site yesterday was so appealing to me. The comment was in response to an entry I wrote about the Texas Snakeman. I recommend that you read my thoughts on the Snakeman for context, and also to see a really unpleasant image of a man who purposefully dangled ten rattlesnakes from his maw.
From Steven:
I know Mr. Bibby personally and for you to sit here and act all high and mighty is such a load of crap. You act as if he is truely harming the snakes. I guess you have never harmed anything in your life, well I call BS. I bet you have done more harm to any living creature than Mr. Bibby has to any of those snakes. Get off your high horse before you fall and break your neck.
Whoa there, cowboy.
When I saw that Steven left his email address, I found the REPLY button irresistible:
Hi Steven,
I appreciate that you took the time to leave a comment on my site. Please know that I had no intention to offend you or the integrity of Mr. Bibby's pursuits, and that the entry you read was merely my exaggerated opinion (as is often found on my site).
I don't at all think that he was harming the snakes; in fact, I'm quite certain that he was very careful in his handling of them. And you're right about one thing: I am also certain I've done more harm to a living creature than Mr. Bibby did to those snakes. To wit: just last night a mosquito landed on my arm and I killed it! I doubt that Mr. Bibby killed any of the snakes that were hanging from his mouth.
Still, that last sentence completely rattles me (forgive the pun, I couldn't resist), which is obviously why I wrote the entry in the first place.
Dismounting,
Jes
Tongue planted firmly in cheek – or should I say "snake planted firmly in mouth?" – I have high hopes that more of my tetchier readers will begin to leave their email addresses.
Comments
I've never gotten a hatey comment. Does that mean I should be more offensive? Everyone else seems to have such great stories from said feedback!
And also! When are you moving here???
Posted by: abbersnail | August 9, 2007 02:12 PM
That was a great reply to "Steven". What's it like up there on that there "high horse" you are on? Bwahahahaha!
Okay, and that photo? Oh. My. GODS that is disgusting. Snakes! In his MOUTH! Snakes that are MOVING! Bllleeeeeuuugggghhhh! What do you want to bet that Steven is Mr. Bibby's son or something? He can probably get five snakes in his mouth, and he's working up to ten. Ick.
P.S. I have awarded you the Power of Schmooze Award, the post will be up at T45 in a few minutes :)
Posted by: Elizabeth | August 9, 2007 02:53 PM
I never really thought people thought of Texans this way until I was actually ASKED if I lived on a ranch and how many acres.
And no, I don't live on a ranch, but both sets of my grandparents' have. And that would be the equivalent of about 600 acres. And yes, I wear boots and prefer jeans to shorts. And yes, I have a bit of a twang and listen to C&W music, BUT STILL!
Posted by: OMSH | August 9, 2007 03:27 PM
That comment is a true gem because it doesn't even make any sense at all. I love it when commenters totally miss the boat. It's rad.
Posted by: katie | August 9, 2007 04:40 PM
Love it. Haters kinda sorta make my day sometimes.
Posted by: Suburban Turmoil | August 9, 2007 07:35 PM
He could have been MUCH punchier with his snark. That guy is lacking some serious creativity. And also, he might need some new friends. Some less snake-in-the-mouth sort of fellows.
(And your closing salutation? So great.)
Posted by: kerrianne | August 10, 2007 11:44 AM
It's just too random. "I can dangle more rattlesnakes from my mouth than you." No one does that, or dreams of doing that, or even has any kind of reference as to how many rattlesnakes would be a lot to dangle from ones mouth. One or two snakes is too few, you'd have to bite them too hard. I'd at least go for five to start, so the fact that this guy can do ten is not that big a deal.
Posted by: Jimmy | August 11, 2007 01:04 AM
Loving Jimmy's comment. I can't believe that guy was so bent out of shape over that post! Geez!
And "princess's" comment about how good of a kisser he is? Blech. Princess, I hope you're not offended when I say I hope he brushed first.
Posted by: my life is brilliant | August 12, 2007 05:57 PM
It is my secret wish to get crazy comments/email like that one day; it's when I'll feel like I've truly made it. :)
Posted by: metalia | August 12, 2007 11:23 PM
I see that you have your hands full with "Sweet Spirits", too. Thank goodness for the IP deny manager, no?
Posted by: Loralee | August 19, 2007 02:32 AM