I am neither a professional athlete nor distinguished writer. My business card says Toy Designer, though I have no formal education in design. You might say I’m an Engineer if you’re talking about my BS in Mechanical Enigneering, which I utilize less each day. I’m just a regular guy with modest aspirations trying to stay active and ahead of the curve in a world full of imaginary standards and diminished expectations.
A few months ago I found myself in the intriguing position to post something I had written about in the LA times. I didn’t think about the mere $300 bucks or how far my little post might extend itself. I simply saw it as an intriguing, perhaps achievable objective that I could post on Facebook and make my parents feel proud about. I never anticipated it would receive hundreds of comments, grow to the “the number one story on the site”, make the Spotlight Section on Google news, or that I would receive 50,000 hits on my blog page in the next week because of it. Furthermore, I never contemplated that all that exposure might end up as a detriment.
and my personal favorite –
I don’t write for quantity (hits), I write for quality, because I enjoy it, find the process therapeutic, and because it helps me reach out to others who can relate on some level. The topic of dating seemed like an obvious grab because we’ve all been there and unlucky to me yet fortunate for the world due to some impeccable arrangement of personality characteristics and geographic destiny (now living in LA) I’ve found myself with enough amazing stories to go on for hours, and that’s at the ripe age of 32.
Up until two months ago I had read each comment from every post and replied, because only sharing from Facebook the majority came from friends and would be purposeful or positive and in nature. Then one morning I woke up at 3am to an email notification reading “You have a new comment on your post…” with a short yet to the point – “YOU FUCKING IDIOT”. I’ve had trolls search through dozens of blog posts and race reports going back years, creating WordPress ID’s and taking the time to write comments such as –
Despite my drive I try not to take myself too seriously and enjoy poking fun at my misfortune with others if it’ll get a laugh. I am resilient as hell when it comes to adversity. So today (tomorrow) I am opening up the floodgates. To all the trolls do your worst, I implore you!! But for everyone else, even just a handful, if you’ve shared in one of my experiences, felt bad but learned, or are going through something right now, please feel free to comment as well, post a note and I will reply. Who knows, after this next go around I may be out for the count, but I’m still open to grow this thing and share my experiences, if I can believe it’s for a good purpose.
– David Welby
David Welby 
David, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been a target of trolls. I enjoyed your article immensely, I find your blog interesting, and I think you’d be a great match for a great girl. I also think you have a unique voice that shouldn’t be silenced. So – fuck the trolls. Write on, ride on, right on.
Thanks so much Mara!! Kind words like yours are what make this all worth it, and I appreciate the compliment!
You know, there’s this (probably terrible misquoted) quote I like to think of when writing about others:
You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.
Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
People are angry because they either think you’re writing about them, or people like them. Like Mara said, write on.
“People are angry because they either think you’re writing about them, or people like them. ” – From a novice writer (me) that’s terrific insight! Thanks so much for your comment!!
Loved your article and your blog. Did that same crap but from a woman’s perspective – East Coast – Liars Poker men a few decades back. Shame you don’t live East Coast yourself, I’d introduce you to my marathoner – analyst Daughter. Keep the faith.
Thanks Tessa!
Unfortunately trolling seems to be the new way of getting attention for those that have nothing going on in their lives. I get to read idiotic reviews on projects I do as well. It is never from successful studio executives, successful directors or successful actors. It is usually from the people that don’t take real chances, that have never failed at anything important because they are afraid to try. The most important advice I ever learned as a professional actor is to never criticize the skill of another actor… because at some point you will suck if you put yourself out there. And I’ve been slammed for performances that I won awards for. Mind you, I’ve been critical of other’s performances in the past, at least in my mind, but luckily never on a public forum… and it has never served me… ever. Keep fighting the good fight. Unfortunately this sad global disease of trolling isn’t getting any better.