Since I started this blog in May of last year. I’ve noticed that as "hits" increase, so do the "flame" emails(some of which I can’t even bring myself to post), the spam, or spam-like comments, and the various trollish comments.
Here’s an interesting comment of my post on Porkyland:
"Doesnt it seem funny that these reviews came rapid fire one after another….. As if an internal person was writing them back to back. Porkyland is ok, but I doubt San Diegans are hammering away at their keyboards over it. Stop using such obvious marketing strategies. They make you look desperate."
Hmmmmm, this was so very interesting that I wanted to make sure to post it.
I mean it’s a masterpiece, isn’t it? A touch of cynicism, sarcasm, even a bit of high-handed condescending attitude……
Most people that know me; and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting several of you, understand that I’m a pretty plain-spoken, no-nonsense, and overall, a pretty straight forward individual. So naturally, this oh-so-eloquent and intelligent comment left me in awe!
This individual(troll? trollette?) named "Michelle", worked so hard to sound intelligent, superior, and basically "high-mucka-mucka", that She, He, or It, forgot that one can prepost in Typepad. Also, what the heck is "an internal person", I guess it’s the opposite of "an external person"? Sorry, I’m really not that great at pseudo-existentialistic jargon. "Michelle" also underestimates Our ablility to try new restaurants, new food, old restaurants, and find grocers and restaurants scattered all over San Diego, and points beyond. tsk-tsk….
"Stop using such obvious marketing strategies." So what am I marketing, specifically? Now this one really hurt; I go out of my way to Not put advertising on my blog(except for Amazon, cause I use it all the time). I pay my way completely, and I also pay $149 a year to Typepad, for the sheer pleasure of doing this. I’d still do it, if no one ever read it but the Missus and Myself. I also, never, ever, call my entries "reviews", though many do define it as such. It’s just a "food blog", and will always be such. Sort of a "what we ate for breakfast/lunch/dinner" thing. If anything qualifies as the veritable Pete Wells "cheese sandwich" it’s mmm-yoso!!! And I think most of you "get it."
You know, in the end, I’m not the one who sounds desperate(for attention). Perhaps it’s a cry for help?
Thanks for indulging me(yet again), but I thought this comment was so very funny!
Kirk, I’m glad that you’re able to find “Michelle”‘s comments funny, b/c I think they’re irritating! It amazes me that people will be rude to others simply b/c they have the ability to “hide” behind their computer screen. I had seen a post from you (I think on Chowhound?) saying that you were thinking about pulling the plug on your blog, and I for one really hope that you don’t… I enjoy reading your posts and hope to have the pleasure for a long time to come!
Kirk,
I agree with what Joan said. Nevermind those trolls. I get them once in a while too, but like you I find them kind of funny.
I think yours is one of the most consistently fair, well-thought out blogs there are – her accusations (if they can even be called that) are baseless and uninformed.
And I hope you know that as a loyal reader I would be heartbroken if you ever decide to quit.
We bloggers put a lot of work into writing these things, and if we don’t just burn out from the output, it just sucks when people leave mean comments. But keep on truckin’ Kirk! YOU DA MAN! The blogger we wish we could be.
Haters, Kirk. That’s all they are. Haters. Any good writer will have their slew of critics just waiting to make a judgment. I really hope you keep on blogging. I’d be really disappointed if I wake up one morning and I do my daily foodie blog scour and I see you’ve closed up shop. My mornings just wouldn’t be the same.
I believe by “internal” and that marketing comment, “Michelle” means to say she suspects you of being an employee of one of the joints you’ve reviewed, and thus thinks either that post, or the site as a whole, is a marketing ploy of one or more restaurants.
So I say to Michelle, wherever or whoever she is: “Grow up, baby. This guy is a private individual, not a marketing figment. You want a figurehead to bash, try somewhere else. There’s certainly enough crap on the Web without picking on one of the genuine good folks of the Web, okay?”
Honestly. Kids these days … ๐
P.S. to Michelle–In case you were thinking of going there, I’m a real person too; if you want to make something of it, feel free to email me at the above address–if you have the brass to do so. And then I’ll post your email and make fun of it the same way we’re doing with this one.
Gee, that felt good! ๐
Keep up the good work. I really enjoy lurking on your site but had to write to let you know I enjoy your writing/pictures. Fun to read a locals perspective on the mainland food scene. I wish I had the time and commitment to do what you are doing.
Hi Joan – This one, just kinda made me scratch my head…I mean it’s rude and all, but just plain stupid after further review.
Hi Elmo – I don’t know about well thought out, but I do my best to be fair. Thanks for the kind words, your blog was one of those that inspired me to get started.
Hi R – Thanks for the kind words, I’ll keep going as long as I have new or interesting places to eat or shop. You know I never understood the term “haters” until I started this blog…..you know people who lash out for no reason.
Hi mizducky – But which one of the 220+ places would it be? That was so confusing…..What’s even more disappointing is that Michelle is one of my favorite Beatles tunes…what a waste!
Hi Kyle – Really isn’t much, I just eat and take photos, but I appreciate your comments – I also need to get my okole and do more local-kine stuffs around here!
high mucka-muck. snort. keep on rockin’ in the free world, kirk.
HUGE RASBERRY :P:P:P:P:P:P
To the fools
and one more :p for ๐ good ๐ measure ๐
Kirk,
Ignore them they aren’t worth the time and effort. I agree with one of the posters above maybe she/he thinks you work for the food industry or something. I know better and a lot of your readers know better!
Keep this blog up please! Don’t stop the blog because someone has a misconception of you or trolls your blog. Mainly because then they would have won. But ultimately it is your decision to keep the blog up or not. ๐
My opinion? Michelle did a few to many drugs in the past and ::singing::
“abilitiy to reason, gets swept away”
Title of the song? “Everybody Plays the Fool” Being one of those with the extreme pleasure and good fortune to know the “Real” Kirk, you ain’t no fool!
Seeing how we all have to deal with these ding-a-lings on occasion, it’s nice we can “roast” ’em together! ::wink:: Just don’t try to turn ’em into tacos!!! ::laughing:: cilantro anyone?
Happy Anniversary!
I love your blog and it seems to me that you’ve accomplished a lot in just one year (even managed to get some hate mail…).
Anyway, I say cheers to you, keep up the good work, and let’s all hope you’re here entertaining us for many years to come!
Bravo Kirk!
From your faithful fan in Paris,
Emily
Does “Michelle” care to comment?
Bah, some people just like to make a nuisance of themselves.
Keep up the good work– I’ve started checking here often for new writeups as you’ve clued me in to some good places. I appreciate the effort you put in to this.
Hi Santos – LOL! Don’t think I’ll ever listen to Neil Young quite the same anymore…..
Hi Clare – Those were alot of :p’s, can’t say the idiot didn’t deserve it though.
Hi Mills – I usually ignore them – but this one really got my attention for some reason.
Hi Jo – Whoa – for some reason I thought you were going in to a rendition of “White Rabbit” for a second there! LOL!
Hi Emily – Thanks, the blog anniversary is coming up in a few weeks.
Hi Christian – Methinks “Michelle” is a hit and run artist.
Hi SK – I’m glad you find this blog of some use, and thanks for the kind words.
Kirk,
HUGZ Yeah once in awhile a comment bothers me too, but I am glad you handled quite well.
Jo,
You have it in for me don’t you? Cilantro! BAH!!! BLECH and PATOOEY! “does the anti-cilantro dance from hell” as she sings,”Go away cilantro but leave the coriander seeds before you die!” ….OK I think I am calmer now. What were we talking about? *wink*
Kirk, Dude! You get hate mail?
I raise my glass to you! To a journalist, that is the highest compliment in the world! (Should be to a blogger too!)
I haven’t gotten but one hateful email/comment so far in my slightly longer than a year blogging.
But, when links to various of my essays (“Meat Comes From Animals, Deal With It Or Eat Vegetables” and “Freeganism: What’s Up With That?” primarily) have been posted on message boards–there have been some super unkind comments responding on those boards–which of course made me happy, because it meant I hit a nerve!
Don’t worry, be happy, and keep on writing. If Michelle doesn’t like it, she can go read someone else’s blog!
(PS–btw–Pete Wells is actually a very nice guy, and he may be getting it.)
That’s funny since you’re very balanced in your critiques of restaurants. I’ve never once thought you gave too much credit or not enough. Why would they think you work for the place? Strange. Thanks for sharing the funny review!
I agree wholeheartedly with Elmo Monster. Being a popular food blogger means that you’ll have to put up with a share of disgruntled readers, because unfortunately, with the good, also comes the bad. However, this comment helps me to understand how much I value and appreciate you and Mmm-Yoso!!
I can’t even begin to imagine the sheer amount of anonymous supporters and Mmm-Yoso!! admirers that exist in the world. You have provided fantastic and reliable advice on San Diego restaurants (and at your own expense) to hundreds (more likely thousands) and have encouraged people to begin their own food blogs and to enjoy their passion.
You do give a lot of time to the food blogging world Kirk. Not only for the readers, but also to the bloggers. Thank you for supporting and encouraging me through your comments, and inspiring me with (and making me salivate over) your delicious (and Mmm-Yoso!!!) posts.
I agree wholeheartedly with Elmo Monster. Being a popular food blogger means that you’ll have to put up with a share of disgruntled readers, because unfortunately, with the good, also comes the bad. However, this comment helps me to understand how much I value and appreciate you and Mmm-Yoso!!
I can’t even begin to imagine the sheer amount of anonymous supporters and Mmm-Yoso!! admirers that exist in the world. You have provided fantastic and reliable advice on San Diego restaurants (and at your own expense) to hundreds (more likely thousands) and have encouraged people to begin their own food blogs and to enjoy their passion.
You do give a lot of time to the food blogging world Kirk. Not only for the readers, but also to the bloggers. Thank you for supporting and encouraging me through your comments, and inspiring me with (and making me salivate over) your delicious (and Mmm-Yoso!!!) posts.
Oh Kirk.
Don’t even bother one bit with the idiots. And don’t take any thing that comes from the idiots’ mouth personally either. There will always be idiots on this planet. But be assured that their stupidity will leave them drooling at their mouth off of your brilliance and at the pictures of mmm-yoso foods that you post.
You are truly one amazing blogger.
Without your sarcasm, fairness, and humor, mornings would not be the same! Please don’t pull the plug! We need you!
You da man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Mills – Thanks, LOL!
Hi Barbara – And I thought imitation was the highest form of flattery…… Thanks.
Hi Kady – I did think it was very strange – I guess that’s why this one bothered me a bit.
Hi PE – Thanks for the kind words…and man, do you know how to butter someone up!
Hi Joanna – Thanks for the kind words – you shoud see the nasty Emails. But I do understand that 99.9999% of everyone out there are nice decent folk.
That’s one of the strangest comments I’ve ever seen!
If you are a shill for Porkyland, you sure took your time getting to review it ๐ I guess it was part of your master plan to review hundreds of other restaurants to endear yourself to the blogging community. Once your reputation was firmly established over the course of nearly a year, you put in the final piece of the puzzle, and reviewed Porkyland, ensuring you and your family an easy retirement. Very clever!
I too have gotten many strange correspondences since starting a web site. I hope you know that your fans *greatly* outnumber the freaks.
Kirk,
Allright man, I knew it all along. This whole time I thought you were legit, but I guess your blog was just a huge underground marketing scheme. Ha ha, just kidding!
I think many people miss the whole point of food blogging; we’re not paid food writers, nor do many of us aspire to be. We’re just normal folk jotting down our thoughts about what we ate. And besides, isn’t that the whole point of a blog in the first place? Yet there are so many critics out there telling us that our experiences were somehow wrong.
Keep up the great work , Kirk (hey, that rhymed!) and don’t you EVER think about pulling the plug–I’ll send my goons to San Diego to find you! =)
Hey Kirk,
We’ve exchanged a few emails, we are friendly in that internet kind of way.
I’ve been in marketing all my life, and, hey, I’ve been a chowhound all my life.
What you put out is your truth and no BS.
I’ve followed a lot of your recs and really (really) appreciate the fact that I can visit a fantastic unknown place in a corner of SD that I wouldn’t know about because you have “gone there before” and shared detailed info about the discovery.
Keep on chowing and posting about it.
Hi Howie – Your comment, really cracked me up! Aahhh, the Master plan, I’d forgotten….Igor, Igor, the master plan!
Hi Pam – You’d really sic’ DCCF on me? And don’t go doing that rhymes with Kirk thing on me, ok? LOL!
Hi Jan – That’s the great thing, I’ve gotten to know many, many really nice and kind people, like you! Thanks for the kind words…..
OooOooo… white rabbit huh? Roasted? Maybe parsley instead of the “C Herb”? Who is Michelle?
Hi Jo – Should have known you’d cook dat’ wascal’ wabbit’…LOL!
hehehe YOU know it! Actually, one time we were in Spain and visited one of my Dad’s old school chums. The gentleman gave us a couple rabbits he had shot which we brought back to the house and the cook prepared them in a paella. Would you believe I was young enough and dumb enough to refuse to try it!?!?!?