Lisa Tries Vlogging!

I have been trying to come up with ways to reach a broader audience (like people who don’t want to read 7 page long blog posts) so I decided to turn some of those blog posts into videos. I know that there are a million vlogs out there, but I really got the push to do one for myself after watching my spoonie friend Kathleen from Green Eggs and Spoons branch out into the vlogging world.  You should check out her website because she’s awesome possum.

So last week I broke out the crappy 10 year old Macbook, turned on the webcam and recorded my most popular blog post, How To Explain Lupus to People with Functioning Immune Systems. And so far it has gotten 27,000 views on Facebook. So needless to say I’m rather impressed by the amount of shares and comments on a poorly made video with really awful quality. Here it is so you can see for yourself:

And now, after one video, I’m famous. It’s hard to leave the house without a disguise, and myself and Feyonce definitely have to make some sacrifices (like having personal lives) but I hate to be one of those celebrities that says it’s so hard being famous, so I will just suck it up and let the paparazzi in for now. (I am joking really hard right now).

I had a lot of fun making the first video, so I bought a fancier webcam and made a second one which I released on Facebook yesterday! I’m still not a pro at editing or figuring out how to make some of the audio not sound like I’m standing next to a plane about to take off, but baby steps! This second video is in response to emails and comments I get from people who think I’m one of the most inspirational people ever just because I haven’t given up on life after receiving a diagnosis like Lupus. I don’t think I am an inspiration for that reason. It’s not inspirational to just exist as someone who is sick or disabled. Anyway, I could rant for 6 days straight about the topic, so I will shut up for now and let you watch the video, if you so choose.

I plan on doing a bunch more videos in an attempt to get better at this. It’s quite a learning experience. So far, the most important thing I have learned is that I can’t stand listening to myself talk and that one corner of my mouth always has smeared lipstick on it no matter how hard I try to fix it. Oh, I’ve also learned that I’m not above tagging Selena Gomez in all of my videos in hopes of getting more views. Apparently I’m awful and that isn’t beneath me. Also, it doesn’t work.

One video that I will be doing in the near future is a collaboration with my awesome friend Lynn who also has lupus – we want to answer any questions you may have about lupus or life with a chronic illness. So if you think of anything please let me know in the comments! And if there are other topics you would like me to address via mediocrely made videos, let me know that too! I love suggestions! Hooray!