It’s Not Just a Blog, It’s an Adventure: We’re Turning This Into a Live Show
I started this blog back in 2005. At the time I figured that if I just kept banging on my laptop, eventually someone would recognize my nascent brilliance and offer me a sack of money. That person would also be able to reach through a hole in time and pull out a finished copy of a book, by me, and drop it on the desk next to the money.
Then I’d never have to work pouring concrete driveways or slinging pizzas ever again. While it’s true that I stopped working in both the concrete and pizza industries shortly after starting this blog, the rest turned out a little differently. I haven’t seen a fricking dime of profit from this thing, and nobody’s offered to turn this into a book. Apparently, to write a book you have to do something more than just type whenever you feel like it.
Here’s the thing: while I’ve always wanted to be a writer, I’ve also always wanted to be in a rock band. My early efforts in that regard were similarly misguided. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from storytelling, it’s that making a crowd feel something I’ve written — like a whole, big, crowded rock club — that ‘s pretty much the best feeling in the world. If you could chop up the laughter of several hundred strangers and line it up on a mirror, cocaine would go out of business and the would be no more killing in Mexico.
I was reading “Our Band Could Be Your Life” on the subway a few weeks ago and it hit me like Galileo’s apple. I’ve got the Internet platform and the storytelling skills – and now we’ve got Brad and Cyndi on board, two hilarious, exciting and weird burlesque performers AND storytellers, as well as D.Billy’s peerless art, design, and production abilities.
We’re turning this blog into a live show and we’re going on tour. I don’t know how and I don’t know when exactly, but I’d expect to see some of you people outside New York City by spring 2011.
That’s where we need your help.
We’re sniffing out venues in New York City to try this thing out at home right now, and really trying to figure out what would work and what wouldn’t in a live setting. Because now this thing’s bigger than just me, and I’m flying it by instinct. Over the years And I Am Not Lying has been through a lot of changes, but now it just feels right. We’re a team, a FOR REAL team, and I am just tickled to death about it.
Here’s what we’re wondering, though:
What brought you here? What keeps you coming back?
A lot of you are friends of mine from real life, and you actually care about me as a person, which is fantastic. But a lot more of you came in for some outside reason — you heard me on This American Life, saw D.Billy’s art online (or in print) — or the time the hawk danced on his lunch, or you liked the Types of Bitches or the Hotsy Totsy Doctor Who or < href="http://andiamnotlying.com/2010/brad-lawrence-and-uliet-ayne-are-on-the-moth-podcast-good-for-them-they-deserve-it/" target="blank">Brad on the Moth podcast or the Cherry Pop pictures or shit, something, it’s been five years now.
That’s what brought you in, right? Or was it something else? And at this point, now that we’re in the comfy hammock slump between traffic spikes, if you’re reading this far you count as a fan. What is it? Would you mind letting us know? In between the popular stuff I’ve been trying to write short essays about my feelings and stuff — was it that? The weird shit we find in the street?
Over there on the right under “Categories,” there’s a list of all kinds of stuff that we’re into and have put up here – but what of that should we try to hogtie and throw on stage?
We’re trying to figure all this out and crunch it down into something tiny, tight and awesome that we can pack into a van and haul across America.
That’s going to happen. It just is. Because as long as we’re going to be stuck on the payroll for a long time, we might as well have some fun and make a few new friends.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Hi, Jeff.
First of all, congratulations and good luck on your new enterprise – I’m sure it will be awesome!
To answer your question – I got here through your “Big Black Bird” video. Some blog I follow (I can’t, for the life of me, remember which) posted the video, and it hooked me. You’re an AWESOME storyteller.
I came to your blog, signed up for the RSS feed and became a regular reader, and a fan. I came here because I was moved by your video, but I kept reading because of everything else.
There’s funny stuff (the hawk story is hilarious), there’s curious stuff (the meta truck that got that lady all pissed-off, the Soul Train guy), there’s seriously engaging and moving stuff (you’d have to have cold water in your veins instead of blood not to be moved by your description of the hindu couple), and there’s that video about your sister’s high school boyfriend, which is ten shades of EPIC WIN.
But if I had to narrow it down to one point, I guess I keep coming back because I love the way you tell your stories, either in writing or in video. I repeat, you’re an awesome storyteller.
Best,
J.
September 1st, 2010 at 4:03 am
You’re going to pack some chickens in the van, right? That’s what the people want– everything else is fluff.
September 1st, 2010 at 7:59 am
Hi there Jeff-
I’ve been stalking your blog for two years now, after sitting next to you on a Vamoose bus from DC to NY. You kept me entertained for the whole 5 hour trip, and as a fellow Moth-goer, I was delighted to finally see you on stage at a Housing Works performance at one point a while ago. You’ve sure shared some interesting stories, and I enjoy your relatable style. Plus collectively now, you kids seem to find the interesting, obscure side of this city. Looking forward to creeping around whatever new iterations this blog takes on!
-Sara
September 1st, 2010 at 8:02 am
Oh my GOD — so cool to hear from you, Sarah! I spent two years going back and forth to DC on that bus, and you were by FAR my coolest seatmate. If I remember correctly, you gave me a bunch of bottle rockets, too! I still have some of them, and was just last night scheming on shooting them at the noisy junkies outside my window.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:40 am
Brendan,
Live Chickens – - I was thinking a bag of cats — but live chickens — brilliant!
-Cyndi
September 1st, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I’m not sure how I got here, but I’ve been here for years, reading, thinking, not commenting nearly as often as I might.
Unfortunately, I’m not much help. It’s not one thing that keeps me coming back but the blend itself. Words and pictures. Pain and laughter. Balance.
In one word, I guess I’d have to say it’s the honesty. Even when what you feel sucks, you write it. Raw. Human. Emotion.
I want to write like you when I grow up.
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:00 pm
I just spent 30 minutes trying to find the post that brought me here.
I found it: http://andiamnotlying.com/2008/bluetooth-devices-have-made-us-all-lunatics/
Ever since then I’ve been read every post via RSS. This is probably the second time I’ve been to your actual site but felt compelled to post an answer. I’ve never commented on anything before in Internetland but feel connected enough to you to do so.
So it’s been nearly two years of reading your posts and thinking about who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going. I’ve related to more than a few of your stories and posts but would have to agree with a previous commenter that your unbiased, unfiltered portrayal of your life is what has kept me coming back. You open up to the world as if it’s your closest friend. That impresses me deeply.
I’ll be honest, I don’t pay an incredible amount of attention to anyone else’s posts. I can’t give a real reason for that other than I’m just simply more interested in being a part of your life from a distance.
I’m nothing more than a simple Arkansan boy who has relocated to the Twin Cities. I would love to see what you have brewing. What would be even more incredible is to meet the man behind the blog.
Hope this helps,
Jared
September 6th, 2010 at 12:03 am
This is a wonderful idea, and I wish you guys all the best with it!!
As for what brought me here? Well, I heard Jeff’s story “Now or Never” on This American Life one day. I had had a pretty good day already, but that was icing on the cake! My responses were a mix of “aww” and laughter-turned to-tears. I immediately wanted to check out the blog, and I’ve been following it for the last few months.
Although I must admit, the Types of Bitches lists, kind of helped to sell me on the blog too.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
So I found your blog via a moth story by brad Lawrence which via his website found yours and the string continues. Thought the guy in the picture vitamin c4 was hot found his blog. Etc. However I do want to say, I like your work, in case you? Keep up the work, put it on the road and tour the country. Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right. I write. A lot. Always. You can check out my blog at http://www.foodwithwit.com. It is about food life and simplicity. All of which I personally am a fan of. Take care
C
October 8th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Oops. I have to give respect to Henry Ford who is responsible for the quote above.