;)
Monday
Feb112008
Just another Memey Monday
Monday, February 11, 2008 at 1:02PM
Well, you all rock. I asked for memes; you delivered, hardcore. Today, I have a lovely little pile to dig through. There were two that were totally fitting for Valentine's week, but I went with this one due to a looming birthday post to come on Wednesday, provided I can find the right words. From OhMommy, my classiest friend, comes the Bloggy Meme.
How long have you been blogging?
3 years, one month and 21 days exactly. I have moved this blog 4 times in those 3 years. I think I should research adult ADD more in-depth.
What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?
3 years and 3 months ago I had no idea what a blog was. See, I am skeptical at best about the internet, even still. A few years ago, I met this chick. I met her son, honestly, and her son introduced me to her, in email form. She wrote an education blog and wanted to ask me some questions about my public school. I started reading her blog, and was crack-whore addicted in, like, 5 whole minutes. A few months later, I had my own. A School Yard Blogger was totally my Blog Momma. I started the blog just to document my kids lives, with no hopes of anyone actually reading it. But she read it. And on Wednesday, I will finish that story. And then, somehow, somewhere, I came across The World Wide Rant. Andy writes a blog in Denver, and again, I had to have it. Every day. Andy is totally my Blog Daddy. Through him, I met David and Stephen and Mr. The Retropolitan, and they made me want to be a better blogger. They are my Blog Trysts, for sure.
Are you trying to make money online, or just doing it for fun?
Trying to make money? No. Expecting to make money? No. Care whether I do? No. Running ads anyway? Hells yeahs.
I have those ads, and I ONLY have those ads because the kids godfather would not shut the hell up about me not running ads on my site. I respond well to condescending nagging. I ran them, and I am glad I did, because I think BlogHer is a rocking rad organization, and, well, I wrote a whole bit right here about why the money might not be great, but that's not why I run them.
What 3 things do you love about being online?
1. Giggling. I really like to giggle. And you people? Crack me the hell up.
2. Having something of substance to do. Most of the time, this blog is absolute nonsensical ramblings, but even I can admit that every now and again, I get it right. I get it right, and someone out there is touching or moved or able to relate to something, and that is a wonderful feeling.
3. My typing skills are VASTLY improving. This should translate nicely into the real world. At some point, Mr Lady is going to have to be gainfully employed.
What 3 things do you struggle with online?
1. Spreading myself too thin. I struggle with this in real life, too. The more I read, the more I find and the more I want to read. I worry that I don't read people's blogs enough, and I worry that I don't comment on them enough, and I worry constantly that some backhanded remark I made somewhere offended someone. I forget that I have a very defined sense of humor, and not everyone gets it.
2. Not whining all the damn time. I have a hell of a lot of stories under my belt from the past 32 years, and some of them are not pink and rainbowy, and sometimes they come out. I aspire to be the person who finds either humor or purpose in everything thrown my way, preferably both, but sometimes, it just comes out all emo, you know? I forget sometimes that a few other people read this, and that it's not just a diary anymore, and that maybe I should have a cut-off line on certain topics. I am working on it, though. Enter, the Totally Inappropriate Haiku category. For when I've got nothing but the Eeyore's.
3. Anonymity. This little site is slowly getting around the family circle. It is also slowly getting around the internet. For 2+ years, it was just, like, 15 people that I love reading it. Now, the Mommy Mafia has come over (hearts!) and The Donor peeks in (hi baby!) and any day now, someone is going to send this link to my mother in law (edits!). I liked the anonymity, because I could honestly say whatever the hell I wanted to, and god knows I did, and now I am losing some of that. I am worried that it will change what comes out. Also, I have this eencie teencie* little issue with social anxiety, and yes, it totally transitions itself online. I am seriously, cripplingly shy, and my natural defense to that is to start saying really personal, inappropriate things. That doesn't exactly help in the whole "Super Stealthy Secret Blogger" department, you know?
And that's it. Do I tag people? Has anyone ever not done this thing already? Dude, I hate tagging people, but I am totally tagging Molly, because I'd like to hear her answers, and Leslie Dillinger, because I miss her and she just quit smoking and this should keep her fingers busy for a half an hour or so, and Alison, because dude? Have I ever tagged you before? It's so totally your turn.
*Eencie Teencie in the exact same way that the Golden Gate Bridge isn't.
How long have you been blogging?
3 years, one month and 21 days exactly. I have moved this blog 4 times in those 3 years. I think I should research adult ADD more in-depth.
What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?
3 years and 3 months ago I had no idea what a blog was. See, I am skeptical at best about the internet, even still. A few years ago, I met this chick. I met her son, honestly, and her son introduced me to her, in email form. She wrote an education blog and wanted to ask me some questions about my public school. I started reading her blog, and was crack-whore addicted in, like, 5 whole minutes. A few months later, I had my own. A School Yard Blogger was totally my Blog Momma. I started the blog just to document my kids lives, with no hopes of anyone actually reading it. But she read it. And on Wednesday, I will finish that story. And then, somehow, somewhere, I came across The World Wide Rant. Andy writes a blog in Denver, and again, I had to have it. Every day. Andy is totally my Blog Daddy. Through him, I met David and Stephen and Mr. The Retropolitan, and they made me want to be a better blogger. They are my Blog Trysts, for sure.
Are you trying to make money online, or just doing it for fun?
Trying to make money? No. Expecting to make money? No. Care whether I do? No. Running ads anyway? Hells yeahs.
I have those ads, and I ONLY have those ads because the kids godfather would not shut the hell up about me not running ads on my site. I respond well to condescending nagging. I ran them, and I am glad I did, because I think BlogHer is a rocking rad organization, and, well, I wrote a whole bit right here about why the money might not be great, but that's not why I run them.
What 3 things do you love about being online?
1. Giggling. I really like to giggle. And you people? Crack me the hell up.
2. Having something of substance to do. Most of the time, this blog is absolute nonsensical ramblings, but even I can admit that every now and again, I get it right. I get it right, and someone out there is touching or moved or able to relate to something, and that is a wonderful feeling.
3. My typing skills are VASTLY improving. This should translate nicely into the real world. At some point, Mr Lady is going to have to be gainfully employed.
What 3 things do you struggle with online?
1. Spreading myself too thin. I struggle with this in real life, too. The more I read, the more I find and the more I want to read. I worry that I don't read people's blogs enough, and I worry that I don't comment on them enough, and I worry constantly that some backhanded remark I made somewhere offended someone. I forget that I have a very defined sense of humor, and not everyone gets it.
2. Not whining all the damn time. I have a hell of a lot of stories under my belt from the past 32 years, and some of them are not pink and rainbowy, and sometimes they come out. I aspire to be the person who finds either humor or purpose in everything thrown my way, preferably both, but sometimes, it just comes out all emo, you know? I forget sometimes that a few other people read this, and that it's not just a diary anymore, and that maybe I should have a cut-off line on certain topics. I am working on it, though. Enter, the Totally Inappropriate Haiku category. For when I've got nothing but the Eeyore's.
3. Anonymity. This little site is slowly getting around the family circle. It is also slowly getting around the internet. For 2+ years, it was just, like, 15 people that I love reading it. Now, the Mommy Mafia has come over (hearts!) and The Donor peeks in (hi baby!) and any day now, someone is going to send this link to my mother in law (edits!). I liked the anonymity, because I could honestly say whatever the hell I wanted to, and god knows I did, and now I am losing some of that. I am worried that it will change what comes out. Also, I have this eencie teencie* little issue with social anxiety, and yes, it totally transitions itself online. I am seriously, cripplingly shy, and my natural defense to that is to start saying really personal, inappropriate things. That doesn't exactly help in the whole "Super Stealthy Secret Blogger" department, you know?
And that's it. Do I tag people? Has anyone ever not done this thing already? Dude, I hate tagging people, but I am totally tagging Molly, because I'd like to hear her answers, and Leslie Dillinger, because I miss her and she just quit smoking and this should keep her fingers busy for a half an hour or so, and Alison, because dude? Have I ever tagged you before? It's so totally your turn.
*Eencie Teencie in the exact same way that the Golden Gate Bridge isn't.
Reader Comments (21)
I decided to completely throw anonymity out the window and actually use my name. Now the line between people I know in the real world and people I know online has become blurred and it's kind of weird. There was something that I just desperately wanted to write about last week and decided against because there are people that I know in the real world that might read it. Freaks me the hell out. Especially when one of my regular readers is a subordinate of mine in my real world job. Creepy.
Jennifer's last blog post..http://jenniferhast.blogspot.com/2008/02/berkeley-vs-marines.html' rel="nofollow">Berkeley vs The Marines
Great answers... my MIL reads my blog, but has never commented on ANYTHING.. even when I write stuff that may not be so nice about her and FIL... that makes me bold. #2 struggle is one of mine too.
Tara R.'s last blog post..http://ifmomsaysok.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/what-are-they-selling/' rel="nofollow">What are they selling?
That's the best version of that I've seen around. Boy do I sound like I'm kissing your butt, but I'm not. Promise.
I really struggle with my blog, with knowing what I do and don't want to write about. Knowing the kind of person I want to be helps to guide me, but sometimes I want to write about things that I wouldn't want people IRL seeing and I get nervous. I don't think I have been found out, but the thought of it makes me very nervous. It makes me censor myself and some topics I would really like to address never get written. I like the anonymity, but I don't think anyone is really anonymous.
I hear you on the giggling part. I giggle all day just thinking about the things people comment and write about.
Keep it real, I know you will, that's why people love ya.
Huckdoll's last blog post..http://huckdoll.blogspot.com/2008/02/define-me.html' rel="nofollow">Define Me
This is awesome. I totally get the spreading yourself thin stuff. And the anonymous bit. And everything else.....
I'm gonna stop typing now....
2. Having something of substance to do. Most of the time, this blog is absolute nonsensical ramblings, but even I can admit that every now and again, I get it right. I get it right, and someone out there is touching or moved or able to relate to something, and that is a wonderful feeling.
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I don't know about the nonsensical ramblings, but I love the way you worded the rest of this. It's why I continue to blog myself. So, my dear - count this paragraph as one of those times a reader could so totally relate. And get tingly, eh?
Ree's last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/hotfessional/KKFw/~3/233341081/' rel="nofollow">The Great Interview Experiment - Part 2 (Ree Interviews Whitney)
my blog is SUPERsecret from family and real-life friends. only my husband and a trustworthy work friend know about it. i like it that way, too. (although there are times that things almost ooze out of my mouth about my bloggy buddies or stuff i posted. it's tough to hold that line.)
either way, i love your blog and your straightforward, pull-no-punches-(that-i-know-about) style.
janet's last blog post..http://fromtheplanetofjanet.blogspot.com/2008/02/fun-monday-52-music-of-my-life-edition.html' rel="nofollow">Fun Monday #52: the music of my life edition
Okay, so those were the best answers to that meme. Ever.
My typing skills have vastly improved too, a bonus for the future. But now my shopping skills are slowly dying, I spend too much time reading blogs and not enough time shopping.
ohmommy's last blog post..http://mom.buttermouth.com/2008/02/one-flu-over-cuckoos-nest.html' rel="nofollow">One FLU over the Cuckoo's Nest
I loved reading this. I have many of the same struggles about being online, especially spreading myself too thin!
P.S.
You crack me the hell up, too!
Loralee's last blog post..http://loraleeslooneytunes.com/2008/02/11/this-just-in-hell-has-frozen-over/' rel="nofollow">This just in: Hell has frozen over
My mom used to read the WWR. She quit when it became obvious I was going to Hell and had no intention of changing in that regard.
My biggest struggle with the blog at the moment is that there's so much stupid in the world and only so much of me available to comment on it all (what with wife, kids, work, kids, and kids).
What's a boy to do?
andy's last blog post..http://www.worldwiderant.com/2008/02/10/ghaaliya-house-md/' rel="nofollow">Ghaaliya House, M.D.
Your honesty is refreshing - your fam should be able to appreciate it! :D
Maria's last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/immoralmc/~3/232957011/numbered-for-your-pleasure.html' rel="nofollow">Numbered for your Pleasure!!
Anonymity would be great. I hope to god you never have to edit. I never have been anonymous, so I have to avoid lots of very interesting topics. Your URL is safe with me.
Katherine's last blog post..http://fuzz.typepad.com/weblog/2008/02/random-things.html' rel="nofollow">Random Things
Hey there, glad I found your blog. Love your sense of humor.
SuburbanDaddy's last blog post..http://www.suburbandaddy.com/2008/02/10/aliens-still-have-my-kid/' rel="nofollow">Aliens Still Have My Kid
2. Having something of substance to do. Most of the time, this blog is absolute nonsensical ramblings, but even I can admit that every now and again, I get it right. I get it right, and someone out there is touching or moved or able to relate to something, and that is a wonderful feeling.
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In my blog I too have struggled with that, exact issue. I also tend to spread myself way too thin and have actually felt like I'm 'abandoning' some of my online friends because of it. I literally have spent whole nights online just trying(and failing) to be 'caught up'. *sighs* oh yeah sleep and no coffee not a good thing!
Mackenzie's Momma's last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/RuminationsFromAGoatFarmer/~3/233464862/guess-what-i-got-today.html' rel="nofollow">Guess What I got today!!!!
It was only a matter of time before your dirty little genius got out there for the masses to enjoy. Drink in the celebrity, baby. You deserve it!
what awesome and REAL answers!!
hey...i'm painfully shy, too! i try to mask it and so i blurt out stupid and inappropriate things, sometimes...and then i turn all sorts of different shades of fushia!
you're awesome and i'm with kelly...you deserve the celeb. status!
btw...my in-laws found my blog...and, i got myself in big trouble from some of my past posts!! so...i started a secret blog...it's listed on my page at cre8buzz...but, oy vey! did i get in trouble!!
xoxo
Struggle #2 is what I'm all about! Wait, that's not cause for celebration or famousness? Except for being a whiner? This is why you're the popular one and I'm the one, offering to 'help' you with your 10 page essay, right?
zoeyjane's last blog post..http://mommyismoody.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/mother-earth-and-us/' rel="nofollow">Has it been two weeks, already?
Glad you found your snarky award :) I am just now getting back to my blog. Havent had the chance to let anyone know. Off to do that now :)
Lib's last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NotMuchMoreThanThis/~3/233300192/got-snark-blog-award.html' rel="nofollow">got snark? Blog Award
PS Enjoy :)
Do not, I repeat do NOT let the in-laws read the blog....I purposely do everything in my power to not allow my in-laws access to my domain of where I can gripe about them. Great answers to the meme, and this is actually one I never got tagged for. No, I am not begging either :)
Penelope Anne's last blog post..http://cafeendofuniverse.blogspot.com/2008/02/temper-tantrum-tuesday-with-side-of-tag.html' rel="nofollow">Temper Tantrum Tuesday with a Side of Tag
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