Sunday, May 24, 2009

The Sunday Roast

Another Oscar For Suldog Millionaire


This week's interview is with Jim,
who writes the blog Suldog.



Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

Insatiable ego. I’ve always had a very high opinion of myself, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, so I figured everybody in the world would love reading whatever I typed.

Amazingly enough, while making statements such as the above, I’ve received very little in the way of flames. The folks who comment over at my place are almost uniformly kind and complimentary. That’s very nice of them, but, if they had any brains at all, they would have figured out that I’d have dried up and blown away upon receiving even one or two nasties. They could have done the populace at large a huge favor by manning up and throwing out a few insults.

If they had done so, I would have gone to bother someone else with my next hare-brained scheme; perhaps starting my own church or acting in pornos. As it stands now, my ego has been blown up to such mammoth proportions, there’s little likelihood I’ll stop writing. That’s too bad for the world, but I’m OK with it.

What’s the story behind your blog name?

I wish there was one."Suldog" is just a nickname I picked up years ago. My last name is Sullivan. Well, almost everybody at this one place where I worked ended up being called something-dog - Charlie-dog, Dave-dog, Fitz-dog, whatever. I’m not sure how it started, but it did, and since I was already nicknamed Sully, I became Suldog. For whatever reason, it seemed to fit me more than most, and it’s followed me around ever since. Exciting, eh?

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

Seriously? The people you meet (not that you truly "meet" too many of them, but you know what I mean.)

I’ve developed many fine virtual friendships, and had the pleasure of physically getting together with a couple of the nicer folks. There are so many interesting life stories out there in the blogging universe!

(Really, I think that everybody has an interesting life story, but some just know how to put their story into words in more entertaining ways.)

The anonymity of blogging helps some folks, of course, but I’m one of those bloggers who doesn’t give a damn if everybody knows my real name or where I live. When I write, I assume that at least one person in my audience will have done the same stupid thing I’m willing to reveal that day. From the comments I’ve received, that appears to be the case. And it also appears that those people are exceedingly glad to find out that they’re not the only ones, so I guess I’m performing a public service of sorts when I admit to past indiscretions.

Anyway, my life is an open book. I figure that if someone really wants to dig up some dirt on me, they can. Therefore, I’m happy to save them the trouble. I figure if I write about it first, nobody can ever accuse me of hypocrisy. If you criticize me about any of it, though, I’ll jump on you with both feet. Everybody has things they’ve done that fall short of perfection and I’ll carve you a new one if you seriously think you can get away with being holier-than-thou in my presence.

I don’t know if that answered the question or was just a long-winded self-serving rant, but it’ll have to do.

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

Post naked photos of yourself, if you’re a woman! If you’re the shy type, and aren’t sure about this advice, feel free to send the photos to me first for an unbiased editorial critique.

Aside from that? Be yourself, whatever that may be. If you have odd quirks, bring ‘em out into the open. If you have a style with which an English professor might find fault, don’t let it keep you awake at night. It’s your blog, not the professor’s. So long as you make yourself clearly understood, it’s all good.

(Despite the above advice, though, I’d suggest that you learn to spell. Style is one thing, ignorance another. You’ll lose many readers if you don’t know how to spell the second word in this sentence.)

Above all, have fun. There are very few folks getting rich from this. I’m certainly not one of them, so if you send me ten dollars – and, perhaps, those naked photos - I’ll be glad to give you more advice.

What is the most significant blog post you’ve ever read?

It was by Magazine Man. I’ve got his link on my sidebar listed under the heading "The Best Writer On The Internet", and I’ve never been given reason to back down from that statement. He’s brilliant. There are some truly good writers out there – you among them, of course – but I have yet to read anything by him that wasn’t utterly captivating.

Anyway, his parents died in a highway accident a bit over a year ago. They were on their way to visit he and his family at the time. He had written about them both, at length, previous to the accident, showing them to be interesting and lovable people, with faults in their pasts, to be sure, but that just made them more endearing in the present. I (and his other readers) felt a relationship to these good people, via his marvelous writing, so when he posted concerning their tragic deaths, it just sucked the breath right out of me. My stomach churned almost as much as it had upon hearing of the death of some of my own loved ones. That’s how good his writing is.

(To clarify: That single post, about them dying, wasn’t his greatest piece, but as a hideous denouement to all that had preceded it, it was as powerful an emotional response as has ever been dragged out of me by a blog.)

What is the most significant blog post you’ve ever written?

A Day (Five Of Them, Actually – All Saturdays) In The Life, which is basically my life story, condensed. I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever written, so if your readers go to my place, read it, and aren’t impressed? They may as well leave, since it isn’t likely they’ll find anything better if they stay.

Thanks for the opportunity to display my arrogant, ignorant, bloviating self, David. If you enjoyed reading this half as much as I did writing it, then you’re 50 per cent as happy as I was.


Today's Sunday Roast with Jim, aka Suldog, is the 69th in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.

35 comments:

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, I'm so glad you "roasted" Jim!!! He is a gem!!! And has a heart of gold!!!! Great interview! ~Janine

imac said...

Not sure who got Roasted lol, but enjoyed reading it.

lime said...

suldog is indeed a wonderful blogger and just as fantastic in person as in the blog world (since i am lucky enough to have met him and his lovely and hilarious wife). i'm so glad to see him featured this week.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Modest, isn't he?
Personally I think I'm better!

Ananda girl said...

Ever since I found Suldog...thanks to a hint from one of your readers, David, who suggested him as a funny read back around Easter... I have been hooked and not missed a one. He is delightful, engaging and fun. I am thrilled to see his mug here. An excellent choice. His voice is pretty cool too.

Indrani said...

Great interview!
His posts are fun to read.

aims said...

This interview has peeked my curiousity in Suldog. I'm going over for a visit!

Elizabeth said...

This was a lovely interview
Suldog sounds excellent and has great views on blogging.
I'm so glad he has a good 'sense of steam' as an ignorant teen on US TV called it.
What's good about blogging is that you can write whatever you like and people can either enjoy it or ignore it.
VERY democratic.
one can be deep or trivial or both......

Jeni said...

A great roast of one of the greatest bloggers around! Jim's style -well, sometimes it is wacky, sometimes very serious but always -ALWAYS -entertaining and even informative as well. Satisfies any needs one might have in the literary sense. And his recommendations too -like Magazine Man -are always spot on as well. Always nice to see a roast of someone I already follow and who, even in his "interview" with you, keeps things moving and makes you want to know him better.

Anonymous said...

Suldog found me/or I him, quite early on in my blogging life and I love him to death for his honesty, wit and wisdom. A Suldog post on my sidebar is a hooray moment for me.

You actually got off quite lightly, Sir Knight.

i beati said...

Also his Talk Back Button is also a worth read in interest and education Sandy

Maggie May said...

I have visited Suldog before & he writes good posts & he has a tremendous sense of humour.
Believe me Suldog, you wouldn't want to see me naked! (Or maybe you were talking to the younger gals!)
Excellent interview.

A Super Dilettante said...

Thanks for sharing interview! Also there are some really good advice! I don't know who would take the advice of posing a naked picture though! ;-)

Hilary said...

Suldog is one of my "absolutely MUST read" bloggers. He so entertaining that I stick around and read his posts EVEN when he's talking sports. Crusty and mushy all at the same time, and as kind as the day is long. Just don't feed him after midnight. No, wait.. that's not it. Right.. just don't give him any awards. ;)

Saz said...

YEAH it's JIM!!!! SO glad to see you got grilled too Jim!! And that you showed your true self here...never did ask you if the photograph arrived safely!

I hope you enjoy your day in the spotlight and that more bloggers get to find you, listen to you and argue with you.
Most of all I wish you many, many more awards!!!

Eleonora Baldwin said...

This interview kindles my curiousity about Jim the Suldog. I'm now going over for a visit and a roast dinner. Ciao David, thank you for this.

♥ Braja said...

Millionaire?? Wow; I like him more, now...

Merisi said...

Oh, dear,
you did it again.
Make me laugh out loud.
Well, somebody had to take that lot, er, ... oh well, better be quiet. *giggle*

Unknown said...

Someone new to visit, for me at least, and his answers are so intriqing. Going now...

Unknown said...

If I had spelled intriging right, might have helped... but now I've got two new blogs to follow, thank to you!

Daryl said...

I am still wishing you were single ... I have such a nice sister ...

Michelle H. said...

Jim is a wonderful man with a wonderful blog. He writes about mostly anything with humor and wit. I can't think of a person more deserving to be roasted.

Maureen said...

Well David, you've again pointed me to yet another terrific blog to read. How you find these gems is beyond me. Thank you for this roast!

Thumbelina said...

I love this guy's blog. He is one of the best on the internet. Thanks for roasting him. bout time.

Chris said...

Sully is my hero, and I concur with his view of Magazine Man. Thanks for making Jim talk about himself here, because he's normally very shy and introverted.

Har har.

Chris
cdmauger.blogspot.com

Jazz said...

I discovered Suldog only a few months ago and he's brilliant he is. One of my goals in life is to go to Boston and meet him for real.

Unknown said...

Suldog is always a pleasure to read...thanks for the interview!

Susan English Mason said...

I too am glad to see suldog featured here! "Sully" (I just can't help myself) is one of my favorite bloggers. I just love his blog and his attitude of "take me or leave me" and it's all good.

Jinksy said...

Roasted alive, Jim? How's that for just deserts?! Juicy and done to a turn, Blogpal...

Woman in a Window said...

Suldog, you are as unapologetic here as ever, as real, as horny...all in all, what we know and love.

Suldog said...

I just want to say "Thank You!" to David, and to all of the wonderful commenters! A great pleasure to see my mug over here and to find out it didn't scare too many of you.

Theresa said...

Sometimes being honest about yourself is the hardest thing to do, but Suldog does it with grace, dignity and with enough humorous musings to make me pee my pants.

Suldog said...

David - I left a comment some time ago, but it appears not to have taken. I want to be sure, however, that you know how much I appreciate this, and to let the readers know how much their kind comments meant to me. Thank you, all, very much!

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Suldog is a legend among bloggers, and his wit and wisdom are endless, as is his generosity to more fledgling bloggers...

I am sorry to be admitting to odd thoughts at Suldog's being number 69 of the fabulous roasts, but I'm sure there's a message in there somewhere!

Thanks muchly, David, and dear, darling Suldog x

Janet said...

Thanks for roasting one of my favorite people!