Win a high-five from yours truly! Simply send me a message and if it gets posted within a month, it’s yours! To receive a high-five and possibly a firm hug join waringis.com’s Facebook fan club or subscribe to the mailing list by sending me an e-mail.
Direct all inquiries to: jana@waringis.com.
Here’s what people are saying:
Being Touched
RE: Becoming the Dreaded Cat Lady: Anyone who says they don’t like animals had obviously not been touched by one yet. They do nothing but bring joy and love into your life daily. They heal sick people, assist law enforcement, protect you, feed you, all while communicating completely nonverbally. All they ask for in return is to be loved. I’m glad that you have been touched by one. Your life will be better for it.–Gregg Lennon
Shhh!
RE: Lisa Pirillo Interview: Great interview, Jana! I think you captured the quirkiness of Lisa and the vibe of the store. By the way I think I know what that “dirty little secret” is …–Billy Hicks
Please and thank you.
RE: What on Earth? Secret Interview: Good post! Thanks so much.– Glen Brester
RE: Finola Hughes Interview: It’s great to see that the experienced blog owners are once more aiming at bringing a more rounded information rather than just concentrating on valueless and garbagy articles. Thus the assets of specific article are more likely to be uncovered.
– Bruce Gillion
Bing Bing!
RE: Jana Waring Interview: I don’t know why Bing sent me to this blog but I must say I have been actually interested by the content you have together. How many days did it take to start getting this many users coming to your pages? I am very new to this interenet thing.– Lanny Rhode
The blog was started May 16, 2007. Everything you see present here has been created since then. Slowly but surely, users have found my site over time and I don’t know how. I’m proud to report that over four hundred unique visitors come back each month to check in, but that’s only because I’ve brainwashed them or paid them dearly.
Tramp Stamps
RE: Scott Byerly Interview: I just want to say as a somebody who did this prior to everyone deciding on getting inked wants to obtain a very good, solid tattoo. Regrettably there are many myths heading close to about obtaining neat ink. For example “I should get a layout that’s ‘in’, something everyone else is getting.” I think, this might be the worst mistake possible to make. One of the most regrettable tattoos are sometimes the tattoos that have been regarded one of the most “popular” or even the “in design” to acquire. Girls used to get “lower back tattoos” and believed they had been neat. These days they’re ridiculed and getting referred to as “tramp stamps.”–Rochelle Campbell
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENTS
RE: What on Earth? Interview: What an awesome concept. I can’t wait to read it. I love reading interviews. Congrats on this endeavor.–Kristin Manieri
YAHOOOOOOOO!
RE: Jacqueline Siegel Interview: I just found your site on Yahoo. Fantastic article. Thanks for taking the time to share this.– Oralee Earman
BEER TODAY, BEER TOMORROW
RE: Tom Moench Interview: Isn’t beer just the best subject in the whole world ever?– Linnie Vieu
NO, THANK YOU!
You were listed as the Featured Resident in my weekly Downtown Confidential email. Typically, I scan through some of the articles, rarely clicking on a link to read on, but yours caught my attention. An hour later, I think I’ve clicked on every link your blog site has to offer and I just wanted to commend you! Your writing really grabs my attention, and I’m appreciate the local flavor to it all. So thank you for the interesting stories. I look forward to reading more!– Hillary Williams
Thank you, Hillary. Did I mention there’s a book for sale?
DR. J, NOT THE BASKETBALL LEGEND BUT A LEGEND NONE THE LESS
RE: Dr. Jennifer Porter-Smith Interview – I enjoyed reading the article on Dr. Jennifer Porter-Smith. She is doing an outstanding job with the children at Nap Ford.– Joy Wright
ORLANDO LOVE
RE: Dan Kirby Interview: Another wonderful interview. So interesting and very informative. You do such a great job! I sure enjoy reading your work.– Debbie Paape
WARINGIS the BOOK
RE: Book Release Party! – Have you considered re-naming your book Who Dat?– Charlotte Bencaz
Ha. Perhaps I should. That’s a market I haven’t tapped into yet. Geaux Saints.
CAT LADY = NOT SO BAD
RE: Becoming the Dreaded Cat Lady – I LOVED your story of how you found Zola, or rather how she found you. It’s similar to how my cat found me! My cat has brought me so much happiness, so ignore the term “cat lady” which is stupid! My cat appreciates that I rescued him from the streets and he gives me kisses every day to say thank you. And cats don’t bite or smell bad like dogs do! Having a cat has improved my happiness level daily.– Katie Bourne
It’s true. Cats are way smarter than dogs.
ARTISTS UNITE
RE: Doug Rhodehamel Interview – Wonderfully creative. I LOVE this.–Kimberly Parker
RE: Doug Interview Interview — Your interview with Doug was excellent. Thank you for that. I have been seeing his art everywhere. I always wondered what he was like–I’m too shy to ever approach him. I loved meeting him through your questions, and loved your choices of questions. It was just like talking to him with someone, not me, asking all the question I would wanna ask, but probably would never come up with. I, just like you, consider him a big influence on Orlando art scene, and Orlando as a city in general. Thank you! What a treat.– Karolinka Fugner
RE: Doug Rhodehamel Interview — Doug is one of Central Florida’s best. I happily own some of his art. Thanks for the good article.–Carl Knikerbocker
RE: Doug Rhodehamel Interview — I’m glad to see that creative people like Doug are sharing their art in Orlando. Yes, we are the pioneers and we are having an impact!–Dan Kirby
RE: Doug Rhodehamel Interview — Great questions and wise answers from a truly unique artist and really nice guy, Doug Rhodehamel. I am happy to be living in Otown at a time when he is doing such delightfully evocative work and am proud to have him as a friend.–Rebecca Tex
RE: Doug Rhodehamel Interview — My friend sent me a link to the Doug Rhodehamel interview and thus how I discovered your site. Who are you? Are you keeping a secret identity? I scoured the web site looking for a name, but had no luck. Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say I like your site. Thanks.– Mark Baratelli
thedailycity.com
You’ve turned me into a super hero and I like it. The truth is I’m everywhere on that site. There’s a secret interview with myself hidden on the home page. Good luck finding it.
I FEEL YA.
RE: Friend Request –I identify with this story. Recently, I was defriended by someone I thought the world of. One day, out of the blue…I found myself defriended and was devastated. I never have found out why. I see them from time to time, and I want to ask why, but I can’t. It bothers me greatly. And will for a long time. Not sure why I am sharing this with you. I like your stuff and this seemed to hit home for me.–Tom V.
POWERFUL TESTIMONY
RE: Jana Waring Interview — Your outlook on life is awesome! Your tesitmony is powerful!Thank you for sharing your story. God Bless!–Thomas Hand
THINKING BACK…
RE: Jana Waring Interview — Wow. Your know I wasn’t there the day you got hurt but I remember it was the day before my 25th birthday and Jessica Goldsmith called me and told me the news. She also asked if i could cover your spot the next day. I was in shock and couldn’t believe what had happened. After work that day, I went to see you at the hospital. It’s crazy the things you remember, isn’t it? I guess I never asked you about what happened and how you felt about everything, so it’s crazy to read what you went through. I also remember driving to Atlanta to you and playing cards with you in the hospital up there. I remember thinking that you took your injury so well and you were so positive. It’s great to see you haven’t changed.You truly are an AMAZING woman and what a testimony ou are to so many people with spinal cord injuries and without. It’s hard o believe it’s been nearly 11 years. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story with me.
–Jen Hansen
BRINGIN’ IT BACK
RE: Caitlin Barry Van Vooris Interview — What a great interview. I taught Caitlin my first year teaching and she is one of kids from that class that still come to mind, mainly because she was always smiling. I also taught her younger brother and taught with her sister for some years. I knew Caitlin owned a bar but now I have to go visit. You really captured the Caitlin voice I remember. Thanks for bringing back some very fond memories.-Dottie Wotherspoon
SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION
RE: Cam Road Films Interview — Wow! What an interview!! Those two might be the most clever people I’ve ever read about!!! Thank you so much for sharing this interview with the world!!!! Jana, you’re pretty cool too.-Michelle Cameron, Cam Road Films
Um … where’s my exclamation point?
INKED
RE: Little Joe Interview — Great interview. Thanks for coming over for dinner and getting your cool little bird done at the house. Keep up the hard work. You put a lot of time and effort into your interviews. Hope to chill with you soon.-Jozlin Goodman
Thanks for letting me go first Jozlin. My little bird doesn’t even compare to your Betty Page.
THANKS BUDDY!
RE: Mayor Dyer Interview — Very good interview. Honest and warm.-Carlos Carbonell
IT AIN’T EASY BEING MAYOR
RE: Mayor Dyer Interview — Great interview … I’m even more pumped about the future of our city! Thanks Mayor Dyer and thank you Jana for your dedication and hard work!!-JR Tanghal
IN DYER NEED OF AN INTERVIEW
RE: Mayor Dyer Interview — I admire the work you are doing and I applaud you for overcoming your hesitancy about interviewing the mayor and actually doing it and doing a very fine job. Kudos to you!-Ned Kessler
BECAUSE DAD SAYS SO
RE: Scott Sands Interview — I read this and am very proud of you Scott … you are helping many around the world with your simple being and optimism.I love you more than you know…
-Dad
DO DE DOO
RE: September Jams — The September Jams CD is the BEST! YAY!!!-Mandy Kiefner
TECHNOLOGICALLY NOT ADVANCED
RE: Music — Any chance you can hyperlink to a source on the web that has audio clips of these songs? Would love to hear them. And I LOVE the Silversun Pickups. Heard them for the first time at a Snow Patrol concert a couple years ago. Loved them.-Cris Phillips-Georg
I don’t know how to do that, but if you google it I’m sure something will come up. There’s also MySpace–listening to new songs is the only reason why I still subscribe to that site.
ME, ME, ME
RE: Jana Waring Interview — The one inch frame. You made me cry; tears of joy actually, this was liberating, for everyone. And see … I told you. There is something about whorelando, borelando, morelando, showlando, snorelando, oar land oH. Nice focus, now interview me when you’re ready–I’m self important.-Jed Broitman
TEAR WORTHY
RE: Jana Waring Interview — I have to write a speech on people who inspire/influence us. I chose you. So can I ”live and breathe your air for 3-4 weeks” [that's what my teacher says]?-Cameron, 12 years old
I’ve known Cam since she was a baby. She doesn’t know me any other way than being in a chair. Of course I said yes to the interview and she did very well. According to her mother, the classroom became teary when she presented it to them. I wish I could have been there. She’s an amazing kid. For example, she took upon herself to raise $412 for Project Vandalism [a fundraiser we did last year] by selling carnations at her school. Keep on keeping on Cam. You rule.
RE: Jana Waring Interview — “I’ve used that time to study, be creative and search for what is meaningful in life.” The journey is the goal. Astonishing and exciting.-Thomas Thorspecken
BLOGGIN’ AWAY
RE: The Collector — Hi Jana. I have to say, next to JK Rowling, you are my favorite writer. If you dont already have a book, let me know when you write one. So glad you had an exciting trip!-John Unden
RE: Jana Waring Interview — Hi Jana. I don’t know you and you don’t know me in real life. I found you on the local Orlando Twitter search a few months back and have enjoyed following you there ever since. I had no idea, and that says something to me about you and the way you present yourself in the face of what many would call adversity. Thank you for sharing your story.-James (aka @altrot on Twitter)
Wow! I’m just pumped to know someone out there is reading. I’m running out of friends to pay.
I have got to tell you how awesome you are. I met you today at the Young Writer’s Camp, ( I was the one that kept texting ^_^) and when you told me you had a website, I was so delighted that you gave me your card. If there was no one around, I would have happily jumped off my chair and do a little dance or two. I know it seems strange for me to be so excited about that since I barely know you, but I am a very shy person and usually people come to talk to me. And when you came to talk to me, I felt the edge, the tension, and whatever the heck was making me isolate myself so much from everyone just like faded away the moment the conversation began. I loved talking to you, and learning more about you makes me feel grateful that I ever had the chance to meet you.^_^-Sarah, 15 years old, Page 15 Young Writer’s Camp
Sarah, I was just as happy to talk to you. Don’t stop writing. You’re brilliant.
RE: Defying Death — God, Jana — what a moving essay in every way. So many deep insights. So well told. And, of course, knowing you, even funny in places, if that is possible. Do you feel you can share this with his family? They would cherish it.-Kathy Kiely
I’ve had every intention to write Stewart’s family and haven’t done it yet. It took everything I had to share this essay.
RE: Defying Death — Beautiful sentiments. So sorry for your loss!!!-Allyson Archambault
RE: Jana Waring Interview — Wow! You are not only an incredible person….but an UNBELIEVABLE WRITER! After I finished reading…I wanted more. Whether you realize it or not – you DO inspire people everyday – not to mention, make people laugh uncontrollably. You are truly an amazing person. I am so lucky I was able to meet you through Liz and Rach. I look forward to coming to the opening of your book store and will definitely get some of your good reads (as well as drink a couple of glasses of wine with you…lol) Keep in touch!-Robyn Mullaney
Awe Robyn … we’ll always have Hawaii.
SHOUT OUTS TO THE REV
RE: Reverend Ben Cox Interview — I also consider Rev. Ben a good friend and you introduction about him is spot on! He is always there when you need him and sometimes when you don’t even know you need him. His frankness about his beliefs are off-putting to some, but he always has a unique perspective. Great interview!-Christian Scholer
SCHOOLED
RE: Reverend Ben Cox interview — Ben Cox was my teacher at South Lake High School. His knowledge and wisdom touched me the first time I met him. From that point on my respect for his ways grew tremendously. He most touched me with his passion for the holocaust. I learned a lot from him that I still use today, nearly 10 years later!-Steve Finkbeiner
BITTER BETTY … OR JEN
RE: Matt Rothschild — Matt isn’t so nice in person, past all the book hoopla! I have talked lightly to other Rothschilds and they were more kind. If you can’t do anything for Matt, he doesn’t care. People get what they deserve in the end.-Jen Johnson
Whoa whoa whoa Jen. Give Matt some slack. He admits he’s not good at first impressions in the intro to his book. Give him a second chance …
JUST DO IT
RE: Matt Rothschild — I am really enjoying this website. I like David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs so now I definitely want to read this book.-Carol
THE ONE AND ONLY
RE: For Puzzle Enthusiast — I have the dubious honor of being the owner of the now titled, “The Unfinished Dali” I haven’t started working on a new puzzle because the Dali just stung too much. Once I recover, I have a 1,000 piece M.C Escher puzzle.-Sad Adrienne
IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY
RE: For Puzzle Enthusiast — Your cousin, about 7 yrs old, secretly took a puzzle piece to bed with her so that she would be able to put the last piece in the next morning!!! Drove the grown-ups crazy till morning! Hiding a piece has become a ritual now.-Elaine Burr
So what you’re saying is puzzle enthusiasm is hereditary?
OK. LET’S TALK ABOUT ME SOME MORE
RE: Jana Waring Interview — I’ve known you for years now but have never really known the full story. Its great to read in depth about you and what you have been through.I have always been afraid of what might be if I ever landed in a similar situation…
You are amazing.
-Jeff Weatherall
LOVE
RE: Jana Waring Interview — I think T2 falsely identified herself by accident. She was thrown for a loop by your unbelievable story. Anyway, I was too. You always crack me up. You are seriously the funniest person I know. I am so glad you could share your 10 year history. It sure has been a crazy one and yes an inspirational one too!! I love you girl! Keep on doing what you were taught … and incidentally amazing everyone around you.-Lizzy (T1, right?)
MORE LOVE
RE: Jana Waring Interview — You are one of my very best friends and you never cease to amaze me. I learned things from your interview that I never knew before and we have been friends for 10 years now. I was bawling and laughing hysterically throughout your interview. You are always an inspiration to me. I love you so much.-Rach (T3)
Bless your heart Rach. Yes Lizzy, you’re #1, Rach is #2 and I’m #3. Maybe if we didn’t live worlds apart there would be no confusion.
FROM PORTLAND
RE: Jana Waring Interview — I have a sort of weird question, and don’t know if you know the answer or not (you didn’t say whether or not you WON on GUTS ). But do you know if the winners got to keep their chunk of the crag, or did the producers take it back afterwards? I’ve heard the latter and it makes me very sad, but I’ve also seen evidence of them on ebay…Very cool site, by the way. I wish someone would do this for Portland. – Alex
Yes Alex, I own a piece of the crag. It still glows once I plug it in the wall, true story.
IT’S IN THE CARDS
RE: Judith Interview — Absolutely smashing interview!!! Loved it!-Ben Cox
THE POWER OF TAROT
RE: Judith Interview — Generally I do not post on blogs, but I’d like to say this post forced me to do so–really useful information.-John Black
ART-TICKLED
RE: Rick Piper Interview — Thanks for keeping me on your list. I love your interviews. Easy to understand your admiration for this artist. Beautiful work.-Debbie Paape
RE: Rick Piper Interview — Excellent article…..one of the most talented artist of our day and my inspiration. Thanks.-Sue Boyd
ON THE ROAD AGAINRE: David Green Interview — OMG! I’m totally in love with David Green from your website. He’s the perfect man! He talks about living out love and helping others….I didn’t think men like him existed! Your interview gives me hope of finding an actual person of substance. Thanks!
-Angela Haber
JOIN THE HERDERS
RE: David Green Interview — Wow. That is exactly what I want to do! I’ve wanted to do something like that for years, and someday I will … I guess i just need to be pushed to my limit with the unimportant things in life first, like my jobs and school and material possesions that really own me. I’m tired of being a sheep in this disolving country, and am glad there is other people out there whom I can relate with. Good interview Jana.- Jacob Lacer
What on Earth?