I’ve been writing for The Lost Ogle for almost 5 years now. In my first post I suggested that you, the reader, ply John Mayer with liquor and invite B.J. Wexler out on a date. You would think that this would’ve set the tone for my tenure as a TLO contributor sufficiently. Well, it would appear it has not.
So, I’m taking a moment to address the criticism and comments we received from my post "9 reasons I hold a grudge against Edmond." Maybe some people really took offense to the word “grudge.” In which case, I really meant a grudge like that Japanese horror movie in that I’m just a dead, cursed ghost doomed to wander Edmond forever. Nothing to see here.
Keep in mind that my post listed the reasons that *I* will always hold a grudge against Edmond and that the post is completely based upon my own experiences, experiences that, based on the comments, coincide with the experiences of A LOT of other people who grew up in Edmond. Oh, and I’m pretty much Patrick’s favorite contributor, so I can do whatever the Hell I want.
To those who suggest I grow up, stop whining, or get a life: no.
To those who suggest that making fun of Edmond is somehow low-hanging fruit: so is the rest of the metro area. There are only so many stripper jokes to be made about Valley Brook. There are only so many hipster jokes to make about the Plaza District. There are only so many aging hippies on recumbent bikes jokes to be made about Norman. There are only so many cage fighters running Pit Bull puppy mill jokes to be made about the Mid-Del area. Admittedly, there are a lot of jokes to be made about Piedmont. I’ve only barely scratched that surface.
Some of you had more constructive criticism. Like Malia:
Let’s be honest, growing up in Edmond your entire life is like growing up in a bubble. It’s not until you leave that you begin understand there is more to life than living in the suburbs. I hate lumping middle class suburbs into the same category, but you’ll find several of the issues you listed at any middle class suburb.
Before you berate the city you grew up in you should open yourself to traveling more as I doubt your above the age of 30 nor traveled to more than two countries outside of the North American hemisphere.
In first world countries, you’ll find all schools have drugs, all locations have rich and poor areas and popularity contests do exist (It sounds like you weren’t included in one, and that stinks, but the majority of people aren’t popular – no need to hold a grudge there).
I find it slightly sad that you feel that way about a city, as you quoted, gave you a great education and seemed to have provided you with everything you needed. Grow up a little, go travel some more and come talk in about 10 years. Perhaps you’ll feel differently.
1. I’ve berated no one. I’ve stated things I experienced firsthand.
2. North America doesn’t actually have a hemisphere.
3. I’ve been a lot of places. Edmond grudges still stand. Unless you’re suggesting that I travel to a bunch of suburban sprawl middle class places just to get a feel for how people in other places live like Edmondites. That sounds like the worst vacation ever.
People had some stuff to say on Facebook too. But then again, I guess people always have things to say over on Facebook. Also, they really made me doubt how good the Edmond Public Schools really are, because reading comprehension isn't as good as it ought to be.
I can't tell if you're using that hashtag because that was my nickname in high school or not...
Some people think that I don't have a leg to stand on with that post.
Look, I can only address one city at a time per post. It's hard to piss off an entire city by mentioning all cities at once.
Others thought I should celebrate the accomplishments of Edmondites.
Mark, uplifting subject matter and celebrating others doesn't really lead to grudges. That would be antithetical to the post's intentions. But don't worry! Louis has something that really celebrates the spirit of Edmond nicely.
Others just made false assumptions about me.
Ummm. Try 29-year old university instructor, Zakk. I sure showed you! Also, it wasn't so much a realization as a one-off post that was not supposed to garner as much attention as it did. But you guys just keep clicking...
Nope. I was one of the few non-white Edmond kids. But I decided to not include anything about race in my list because a lot of white people DO NOT like to be confronted with the experiences of non-whites. And, as I said, it was meant to just be a quick listicle that no one paid attention to. You know, like everything else I've been writing for the past 5 years.
Anyway, we have to talk about Katie, because I received countless emails and texts about Katie's comments. People wanted to know if I actually knew her. I do not.
BTW, I feel like this article should be called, “Reasons I’m Mad At My Parents For Not Having More Money,” or “Bitter Ramblings of a Girl So Overcome with Jealousy She Couldn’t Enjoy Her Surroundings.” I literally grew up in the house above captioned “Ghetto.” And bonus I even drove a Honda Civic. And guess what? I had a blast growing up. I was friends with rich kids, fellow “Ghetto” kids, and GASP, kids with even less money than me (what’s below ghetto?). Sure there were times that I wished I could afford as many sweet clothes as my friends, but it never affected my friendships or the level of awesome that was my childhood/high school experience. I understand that your intention was probably to attack pretentious rich people, but what you really did was insult the “ghetto kids” whom I assume that you identify with. You also really hurt my mom’s feelings, who busted her ass on a single state income to buy that house for me so we didn’t have to live in a duplex that was actually in the ghetto. Sorry you’re so bitter and had no friends. BYE!
I mean, she says bye, but then she commented like 40 more times.
Where do I start with Katie? She completely missed the point of the post, and it sounds like we had a near identical Edmond experience. In fact, she seems to generally agree with what I've stated. I won't address the logical fallacies that undergird her argument. But I will say this: I found that picture on Facebook on some real estate page. I read about it. Seems pretty nice. In fact, it's even bigger than the house I grew up in, you know, in my corner of the Edmond ghetto.
T.S. Eliot once said that "criticism is as inevitable as breathing." So know that I welcome any and all criticism. I didn't get in this writing game to avoid criticism. I can't say it's all valid. I mean, I guess I don't know what it's like to break my vagina on a fence in the Edmond ghetto, though I never intimated that I did. And while I'd like to validate all of your feelings, I'm just not going to. Your love of Edmond will never change the ambivalence I have about the place where I grew up, just as my observations and grudges will never change the way you feel about Edmond.
Anyway, I have to thank all of you for the massive amount of page views, especially to those who were pissed off enough to share this post with all their friends. I understand the value of a good "hate read." That's generally how I approach anything by Lena Dunham.
P.S. If you're curious, here are a few more things I've written about Edmond in my time here.
- A lady spent over 7 hours in the Edmond Old Navy
- What the kids in Edmond are doing these days when not receiving illegal tattoos...
- Let's turn Edmond into Oklahoma's official retirement community
- Retirees are officially taking over Edmond
- Evil lurks in Edmond...
- Strange crimes at the Edmond Target
- Edmond has some grave robbers on their hands...
- Edmond is organizing some life-size games
- Hide your lattes and Coach bags. Thieves are on the loose in Edmond.
- Some kids in Edmond learned about being poor
- Bold assholes stole a 1-ton marble statue from a home in Edmond
- A mom and daughter stole a bunch of stuff off Edmond porches
- Gentle Travels: The Territorial School House
And lest you forget the post that started it all and secured my spot on the TLO team as the resident Edmond expert (Edxpert?), I give you why Edmond sucks.
