Friday, March 09, 2007

What I Have Discovered Through Blogging

(A continuation of yesterday’s theme…)

1. I have met (in the “virtual world”) a diverse group of people I would never have encountered in my daily “real” life.

2. I’ve learned things I’d never have discovered on my own simply because of the writings of those diverse people.

3. I’ve become friends with bloggers beyond the blog world – and in the process, become a richer person for it.

4. I’ve learned that even though I do not truly know some of the people whose blogs I read, their posts can reduce me to tears.

5. Every day, I will get a laugh — somewhere, from someone. That is guaranteed.

6. The world of art, literature and music has expanded for me. You can broaden your horizons just sitting at your computer (while it’s on…).

7. Some bloggers leave comments (which I love to respond to). Others rarely do and some never do. It’s all good. Once you have established a regular audience, that’s the reward. (But, hey, those of you who regularly leave comments, don’t stop!)

8. Site Meter is initially addicting. After a certain point, the stats don’t really matter. Interesting, yes. Fascinating, yes. Every once in a while, you check the numbers and smile. You’ve created an audience.

9. Blogging can take up a lot of your time. You must learn to discipline yourself.

10. I no longer try to justify or explain blogging to people who just don’t “get it.” I don’t believe you can understand the phenomenon unless you blog.

11. It was definitely worth starting. Perhaps one day I will stop. Right now, I can’t envision that day. For the amount of time you put in, the rewards are great.

10 comments:

Tim Frederick said...

I've been guilty of lurking lately. I've enjoyed your recent posts about blogging, so much of it mirrors my own experience.

The Guy Who Writes This said...

I'm always surprized by the many readers and people who comment who don't have a blog of their own. They are so into the blog culture, but they never make the leap.

Beth said...

dj: I consider lurking (and I could be wrong) as reading blogs and never, ever leaving a comment or somehow letting your presence be known. And actually, that's okay. I did that for a long time before I began blogging. Some lurkers turn into bloggers, some don't. And that's okay, too. Lurkers are part of the audience...glad to have them - comments or not.

guy: Give them time...they may eventually take the plunge. Perhaps they consider themselves technologically challenged (as I did) or just don't feel they have enough to say to sustain a blog. And to be honest, at times, I really don't either. (No kidding - just check out some of my posts.)

Undercover Mother said...

For all the fear the Luddites have of the Internet, I feel that things such as blogs make the world a smaller place, and that's good. You can find out what's really going on to people just like yourself. I am reading this one blog called Bagdhad Burning. It's been going since 2003 and if you really want to know what's going on, you go there. Just an average person writes it. (Riverbendblog.blogspot.com)

If I want to know about Canada...I go here! :)

Princess Pointful said...

I agree with a lot of what you said in this post. I love the fact that I can connect with people through their writing from all sorts of random places with all sorts of random demographics.

Blogging also makes me think of my day to day life in a different way... almost forcing me to be more articulate about the whole thing.

And it allows me a great way to destress that feels less pointless than sitting in front of the TV.

Site meter is funny, though... it's hard to tell who's a random browser and who's a lurker unless they are from somewhere distinct. Like my lurker from China- I so want to know them!

Beth said...

mof3: I should write more distinctly Canadian content for you...
I've made note of that blog you mentioned - when I'm back in the city with reliable Internet connection, I'm going to take a look.

princess pointful: I have hits from China, Indonesia, Malaysia - all over. How the heck do they come across this blog? And some keep coming back.
As for connecting with others - you and I connecting is interesting in itself. I'm old enough to be your mother! Not having a daughter, I find reading your blog gives me some insight as to a young woman's thoughts - and life.

The Author said...

I was here...but shhhh, don't tell!

Beth said...

john:
Your secret is safe with me.
I'll never tell...

Anonymous said...

all so very true, especially how "non-bloggers" just don't "get it"

Beth said...

coffee mom: Even explaining the word "blog" gets frustrating at times!