journal/blog survey

Mystery photo from our cottage weekend. Bonus points
to the first person who correctly guesses what this is!


I originally started my Blatherings to keep in touch with friends I don't see often. Then it became a creative exercise to improve my writing; I've compared it several times to what other people would consider their morning cup of coffee. I should expand on that, however, because it's become much more than a mere writing exercise. More on this topic in a future Blathering.

Right now, however, I'd like to clarify a couple of things. I've made some of these points already in a Livejournal entry a while back because of LJ-specific details, but I know the majority of people who read my Blatherings aren't on LJ.

I don't assume all my friends are reading my Blatherings. More and more often, I'm coming across friends who apologize as soon as they see me because they haven't been keeping up with my Blatherings. Please don't. I don't consider my Blatherings a substitute for personal contact. I won't be insulted if you don't read my Blatherings, or haven't been keeping up. In all likelihood, I haven't been keeping up with yours either, if you have one.

I don't write everything in my Blatherings. I sometimes write about very personal things, but I leave out a lot. I will sometimes post cheery entries even if I'm feeling crappy; I've found it's a good exercise plus better therapy than posting a "I feel really down and the world sucks and I want everyone else to feel really down as well" entry. I will also sometimes post rants even if I'm in a good mood.

Survey for all those who currently have an online journal or blog:

How long have you had one? Why do you have one? Personal expression? Connection with friends? Do you write mainly for yourself or mainly other people? Do you assume friends will read it? Do you regularly read other people's Livejournals? How much time do you spend reading journals and/or writing in your own? Feel free to answer in your own journal, but please do post the URL.

One of the article queries I'm working on is about blogs and online journals, so may follow up with some of you in private e-mail eventually. I do promise NOT to use your name or any quotes without permission.

Links:

Torcon photos from Terence Chua. Includes several of me mooning over Dandelion Wine in concert. :-)

Second Life is SO much my kind of online game. Glad it's not Mac-accessible. At least not yet.

September/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ