Of Introductions and Invisible Mailbags

I had to explain to her that guys don't have them.

After all, this was a long time ago and she probably didn't understand. But she seemed like a nice person and I had a minute, so of course I would stop and explain. Based on the fact that we stood about ten feet away from the Brimhall Building on BYU campus and that she had a notepad in her hand, I could tell she was a student reporter and was working on a story.

Looking back, I suppose I came across as a little naïve as I told her about how guys don't have blogs. I don't remember all the details, but to save some embarrassment I'll just say it was something along those lines. Looking back, I suppose she knew that one day I'd discard my prideful paradigm. It certainly seems that way. Because as she asked me her last question she seemed to have a "You'll Understand When You Grow Up" kind of smile when she asked, "So . . . do you think you'll ever have a blog?"

"I don't know. Maybe one day." I lied.

Well here we are. Post 1 of an 8-Post series. My name is Robby and I'll be your guide through this two-month journey of "We've All Been There, Right?" So welcome.

I just want you to remember that this is supposed to be fun. Fun for me as the guide and fun for you as the reader. This isn't about me at all, actually. It's about a dad and his son at an ice cream shop in Washington, DC. It's about guys watching a basketball game and girls at a mall on Saturday night whose minds are somewhere else because the people they really want to be with are somewhere else. It's about seeing a girl worry because she's in a new place away from home and has no work yet. No, it's not really about me. It's about everyone.

Let's start out with a little Q and A. To kick-off "We've All Been There, Right?" I've decided to grab some mail out of my mailbag and take questions from the fans. I mean what better way to introduce the site than by answering questions from the people? Let's begin:

"Robby - I'm so stoked for the new blog, man. I've been waiting for something like this for a while. I just wanna know about the cost and everything. I mean I'm only working 12 hours a week and can't afford to pay or anything."

-Pablo Sanchez (Bogota, Colombia)

First of all Pablo, thanks for the support. I didn't even realize that people knew about this down in South America. I'm proud to say that "We've All Been There, Right?" is brought to you at no cost. 

"Robby, I'm a working parent and, as much as I'd love to read your posts every day, I simply can't do that. If I can only get on my computer a few times a week, which days do you recommend I choose?"

-Sarah Goldman (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Well I'm humbled that people actually want to read my blog so often. But you don't have to worry about missing anything because I will only be adding posts on Fridays. Beginning next week, Fridays will be Post Day for the next two months. 

"I know that you were a missionary for the Mormons in Russia for two years. Is this just some way to convert everyone to your Mormon ways?"

-Igor Sergeevich (Donetsk, Ukraine)

(Do people really read this in Europe, too? I mean South America is one thing, but seriously?) Igor to answer your question - of course not. Religion is as much a part of my life as is sunlight, but I don't intend to preach right here. Good principles are universal and so are good people. If you have particular questions about any topic brought up as it pertains to Mormonism, I invite you to visit www.mormon.org.

"I know that you were in Philadelphia cheering for the San Francisco Giants during Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Is this just some way to convert everyone to your Giants ways?

-Thomas Jackson (Los Angeles, California)

Ummm.......

"Robby what makes you so qualified to write about people so freely? You want to talk about principles and making people happier and better? How do we know you do everything you say we should do?"

-Katherine Mossman (Houston, Texas)

Katherine I'm glad you brought this up. The answer is that I don't. I don't even come close to doing everything I should do or say others should do. Living all of the principles I'll mention is worth a lifetime of effort. I try. I set goals. I fail sometimes. And then I try again to do at least a little good in the world. Because we've all seen the frustration of trials and the joy of improvement. We've all felt that desire to do better.

We've all been there, right?