You’re like the wife of that guy
I think I have written this post about 100 times in my head. Which is why it is quite lame that this is the way I eventually choose to start it.
The funny thing is that a lot of the time when I post about a thought I’ve had, the post itself morphs into something completely different. This particular post has oscillated (in those versions that never made it to my fingertips) between a bitch session about people who take their blogging way too seriously and an explanation of just how un-seriously I take it (which, I know, is slightly contradictory).
All over the internet in the blogosphere you will find all sorts of people telling you how to go about blogging, how to pick a strategy (and why having a strategy is so important), how to get lots of readers, now to get lots of comments, now to make money from your blog, how to write better blog posts so that you can have more of all of the above. Somehow all these people have come to the conclusion that blogging is so serious.
What they fail to realize is that blogging is just like a sport. Pick your favorite sport, for the purposes of this post I will use rugby. People blog for the same reason that people play rugby.
- The Superstars – these people are the cream of the crop, the massive figures of the game, they have over 100 test caps and hold any number of records. They make money from playing the game of rugby and the rest of the world loves to watch them play.
- The stars – While not quite superstars most followers of rugby in general will have heard of them. They also make money from playing and contribute to the winning team in which the superstars shine.
All the way down to
- The guy who pumps up his rugby ball once a year for the family picnic and then hurts his toe in a testosterone induced I-can-kick-the-ball-further-than-you contest with his 10 year old nephew as soon as it becomes apparent that it is his @$$ that is getting kicked further than the ball.
From a rugby perspective it is entertaining to watch all of these kinds of players, but it is entertaining for very different reasons.
I’m not a superstar blogger, I don’t think I ever will be, I don’t think I ever want to be. I write about stuff that is important, interesting or funny to me. If you find what I write to be important, interesting or funny then that is very cool. I like to be thought of as important, interesting and (or) funny. I like it when I see that something I wrote got read by 12 people. It is very cool when someone takes the time to type a comment about something I wrote.
When I started blogging I was very serious about getting people to read my stuff. I had read a lot of blogs before starting my own and LOTS of people read those blogs, so it is only natural to aspire slightly to those levels of fame (show me a South African male that has not had even the briefest fantasy of green and gold and I will show you someone who can’t remember).
Today that is not such a big deal.
And after 564 words I am not even sure what I am trying to say so I will leave off with this…
Thank you for reading what I write, you are a little but like the the wife of the hurt-my-toe-trying-to-out-kick-my-nephew guy, you have seen the rugby ball come out every year and you know it might not end up being pretty, but you watch anyway, cheering where appropriate and rolling your eyes (still smiling) when the toe get’s hurt. I’ll carry on writing about the random important, interesting or funny things that pop into my head. Mostly I’ll do it for myself but if it makes you think or laugh that is very cool.
Oh, and knowing that there are people out there that actually read my posts will always make me think twice before hitting the publish button. One of my biggest internet regrets is an essay I wrote on computer viruses at university. For the longest time it was the only thing about me that showed up when you Googled me. I am so glad that my other internet contributions have eclipsed that stupid essay on Google.
Do you have your own blog? Why? Why not?
P.S. And yes this blog post did morph into something completely different to what I thought it was going to be.
Because I AM the wife
No, seriously, it fascinates me the way you can take an idea and pull so much out of it, and make it interesting for other people to read- this is not a skill that I have
I agree with Marla… Dare I admit it, but this is the only blog I bother reading anymore! Especially love hearing what your girls are up to!
I assume you are agreeing with the SECOND part of what Marla said? In that case, thanks
Hey Ron,
I enjoy reading your blog because it is about everyday things. Anything from your girls (which I also love reading about) to games that you used to play as a kid. I only see you once a week (and occasionally driving home) so it is great getting to know you this way. I just wish that I was a lot more open about things and able to put it down on “paper” as well as you do.
I do have my own blog too. I take it a bit seriously though. But I have one because I find that that is the way I work through situations and thoughts. I like having things written down so that I can reflect. Hence why mine is more on the serious side. I posted something about movie sequels which is more the kind of post I want to get into doing. Have a read and let me know what you think (subject and grammar -wise).
Have a great weekend
I’m responding to the question “Why do you read my blog” I pressed that choice and the question disappeared but I got a leave a reply. Here goes. I read your blog because I love you and am interested in ANYTHING you write…and you are entertaining. Keep it up and one day you will publish a book…which I will also read because I love you, am interested and am entertained by your thoughts.