Friday, September 11, 2009

Blog Interview: When Pigs Fly

When I first clicked over to Jen’s blog, I couldn’t get an immediate feel for where I had landed - and that fascinated me. I couldn’t pinpoint an overall theme. However, what I COULD immediately feel was that the author had an incredible gift with language and that no matter what she wrote…I was interested in hearing it. Jen's blog offers a wonderful potpourri of personal opinions, life-observations, and reflections; wrapped in a brilliant blanket of satire. And whether she’s sharing a hysterical story about buying a new bra, a bread recipe, or getting older - you’ll find yourself going back again and again. Why? Because Jen has a unique voice.

So, let’s find out more about the gifted lady behind the blog, When Pigs Fly…

Welcome, Jen….

I love the title of your blog - why the name?

I collect pigs. Don’t ask me why or exactly when it started, just one of those odd interests that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. And like many collections, as soon as people notice that you have a lot of something, they think that must be the perfect gift to give you. I picked up my first pig with wings while living in London. It sits in my kitchen and was staring at me when I was trying to come up with a name for my blog. “When pigs fly” evokes the satirical, something I try to bring to my site.

Why do you blog?

I started blogging as a way to vent some of my creative frustrations. I enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts with others. Blogging seemed to be a good fit. I suppose I have visions of getting published in some form someday. Creating a blog felt like a good way to at least get the ball rolling.

How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging since February of this year. I started a week after I turned forty. That might just say it all.

What is your opinion of the blogosphere?

The blogosphere is like a giant bag of Halloween candy. You never know what you are going to get until closer inspection and you have to wade through a whole load of crap before you find a good piece. I have sifted through my fair share of candy corn and pumpkin shaped marshmallow peeps before finding the Snickers bars. There are a few great sites worth reading on a regular basis. They are just few and far between.

Do you post spontaneously or do you plan your posts for the week?

So far, I have been posting more or less by the seat of my pants. Sometimes I have an idea that has been fermenting in my brain, waiting until I find the right angle for it. Those I may start drafts of and keep until I find a direction for them. Others, I come across while drinking my coffee and reading or watching the news in the morning. I would like to start becoming more organized about it so that I post a bit more frequently. We’ll see how it goes.

Have you ever experienced a negative response in a comment?

I commented on my blog about a post from Dooce.com in which Heather Armstrong described her mucous plug in detail. For those of us who have not had children, and even those of us who have, I felt as though this was more information than any of us needed to know about. I was not questioning her right to discuss it only commenting on this new found need many people have for exposing their lives in excruciating detail. I was wondering out loud how much is too much. My post got picked up by Open Salon. The intensity of the nastiness sent my way in the form of comments was breathtaking. I ended up taking my post down on my site and Open Salon and writing a rebuttal. Hell hath no fury like a mommy blogger scorned. One would have thought I was going after Jesus, or worse, Oprah. I am now more careful about what I write about.

Any goals or visions for your blog?

I have decided to try and make my blog more interactive. I will be re-commenting and will start having posts that pose a question at the end. I would love to reach a wider audience someday. But, for now I am just grateful to those who read my writing and stop by my site.

Do you find blogging addictive?

I go through phases. When the ideas are flowing, I am at the computer quite a bit. But, like anything else, my interest wanes for a while. Life gets in the way. Dust bunnies need to be vacuumed, laundry must be done. Blogging takes a back seat.

What is one thing you find gratifying about blogging?

I enjoy expressing myself and seeing how others respond to my silliness.

Your love of horses….where did it come from? And have you ever been thrown?

I have been in love with horses since I can remember. I do believe there is a genetic component for all of us so enamored with the equine species. Most of us are a bit crazy. I have fallen off more times than I can remember. I have had two bad falls in which I was bucked off. One was on a horse I no longer own, the other on a trainer’s horse. They were both very scary incidents but luckily I was not badly injured. I am much more careful these days about what I will get on and what I will do with a horse.

Did you ever think you would get married?

I don’t know if I ever gave it much thought. My husband and I met in college and got married a few years after leaving. We have been together ever since.

Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?

Absolutely. I believe every person and animal comes into our lives for a reason. We are all on a journey and that journey extends beyond one life. I was told that my one horse and I were together in a past life. I like to believe we were. From the moment I first saw her, I knew she belonged to me. It was as if we were two puzzle pieces and as soon as I sat on her back we fit together. I tend not to share my more Birkenstock wearing, crystal hugging, granola eating tendencies in public. But, you did ask.

Note: Jen will be responding to all comments on this post, so please feel free to chat with her. Thank you.