6.12.2008

Friends and blogs

I've been thinking about how having a blog affects me, even if only a tiny bit. One thing I discovered is that I've been expecting everyone I know to read the blog, check the blog, comment on the blog, et cetera ad nauseum. Then I figured out that there are people who are not the least bit interested in blogs, mine or anyone else's -- in the same way that I'm not interested in television programs, at all, none, forget about it. But I like blogs. I've learned a lot from other people's blogs and I've enjoyed some very, very funny writing. I enjoy blogs and I mostly enjoy blogging. But the moment I caught myself being annoyed because my friends were not reading my blog regularly, was the moment I seriously considered deleting it. When I don't have time to communicate directly and personally with my dearest friends, there is something very wrong. I imagine that all other bloggers figured this out ages ago and I'm just a little slow on the uptake. Whatever. Just my 2cents worth.

And, because I love to flaunt my photographs, here are some random old shots I thought you might enjoy.

7 comments:

Coffee Messiah said...

I've deleted mine 2X and have been told told I should leave it anyway.

My friends are on the WC as is my family. This is my way of leaving an idea of what I'm thinking/doing.

And like you, have met a few others along the way.

This time of year is slow, 'cause the outdoors beckon. I wouldn
t put too much into the comments, left or not. More people tend to look and read than leave comments.

It's all good. either way.

BTW, have you found your new home yet? Cheers!

Anonymous said...

I may not mention it but i do check your blog at least twice a week. I am not anonymous but I just haven't taken the time to do the identity thing. This is Haris.

Trée said...

When I first started my blog I felt the same way, that family and friends would be just dying to read what I was writing and to see a side of me that can only be seen on my blog. Needless to say, I have nary a family member or friend who visited my blog more than a time or two and many who never visited even the first time--as it you could catch cooties from a blog, or so it seemed.

On the other hand, I've met many other fabulous bloggers from around the world. And sometimes, it's nice to have a quiet blog where the people that do read you are the people that really want to know you on that level. They may be few, but the connection is deep and hard to explain to a non-blogger.

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers. :-)

Anonymous said...

I think blogging is very cool. And always scary. I've deleted blogs and have regretted it. And I always assume no one is reading my blog. Oh well.

Cathy said...

Hey all, thanks for the bloggy insights and personal experiences re:blogs.

I think I was trying more to say that I didn't ever want my desire for my friends/family to read my personal blog to outweigh my willingness to have direct communication with them. I found myself feeling irritated with friends who came right out and said they had not looked at the blog and therefore didn't know what was new with me. That happened recently and I felt insulted. After examining that feeling, I realized that it was a really stupid way to feel. Writing a letter (email) to that person with news of our new life in Portland was perfectly appropriate and my feelings of insult were perfectly inappropriate.

CM: what is WC? Yes, we've found the perfect house, but it's bank owned and the bank is being unrealistic about the price. I think we'll get it eventually.

Haris, thanks, I know you visit regularly and I don't have to have comments -- truly I don't.

Trée, thanks the insight and I do agree with the idea that one can accumulate blogger friends. Happy Father's Day to you, if the shoe fits.

Melissa, you've got quite a community of blogger friends and they are wonderful. I know you've become IRL friends with many of them too and that's what I'd like to have happen for me/my blog. We'll see how it pans out.

Anonymous said...

I have met so many people through blogging. It's been great. Every single person I've met has been wonderful. I guess because it's sort of a built in friendship. But somewhere in me, I think it's a little weird that 90% of real life friends, I met online. I think every one of my Portland friends are from the internet. What can I say? Bloggers are good people.

bekbek said...

I've gone through much the same. I started my blog as an idle experiment and then continued it as a way to keep friends and family up to date --but I don't think friends and family ever read it any more, and I'm torn: When I blog something ranting about politics or religion, I feel like friend or family might find it alarming; and when I blog about my daily life in an update way, I feel like the idle passerby will be equally put off.

So right now, I just blog whenever I feel like it, period, and try not to think too much about audience - which is interestingly contrary to all of my education. Phooey.

I read blogs in much the same way. Whenever I feel like it, I poke around old haunts (yours is becoming one) and occasionally new territories.