It's come up in a few conversations recently how much I love this blogging stuff. I really do. I remember when I first heard the word, "blog," I asked "What's that?" and the person said, "It's where someone types their journal online so everyone can read it." I believe my response was something along the lines of, "That's stupid. Why would anyone want to read someone else's journal?" How naive of me.
Then I had a couple of friends give me the addresses of their blogs, and I looked at them a couple of times, was quite intrigued, started looking at links to other blogs from their blogs, and pretty soon I was checking blogs on a daily basis. At that time I had just had my first baby and I thought, "hmm...it might be kind of fun to start a blog so I can stop filling my family's inboxes with digital photos." So I started one of my own, and how do I love blogging? Oh, let me count the ways!!
I love that when I have a question or a funny story, I can share it instantly with a bunch of people (and get feedback!). I love that I have a sounding board for whatever ails me or to share words of appreciation for the blessings that I don't deserve. I love that I have a record of the things that my family has done for almost the past 2 years, and that I can look back to the blog as a reference point for when certain milestones were achieved or goals were set.
And besides all the enjoyment I get out of my own blog, I love, love, LOVE reading everyone else's! It's so great to be able to keep up with people that I know I wouldn't otherwise. And I have learned a ton from reading others' stories of what has worked and what hasn't. What they've tried, how they go about things, and how they're feeling about it. And some days, when I'm home with the kids and feeling a bit lonely, thank goodness for my blogs! I've got my laptop open and my reader up and I'm just waiting for new posts. One pops up and BAM - someone else is out there! I can read what they're thinking right now! And I can respond! Like I'm having a conversation! The other day, Brian came home from work and I told him, "It's been a quiet afternoon. No one has posted on their blogs." Isn't that weird? Yeah, maybe that's taking it a bit too far.
But I'm always amazed at how many people tell me that they are reading this thing. I always think, "Really? You DO?" It just makes me want to write more. But more than that...I want to READ more. So...I'm putting the pressure on. I believe I've influenced a handful of people to start blogs of their own (Hi, Mom! Hi, Jen! Hi, Beth!). And it's my personal goal to get everyone I know to start a blog. I've even mentioned it to several of you (you know who you are.) So - what are you waiting for? You'll love it! I'll love it! Come on in, the water's great!
The Five (#10 Slowly Getting Later Edition)
5 weeks ago
9 comments:
You are my inspiration! I loved reading about Katy and decided to start my blog after Emmaline's birth...surely I'd have lots to write about with 3 kids. Blogging is awesome if for no other reason than it helps me fill in dates in the baby books waaaaaaay after the fact! Thanks for getting me hooked!
Emily, you are going to love this. Emmaline got up early this morning and is cranky because of her teeth. As Brett was getting ready to leave for the day, I cracked open the laptop, pulled up my reader, and said, "I hope there are lots of posts today." :) You are exactly right--it is so, so nice to feel connected when we might otherwise occasionally feel a bit isolated. :)
I LOVE blogging!! Thanks for inspiring me! Your blog will always be my first :)
Are you, like, IN MY HEAD?
I've been composing a post in my head about this for the past 3 months. Only I still haven't gotten around to actually WRITING it.
Mostly it stemmed from getting our good friend Cindy to get a danged blog already. The girl has pictures! And funny captions! And she still sends them out on EMAIL?! Feel free to join in nagging her with me.
Right there with ya! Sometimes I want to write and don't because I think, "Man, I write practically every day about things other people really don't care about...." but then I get responses and find out other people really do care about them and enjoy reading about my life. Crazy, if you ask me, but it's so nice to know other people read some of my thoughts.
I love reading your blog and several others. As you know, I've even befriended a couple of your friends (and your mum!). I wish my friends would blog more instead of doing Facebook. Facebook is good for about a minute but then boring. I mean, how many times can someone poke you before you just start hitting "ignore"?
I, too, am amazed at how much I come to the blogs to check on what people are up to and to keep from feeling alone in the world. I would never have time to read or write enough letters to keep up with everyone.
Pictures with a context, though, is the best part. :-)
Emily
I updated my blog last night so it has my list of blogs that automatically update by RSS feed - that way I can see immediately who blogged today. It's a great tool so thought I'd tell you about it.
Wow, that's it. Blogging is a community of friends. I love that there is always someone new out there to "meet".
Do you use an RSS reader? That helps. I like Google Reader. I leave my computer on almost all day, and I tend to leave Google Reader on too. Then I can catch up on when someone has a new blog. It's fun. I don't think it's strange at all. These are some of our greatest friends.
*A little off the subject:
Matt is contemplating applying for a job in Columbus. As he was talking abuot it, I was gettin excited. I could meet Emily and her family. We could hang out and do fun things together. Ha ha. See? I think about blogging and bloggers all the time.
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