PhillyGrrl (a.k.a PG) was my first Twitter-turned-In Real Life friend. Â We tweeted back and forth for a few months, met at a Kimmel Center concert, and have been friends ever since. Â A supremely talented writer, I was flattered when she asked if I wanted to contribute to her blog (I was SingleInPhillyGrrl). Â I am constantly in awe of her writings (this is one of my particular favorites), and will continue to read her well-written and hilarious musings as she continues to take over the blogosphere.
1. Â When did you start your first blog?
I started blogging on December 2, 2008 when my former editor at Citypaper, Brian Hickey, was run over by a car and left for dead. I had been looking forward to a meeting with Brian later that week where we were going to discuss some freelance work I was hoping to do for him. But after Brian’s accident and subsequent hospitalization, I decided to use my personal blog as a sort of writing exercise space. I believe my exact thought was “Well, if nobody is going to hire me to write, I’ll just write for myself.†Funny, since later on, I got various writing jobs through my personal blog.
2. Â What blogs/websites do you currently write for?
Currently, I write exclusively for MTV Desi (A brand spankin’ new site that was launched this week, actually!) It takes on news, events, happenings, gossip and the like in the South Asian diaspora. Lotsa Bollywood and bhangra, which makes me a happy camper. I also contribute regularly to Sepia Mutiny, MTV Iggy, Uwishunu, Phawker and Change.org.
3.  What’s your day job?
I write copy for a fantastic public health nonprofit. A lot of press releases, pamphlets, brochures, fundraising campaigns, etc. So when I’m not writing for fun about Philadelphia or South Asian American issues, I get to learn about public health issues – quite enjoyable. Seriously. I love my day job.
4. Â What was the best post you ever wrote?
I don’t know about best, but certainly one of my favorites was “Dark is Beautiful, Indeed†for Sepia Mutiny. It was very personal, which I don’t generally go for, but it was also very liberating to find out that dozens of other folks felt the same way I did about an issue. (I also heart: SEPTA GIRL: Public Transit Is For Lovers/Girls I Love to Hate: The Bike Chick/Ode to Summers of Childhood Past/A Story About How Chapter House Café Lost $10.)
5. Â Why do you blog?
Because it frustrates me when I don’t see important issues and events being covered. Blogging keeps my temper under check. It’s quite therapeutic, really. And also because I used to have nothing else better to do…
6. Â What social media forums (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc) do you participate in?
All of them. I started with Facebook, moved over to Twitter and have now become enamored of Tumblr. Any others you suggest? I’m a social media whore.
7. Â What keeps you motivated to keep blogging?
Boredom. I used to go home every day after work and not know what to do with myself. After I started blogging, my life changed completely and drastically – for the better. Now I actually have something to keep me busy. I like being busy.
8. Â How do you juggle your day-to-day life with your blog?
I don’t sleep. Ever. But if I do accidentally catch a wink here or there, I dream about blogging. That way I’m still thinking up blog post ideas 24/7. Only for you, dear readers. It also helps to have no friends. I’m still working on that one.
9.  If you could write for any publication (web or print), what would it be? Why?
A year ago, I would’ve said Vogue or The New York Times. But now I’m more inclined towards short-story writing, so Houghton Mifflin Harcourt works. Or any other publishing company that will take my novel. I’m not picky.
10. What’s one blog you admire?
Sepia Mutiny. Because all of the writers there are articulate, funny folks who work very hard to contribute to the South Asian American community. They do important work there. I am in awe.
11. What are your must-reads?
I’m not a huge blog reader, I’m more of a library kid. Give me a novel any day over an entertainment blog. But if I’m killing time on the net, I’ll check out Philebrity, Citypaper’s The Clog, NPR, Sepia Mutiny and The New York Times.
12. What do you do when you’re not at work or writing?
I go to law school and I stare at my professors and classmates. They stare back. It’s like a zoo, really.
13. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t yet?
I’ve always wanted to be interviewed…wait. Was that a trick question?
14. What are 5 things your readers don’t know about you?
- I never expected anyone to care about what I wrote – and am still a little overwhelmed and humbled every time someone does.
- I can parallel park on a dime.
- Although my avatar is Phillygrrl, I was born in New Jersey.
- When I was a senior in high school, I seriously considered going to design school in New York.
- I spent the first 13 years of my life in two long braids and dresses because I thought I was a Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite kid. No joke.
15. Mac or PC? iPhone, Droid, or BlackBerry?
Oh, it’s all about the Mac, baby. Steve Jobs, please marry me. I carry my Mac with me EVERYWHERE. All my handbags revolve around my Mac. If it doesn’t fit…it has to be quit. And yes, I’m an iPhone junkie. I like how it feels in my hand. It has a really smooth interface. Isn’t everyone?
