When I started blogging, I had no idea what I was doing…no idea how to get “followers” or “friends” or whatever you want to call YOU PEOPLE (Personally, I like to call you my crash. And for that to make sense, you’ll have to read this…the relevance is near the bottom with the rhinoceros).
Then I happened upon all those prolific writer people…like dooce. Or the bloggess…or that Pioneer person…whoever you see as Super Awesome in this world of internets.
And I saw what they did that made them so…how shall we say…popular?…and I tried employing some of those tactics.
Now, anyone who knows me (which, in reality, is probably no one except Tim?), knows that “popularity” is this elusive, top secret club that I cannot seem to gain entry in any facet of life. It’s like ohhhh!…I’m almost…there…annnnnd…damn. It evades me again.
Blogging has been like that for me. There was a point where I had thought I had something really good going.
Then I stopped being “funny” and all communal like and visible and commenting every which where…and, the stopping, by the way, was thanks to the old-new-asshole I like to call my daily visit to the seventh circle of snake balls. And I hate snakes. And balls. Random sidebar: I actually tried a nice set of animal testicles – fried, mind you – yesterday at work. This has nothing to do with anything other than they were the most vile tasting things I’ve ever put in my mouth. Ever. And I’m talking over things like boogers, here (and me + boogers = freak out session). And the thought of a snake makes me want to climb the walls and hang from the ceiling fan.
Point is: the job sucks away my life like one of those ghost things in Harry Potter…the dementers or whatever they’re called. You know, the ones where you have to eat chocolate after an attack……(hmmm….chocolate….)
And as to why I ate testicles at work, that’s an entirely different story, but they were on a platter with pigs feet, two tongues, a tiny fried brain and red crickets, among other things.
Anyway, back to why I’m even here.
I started blogging with no plan. I kept blogging trying to get *popular*
Obviously, I’m not exactly shaping up to become this prolific blogger chick who makes bazillions from writing about her ass…or how she (can’t) cook or how her (nonexistent) baby and dog get along by smearing poo on the walls.
HOWEVER.
There is a lining to this whole thing. Silver. Pink. Chartreuse. Whatever color gives you the warm and fuzzies.
And the reason there is a positive spin and not some tirade as to why I’m not good enough or a plea for help to gain more. More readers. More comments. MORE… is because I’m kind of trying to grow up and not be so selfish. I say kind of because I still like to *be* selfish sometimes.
BUT.
I’m also really going to try to do this for me.
I’m standing up for me.
I’m going to express ME.
And whether all of you people (whom I adore, by the way, and read every comment and respond in my head and then forget to respond via booshy… ) like it or not…I’m doing it.
I may lose every single reader…except Tim, who is a religious reader…but I’ll gain so much more.
And I think that’s important.







Good for you! I found it hard to become “popular” too. It never escapes us does it? The desire to be popular. Grr!
eh – I like the no-plan plan.
I still haven’t figured out what the “point” is to my blog. I don’t care whether anybody reads it. I mean, I’d like them to sure, but I’m not going to stress about it. My job gets in the way too, and if I start to feel pressure to try to keep up with the paying job AND post on a regular schedule to satisfy readers… well, then I’m not going to be very happy and my blog will suck anyway.
I do what I can, when I can, and leave it at that.
Well, you still have me as a reader! I don’t comment much. Hell, I don’t even write much anymore and I have absolutely no reason for it. Except…ah hell I won’t even try to make up an excuse. I’m a lazy blogger lately. I’ll probably be back though.
Anyway, I’m still reading!
You won’t lose me…I have been concerned for the last freakin’ week….
being “popular” is not all that it’s cracked up to be. Oh, and Wyoming is MUCH, MUCH better then Colorado there kiddo.
Glad you posted, I’ll continue stalking. (that’s not illegal is it?)
II hope you still use lots of expletives in your being more you thing. I saw a funny sentence once, it said “anger is a gift” I have tried to embrace that sentiment, as needed and pretty much whenever I wanted to. I’m not entirely sure why reading peoples thoughts makes me giggle but I suppose I am some sort of sicko thought voyuer or something. Hmm, you think I could get disability for being a thought voyuer? Probably not. In any case the group blog is in place…yea! URL is… bleeps2010.blogspot.com. Password is… zaq11qaz I know dull right? become a follower you will be in great company…ok it’s just me now but maybe someday there will be more folks involved. Post whatever you like and the rest will have to guess at who posted what and make our predictions in the comments.
I too have been living the suck-ass job lately and it sure does pull all of the life right out of a person. May your next powerball ticket be the jackpot.
First off, I agree with you on the consumption of testicles. I tried turkey fries at my brother’s house (that’d be turkey balls) and I’m not a fan. It was like eating liver only worse because you knew they were baby makers.
Second, when I started blogging a friend of mine gave the best wisdom ever. She said to keep it as a hobby, as a way to have some fun and meet new people. Not to get caught up in stats or the popular game but to treat it like a hobby. Granted, I’ve only been at it for a year but when I treat the blog as an extension of me (instead of the brand of me) I enjoy it immensely. And it really is all about the people you meet along the way. Try not to get caught up in the things you can’t control – and focus on the things you can control.
I would really like to hear more about the testicles. Unsure how that might affect your popularity – could go either way on that one.
Yay Rah! Good for you!
You stay on my “I follow” list on my homepage…even though no one reads me, the occasional drop-in may accidentally click your link. Be encouraged…besides your great fun to read. I’m here, girl
Breeza: Yes. Popularity is a fickle bitch.
mm: I think NO point is the best point….keeps everyone guessing…and I should take your lead: do what I can, when I can…I like that.
LB: YOU STILL EXIST?!? I just learned something new…hi!
Papa Guy: You? Concerned? YOU?!? I kid…I kid…also? I’m already in love with Wyoming…the western part with the mountains…
Mark: Wait…so if it’s just me…posting…um…won’t the *guessing* be slightly…well…you know…
Michelle F: We’re so buying a ticket…
Brooke: my hobbies tend to end up turning into full on, balls to the wall (whatever that means) projects – which is probably where I went wrong.
Ten Pounds: They were chewy. And tasted like…rotten man meat.
Jodi: I feel so special! I made a homepage! A HOMEPAGE! You’ve made my day.
I’m sorry I have been MIA… I have always liked your voice. I always assumed that you are expressing yourself. I am glad you decided to continue to do so. It is a nice voice. Almost every “seasonal” bloggers that I have ever tried to glean the “blogging secret” from said to “blog for yourself and nobody else.” When you feel like being funny, be funny. When you feel like talking about fried balls, talk about fried balls!!
It is all simple really. You should do the things that bring you pleasure and not do the things that do not. That and trying not to hurt other people along the way is the only secret.
popularity is way overrated – being true to oneself trumps popularity by a gazillion percent – and has the hot air balloon power to take you (and all of us readers) to our happy places alot … I just happened upon your blog when I “got it” about blogging – and I found your words inspiring, insightful and hysterical – until you would choose a four letter word instead of a word that is obviously well within your spectrum of brilliance – to convey a thought and challenge us – your adoring fans. Profanity today is such a cop out and a compromise of effective and entertaining communication –
Having said that you do have a gift – thanks for sharing
WELL, *hmph* YOU LOST ME.
hehehe.
I kid, I kid.
I like being the 1,736,893 popular blog in the world. And I do it by planning nothing.
Jack: actually…, #1,46….whatever you said…is pretty good…I mean, there’s a ONE in the front, right?
First time here. I like the ‘feel” of your site. I like many who have a blog struggle with some of the same feeling that you have. I’m doing this for me but it’s nice to have peeps. Count me in your list of regulars. AJ
AJ: wilkommen!…my piece of German heritage I probably spelled incorrectly…but super excited to have you stop in…*and* stay!
I found the fight to be popular was too much work, too. Congrats on deciding to write for you…you’re good at it!
Kara: yes. I’m on the “originality” boat, now.
And, thank you!