I was with some friends the other day and we were chatting it up about things most people don’t know about us.
One friend suggested I create a blog post about it because she thought it would be a change of pace, and you all could learn a bit more about the gal behind 2 Create a Website.
I’m not one who typically likes to overshare when it comes to personal things, but this post is within my comfort zone. 🙂
So here are a few things you might not know about me…
1. I’m a Wanna-Be Pharrell Williams
(He’s a music producer for those who don’t know.)
If you watch my YouTube videos, you’re probably quite familiar with the jingle above. (Thanks WordPress, for making it so much easier to embed audio now!)
It’s a cheesy rap (yeah I know it sounds straight out of 1987) that I made using the iPad Garageband app. So yes, that’s me singing the background vocals, playing the keyboard and I added some synthesizers for effect.
I also wrote a jingle for my natural hair site. Click the play button below to hear it…
When I was younger my cousin and I would record ourselves singing and dancing. I would dub our vocals to make it sound as if we had back-up singers.
In college I became known as “the girl with the movie camera” who recorded all sorts of random nonsense and low-budget music performances that I’m certain would get booed in most talent shows.
Ahhhh…. the good ole’ days of butchering songs anywhere from Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls to Shoop, Shoop (Waiting to Exhale).
2. I’m an Introvert
When you see that word, do the following adjectives come to mind?
Shy?
Anti-social?
Weirdo?
Lonely?
Aloof?
Well, it’s time for that word to get a makeover because there is a huge stigma attached to it.
When I tell people I am an introvert they always say something like, “No you’re not!! You’re not shy!” As if it’s some horrible way to describe myself.
While those words above could be used to describe some introverts, I don’t feel they really fit me. (Well, at least not most of the time, anyway.) 🙂
By definition, introverts draw their energy from within and we tend to be very creative because we are thinkers and often live inside our heads. And not all of us are shy.
We don’t mind being around people (that we like), but we need our space more than others.
Crowds can be overwhelming for me, and not in a nervous way, more like exhausting.
And of course, I always end up at conferences hemmed up in some corner with the most talkative guy in the room who thinks that everything he does is the coolest thing since sliced bread. 🙂
Just don’t let the word fool you. Many celebrities and public speakers are self-proclaimed introverts. It doesn’t mean we can’t thrive in a social setting, just give us some time to breathe during and afterwards.
Trust me. I can be quite the clown in the right setting!
So to all my fellow introverts out there, nothing wrong with it as long as you have some sort of balance in your life. Embrace it.
And send people who misunderstand you to this article.
3. I’m Afraid of Birds
OK, stop laughing.
Look… I can handle cockroaches, spiders, worms and a host of other creepy crawly arachnids, so I have no idea why I possess this fear of something that is probably even more afraid of me than I am of it.
The pretty birds like swans, doves, etc. are OK, but the crow-like scavengers that hang around in backyards and parks really creep me out.
And why do they always fly right in front of your car windshield when they have all that space above? Ugh!
I can’t even tell you when or why this started (no, it wasn’t from the movie, The Birds). All I know is I’m still traumatized by a 6th grade incident where two of my classmates threw a dead bird on me during recess.
I was already afraid of them, which is why they did it, so as you can imagine that didn’t help my phobia at all.
My dad swears I need some sort of bird therapy.
4. I’m a Huge Scrabble/Words With Friends Fanatic
[Nerd alert!]
So as you can imagine, I’m loving the whole Words With Friends smartphone craze that’s going on now. I just hate playing with people who look up words.
And it’s so easy to tell when someone is cheating because they typically play really long words you never hear them use in real life.
And the I-just-put-down-tiles excuse is lame and old.
You know good and well you didn’t happen to guess that xoanon was a word. 🙂
So just keep setting me up for those triple word scores with your xoanons, while I play EX for 50 points. Nah!
5. I Was Miss TWA.com… For a Moment, Anyway
TWA gave me my first web-related job in 1999, so when they were bought out by American Airlines in 2001, the other three guys on my team found other jobs because they didn’t want to relocate.
So I was left to run the content portion of TWA.com all by myself for about three months while the airlines transitioned.
The terrorist attacks of 9/11 happened during that time and I remember sitting in a half-empty office while composing a somber alert message on the TWA.com website.
Twelve years later, I still get chills just thinking about that day. 🙁
R.I.P. to those who lost their lives.
6. I Heart Fantasy Football
You probably gathered from some Facebook updates that I love sports — particularly football and basketball, but I really get into Fantasy Football.
For those who are unfamiliar with it, no it’s not a physical football game. (Now THAT would be a sight, wouldn’t it?)
You pick players from around the league to be on your team and you earn points for their activity every week.
I’ve never been into PLAYING sports (unless you count bowling… which most people don’t. lol), but I do enjoy watching and partaking in the fantasy world while talking a bit of smack. 🙂
Most guys think women can’t play so that makes me want to win my league even more.
I’ll just keep quiet about my 0 and 2 start this year. 🙂
7. I Hate Public Speaking
Some people are shocked by this because I am so comfy on YouTube, but I’ve actually heard a lot of YouTubers admit the same thing.
There is a big difference between speaking in an empty room when you know you can edit the video, than talking in front of a live audience.
Even though I dislike it, I actually do pretty well. But that’s because I have to really, really spend time preparing. (Wooooo-saaaaah!)
I think the anticipation is far worse than the actual event itself. Once I’m done, it’s never as bad as I feared it to be.
I still need to force myself to do it more.
8. I’m a Reality TV Junky
I don’t get into the too-much-drama-for-ya-mama shows much, although I do indulge in a few of them.
Don’t judge me. 🙂
But I love the competition-based shows like American Idol, Big Brother, Survivor and Amazing Race.
Even though there’s nothing really REAL about reality TV, I feel that these are the least scripted of the lot.
Plus, the competition aspect is exciting to watch.
Speaking of Survivor, I’m so excited the new season just started. Woot!
And yes, I do own a few official buffs (see pic). They make great headbands!
Shocked?
So there ya have it. While I really wanted to make it to 10 things, I couldn’t think of two more that were all that interesting so we’ll leave it at 8. 🙂
Hope you enjoyed!
Did any of these surprise you?
Wow, we are a lot alike, except the bird phobia LOL. I have a thing with bees because I had an allergic reaction to a sting (not to pleasant). I must say I learn A LOT from you and I appreciate you soooooo much Lisa. It’s funny because I have viewed a lot of tutorials and had to look at them over and over again and I was still like WTH. You make everything so plain and simple, I am just still trying to get your jingle out of my head LOL.
Hi Lisa… so happy to have stumbled upon you/your u-tubes messages, etc. You have gained a new fan…not that you seem to need any…based upon your 12,000+ Likes/FB!
Kudos to you… very refreshing, informative, well written, fun and concise content.
I’ll be following you/your blogs, etc…
Sharing personal info definitely strengthens the connection you have with your fans, and helps generate new followers..like me!
Wishing you continued success.
PS – I provided my FB page as website. I actually do have a private domain “maggieqgifts.com” but it only an InstaPage by GoDaddy…it’s not active/hosted site. I sell on various sites (addoway, bonanza, ebay, etc) . Haven’t determine what type/kind of “hosted” site I need/want. Thanks for listening.
BTW, I think it is Derek Halpern who describes himself as an “ambivert”. I think this is true for most of us.
A very good blog! Thank you for sharing your personal information. I was a bit surprised that you hate public speaking and are an introvert. You present yourself as so affable and seemingly gregarious. What am I supposed to do with all my xoanons of you now? What would you do if you became a famous music producer with a hair jingle and people wanted your autograph and photograph? And you are afraid of birds? Did you see “The Birds” as a little girl? Best wishes for your niche website endeavours. Keep smiling!
LOL Paul! But see that’s just where the misconception lies about introverts. I *CAN* be and generally think I am gregarious in most situations. What you see on camara is what you get in real life. I just also need my space and have to have balance more than average people. I’m an introvert but I wouldn’t necessarily describe myself as anti-social either. I think that’s a myth.
Oh and I would be perfectly fine with the autographs. Bring it! LOL
As I mentioned in the post, I saw The Birds. Well I tried to watch but didn’t really. ha ha! I was already afraid of them prior to that.
This is great! I like being alone, if only because I don’t have to suffer the indignation of colleagues or coworkers who are unhappy and complain all the time. Having worked in offices I always felt the need to guard my generally positive attitude and not succumb to gossiping about of berating others. Also, I find it difficult to concentrate when people are around me too much.
Working alone is something that suits me. At the end of the day, I like myself. I get along well with me. 🙂
I enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing. It was a refreshing change of pace. Don’t get me wrong, I love your website. It just feels that this post was perfect timing!
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself. I know it took a lot to post this kind of information.
It did but it was fun! Thanks, Robert. 🙂
Is the fear of public speaking, the reason why workshops and seminar are not part of your blog products?
I’ve always wondered why you don’t organize hands-on workshops for folks who may need those kind of tutorials. Now I know why!
It played a role, but that is about to change!
Hello Lisa i am Really Enjoy Reading About you yaa i am proud of you
But birds he he he i am understanding yeah
anyway thank you So Much for Sharing with us a bit about you Can’t Waiting your Next Post
I am a similar type of introvert. Non-introverts rarely believe me.
The singing is pretty cool. You sound really good. If the website thing did not workout you could have taken up a career as a singer…lol. I don’t have garage band though so I can’t make any jingles as yet. I have not moved a step up to apple as yet. Do you know any good windows based software I can use to make jingles like that?
Thanks Keeon. No, I sure don’t but I bet there is something similar.
Awesome page you’ve put together here! We must do the same so people will learn more about my wife and I. It has been a treat for me to learn a little more about Lisa Irby today. I do have to say, I’m surprised about the birds though. I have the sparrows living JUST outside my office window and truly enjoy watching now and then as they go about their lives chirping back and forth. They even grab onto my window screen while doing they’re thing! I love it! I will also say at this time, it’s your fault I’m enjoying our new website with SBI! so again we say “Thank You” lisa for promoting SBI! Sitesell.
Part 2 please 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Lisa, it’s nice to know a bit more about you :). The link to the introvert article was also really helpful 🙂
What about *eating* birds, like chicken, turkey, etc etc?
Good question! I’m ok with that because they don’t look like the birds I’m afraid of in the yard and park. It’s a different story when it’s on your plate and in pieces. LOL
Lisa,
I so get the introvert thang. Me too. I have to force myself sometimes to be more public and while I usually enjoy myself that way, it also exhausts me. Quiet time restores.
Brian
Thanks! I agree with your definition of an introvert. That’s how I describe myself as well. I explain that people are often confused by the fact(?) that I have well-developed social- and communication skills. I like people, but self-centered drama is tedious and exhausting to me. And, I really don’t have any patience with people who defend being wildly intoxicated in public, especially when they’re intent on drawing me into conversation that I know they’re not likely to even remember. Oh well… Thanks again!
Yes, talkative, self-centered people literally make me want to curl up into a ball. I have little patience in that area. he he he. 🙂
Hi Lisa. You have created a working business that many people can only dream of. You don’t have to justify yourself to anyone.
I can’t stand rap, I’m into blues/Jazz/dixie land/rag time etc Billie Holiday/Nat King Cole/Louis Armstrong and a shed load of other types etc. I prefer my wrap filled with a stir fry/noodles and I don’t watch soaps or reality tv.
My wife watches soaps and Big Brother Ugh!, however, we’ve been going for 34 years, she is from the Philippines and I was brought up a middle of road-baby boomer.
You are what you are–an individual, its what makes us so interesting as a species.
Awesome post Lisa…I still love both jingles (2createawebsite being my favorite)! Please keep the jingles..seriously they are very good…
now how are you going to be scared of birds.. lol it’s cool though…
you are to this day my all time favorite blogger..
Thanks, Kenneth! I appreciate that.
I think we all love you even more now! 🙂
Aww thanks, Susanna!
Another thing people might be surprised to learn about you:
YOU ARE VENERATED.
If I could do 10% as well as you do with posts, instruction, videos… all without showing the slightest trace of “what are you, STUPID?” I could die happy (well not really, but you know what I mean. You do, right? After all, you’re a goddess and goddesses know all. Right?)
Thank you Auntie Kate!
One important Question? Are you Single? Married?
Single. 🙂
Well this definitely needs to change. 🙂
Ha ha! I’m actually VERY OK with it. Single doesn’t mean alone. 😉
lol I wasn’t implying that you’re feeling alone. Just flirting with ya. 😀
I understood, but you missed what I was implying. Nevermind! Lost in translation. ha ha ha 🙂
Ahhh, I “understand” now. *stops flirting* 🙂
YES!! LMAO. Wishing i was in Texas. to be honest what first attracted me to your channel was your beauty, and what kept me was your knowledge, blunt honesty and intelligence. I learned a whole lot from you!
I’m single also, lonely single LMAO… j/k
I been wondering about this question for a while, got the answer thanks to this post!
Thanks for opening up Lisa 🙂
And i feel you on that Introvert part. I’m the same way, but I can be social when I want to “usually after a few drinks LOL”. What attracted me to online marketing was the fact that I could be alone and not forced to interact with people in an office setting.
But I would have never thought you were a Reality Show Person?
LOL, Clarence! Thanks. 🙂 I know what you mean. I don’t miss the office environment at all.
I thought I read somewhere that you are from St.Louis.
Good read Lisa, but birds!?
LOL, yeah. Don’t know where that came from. Ha ha!