Re: So… Funny story…
First I wanted to clarify a few things about the changes I made. From the comments on the last post, I think some people were under the impression that I started moderating the posts – only allowing average posts through. This is not the case, the way stories get published is very much the same. I made two main changes. I made it easier/quicker for you – the voters – to get rid of bad stories. I also fast-forwarded the queue, so you weren’t voting on stories submitted last year.
Second in the last post’s comments katiebear4ev made a good point. ALL the stories don’t have to be average. Personally, I was never a fan of the “cliché” stories, but some of the less average, more hard to believe stories were absolutely hilarious. Based on past experience, I am sure it won’t be long until some of those stories start to get published again.
Which brings me to my next point. The Extraordinarily Average page (or TEA as I like to call it (not really, I’ve never called it that before)). What should I do? Obviously, when all kinds of stories were getting published it made sense to make a page of hand-picked average stories. Now the front page has lots of average stories, so TEA would be redundant. I was planning on postponing TEA until it is needed again. Is that ok?
I’ve also been working on revamping the store which is now up and running. Please leave a comment if you like (but seriously, only if you like it 
) It is easier to navigate and now all shirts are available in standard weight, heavy weight and different colors. I will also be adding at least one of the user submitted designs in the next couple weeks. If you have a design or an idea for a shirt design you can send it to design/at/mylifeisaverage/com. Proceeds are still being donated to building a well.
Finally, links. I was thinking it might be time to revamp the average links in the sidebar. Any suggestions?
First I would like to say that I do enjoy a mix of average posts and not-so-average posts. It gives us a chance to release our OP-bashing needs. I do like the store design as well; simple and functional.
As for the TEA page; I’m sure no one will mind if it’s delayed. If you are indeed a mix of not-so-average posts and completely average ones coming through then the TEA will be useful in the future. It could however be sort of an average Hall of Fame right now. Posts that are so average they make you think twice.
As for a link how about this http://theflatearthsociety.org/cms/ their name speaks for themselves.
theycallmebob
March 13, 2010 at 6:17 pm
are they serious?
Mek
March 13, 2010 at 7:20 pm
I hope not… but they could be.
theycallmebob
March 13, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Upon reading further, it seems as if they do take themselves seriously.
theycallmebob
March 13, 2010 at 7:48 pm
A few things: One, I would still really like the TEA page. Or maybe not a tea page, a hand-picked page. Like, the most average stories of the week or something. Two, I have submitted a design to the store. I am assuming it wasn’t liked- do I assume correctly?
TheBaddingFairy
March 13, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Yeah, on the MLIA app, there are most popular of the day/week/month/year, so it probably wouldn’t be that hard to just make a section for most average of those instead of most popular. Because sometimes the popular ones are the cliche ones.
UnicornsDoExist(:
March 14, 2010 at 1:18 am
Wait… there’s a MLIA app?!
PERFECTLYpar
March 14, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Reading this was like reading a doomsday warning for the commentors, with a little blurb in there talking about the new and improved way to buy shirts. I’m serious. It depressed me.
TextOnTheScreen
March 13, 2010 at 6:23 pm
What do you mean? That was definitely not the goal.
Mek
March 13, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Maybe there could be 3 different ratings. Like awesome, average, and meh. So if you wanted to see average stories, there could be a “best of average”, and the other way around. So you don’t have to weed through the 2 kinds of stories to find what you like… But they both get published if their “average” OR “awesome” count is high.
I dunno how difficult that is to do though.
Circafan
March 13, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Crap, I forgot to say “XOXO CALL ME [lipstick stain]“.
Circafan
March 13, 2010 at 6:41 pm
That’s an interesting idea. I’ll look into it.
Mek
March 13, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I think it’s a fantastic idea to call me, and I hope you do look into it!
Circafan
March 13, 2010 at 7:26 pm
ooh. that is an awesome idea. then all of the average people won’t get mad.
katiebear4ev
March 14, 2010 at 6:19 pm
That is an awesome idea! I like some of the crazy and un-average stories, but it does kind of seem like they should be seperate from the actual average stories.
AMT
March 15, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Seriously though…I am realizing people take this website way too seriously and are now making me feel bad for liking the so called “cliche” stories. MLIA usually made me feel happy to go read. And with the influx of recent “stories” (read: rants) about their dislike, it makes me feel kind of sad now.
bloodparade
March 13, 2010 at 9:10 pm
You’re sad? Idea: go to FML and cry about it.
Or go in the search box and type in ~your favorite cliche~ and get pages upon pages of THE SAME F****** PUNCHLINE!
Ex: Waldo
Today, I was driving to my cousins new house to help him move in. I put his address into my gps and it couldn’t locate it. He lives on Waldo Drive. MLIA
Today, I decided to visit my city’s library for the first time (I just moved here a few months ago.) The library was on Waldo Street. I searched up and down the streets that were suppose to be near it looking for it for almost an hour and never found Waldo Street. Well played, Waldo, well played. MLIA
Today, I was at a Halloween store looking for a costume. I read the list of available costumes. One of them was Waldo, and I asked the clerk to get one for me. She couldn’t find it. Well played Waldo, well played. MLIA
Today I wanted to buy a Where’s Waldo book. I couldn’t find it anywhere in the bookstore. Well played Waldo, well played. MLIA.
So are you lovin’ the same wonderful ending with the same exact punchline? Do you still not understand where we’re coming from?
Check out itmademyday! BYE.
Wise old oracle
March 14, 2010 at 5:48 am
GOODNESS! calm down. i love the cliche stuff. it’s okay. being different is the best. bloodparade, i totally agree. wise old oracle? calm down.
katiebear4ev
March 15, 2010 at 11:17 am
MLIG is down. Has been for a while.
FillingInForOptimist
March 13, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Hm. Kinda funny if you think about it.
idonthaveanyclue
March 16, 2010 at 2:16 pm
TEA? I’m more of a coffee person, myself.
(I actually don’t care for either.)
But I do like the idea for the actually average section. I’m really hoping the next task on the list will be the mobile (not the commenter) site?
howxprofound
March 13, 2010 at 10:05 pm
I’m pretty sure no one minds that the TEA page will be delayed. As you said, there is a sudden abundance of average posts as well as the awesome/cliche ones which makes me quite happy.
The store is great. I really like the design. It’s very… spacious and fresh looking.
People outside the USA can purchase merchandise from it, right? I would like to, but I live in Australia. Also, I gather the price is in USD. Am I right in thinking that?
For the links, maybe webcomics like xkcd.com. It is quite nerdy, so I’m not sure if it would be appropriate, but maybe something along those lines. Or tvtropes.org. I don’t know how that would really fit in, but it’s a great website.
Thanks!
Lietthelawyer
March 13, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I have a few questions.
1. DO YOU REMEMBER ME?
2. HAVE you seen the commenter’s group? Just yes or no.
3. kthanksbye.
first
March 14, 2010 at 5:26 am
I REMEMBER YOU!!
Me
March 19, 2010 at 9:30 pm
first, i like average stories….Duhhh. second the less average stories i believe also have a spot on this website seeing as if this is the best story of your life, the one you really want on a website, your life would be average.
tehe
March 14, 2010 at 6:59 am
i agree with you. Average stories are nice. But some people might get mad if people think that their ‘Average’ stories arent really all that average. They defiantly deserve a spot on this website. I personally love reading the site and some of the stories really are awesome and just…well average. Or maybe not all the average but still stories that some people may count as average..dont know if that made since or not but yeah
BabyGirl1991
March 15, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Don’t mess with the average links. They are hilarious (especially notalwaysright.com). Most of the time I am too lazy to type in the entire website name, so I just go to MLIA and click the link.
WhoDey320
March 14, 2010 at 9:58 am
I think we forget the ones who just read the site and don’t comment. They are pretty much made this site this popular, and we shouldn’t metaphorically kick them in the face just because we don’t see them. There are a lot more of them than us. And I think part of why we love average posts so much is because they are fairly rare. If every post was average, we would all get tired of them eventually. So I think having a mix would be nice. Cliche ones that the readers can giggle over and the commenters could bash and average ones the readers could skim over and keep thr commenters from losing their minds. I like Circa’s idea, maybe having a “Average”, “Awesome”, and “Meh” button would be good, on each MLIA and on the ones in voting. Then if the MLIAs could be seen either on “Home” “Average” or “Awesome,” that would be really cool too. Like how FML is: you can see the best, the worst, or all… I’m not sure how you would go about that though…
PERFECTLYpar
March 14, 2010 at 1:30 pm
“If every post was average, we would all get tired of them eventually.”
The problem with this is that the first 150+ pages of posts were all average and hilarious, and the name of the site is MyLifeIsAverage. It doesn’t matter if the posts are boring or not, because that was the point of the website in the first place.
The “average” posts all the commenters are pushing for are not the “Today, I ate an apple. MLIA” posts, but the ones like “Today, I went to open a packet of Splenda. I noticed a line indicating where you should open the packet. I opened it from the other side. Splenda still came out. MLIA” or “Today, I ate some trail mix, but I forgot they contained peanuts. I’m not allergic to peanuts, so nothing happened anyway. MLIA”–the ones that are average with a funny spin to them. (If you want an analogy, it would be the same thing as posting, “Today, my mom died. FML” on FMyLife. Even though it’s a genuine FML, it lacks any humor and wouldn’t be accepted.)
It really doesn’t matter if you find the cliche posts funny, because they aren’t what the Website was made to be. If you read the FAQ and About sections, you’ll see…
“Is your life awesome?
If it is, go away. We don’t want you here.”
Zach
March 14, 2010 at 7:25 pm
wow. thank you so much for seeing our side of the story. you don’t fight with everything. haha YAY! (: and zach, i’ve heard your side of the story many times. try a different perspective. and i will too.
katiebear4ev
March 15, 2010 at 11:19 am
Katie, why should I try a different perspective? The name of the website is My Life is Average. The point of the site, as per the FAQ, is “a space where you can share the normal and average stuff that happens in your day, and maybe realize that you are not alone in experiencing normal and average stuff.” I don’t care that you think the earliest posts are boring, because that’s what the website was made to be. I’m arguing for the website to go back to what it was supposed to be. If you like the cliche, un-average, and fake posts, then perhaps you can make your own website…MyLifeIsAwesome.
Zach
March 15, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I agree that this website is suppossed to be about be average…but you have to admit, bashing on the OPs is fun.
xoXdancerxox
March 15, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Dos, thanks. That’s what I’m saying. When MLIA had the average spurt, we celebrated, but then soon felt like we didn’t have much to do. I’m just looking for a happy medium. I’m just saying, we can’t forget about the readers, because they make up the (less vocal) majority. I know it’s called My Life Is AVERAGE, but it’s become what it’s become. I’m just suggesting a way to make the most people happy. I personally find the first MLIAs hilarious, but with the audience we’ve acquired today, it just wouldn’t work. I’m just trying to find a compromise. Also, in my “Average” “Awesome” filter suggestion, I meant “best” = “Average” and “worst” = “Awesome” Again, just trying to find a median. Maybe I’m soft, but just because Mek can see us more than he can see the readers doesn’t mean he should have to spurn them, and he shouldn’t have to sit there and weed through every MLIA too. Which is what he would have to do.
PERFECTLYpar
March 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm
If the “cliched awesome” stories are posted more than any other type of storycdoesn’t that just make them average? The soft-spoken majority gets to decide what is average, really. If the majority of people were ninjas then being a ninja would be average. Averageness is decided not by substance of one but by the collective substance.
I do, however, think that the truth behind the
stories is the most important factor for their humor. The stories have to be believable for me to find them funny in any way.
I hope I gave you something to think about. It’s really late and my thoughts are highly unorganized. Good night?
ILoveADD
March 17, 2010 at 9:55 pm
It’d be nice it we could edit our story until it’s voted on. There are times when average minds are temperarily defective you know. I’m pretty good about catching my typos and/or grammar mistakes, but it would still be nice to have an “edit option”. Is that possible, or no? Thank you for your time =).
Jaclyn
March 14, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I agree with Circafan. Add a third button if you can possible separate them into another sections. Idk if you can though.
lolplants.com
thisissand.com
KevinSoftTaco
March 14, 2010 at 6:30 pm
+ 1 for lolplants
BelaLugosi
March 15, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Wow, I made that account a long time ago. Used it for a day. Trying to take down the original DFRA4LYFE. Failed. But yeah, that was a while ago. I never spammed with it. Delete the account if you want. I’m not part of this stupid thing now though. I promise.
I’m kinda ashamed of it, though, so can you delete blog comments? :/
KevinSoftTaco
March 16, 2010 at 4:46 pm
KST, you are a DFRA-er?
Mek
March 16, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Um. I have no idea what that means. Or maybe I am…esplain.
KevinSoftTaco
March 16, 2010 at 4:26 pm
DFRA4LIFE
Mek
March 16, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Oh snap. Reply fail. ^^its up there. Again though, can you delete this?
KevinSoftTaco
March 16, 2010 at 4:48 pm
I’ve deactivated it. When I was running though clearing out all the DFRA accounts, I saw the email on it and thought, “Et tu, Brute?”
Apparently, the report link isn’t working properly, so I will start fixing that right now.
Mek
March 16, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Alright, yeah. It was a while ago, as you might’ve seen.
…you can delete this now….
KevinSoftTaco
March 16, 2010 at 5:05 pm
http://www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com/
BelaLugosi
March 15, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Also: http://blackandwtf.tumblr.com/
Good stuff.
BelaLugosi
March 16, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Is it just me, or did stuffwhitepeoplelike.com used to be on the Average Links? Put it on!
flyingpasta1001
April 1, 2010 at 9:57 am
OK, so… my thing is… I don’t care what stories on MLIA are posted as long as they are true… :/ Who agrees?
horselover_s
March 15, 2010 at 3:39 pm
And how do you suggest we seperate the truth from the lies? Mek can’t create an algorithm that can filter that, so it’s up to the voters. Amd although it does say that in the About, the voters have let us down many, many times on choosing plausible, credible stories. Remember that one about the leaf that managed to fly into the window of a moving car, into OP’s pocket, and it had a “secret message” on it? I have no idea how anyone believed that for a second.
PERFECTLYpar
March 15, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Which ones are you talking about the clichés? I am confused. I liked the ones that went like: Today I realized that I had smaller boobs than my 14 year old daughter. But it’s okay because I am her father. MLIA. And stuff like that. The ones all about people running out of classrooms and walking around in costumes are too fake to even laugh and they are repeated all the time, or a similar story. Okay. So I am still wondering which ones are you talking about?
Phoebe
March 15, 2010 at 7:11 pm
To be honest, I have to disagree with you for saying that the ones about the costumes are fake simply because at my school I did once dress as the Grinch and run around stealing people’s books from class and at one point taking a junior student. I do agree that those kind of stories shouldn’t be on this website though, as they do not fit the definition of ‘average’ whatsoever.
ActionMan
March 16, 2010 at 1:39 am
For my history class, we dressed up like indians and poured cups of iced tea on teacher’s desks and once even on a head.
MyPenguinWillEatYou
March 17, 2010 at 9:37 am
I’m not really suggesting that we DO anything, simply because it’s not possible. It’s up to the posters. And I don’t mean cliche stories in particular. (I kinda view them as inside jokes, almost) I did see someone in a gorilla costume once, walking around an auditorium. But stuff like “I woke up with a note and skittles. I live alone. I’m still confused.” Is obviously false.
But I was only stating an opinion, nothing else. I’ve been only a reader forever and plan to stick with it from now on.
horselover_s
March 16, 2010 at 4:39 am
Another idea, although not necessarily needed, would be to add a forum section to MLIA. It would be nice to separate just chatting from comments. Although we do use Tinychat somewhat for that, I still think it would be nice to have an organized section just for chatting.
Theoneyoudidntsee
March 16, 2010 at 6:50 am
The only problem with that is (and I’m not bashing the idea) that some of us who comment are usually looking for a laugh and if no one can see our conversation then no one laughs. You know how we all like to throw in random comments in other people’s conversations? It’s kinda what happens. I don’t know why I’m talking like you haven’t been there before. Sorry for that.
idonthaveanyclue
March 16, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Mek,
I don’t know if you will read this, as it is completly unrelated to your blog post, but I don’t know how else to reach you. You HAVE to get rid of anyone with a DFRA user name. They do nothing but spam the posts until the server crashes. And there is more than one username that does it. The report button has so far failed to do anything….
Kendall
March 16, 2010 at 11:40 am
Also, this was posted by me, sorry for not leaving my user name…..
KGfromMN
March 16, 2010 at 11:41 am
Please destroy DFRA_01.
lycan4425
March 16, 2010 at 11:51 am
Please, please, PLEASE!
abbcccabbccc
March 16, 2010 at 12:07 pm
DFRA_01 is spamming the hell of out the comment boards! Please do something.
RogueMuffinCatcher
March 16, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I have to follow suit with the others. This whole DFRA thing is getting quiet old. I really enjoy your site, even the bad posts. I hate to see people start to leave it because of one annoying individual.
CaptainAndy
March 16, 2010 at 12:21 pm
The DFRA is really starting to become a problem now. Please do something MEK :3 Then I will love you (in a non-gay way of course)
BelaLugosi
March 16, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Please do something about DFRA! Pretty please?
Lukie60
March 16, 2010 at 12:28 pm
The DFRA commenter is messing up the website. He was just on and left a comment saying all hail the DFRA over and over again. A minute later there was 500 errors on all the posts. Please get rid of him.
albinoblacksheep
March 16, 2010 at 12:29 pm
I would still love to see the TEA. And I agree, I need horrible posts. If I don’t bash the OP, I’ll probably kill myself.
I_Want_Your_Virginity
March 16, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Don’t do it! MLIA would never be the same without you.
Star_gazer
March 16, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Here: http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/images/lucyyoung/2008/06/05/tea.jpg
Now you can watch tea all day long.
BelaLugosi
March 17, 2010 at 1:54 am
I can’t wait for TEA. And I think that average stories are much better than cliches, but that’s just me. I did find a good website that a friend told me about http://www.meganquotes.webs.com/ I looked at it and it seemed like it has potential, for what tho, I’m not sure yet.
Star_gazer
March 16, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Mek, did you manage to kill DFRA? If so, I am ready to love you in a non-gay way.
BelaLugosi
March 17, 2010 at 3:19 am
For the links I’m thinking fredflare.com or thinkgeek.com. Both sell awesome stuff that is entirely average. thinkgeek.com has more interesting stuff, like a marshmallow shooter, but fredflare.com has some pretty average things.
MyPenguinWillEatYou
March 17, 2010 at 9:26 am
Hi excellent blog yea nice work Please, can you PM me and tell me few more thinks about this, I am really fan of your blog.
Julie McCullough
March 17, 2010 at 1:34 pm
As for link suggestions, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Google it. You will love it.
mmbb9964
March 17, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Yes! (See my username.)
flyingpasta1001
April 1, 2010 at 9:59 am
Extraordinarily Average = oxymoron
ILoveADD
March 17, 2010 at 9:21 pm
I have a link suggestion: http://www.bored.com
It’s got lots and lots of silly games to play when you’re bored.
AMT
March 18, 2010 at 1:45 pm
1.) Suggestion: facedowns.wordpress.com
2.) I agree, TEA should be used as a secret weapon when the average reserves become low.
Noishe
March 19, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Soo, how do I send in a T-shirt idea, I’ve got a pretty genius one if you don’t mind me saying.
DROP_DEAD
March 22, 2010 at 9:31 am
is there any way that you could make XS T-shirts in the store? im turning 12 and i really wanted a “Meh.” shirt for my birthday but they’re all way to big so could u keep the smaller sized shirts in mind?
jennie
June 23, 2010 at 12:58 pm