Before I get to today's post, don't forget about yesterday's contest. All you need to do is pick out the seven pop culture references I mention. The contest doesn't end until tonight at midnight, so you still have a chance of winning an iPod Shuffle!
A little more than a month ago, Neil over at Citizen of the Month started The Great Interview Experiment. Essentially, each commenter interviewed the person before him or her and was subsequently interviewed by the commenter following. It's been a huge success, with only a few people neglecting their interviewing duties.
Unfortunately, Feral Mom was one of those poor neglected souls. Neil was looking for people to step in and interview those who were left hanging, so voila! She's funny, dirty-minded, and a new favorite read. So check out our interview, then go check our her site!
Avitable: Before I interview a blogger or review their blog, I always go to their archives and start with their very first post. It's a good way to see how the blog has evolved. Since January 26, 2005, over three years ago, how do you think your blog has evolved and has it been for the better or worse?
Feral Mom: When I first started writing Gone Feral, I'd intended it to be the sordid chronicle of my deteriorating hygiene and decreasing ability to maintain normal social interactions as a stay-at-home mother of twin infants. Anyone who knows me well, however, knows that my hygiene has always been on the lax side and that I can usually find some excuse to gibber to myself quietly in the corner. Twin infants were just the icing on an already very sloppy, social anxiety-ridden cake. Shirts splotched with sour milk from my leaky jahoobies? The source of that persistent "magic marker" smell a rotting banana peel under the Lazy Boy? The highlight of my day being giving the Diaper Genie a fisting it would never forget? Squalid, oh yes, but bring it on, I thought. So stay at home motherhood was, in a way, a convenient cover for my already feral, disgusting tendencies. And Gone Feral gave me a venue to make shit jokes without even leaving the house.
After a while I discovered that there are only so many jokes (and lists) to be made about poop, butts, pubes, farts, and jahoobies. Oh, I've got more, but I've realized I need to hold some in reserve for the long haul. So I began to write about other things—my fraught relationship with my mother-in-law, whom I've come to love over the past three years. My return to academia, where I put on clothes to go to class, but remained naked, feral, and farting underneath. Eventually, I even began revisiting episodes from my past, like Catholic school, batshit crazy landlords, traumatic conference papers, tales from the front of a middle school library and other more serious fodder. I still try to write about turds—and believe me, they come up a lot in my life—but I also find that there's plenty of other material out there. So the content of the blog has expanded quite a bit. I also don't ALWAYS go for the immature, Beavis and Butthead innuendo anymore. If I want to try for a different tone or mood, I can usually go there without fearing that readers are going to be disappointed in me, or something.
Speaking of readers, they're the other change. When I started Gone Feral, I had just a handful of friends reading—and they were all, I should note, very supportive, leaving me comments so that I wouldn't be left hanging out there alone on the internets. Three of them even ended up starting their own blogs—excellent ones, I might add. But then I starting getting some visits from people I didn't know, one link led to another, a few kind, more popular souls took me under their bloggy wings, and I found, quite unexpectedly, a community. The best part about blogging, other than the way it has of transforming trauma and tedium into material (and thereby making it bearable) is the connections (and sometimes, friendships) you make with total
strangers. I never imagined when I started Gone Feral that it would not only save my sanity, but help my shy ass make friends with other shy asses—foul mouthed, irreverent people who can hold their liquor AND write the hell out of a blog. I'm lucky to have found a corner of the blogosphere with so many generous, funny, and talented people.Avitable: As I read, one word I keeping coming across (figuratively) is "tits". You clearly are a huge fan of jahoobies - what are the traits you look for in a set of bazongas, and who, among the celebrity world, has the nicest sweater puppies?
Feral Mom: I love boobies, I do. But I am quite catholic in my appreciation of them. (That's "small c catholic" though tits on a pope are also awesome…and hilarious!) Small ones, big ones, saggy ones, perky ones? I like 'em all. Hell, I even like old man tits, that's how much I love jahoobies. That being said, I find myself in the celebrity boob realm most distracted by the tits on Lost. The entire cast has outstanding racks, including Hurley. Plus, they're all in undershirts or shirtless most of the time. If I had to pick one favorite celebrity boob shot, hough, it's Drew Barrymore in this photo. Sweater puppies unleashed!
Avitable: You recently moved to Los Angeles, one of my favorite places to live in the world. First, have you been to Pink's? Fatburger? Second, have you used Pink Dot to order emergency supplies delivered to your home? Finally, have you noticed how everything clears up and gets beautiful as you cross over from LA County to Orange County?
Feral Mom: No, no, no, and no. I clearly need to get out more. When did you live in Los Angeles? What other recommendations do you have for a feral person in SoCal?
Avitable: I lived in Los Angeles from 2001 until 2004. For restaurants, I recommend The Engine Company and The Pacific Car Company (downtown) and Duke's (Huntington Beach). I also recommend buying a Thomas Guide - makes everything much easier. And Zagat's. Did you get the dentist recommendation I made on your blog? He's a good one for feral teeth.
Avitable: Staying with the Los Angeles theme, here. What are your favorite aspects of LA so far? Your least favorite?
Feral Mom: I enjoy living in L.A. far more than I ever imagined I would. The weather, needless to say is outstanding. While I used to fancy myself a tough Midwestern broad weather-wise, truth be told, I spent a lot of time whilst living there bitching about the cold and the snow. No more. I also enjoy the year-round farmer's markets, especially the outstanding citrus. Oranges have become very very important to me, as have avocados. Hands off my fresh produce!
I have a love/hate relationship with being on the western edge of the country. I love the feeling that I've escaped my old life for a while; that, while I'm reachable by car or plane, someone would have to put serious effort into coming to find me. Not that I'm hiding from anyone, you understand…but I do have a tendency to get restless when I've been in the same place, around the same people, too long. Living in Los Angeles seems like an escape—in a good way.
However, I HATE the fact that, by the time the kids are asleep, it's too late to call or chat online with my East Coast and Midwestern peeps. I also hate that sense of removal from old communities, particularly this first winter we've spent in L.A. Not that I WANT to be back in the Heartland experiencing some of the worst weather on record, but I know that all my Midwestern friends and family will share a reference point (and a bond) for years to come that won't include me. While they were finding creative ways to stay warm and remove snow, I was eating oranges while the ocean gently lapped my hairy toes. I know, I know. Cry you a river.
And speaking of hairy toes, my least favorite thing about L.A. is being called "sir" even when I'm wearing a Christless skirt. OK, not really…that's material. My absolute least favorite aspect of L.A. is the fact that buying a house, hell, renting a house, is some kind of Impossible Dream. You know, a yard would be nice. It's also that apartment living entails rubbing elbows with neighbors, and we have a sordid history with neighbors. I would like to be done with neighbors forever. Alas, it ain't gonna happen here.
Avitable: Here's a fill-in-the-blank for you: I'd rather fuck a _____ than eat a ______ .
Feral Mom: I'd rather fuck a leprechaun than eat a monkey.
I ate monkey once by accident in a Peruvian jungle and it was…distressing. As for leprechauns…those saucy wee people can't help themselves. Fuck them! They're Irish.
Thanks for interviewing me, Avitable! I'm grateful.
And there you go. Go say hi to Feral Mom and go over to Neil's if you want to partake in the Great Interview Experiment!
If you're new to the horrors of Avitable.com, don't miss out. Subscribe to my RSS feed!
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That was a great interview. Excellent questions AND answers. I love the way you went back to the beginning of her blog and actually read it instead of just asking really obvious questions or questions that everybody else asks on these types of things.
Comments by Jay
seriously now. When are you going to interview me?
Comments by bluepaintred
She might rather fuck a leprechaun than eat a monkey, but have you ever tried getting one of those little fuckers to show you their lucky charms? She should have picked the monkey.
PS - Tits!!!
Comments by B.E. Earl
I agree with Jay, I'm impressed with your thoroughness. Unrelated question: How many blogs do you read everyday?
Comments by Em
I'm so glad you did this. What a great idea.
You're such a trail blazer.
Comments by Miss Britt
I bet monkey tastes pretty good when marinated in a garlic sauce.
Comments by Robin
You had me at hello.
I LOVE THE COW AT THE TOP OF HER BLOG! HE'S LICKING HIS LIPS!
I love cows.
Comments by Poppy
If I had a nickel for every time I fucked a leprechaun...
Comments by Mr. Fabulous
All I ask is that if you ever interview me, it's a vlog in your office. And you're nekid. And I'm fondling your comic book collection.
Deal?
Comments by Coal Miner's Granddaughter
Mmmmm, Leprechaun porn.
Comments by Amy
Do yourself a favor, and never interview me, or do a blog review of me. I went back to my first entry, and it was Looooooooooooooong and boring. And awful. And a little mean. In fact I'm thinking of starting a different blog just to get rid of it.
Comments by Allyson
This is such a good interview. I'm excited to go read her posts now. I did have to pause for several moments on Drew. Impressive.
Comments by Sarah is Ok
What's up with Drew's boobies in that picture? That's not hot!
Comments by Kyra Sutra
Jay, thanks. I wanted to avoid being superficial with it.
BPR, don't you know by now that I'll probably never, ever, ever, get to it??? :D
BE Earl, you just have to offer a pot of gold.
Em, I have about 380 in my feedreader.
Britt, you're just mad that I'm doing it altruistically!
Robin, garlic monkey? Ew.
Poppy, I like black cows, because of the chocolate milk.
Mr. Fabulous, oh, we know. We've all been called as witnesses by the Irish Anti-fornication League.
Heather, we should do a video interview post sometime. Up for it?
Amy, gives "kiss the blarney stone" a whole new meaning.
Allyson, my first post is absolute dreck, too.
Sarah is OK, I thought they were a bit frightening.
Kyra, yeah, I'm a fan of the small boobs, myself.
Comments by Avitable
I'm going to let that slide.
Simply because I don't expect you to know what the word "altruistic" means.
Comments by Miss Britt
Well then fuck. I have ginormous hooters so now you probably don't want me to be your slut anymore. :(
Comments by Kyra Sutra
Glad to see there are other leprechaun fuckers out there! The Blarney Stone brings a tear to me eye.
Poor Drew...that shot gets no respect. I have to love because the world hates.
Also, Avitable is kind not to mention that my first post was pretty boring, too. He's a gracious interviewer, and a class act in his own inimitable, balls-out way. Thanks again for interviewing me, Avitable!
Comments by Feral Mom
ROFL @ Fab! Do they make Leprechaun sex dolls?
Comments by BlondeBlogger
thats odd, I had pictured you as the type of guy who kept his word....
Comments by bluepaintred
Am I the only person with a blog who is not participating in the Great Interview Experiment?? Does this make me kind of loser-y? Or is it because I yell at strangers at the hardware store that I qualify as loser-y?
Hm.
Great interview, honey.
(Is it ok if I call you honey? I just finished your first sock, and making socks for people makes me feel all fuzzy and affectionate. I can't help it. Sorry).
Comments by Nina
Nina, you are so cute. I want you to make me socks and call me honey.
Comments by Em
Britt, please. My vocabulary far outfluxorates yours.
Kyra, it's not a requirement, just a preference.
Feral Mom, glad you didn't think my interview was too bad.
Blondeblogger, so you're coming her to laugh at Fab's jokes? Way to shoot a guy down.
BPR, I don't even remember how many questions it was supposed to be!
Nina, I can wear one sock. Guess where?
Em, don't steal my socks!
Comments by Avitable
Yes, but if you are going to be my Manwhore and I am going to be your slut then you should at least find me attractive. This suddenly concerns me. I'm not quite used to being undesirable.
Comments by Kyra Sutra
I like knowing I'm not the only woman on the planet who is fascinated by boobs.
And oh, oh Adam ... mine are small!!!
Comments by MyWeeWorld
Awww, I'm sorry! If it matters any, I DO come here for the laughs because of YOU. Remember, you're the one that has me ROFLMCO!
Comments by BlondeBlogger
Kyra, pretend I never said anything!
MyWeeWorld, rawr.
BlondeBlogger, that's true. I had forgotten about that.
Comments by Avitable
the photo of drew concerns me. i mean, she is sorta on my list of other women that i would do, but her boobs are just plain scary in that picture. bad, bad fashion choice.
great interview. enough to make me go check out her blog. (great! just whati need, another blog to read. sheesh! too many interesting folks to follow.)
avi, you sure you don't like big boobs? coz if you don't, i'm not sending you any naked me shots.
Comments by hellohahanarf
Hello, I like big boobs a lot. I just like small boobs a bit more. That's all.
Comments by Avitable
Oh, but my preference for redheads override any boob preferences.
Comments by Avitable
Dearest Adam,
Don't make me call you out in front of all the other ladies.
Sincerestly,
Poppy
PS - I refer to your response to my comment about Lindsay Lohan's tits. You can find that comment yourself or I can painfully remind you since you're so damn busy watching Sculley's boobs.
Comments by Poppy
PPS - What is it with you and redheads?
Comments by Poppy
Poppy, that's what I'm saying. Redheads trump everything. And just because I have a preference for smaller boobs doesn't mean I don't healthily appreciate larger ones.
Comments by Avitable
Do I need to remind you that she was blonde during that photo shoot?
Comments by Poppy
Her freckles weren't!
Comments by Avitable
You lose.
Fair-skinned people have freckles.
I have freckles.
I am not a natural redhead.
You continue to lose.
Comments by Poppy
yay for us redheads!!!
Comments by hellohahanarf
Not those type of freckles. And she still had red hair on under her wig.
Comments by Avitable
You mean herpes freckles? You're right, I don't have herpes freckles.
Comments by Poppy
(You know I say these things out of love, right?)
Comments by Poppy
Poppy, it's okay. I know you yearn to be a redhead.
Comments by Avitable
Comments by Poppy