Dear Mr. Lileks,
I’m writing you this letter, because I owe this whole blog to you. Mostly. I mean, I’m the one who writes, it, yeah, but…I wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t for you.
Why? Who the hell am I?
Well, I found your Institute Of Official Cheer many years ago when I stumbled on a Top Ten List of Best Websites For Wasting Time. How many hours I wasted there can’t even begin to be counted. It was love at first read.
Lileks.com quickly became my favorite website, and those many hours I read your work weren’t a waste at all. You charmed me with your wit. You made me sigh with your endearing odes to days gone by. I loved reading your stories about your Dad and his gas station. I laughed so hard I all but puked when reading your Gallery Of Regrettable Food.
I bought your books as a gift for my best friend. Giving them to her was like having teeth pulled. I eventually borrowed them back and never returned them. You sneaky devil. You had me at hello.
I tried for years to get your attention. I emailed, I sent my own picture of a Ghost Sign that had been refurbished in my town, I told you of my own memories of a place you mentioned in your blog that is dear to my heart.
But you spurned me, my first blog crush. How you broke my heart. I continued to love you from afar, like a creepy internet stalker. Reading and laughing and being inspired by your amazing wit and wealth of old pictures and other bits of Americana. How wonderful you are here to preserve the memories of days gone by.
I waited each week for more cheesy comic book covers and layouts from an old Sears Catalog.
I’ve moved on, and I stand alone and write my own blog now, but I often think of you fondly, and even found you on Twitter yesterday, and now follow you. Could I dare to dream you would follow me back?
The man who inspired me to write myself? The man who gave me hours of laughter and many trips down memory lane? I could only wish.
If you would be so kind as to do that, I would be proud, honored and thrilled. To hopefully give you back some of the laughs you gave me. To let you see that you opened up a vein of creativity in me that I thought was long forgotten. To just know that my whole blog is little more than a big “Thank You!” to the man who helped The Cheeky Diva be born.
In visiting your site today to find links to all of your wonderful posts and features I remember so well, to share with my new blog friends, I see that you have written much since my last visit, so I must once again succumb to my addiction.
It looks like I am still and forever, one of your biggest fans.
Much love and appreciation,
The Cheeky Diva
And now you have your own fans too! 🙂
Why thank you. I’m blushing and stuff.
Well, that Mr Lileks. He’s probably basking in so much blog-glory he hasn’t time for us newbies. Screw him! But I might have to go check him out anyway.
I must warn you, it’s a giant fun filled rabbit hole. You may never re-emerge.
I”m in. I’ll ck him out too.
Oh, do. He’s so damn funny. Are you familiar with Mystery Science Theater 3000? Well, those guys now do voice over tracks for popular movies. I’m not sure how they work, but you can play them while you watch a movie, and the dialogue is all these funny guys doing a completely new story. They’re called Riff Tracks. Our esteemed Mr. Lileks was part of that brain child too. Very, very funny man. With a big heart. Best combination ever!
my son and i used to watch the original MStheatre back in the day and it was sooo funny. i’ll send my son the link, too. Gracias!
Don’t thank me yet. It will suck your day away from you~and you’ll love every minute of it!
well there’s just no time for work, when the capt complains about my lack of income, I can tell him its your fault, and shutup and keep buying me channels!
Sure! I can be the cause of your divorce. Glad to help out.
that is correct, Ms. Cheeks. Stupid proofer me didn’t see the extra “n” in Chanel. No wonder I don’t have any assignments right now. Back to watching Leave it to Beaver! Good day, madam.
Wasn’t sure if you were adding a new package to your cable or if you were buying the good stuff. Like vintage Valentino!~ I better see that pic!
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That was beautiful.
Aw shucks, twern’t nuthin. I don’t have a Willy to write a letter to. Thanks!
You don’t have a willy to write a letter to… that is funny on so many levels…
OMG!-I am so embarrassed. Never thought about it that way. William, the baby. That’s what I meant just in case any one is unclear on what I meant. Ahem….
Doesn’t make it less funny…
Ok fine. You win. I just read Parts 16 & 17. That is one adorable baby! Lucky parents.
They are awesome together.
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If you love him, I’ll love him. I’m off to check Mr. However You Spell His Last Name.
I’m back. How do you follow him?
No idea. I just had him bookmarked and read whenever I could. What did you think?
Adorable. As a child of the 70s, I loved his post on that horrible era or polyester and disco boots.
I haven’t been to his site in quite a while until today, but he had a wonderful section devoted to his father and his gas station. Lots of wonderful pictures and memories. You have got to read the gallery of regrettable food. It’s pictures from those horrible old cookbooks all of our moms had, with absolutely hilarious captions. This guy is the king of captions.
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I remember him from years ago on AOL. When you clicked on the logo it would bring you to one of his random thoughts. I remember spending hours reading his stuff. I am so glad that you reminded me!
I’ve been trying to get his attention off and on for a long time. I have sent him some pics and stuff, and now I’m stalking…I mean following him on Twitter. I must not be his type. Oh well, I did get a reply to a tweet I sent to Eric Idle, so that more than made up for it. 🙂