I heard a good quote--if you've made an enemy, at least you're standing up for something.
This is HILARIOUS by the way.
Justin Wise
· 1 month ago
I know, right? Like, "yousuck@hotmail.com"? That's pure genius.
Kevin Sullivan
· 1 month ago
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." - Winston Churchill.
I also had a much longer reply to this and I thought it was pretty clever until I realized that the nitwit in the email said "shut up" instead of "you suck" proving that it is *I* and not Justin who not only "sucks" but is the one who needs to "shut up"
Craig Saboe
· 1 month ago
I'd take that as a sign that you're getting somewhere in the blogosphere - someone took the time to notice you, type "you suck" in your comment box, and hit "Submit". I can't wait til my own gets big enough for someone to give me a "screw you" in the comments section:).
And did anyone see if "yousuck@hotmail.com" was registered? There's probably a few uses there, especially catering to angry people...
Danny Bixby
· 1 month ago
No matter how funny the discouragement can be ( I mean come on, yousuck@hotmail.com? awesome! ) or how easily we think we can brush it off, it sucks that it still stings.
Don't let it get you down.
sammahlstadt
· 1 month ago
A couple weeks ago I had a reader comment on my blog let me know that I was; a false preacher, ignorant, without the spirit of Christ and that I should stop proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus (again, because I was a false preacher). It took me a while to decide how I felt about it, and indeed, it stung. Keep on thinking differently.
Justin Wise
· 1 month ago
Thanks Sammy... Rock that join!
Bill Bolte
· 1 month ago
don't sweat it. nyone who uses the word "neigh" on Twitter is bound to get a piece of hate mail here and there. =]
Justin Wise
· 1 month ago
Just flexin' the ol' vocab muscles, if you know what I'm sayin'!
Bill Bolte
· 1 month ago
yeah. I actually like the word. I read a lot of 19th century historical fiction and love the language used.
KBZO
· 1 month ago
Wow! Wow...wow! Loved that comment from "STORY." Really powerful! Thanks....empowering!
About 3 years ago I directed a play at a local theatre. Small venue, new play. It was my first full length directing experience. I was nervous but excited. I loved the script, the cast and lehad a lot of fun putting that tiny piece of myself out there. At the time I was also writing a blog for the Juice website, centered around the Des Moines theatre scene. Shortly after the play opened I asked for feedback on my blog, thinking (mistakenly) that it would get people to come to the show and we could have some great discussion about directing styles, directing a new script, etc. What I got instead was really just a lot of ugly words and unconstructive criticism. What's worse is it came from someone who used to be a friend. Someone who knew I was a new director, knew I would make mistakes, someone who I always thought would be supportive and understanding. The show wasn't perfect, even I know that. But there are ways to criticize with out destroying. That's not what happened. Things went downhill quickly and it pretty much decimated my confidence and (you will notice) I no longer blog for Juice. Keep blogging Justin. You have things to say and that's always good. You and I will always disagree on a number of things, but that doesn't mean we can't have civilized open-minded discussion. I may disagree with some of the things you say, but I will defend to my last breath your right to say it.
Justin Wise
· 1 month ago
Susie ... Thanks for the kind words. Although, I'm curious as to what we do not agree on. Just admit it, it's my love of sweater vests, isn't it? ;)
Thanks for reading even though we disagree. Awesome.
Susie
· 1 month ago
LOL! Sweatervests are the last great form of 80's prep self-expression. Who can hate sweatervests! Everyone looks good in them and they're the best of both worlds. The warmth of a sweater with no sleeves. What do we disagree on? At the risk of revealing too much at once, I'm a liberal Catholic lesbian. *shrug* There it is. Let the flaming begin. Why do I read? Because you are open-minded and kind. You write your perspective without beating people over the head with it. You challenge people to think and ask questions. Mostly, I read because you "get it". I read because I'm a Catholic Christian, born and raised. A believer. And what you write interests me. Yes, I am gay, but I don't believe the two are mutually exclusive. My church may have turned its back on me, but I refuse to give up on them... yet...
Kevin Sullivan
· 1 month ago
Hey, I read Justin regularly and I'm an atheist. He's just that good of a writer.
Justin Wise
· 1 month ago
Ha! I'd like to think it's because somehow, some way, the God who you hope exists actually does, in fact, exist.
But I could be wrong... :)
Kevin Sullivan
· 1 month ago
He we could argue about that all day, but in the interest of us both getting some actual work done, let's just stick with "you're a good writer" and leave it at that. :)
Susie
· 1 month ago
Agreed Kevin. It's good readin'
Justin Wise
· 1 month ago
This might be the most gracious, kind comment anyone has ever left on the site. Thank you :)
Susie
· 1 month ago
I just calls 'em like I sees 'em
Susie
· 1 month ago
To add: The blogosphere presents us with an anonymity (sp?) that you don't get in the real world. Sadly, more often than not, I see it bring out the worst in people, rather than the best. I have learned to steer clear in most cases. My skin is too thin.
dawnbryant
· 1 month ago
God just spoke directly through to you to me...for the second time in a week. New friends rock.
Justin Wise
· 1 month ago
Hooray! What did he say? You have good taste in translations? ;)
Erik Carlson
· 1 month ago
Maybe the person who sent you that hate mail is the person that originally owned that bag of weed that your friend dumped out at Story 09?
All Comments
This is HILARIOUS by the way.
I also had a much longer reply to this and I thought it was pretty clever until I realized that the nitwit in the email said "shut up" instead of "you suck" proving that it is *I* and not Justin who not only "sucks" but is the one who needs to "shut up"
And did anyone see if "yousuck@hotmail.com" was registered? There's probably a few uses there, especially catering to angry people...
Don't let it get you down.
Thanks for reading even though we disagree. Awesome.
What do we disagree on? At the risk of revealing too much at once, I'm a liberal Catholic lesbian. *shrug* There it is. Let the flaming begin.
Why do I read? Because you are open-minded and kind. You write your perspective without beating people over the head with it. You challenge people to think and ask questions. Mostly, I read because you "get it".
I read because I'm a Catholic Christian, born and raised. A believer. And what you write interests me. Yes, I am gay, but I don't believe the two are mutually exclusive.
My church may have turned its back on me, but I refuse to give up on them... yet...
But I could be wrong... :)
Don't hate the playa,
ECC