So last week I gave you a little talk about real talk. Basically, I don’t want to be a confectioners-sugar-dusted-phoney. That’s why I’ve decided to get crazy with some real-life confessions on here.
Confessions. That’s a scary word.
So here it goes, here’s my first confession.
I like reading Craigslist Personal Ads.
Disclaimer: I would never ever ever in a million years even think about posting an ad on Craigslist (or answer one), but I like to read them.
Yes, some are creepy, some are weird (ex. “I enjoy theatrical-quality tomfoolery”…what), and some are downright fake. But some are nice. My favorites are in the “missed connections” forum.
This is where people leave messages hoping to find people they’ve crossed paths with. There is something less sinister about this forum than the others, no creepy requests, no augmented biographies pleading for a date. Instead, there’s a sort-of-sad sad sincerity in these posts.
These people couldn’t get a face/aura out of their mind all day, and are now beating themselves up for not saying anything. There is hope and regret intertwined in all of the posts (“I would have talked to you but I was too shy”). The regret of not seizing the moment, the hope that maybe this little “message in a bottle” (via Craigslist) will miraculously reach that special person.
The sweet, sad thing about this is that 99 times out of 100, these ads are never reciprocated. That person who was reading Harry Potter 5 on the train is probably back at home, flipping through the pages and eating Lean Cuisine and will never see the post on Craigslist. But the admirer posts it anyways.
Here’s one I liked:
“I wish I went and sat next to you and said hello, but obviously I didn’t and here I am posting this note you will probably never read. Wherever you were going, I hope you got there safe, and that despite the rain you are having a great day”
I like think about all of the faces I see in a day, and all of the stories, fears, and adventures that lie behind all of those faces. I’m not advocating talking to strangers. But I guess this should inspire us to seize the moment and not miss an opportunity to speak to someone. Yolo?
Anyways, now that I’ve shared something weird about myself with you all, I am going to share this weird cake recipe! It’s super easy, super funky, and will knock all of your friend’s socks off when you serve it. It looks like an unassuming vanilla cake… and then BAM! Rainbow madness on the inside. Check it out.
With love,
Erica
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Nice segue to your cake recipe! 🙂
Thank you David!
This would be fun done in red and green and white for cinco de Mayo. Your post made me remember locking eyes with a man in the Houston airport and the connection took my breath away. It's been 8 years and I've never forgotten his face. Shoulda, woulda, coulda…why didn't I just stop and say, "don't I know you?
Ohh that's such a great idea! Let me know if you make it!
It's so interesting that you still remember his face, I am sure there are people that I will never forget as well.
I never knew about the missed connections section of Craigslist, but I'm checking it out now! I liked your ad best (there are so many weird ones), but I somehow liked this one: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/mis/4435796909.html. I wonder what it'd be like if we found our own names there though…haha. Oy.
Anyway, I'm totally with you on reaching out to folks first and asking questions later since I've met some awesome folks, both irl and as a blogger. Have fun browsing some more, and great rainbow cake!
Haha I was thinking about that as well! Thank you Ala!
omgeeeee that is SO sweet! I kinda wanna read the Craigslist ads now! And this cake is super pretty-I love the rainbowliciousness!
Thank you! No shame in reading Craigslist personal ads 😉
GORGEOUS CAKE! This reminds me of a cake my friend Kunle (who originally started my blog with me!) and a bunch of other friends tried making this type of rainbow cake…but they mixed the colors together wayyyy too "well" and it pretty much turned out a swirly brown cake. So funny.
And missed connections!! There's a radio show in Houston that reads off some of the best ones once a week or so in hopes that they can create a connection someday…but I've never checked it out for myself! I always loved listening to that segment so you've inspired me to start! <3
Hahaha swirly brown cake… that's hilarious! And I had no idea it was a radio show, I would love to listen to that!
i would run VERY far away from the "theatrical-quality tomfoolery" ad! haha… omg craigslist ads are SO juicy! love the look of this cake, so vibrant and fun! pretty photos, too! xo
Haha same here! They're so entertaining! Thank you so much!
Have you seen Sophie Blackall's Missed Connection project? She illustrated Craigslist missed connections, and they're perfect.( http://www.sophieblackall.com/illustration/missed-connections-2 )
Oh my gosh that is PERFECT! Thanks for introducing me to that!
I LOVE reading missed connections on Craigslist. It's sad to think so many of the people never actually meet up, but once I did see someone post one about how they did meet the person they had been looking for and they were now dating. Made me smile 🙂
And this cake though…so yummy!! I love how fun and colorful it is.
I'm glad I'm not the only one! That's awesome! I love to hear stories like that 🙂
Well, it's good to know I'm not alone for reading random craigslist ads. 🙂 I've said it before and I'll say it again, but you are such a talented writer! It's amazing! The cake looks wonderful 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much Leigha! And thank YOU for letting me know that I'm not alone in reading craigslist! This is why I blog haha
holy cow! im making this for my bday, layered with rainbow sherbet. ultimate uncorn cake!
Rainbow sherbert!? What an awesome idea! Happy birthday!