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Best of the Main Line & Western Suburbs 2009

Our readers and critics pick their favorites.

(page 21 of 21)

Solving Justsnarky

The following excerpt is from a recent string of posts on Justsnarky, our pick for Best Local Blog:

MLT: This is completely unrelated to anything except your hilarious and, yes, snarky blog. I LOVE IT. It’s about my favorite thing—so much so that I’d like to profile on you for Main Line Today. I’m guessing that you’d like to remain anonymous.
Justsnarky: I’m floored and amused at the same time. But here is how this works: Who I am is who I choose to be, and while I have a fab collection of hats and sunglasses, I am just a virtually available gal at this point. If you want me just the way I am, this is how it’s done: You leave me the questions you want answered on a comment to the blog, and I’ll answer you on the blog.

MLT: Since we’re on the subject of anonymity, here’s my first question: Why do you choose to remain anonymous?
JS: I ask, “Why not?” And who really cares in the bigger scheme of things? Everyone likes an air of mystery, so why such a big deal? Who cares—except those who might not like what a user of a nom de plume has to say? Except some disgruntled politicians?

MLT: Well, I suppose we could go on about the pros and cons of anonymity. But for now, let’s enjoy the mystery. I suspect that if you were public, you’d be hearing from more than a few unhappy politicians. That might really make you snarky. Speaking of which, I just looked up the term, and Dictionary.com came back with this: rudely sarcastic or disrespectful, snide. Also: irritable, short-tempered; irascible. Judging from your blog posts, all would seem to apply. What makes you so darn snarky?
JS: LOL. The funny thing about it is, when I chose the blog name, I just thought it was catchy as much as anything else. I wanted something fun. Now, whether my content is great or not is probably open to debate, but at least I try to be amusing and not take myself too seriously ... or politicians, either. I started this blog for me—no one else. I never realized people actually looked at it until I put on a counter. Have you ever done a Web-only interview before?

MLT: No, you’re my first. Did you start blogging because your point of view wasn’t represented in the mainstream media? Were you looking for other people who were more like you, or are you a lonely voice in the wilderness seeking company?
JS: OMG, no “Desperate Housewife” here, sister! I’m neither a lonely voice nor in the wilderness. I just started doing this because it was kicky. When it stops being fun or I get bored, I’ll stop.

MLT: Well, there’s no shortage of stuff to talk about—that’s for sure. But how do you find the time to follow it all?
JS: I watch the news and read some newspapers. And I admit I love NPR and prefer CNN to Fox “We Make Up the News” Network. An active mind is not such a bad thing to have—especially when the brains of some of my beloved friends have turned to applesauce. I look at blogs this way: It gives one the opportunity to say all those things they’d love to say at cocktail parties or dinner parties that wouldn’t be considered appropriate.

MLT: What do you think of the argument that blogs may have contributed to the political polarization of the country, since people can now just read whatever reinforces their point of view?
JS: Political polarization? Um, I think both political parties have done that on their own with what they put on the Web and elsewhere. Don’t blame bloggers, or assume the public is stupid. We’re not.

—Sara Robins