Last weekend I received a request to moderate a new comment on my blog post “A night at Sybaris Pool Suites,” about a so-called couples paradise my husband and I once stayed at and had a mostly miserable time. My story was cross-linked to Molly Snyder’s story about Sybaris on OnMilwaukee.com. Molly graciously linked to my story on her Facebook page (thanks again, Molly) and between her readers and mine, it got a lot of action.
It had been over a month since I published the post, so I was surprised to get another comment on it. When I opened it up and began to read, I was even more surprised. Here’s what it says:
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It is signed Dustin, or least that’s what the commenter says his or her name is.
I was taken aback for a short while, but then decided to have a little fun with it. I read the comment to John, then posted it on Facebook. My friends there got a huge kick out of it. Here is a sampling of their comments:
Oh, my. Now that’s not something you see every day.
Yummy.
“Yummy” could go either way. Please clarify.
Meant in the most sarcastic sense possible.
The more I look at it the more the phrasing appeals to me. “Spot we could those mirrors.” Why, yes! What a jolly idea!
Channeling Yoda: ‘Spot we could those mirrors . . . if on it gism shoot I.’
Drunk-commenting?
OH MY GOD I am laughing so hard right now
An offer you can’t refuse right??
Ha ha — such a thoughtful offer though. 🙂
top to bottom, this is a very fun thread
Another one of my friends hit the nail head straight on:
I am guessing that your reference list didn’t bring this kinda traffic, eh? I am laughing hard right now!
She’s referring to my blog post from last week, a list of books and blogs I find useful. My response:
You are so right. Resource list: epic fail, as the kids say. Juicy real life sh*t: right on. Point taken.
I owe Dustin thanks, because we did have a whole lot of fun with his comment, and it taught me a little something too. So, because I am reading Cheryl Strayed’s tiny beautiful things: Advice on love and life from Dear Sugar right now, I’ll respond directly to him, Sugar-style. Here ‘goes:
Dear Dustin: I didn’t quite know what to make of your comment at first. My first reaction was to permanently delete it because I’m trying to run a classy operation here.
But I decided to think things through first. In the meantime I posted your comment to my Facebook page. I hope this doesn’t upset you, but you should know that you brought a lot of joy to people that day, it generated a lot of additional interest in my story, and you reminded me that real life, with all its ragged edges and seaminess and belly fat, is where it’s at. It’s what I love reading, it’s what I love writing.
I don’t even care if this is a joke. I’m not offended, on any level. You should know, however, that neither my husband nor I are interested in your offer. We’re good. You and he and I just see places like Sybaris differently. And that’s okay. I’m glad you had such a good time there.
But I do wonder one thing: if you and your woman had such a good time, dumpling, why on earth are you home at 10:30 on a Saturday night, sitting in the glow of your laptop reading my blog and commenting on it?
You kind of remind me of the couple I write about in the story: once you did your thing with the mirrors and the strawberries (and candle wax, did you say?), I hope you didn’t drop the ball. My husband and I may not have liked the place, but he and I were out together the night you wrote. On a date.
That is my wish for you, that you are keeping things alive outside of the fantasy suite. Because that’s where the really good stuff is going on. Thank you for your comment. Take care.
Robin
Dustin’s comment is now approved.
Another comment Dustin will make, think I.
J, I’m afraid Dustin may get only this one pass. Otherwise this could get out of hand and go on forever, no? We’ll see.
i agree with John. C’mon Dustin don’t disappoint.
I do have his email address… We’ll see what happens. Thanks for reading, Mike, and for your comment; love it.
Wisconsin Dells, Wall Drug, Sybaris…what next? Fantastic post.
Thanks so much, Sal, especially for your pivotal role in this post. It’s one of the things that really got me thinking.
Gracious, funny, thoughtful and honest, yet gentle. Sugar would be proud.
Thank you so much, Stacie. Means a lot, especially coming from you.
I cannot say it better than staciemichelle. This response to your fan could not be more perfect! I personally want to thank Dustin for adding a new phrase to my vocabulary: “Spot we could those mirrors.” It opens the realm of possibility. Perhaps he could write a guest blog for you someday?
Ha, I don’t know about Dustin as a guest blogger, but maybe you would want to guest blog here sometime? Hmm. I like that idea. Think about it. Thanks for your comment, Denise, as always. By the way, you’d mentioned you wanted to start a love affair with Boswell Book Company. Stacie above would be your hook-up person. She’s bookseller extraordinaire and handles all their author events.
I already like her!