i admit to many addictions: white wine, chocolate, fettucine alfredo, the office, 30 rock, vitamin water zero, angel perfume. and my friday morning addiction: the star, the sun, and the national enquirer. the grand grocery store in winnetka even knows to set aside one each because i’ll be there by seven in the morning. then i hustle over to the community house to while away an hour on the stairmill.
the national enquirer was founded in 1926 and has a circulation of approximately 650,000 readers. this is not this week's cover.
i got a double dose of pleasure on friday morning. don gentile, a reporter based at the enquirer’s florida headquarters, has been following my facebook adventures and he put together a story about it. when it came out this week i had twin feelings: excitement and a great notion to hide. so i did both. stairmill first, then a pajama day. sometimes the very thing you want is the very thing that is so scary. sometimes i have to remember to keep the emotions of excitement and fear separated. and i also have to remember that every day that i hide in the house makes it harder to leave the next day. . . .
don gentile writes human interest stories. he doesn't usually dig for dirt, which means he knows nothing about that sex tape with reg bush, the time i told kim her butt was too big or all that red bull i gave to demi. shhhh! this is just between you and me!
everything i have done in the past fifteen months has been possible because of my facebook friends. every time a facebook friend posts encouragement on my wall, hits the like button or pokes me, i feel it. and i have been so grateful to the facebook friends who have met with me, taught me things, showed me their spiritual side, talked to me about what really matters to them–i have been blessed.
arlynnpresser 
March 3rd, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Haha, this is great! I really enjoyed this post for two reasons, Arlynn. One, it is just genuinely charming and a great story. Two, you brought my grandfather to mind this morning as he was an avid subscriber of the National Enquirer for many years. Ah, thank you for that; good memories today!!! 🙂
March 3rd, 2012 at 10:16 pm
i’m glad he would have been happy!!!
March 3rd, 2012 at 8:08 pm
I like your posts! They are fun to read.
Thanks for sharing.
March 3rd, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Your postings inspired me to start a blog. Now that I have, I don’t remember how to get back into it. I must have a mental block. Hang in there. We are all in this together.
March 3rd, 2012 at 8:40 pm
fun!
March 3rd, 2012 at 10:12 pm
I read your story through a facebook post and I am SO amazed by your journey and quest to meet your Facebook friends face to face! Your bravery is so inspirational! Congratulations on making it to the enquirer! But congratulations more on all of your personal victories – big and small!
March 3rd, 2012 at 10:16 pm
absolutely thank you! and you know what, it IS the personal victories that have been so much more important!
March 4th, 2012 at 3:15 am
Great post and congratulations! I also really appreciate your words about how sometimes the things you want most are the most scary and to learn to seperate the fear from the excitement… like music to my ears.
March 4th, 2012 at 5:37 am
I think what you’re doing is wonderful! Such an adventure. Love your posts. 🙂
March 4th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Great fun, Arlynn! Congrats on the article! And blessings to you on your continued journey . . . I have often felt that my fb friends were a sort of lifeline to me. You have a wonderful way of looking at life and tackling the difficult stuff! You’re an inspiration! xoxo
March 5th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
After reading, I understand your journey so well. I have social anxiety, and so I admire your courage in facing your fears and getting out there and in setting a great example!
March 6th, 2012 at 12:45 am
Arlynn,
Thank you so much for your wit, wisdom & generosity of sharing..and the courage to admit your “addictions”, which are similar to my own & hilarious! I truly appreciate your openness about pajama days & the difficulties of leaving the house afterwards.I, too,share the anxietyissues and it is inspiring that others so openly share their battles & their victories.
You can find me on FB as well.I am currently workingon the courage to start my blog. I found this because I follow the blogs of a couple of friends &family…
Enjoy wherever your day takes you.