The President of My Fan Club

I’ve had this dream of being a professional actress ever since the time in middle school when my brother hit me in the face, and I used my eyeshadow to “enhance” (i.e. create) a black eye. You know, so I could better illustrate how much Drew’s actions hurt me. So, the eyeshadow was a kind of metaphor for the bruising that took place in my heart.

Yeah, I’m not buying that either.

But, my parents did. And I think my big brother is still on restriction…at 35-years-old. Hey, dad, you can pull Drew’s Nintendo out of the closet now. I’ve forgiven him, and my eye has finally healed.

This is actually the first time I’ve ever told anyone that story. Cat’s out of the bag, I guess…

I’m SLIGHTLY dramatic.

[Dramatic? That’s downright psychotic!]

I forgot where I was going with this—lying, makeup, restriction, acting…oh!

I always wanted to be a professional actress.

I dreamed of the day I would step foot on a Broadway stage or onto a movie set. To put all those years of makeup artistry and melodrama to good use. And, naturally, I would have a fan club. And I’d learn to be humble about it. Because it just goes with the territory.

“Ugh. I wish people would stop obsessing over me so much. I’m just a regular person like anyone else! Seriously. …I’m going to Google myself again.”

This dream of mine (the acting part, not the famous part) is something I’ve never really hung up completely—even with two kids, a husband and a beta fish. Not that the fish is holding me back entirely, but who would feed Gill while I’m bouncing between New York and L.A.? WHO?

And that brings me to this whole blogging business. Sure, I create vlogs, but I’m not a professional actress per se. Any more than Grumpy Cat is a professional model. I’m not a columnist or a professional writer per se. In fact, I’m not a professional anything. Per se.

[I don’t think she even knows what per se means. There’s no way she’s a professional writer.]

So you can see why it is difficult to explain to people what I do “for a living.”

Stranger:  “So, what do you do for a living?”

Me:  “Oh…well, I’m a mom. I have two toddlers. So, that’s like two full-time jobs right there. I also have this blog thing, and I make videos and upload them to YouTube. Wow…that sounds so middle-school when I say it out loud. Basically, I’m a professional blogger.”

Stranger:  “Huh. [Loooooooong pause] Interesting.”

Me:  “Yeah, I know it’s slightly unconventional, but…that’s me! SLIGHTLY unconventional.”

Stranger:  “A professional blogger, huh? I didn’t even know that was a THING.”

I might as well just tell people that I’m a Professional Unicorn Jockey. It seems more legit.

But despite this seemingly fictional career choice, I have received an unbelievable amount of support from my readers. Especially from one reader who is now the president of the Katy in a Corner Fan Club.

[There is NO way that actually exists.]

Okay, so I don’t have a fan club. But IF I DID, I know exactly who I would nominate as the president.

(I asked my brother, but he respectfully declined the offer.)

This particular reader—we’ll call her Joy—was introduced to my blog through her aunt and uncle who are friends of ours from back home (Georgia). We emailed back and forth a few times, and I found out that she works no more than 15 minutes from our house. So, I asked if she’d like to meet for coffee. Joy is a Juvenile Officer—I know!—and mother of three who took time out of her busy day to meet me at Starbucks and talk about how much she loves my blog.

And I didn’t even have to pay her.

We’ve met several times now and formed a mutually-beneficial friendship whereby we both talk about me incessantly.

[Oh wow. Maybe she DOES belong in Hollywood.]

In all seriousness I’m starting to think that this whole blogging business is way more gratifying than an acting career. Because it’s personal; it’s interactive. I write, you read, you comment, I comment, and we connect. I learn about your families, your kids, your fears, your struggles and your triumphs. Sometimes I get to meet the people who have “followed me” through some of my toughest times. Many of you have shared your lives with me through personal messages, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to tell you how much that means to someone who spends her days wondering if this blog seems like one, big me-fest.

Like I should rename it Katy in a Corner Talking About Herself.

Or Katy in a Corner Googling Herself.

God knows that my desire is to become less me-minded and more others-minded. And this blog has—in a very unexpected way—helped me do that. Because you’ve allowed me to connect.

Joy, if you’re reading this (and I know you are, you loyal friend you), I just want you to know that your encouragement has meant the world to me. It keeps me blogging. You’re a wonderful reader, and you’ve become a true friend.

Also, just so you know, my mom actually made me return the candy bar I stole from the grocery store when I was 5. Because I KNOW that’s why you really befriended me.

Please don’t arrest me.

I have a great fear of bathroom stalls with no doors.

 

Giveaway Winner Announcement:

I do want to say one thing about giveaways. I make VERY sure these are fair, so if someone comments more than once on a giveaway post, only one comment is counted. Also the winner is chosen at random through a plugin I installed on my blog.

So, without further adieu, the winner of the Morganizing giveaway is Amanda (there were two of you, so please make sure you’re the Amanda who left this comment):

“My favorite clothing item is a hot pink pair of skinny jeans that I wear anytime I can think of an excuse to go out. And let me tell you that I make the jeans look even more fabulous when I drive my mommy van that may or may not smell like sour milk and dirty diapers.”

Congrats, Amanda! Please send me a message to claim your prizes!