I can't believe that I'm approaching nearly 300 postings! Granted I don't write elaborate essays but in the short time I have been blogging, I consider myself pretty prolific; enough to offer some observations about blogging that I'd like to share with you:
1- Blogging is time consuming. Believe it or not, sometimes producing 6-8 jokes may take 1-3 hours. So either joke writing is difficult or I'm an idiot. This is a typical conversation that I have with myself before writing a joke: Is this joke topical? Is it off limits? Is it funny? How can I combine the premise with the assumptions people have about the subject matter. Will people get the punchline? Am I wording the joke correctly? How is the rhythm of the joke? Is the joke too subtle? Is it too obvious or cheesy? How can I link idea X with idea Y while still remaining humorous? Can I edit this?
2- Commenters come and go. My blog may be the flavor of the month with a certain blogger for a long time and then like all my ex girlfriends, they go away. Sometimes they return and it's a good surprise but when they don't return I just hold on to the cherished memories that we once shared. I just hope that such bloggers find someone that will treat them better than me or provide what I couldn't. I wish them the best.
3- Reciprocity isn't automatic. When I first started blogging I was under the false belief that if I participate in another person's blog, they will automatically participate in mine. Boy was I wrong! There is one blogger in particular who always has activities and games and I was loyal an participated multiple times but after giving it up and not getting commitment, I felt like a cheap hooker; used and abused.
4-Just because I don't comment, doesn't mean I don't read the blog. This seems hypocritical considering observation #3. On the one hand I read some blogs and at times I don't respond or comment. On the otherhand I feel neglected when I'm overlooked. Hypocritical? yeah I'd say so. I will say this. I have learned alot from the many bloggers I follow.
5- I think that following someone only because they follow you is kinda' cheap. I follow people on my blog because I find something interesting about their blog. I especially look for a blogger with a unique point of view even if I don't adhere to that view.
6- It's easy to get lazy with your blog and produce half ass posts. Having a successful blog requires effort,brainstorming, and just giving a crap.
7-Sometimes doing nothing is a good way to recharge your creative juices.
8-I take my blog very seriously. It's funny actually that I'm so paranoid about creating shitty content on my blog. This is motivated by two factors. One, my mental problems. Two, taking pride in the quality of my work. I don't like it when bloggers say, "Today I don't have shit to say". Come on, that's not even trying. It's better to do nothing, rest your mind, and post a kick ass post.
9-Bloggers think that other bloggers have kick ass blogs. I read some interesting stuff that makes me wonder if there is any virtue in my blog but then I read a blog from someone I admire and they too feel the same way. The source is all the same: insecurity.
10- I will probably receive very few awards and/or followers. I know that my "material" isn't on the same level as Churchill but that's o.k. Also , I refuse to talk about typical crap to get universal appeal such as (I better not). One of the regular commenters here had a great article about what makes for a great blog and she said that you stay true to your theme and point of view. In otherwords, don't be something you're not (Remember Vanilla Ice?). I feel that I've kept it real. Also, I take pride in trying to be original. My blog flies under the radar a little bit but I just tell myself that the few that are aware of it are "exclusive". It protects my ego a little bit.
"Spider-Man" the musical, made it's debut on Broadway and received poor reviews, mainly from angry flies.
A man is dead after falling from the upper deck at Chicago's Soldier Field. This tragic news is too much to bear.
Comedy great Leslie Nielson who appeared in The Naked Gun has died at 84. He leaves behind a wife, two daughters, and hundreds of double entrendres. (Thanx Shady for your comment. I had written this Nielson joke but forgot to include it until now)
President Obama has proposed a two year federal freeze pay for federal workers. Sarah Palin responded angrily questioning why we need to refrigerate money.
The roof of a Salvation Army in Colorado collapsed causing about $3 dollars in damages.
Country legend Willie Nelson was arrested for marijuana possession after cops found 6 ounces of weed on his tour bus, right next to the 5 pounds of Dorritos.
A study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology suggests that drug "ecstasy" may help ease post-traumatic stress. It also seems to make subjects believe that they are great dancers at "raves".
Lady Gaga has promised thet her new album "Born this way" will be the greatest album of this decade. I can't wait to hear her first single: Hermaphrodite
Many years ago I was jobless.I'm not saying I would do anything but let's just say I was jealous of hookers. I had applied everywhere and my memory isn't the greatest.
One of the places I had applied for was for a "rehab" place. I get a call for an interview with Adriana. She was Columbian, had a frog face, and had a thick accent. She had alot of attitude so naturally I found her hilarious.
During the interview process, she asks me why I wanted to work at this "rehab" location. I did my best Tom Hanks performance (play violin dramatic music here) and told her that my uncle was an alcoholic and how alcoholism ran in parts of my family and how if I could just help one person rehabilitate themselves, the world would be a better place. I wiped my virtual tear from my face.
"This isn't a drug rehab location," Adriana tells me. "We do rehab for worker's comp claims."
(long pause. 2nd long pause)
"I can do that too! I tell her with enthusiasm.
I got the job.
Miley Cyrus turned 18 this November 23rd. Bang Brothers did you hear that?
Former U.S President Jimmy Carter has released his latest best selling book: "White House Diary". Here are some exerpts:
Page 123 - "Saturday Night Fever? A movie about Disco Dancing! Who is going to see that?
Page 338 - "I kinda under estimated that Ayatollah Khomeini dude. I'm confident we will get the hostages home very soon."
War is on the brink as North Korea has killed 2 South Koreans by shelling a South Korean Island according to Gilligan and the Professor.
Leonardo Di Caprio travelled to Russia to donate $1 million dollars to save tigers from extinction. He's grreat! (apologies to Frosted Flakes)
The TSA is still freaky. They have set up a complaint number. You must be 18 years to call and wil be billed $2.99 a minute.
Security software manufacturer BitDefender has released a report claiming that 20% of Facebook users are exposed to malware. I’m not surprised. With everyone poking each other,you’re bound to catch a virus.
Inspiration can come from an unlikely source. In this case I was inspired by the South African group, Die Antwoord. I'm serious. Here is why they inspired me and why they should inspire you. They believe in their "art" and are doing music their way which is very strange and unconventional. By today's music standards, they shouldn't exist. The main rapper is a tall,skinny, weird looking dude. The Dj wears a mask on stage. The female singer is short, has a weird haircut and has bad teeth.
But judging by how they perform on stage, you wouldn't know it. They believe that what they are doing is ground breaking and "next level shit". Their belief in their artistic vision has translated into a cult following that now includes me. I wake up ever day singing the shorus: " I got what you want boy ". I admit, it sounds very gay but the chorus is catchy.
In an interview with them, the lead singer, Ninja says that they just wanted to do different music and they never waivered from that vision.
How does that relate to blogging? Well blogging too is an expression of yourself. In a very real sense, bloggers are artists/writers. Too often there is a tendency to get "writer's block" or to doubt the value of our work. I say be like Die Antwoord and re-write your own reality. Believe in your vision, in your art, and don't worry about the critics. Who knows maybe in due time, you too can have a cult following. But if you do get a cult following, No Kool aid please.
