A Blogging Story
Kelly has memed me to find out why I blog.
It started with a book. “Where Did It All Go Right by Andrew Collins. It’s a very funny, warm account of growing up in the 70’s however there was something else about that book which was to lead me to the world of blogging. On the front inside page was a website address (www.wherediditallgoright.com) and I was intrigued. Following the link (as I believe is the correct terminology) I found a whole website devoted to the book and further investigation uncovered the blog.
Discussions ranged (and in many occasions raged) from birdwatching to homeopathic remedies to 9/11 conspiracy theories all in the space of a couple of weeks. I was fascinated and began to experience the first flutterings of envy. In the best tradition of a small school child I wanted one of these toys too. Of course, not being technologically minded I hadn’t the slightest idea of how to get one. And to be perfectly honest I’m still not too sure how I got one. One day I clicked on a button which brought me to a menu. I followed the instructions and “hey presto” I had a blog of my own. Now, due consideration had to be taken with what to fill it with.
My first post was about Breadmaking. Not perhaps the most exciting subject but perhaps I hadn’t yet grasped blogging conventions. It would appear that most blogs are either controversial or funny. Sadly I fear I don’t really know enough to be controversial (I could quite easily confuse Osama bin Laden and Barack Obama and then there would be trouble) so I thought I would go down the humour route. Humour never hurt anyone apart from the man squashed by a sixteen stone comedian.
It may have been around this time that I started considering my fellow bloggers. If you post a blog and no one reads it, did it really exist in the first place? In the course of my travels in blogland I found a number of other blogs which I found to be funny, warm, amusing and lots of other lovely words. It’s wonderful to be able to visit all those other bloggers and read snippets of their lives – all in so many ways so different from my own. I visited and these kind people visited my blogs back. Now my blog posts really existed and it was, and still is a lovely feeling.
I blogged regularly (at least twice a week) until this summer when I lost one job but gained roughly three others in its place (including the one I lost but that’s a whole books worth of a story). As a result I haven’t been able to blog as much as I would like. I now have a routine of one blog post and visits to other blogs a week and if things change I might be able to come on more frequently again. I do miss it when I’m away and love the feeling now of sitting typing a load of daft words onto a page and knowing that someone out there will read them and hopefully put a comment into my comment box. And that my friends is why I still keep coming back for more.
It started with a book. “Where Did It All Go Right by Andrew Collins. It’s a very funny, warm account of growing up in the 70’s however there was something else about that book which was to lead me to the world of blogging. On the front inside page was a website address (www.wherediditallgoright.com) and I was intrigued. Following the link (as I believe is the correct terminology) I found a whole website devoted to the book and further investigation uncovered the blog.
Discussions ranged (and in many occasions raged) from birdwatching to homeopathic remedies to 9/11 conspiracy theories all in the space of a couple of weeks. I was fascinated and began to experience the first flutterings of envy. In the best tradition of a small school child I wanted one of these toys too. Of course, not being technologically minded I hadn’t the slightest idea of how to get one. And to be perfectly honest I’m still not too sure how I got one. One day I clicked on a button which brought me to a menu. I followed the instructions and “hey presto” I had a blog of my own. Now, due consideration had to be taken with what to fill it with.
My first post was about Breadmaking. Not perhaps the most exciting subject but perhaps I hadn’t yet grasped blogging conventions. It would appear that most blogs are either controversial or funny. Sadly I fear I don’t really know enough to be controversial (I could quite easily confuse Osama bin Laden and Barack Obama and then there would be trouble) so I thought I would go down the humour route. Humour never hurt anyone apart from the man squashed by a sixteen stone comedian.
It may have been around this time that I started considering my fellow bloggers. If you post a blog and no one reads it, did it really exist in the first place? In the course of my travels in blogland I found a number of other blogs which I found to be funny, warm, amusing and lots of other lovely words. It’s wonderful to be able to visit all those other bloggers and read snippets of their lives – all in so many ways so different from my own. I visited and these kind people visited my blogs back. Now my blog posts really existed and it was, and still is a lovely feeling.
I blogged regularly (at least twice a week) until this summer when I lost one job but gained roughly three others in its place (including the one I lost but that’s a whole books worth of a story). As a result I haven’t been able to blog as much as I would like. I now have a routine of one blog post and visits to other blogs a week and if things change I might be able to come on more frequently again. I do miss it when I’m away and love the feeling now of sitting typing a load of daft words onto a page and knowing that someone out there will read them and hopefully put a comment into my comment box. And that my friends is why I still keep coming back for more.
13 comments:
please visit
www.gabrielchristou.blogspot.com
you will see PHOTOS of WHO and WHERE Bin Laden and his NETWORKS ARE….
URGENT…PLEASE HELP…. I CANNOT FROM HERE….. I AM BLOCKED ALL AROUND
FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO THE FBI.
gavriild@gmail.com
Gwen - who on EARTH are you working for ( obviously don't answer that if doing so may jeopardise national security)?
Ooo- you make your job sound very exotic. And just so you know, you are missed when you are away. So don't go anywhere for too long!
Have you got yerself embroiled in the War Against Terror again, G? You really should be more careful!
I was blocked all around last week. I got some stuff from the doctor, cleared it right up.
I think Collins has got a lot to answer for G. He's spawned an awful lot of blogettes. Mine included.
Gabriel
I despair. I really do. Did you not understand the point of this post. I DON'T DO CONTROVERSIAL/POLITICS. So please - no more bin Laden. Unless he's hiding under my bed I really don't want to know where he is thank you very much. Mind you my bed was a mite uncomfortable last night.
ISBW - Sadly I work in Pensions. About as unexciting as it gets. Gabriel must be confusing me with my evil twin who is, even as we speak, intent upon world domination.
Thanks Kelly. Much appreciated. I'm not so sure that my job is as exotic as I make out but it can be fun at times.
Well VS. I think the War Against Terror keeps trying to embroil me. Just as I think I've shaken it off it's back on my tail again. What is a girl to do? I'm glad to see that you are another Collins inspired blogger.
From Breadmaking to The War on Terror via the odd mountain bike experience. Please keep up the blogging, I enjoy reading it, it's a very enjoyable way to spend time. By the way, I don't suppose you could recommend a good recipe for Carrot Cake could you?
Well I vote you blog more often. You are a great blogger.
Crystal xx
I too am very glad you did, so keep on blogging ... I now have a very annoying song going round in my head
xx
Thanks Gari
I will have to work on the procurement of a good Carrot Cake recipe and come back when I have one. Cheers
Thanks Crystal. If I could perhaps have 40 hours in an average day then I might get more done who knows.
Thanks Auntiegwen. Funnily enought I had the same song going round my head as I wrote it and wouldn't you know it - it's popped back in again.
Very lovely and satisfying. I, too, am struggling with blogs and commenting because of work, so apologies for not making it over more frequently....
Gwen, if my blog went some way to inspiring yours, I'm delighted. And although the 9/11 and homeopathy posts generate a lot of comment, I'm just as likely to post about collecting a linen basket from John Lewis. I say there's no subject too seemingly mundane to write about. That's the joy of blogging: nobody to edit your work! (As a professional writer and journalist, this is one of my favourite aspects of doing it. That and the fantastic dialogue that can sprout at the bottom of an entry.) I think it was Richard Herring who originally inspired me - credit where it's due - although his ambition to blog every single day does put an awful lot of pressure on him, which I wouldn't like personally.
Knowing how much you love being tagged, I have tagged you. Feel free to ignore my request, but if not, I look forward to learning more about you!
K
Thanks Omega Mum. It can be hard when work takes over can't it.
Thanks Andrew. The freedom that blogs bring to comment about anything and everything certainly is a bonus.
Thanks Kelly. I will certainly take you up on your tagging. Watch this space!!
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