Why Not Noah?

If you’re reading this right now, it’s because I’ve somehow suckered you into coming back for another post, and now the real test begins. Can he do it again? Was his first post just a fluke and he’s really just some whack job on a rant?

These are both great questions, but guess what? I can’t answer them, only you can; however, I will say that Why Not Noah? should be digested like a new show with a midseason premiere. I’ve only been green-lit for a few episodes, but it’s my job to prove to everyone that I deserve to be picked up for a full season. Does that make sense? Is everyone still following? Sticking with the television comparison, most shows take a little time to really develop their rhythm and find what works. It’s pretty rare for a show to have a flawless first season, but if you know some, please let me know because I love binge-watching television!

Seriously though, think about how many times have you’ve recommended a show with the warning, “you have to give it a few episodes, but then you’ll be hooked!” Look at Schitt’s Creek, Parks & Recreation, Seinfeld, Breaking Bad, or even Buffy the Vampire Slayer … those first few episodes and even those entire first seasons are bumpy and nothing special, but they all became television giants. (Click here, to check out a few more popular shows that had shaky beginnings.)

I’d like to think that’s me. I’m that show but in a blog format. So before anyone jumps on the “Hater Express,” just give it a few episodes and then you can feel free to tune out. I say all of this because before I launched this blog and my first post, I was already extremely nervous. Putting yourself out there for any sort of judgment is actually kind of awful. I work in radio (nope, not the on-air part) behind-the-scenes, and every day I watch some of my incredibly talented coworkers put themselves out there. This is where my job comes in, I get to sit at my desk on social media and watch all the comments come rolling in; including the dreaded internet trolls. No matter how great the show was that day, these people will nitpick every second of it looking for flaws they can latch onto. It’s obnoxious, but unfortunately that’s the world we live in.

Needless to say, when it came time for me to move forward with #WNN, that’s all I could think about … the trolls.

The haters.

The negative Nancys.

The vampires lurking in the glow of their screens ready to sink their janky teeth into my post and tear it apart.

But I watch my coworkers do it every day, and it never stops them from coming back. Part of putting yourself out there is dealing with haters. And hey, at least they’re talking about you. It’s when they aren’t that you should worry. So I channeled my inner Samantha Jones … I prayed for the gays and published my post.

It was terrifying but oddly satisfying. My new baby blog was out there on Facebook for everyone to see, and with that I quickly logged out. I wanted to enjoy the immediate high a little longer. I didn’t want to see anyone’s comments. I didn’t want to know how many likes it got. I didn’t want to know anything. Not yet. And not that I’m vain enough to think there would be “haters” this early, but nowadays, everybody has an opinion or an idea of how you should do things that quite frankly most of them know nothing about.

I finally logged back in a few hours later, and to my surprise and delight, the response was pretty positive. I was feeling great … until I got a text message from a “friend” with a few notes.

THEM: You finally did it! I can’t believe you actually started a blog!

ME: Thanks! Yeah, I was really scared, but I figured why not?!

THEM: I like it, but what are you gonna write about? Do you even have enough content for that?

ME: I don’t know. I guess I’ll find out the hard way. I have a couple different plans.

THEM: Oh, I would never start a blog without at least 10 posts ready to go. I mean, aren’t you going to be embarrassed if you run out of ideas before you even really get started? I couldn’t do it. I would be so embarassed.

ME: Oh, damn! I see after one post she already has notes for me. I guess I should’ve come with a pen and paper to this conversation. Haha. But to answer your question, I’m not too worried. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and I’ll just have to cross that bridge if and only if that day ever comes. It will be a fun little learning experience!

Our conversation moved to a new subject and eventually fizzled after a few more texts since let’s be honest, this “friend” really falls more in the acquaintance column.

I tried to let his comments go since overall I was feeling pretty damn good about my little blog, but they just kept lingering in the back of my brain. In all honesty, I wasn’t necessarily hurt by the conversation, but rather annoyed and frustrated. This was all coming from a guy who announced a giant “life-changing” move to NYC (complete with a “GoFundMe” page) so he could pursue his dream to be Broadway performer! That was four years ago, and since the move, he’s really only managed to pick up a few pounds and a few service industry gigs in the process. And now … he doesn’t even perform. BUT GUESS WHAT?! There’s nothing wrong with that, and in all four years, I’ve never once asked him how embarrassed he was for announcing his dramatic departure and Broadway dreams, only to give up on a career before even having one? I could’ve easily dished out a few notes of my own for him, but instead, I kept my mouth shut. His body. His choice. His dream. His life.

But Noah … where are you going with all of this? Before yesterday I had an entirely different post ready to go for the big round two reveal. It was gonna be quick and funny (in my opinion) and the perfect bite-size read to keep you satiated; however, my plan was derailed by a few shady text messages.

Sure, I could’ve ignored those messages altogether, not said anything, and stayed laser-focused on my original plan. Instead, I choose to go rogue 72 hours into the process and take a risk by writing this post instead. But as I sit here writing, that’s what excites me about this blog. I’m in control, and if I want to go rogue, that’s my choice. This is my creative baby, and these first few posts may be bumpy and a bit whacky, but so am I. As I keep learning and growing, I will do my part to tighten things up, find what works and hopefully create something special. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Huzzah, that’s fine with me!

So if you’re teetering on the edge of trying something new … go for it! Take a risk, and feel free to tell the haters where they can shove it. At the end of the day, I would rather be, “nine people’s favorite thing than a hundred people’s ninth favorite thing!” I already know I’m my own favorite thing … so I’m 1/9 of the way there!

- Noah Lee Jordan (#WNN)

SONG(S) OF THE BLOG (#SOTB): I went through a few phases while writing this post, so now you get not one … not two … BUT THREE songs to enjoy!

“Die Vampire, Die!” - [title of show] - Original Cast

“Hate On Me” - Jill Scott

“Nine People’s Favorite Thing” - [title of show] - Original Cast