The Bella Rossa Interview with Shroom Monkey of "Shroom Monkey Eats Worms."
Shroom Monkey is an Atlanta blogger who does creative and sometimes dirty things with Paintshop and photos of celebrities (so be careful where you click) and might still be a little bitter about having flunked drama class in college. She mixes off-kilter silliness with unexpected poignance, sometimes within a single post, and shares my fascination with the unbelievably horrible movie "Killer Klowns from Outer Space." Like so many bloggers, she enjoys the freedom that the anonymity of blogging offers to be lippier and bolder in print than in everyday life, and values the connections she's made with people by way of her expressions online.
BELLA: How would you describe your blog?
SHROOM MONKEY: It is purely random thoughts, likes, dislikes, some sprinklings of
relationship hell with some celebrity news, and sock monkeys thrown in
for entertainment value.
BELLA: Why
do you blog? What was your original goal or intention when you started,
and has that changed with time? Is your blog a means to an end (finding
work, developing creative ideas, making money, meeting people), or does
it exist for its own sake?
SHROOM MONKEY: Ummm, I do because I have nothing to do and I am bored. I started
at first to piss off a few people but the blog is evolving into it's
own little world. It has become a place to air some of my dirty
laundry, to criticize strangers, and a view in what really is happening
in my little head. I have no goals- but can this kinda stuff really
land me a job because that would be ROCK!
BELLA: What are some of your favorite, "must-read" blogs?
What keeps you going back again and again? Have you ever totally lost
interest in a blog that you once really enjoyed, and if so, why?
SHROOM MONKEY: Speak of the Devil -cuz she is the coolest chick in the whole world. Bacon Bits and Midget Parts - cuz he scares me, but I love him anyways. Angela's Magic Carpet Ride - cuz she keeps it fresh and interesting.
BELLA: What kind of person is the likeliest reader of your blog? What would you hope they get out of reading you?
SHROOM MONKEY: Anyone who is a closet freak-a-zoid.
BELLA: Are
there people in your life who don't "get the whole blog thing?" How do
you explain it to them without feeling as nerdy and defensive as I
usually do?
SHROOM MONKEY: Most of them think that I'm retarded. But seriously, this is
mine, this is me, and this is what I am enjoying at the moment. So
leave me alone!
BELLA: What's your relationship with your readers? How much interaction do you encourage?
SHROOM MONKEY: I am totally surprised that anyone reads it at all. But I love
that they do. I get a kick out of everyone who reads the blog and
although we may be in little corners all over the world, I really
think if we were to meet, we could have a really kick ass barbecue.
BELLA: How much do you self-censor, knowing that your friends and family might be reading?
SHROOM MONKEY: Ideally none! I don't post pictures of myself or family. My
name is not posted so I not really worried. I left my government job
so I should be ok.
BELLA: Have you ever blogged something that later you regretted and/or deleted from your blog?
SHROOM MONKEY: Yeah, I have managed to severely anger some friends, some ex's and
a few family members. Maybe telling the virginity story wasn't such a
good idea. Oh well...
BELLA: Are you conscious of creating an online persona? How is that persona different from the real world you?
SHROOM MONKEY: Oh yeah, I can be a bit more obnoxious in blogger world. I am
kinda shy in my real life. Yeah I know you would never know it but I
am. I can voice the little strange thoughts that come to my head with
no consequences. In the real world, I get too many dirty looks and
attorneys calling, so I will keep on trucking in blogger world.
BELLA: How long have you been online, and what kinds of
things have you done online (chat rooms, message boards, games, aimless
surfing, etc.)? How has this changed your life, for the better or worse?
SHROOM MONKEY: Well not counting the S & M chat rooms (if you're reading, this
I'm sorry, Master) and the online porn- not very long. I just recently
became a blogging fool.
BELLA: How long do you think you will continue to blog? What are the circumstances under which you can imagine yourself quitting?
SHROOM MONKEY: As long as it is entertaining. As long as I have the time. As
long as my computer functions. Basically until I get bored, or until I
feel completely healed whichever comes first.
BELLA: What's the coolest thing that's come out of your blogging experience?
SHROOM MONKEY: I have met some kick ass people. I have made a network of
strangers my new family. I have gotten really good at attaching
celebrity heads to ridiculous cartoons. I have strained my eyes and had
to start wearing glasses (I look much smarter now, so that is cool). But
the coolest thing is now I truly feel alive. Ha, ha, ha.
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