Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts

Friday, February 6, 2009

Not everyone should have a blog...

I used to make fun of blogging. For the sole reason that I had only seen a handful of blogs and they could be filed under Downright God-Awful. Since starting my own blog I've discovered blogs that can be filed under Can't Get Enough Please Post More Regularly Even if It's Two-A-Days.

People who can write well, and add wit, sarcasm, and humor to that equation, those are my people. I like you guys. Those of you who cannot write well but write anyway for some insane reason, you are not my people, and I don't like you.

I stumble across horrific blogs daily, and it never ceases to amaze me how these people think I care to kill my intelligent brain cells attempting to get through a paragraph of this crap they call writing. AND why they care to expose their idiocy to the whole world-that is perplexing as well.

Here are some thoughts that run through my head when I have the misfortune of reading said blogs:

-Oh, that's nice, you ate yogurt and granola for breakfast? Fun stuff. Hold on one sec, I want to make a necklace out of paper clips and staples. Yes, that does sound more fun than reading any more of your blog.

-So Crest White Strips really do the trick, eh? I'm so glad you posted the Before and After picture to prove it. I think I'm going to stop eating my breakfast now. It kind of grosses me out that you feel ok with posting a zoomed in picture of your teeth for all to inspect the difference in color.

-I'm just thrilled you've kept your resolution to wash your face and brush your teeth before bed. WAY TO GO. Put a gold star on the chart that is labeled "How to Stay Sanitary" and cross off "Try not to be disgusting" on your To Do list. Good job.

-Good, good. You've lost 2.2 pounds. Now that's what I want to hear about. Go ahead and make me a list of everything you've consumed for the past 2 weeks, please include calories you've burned as well, and the different moves and exercises tried. Oh, looky here! You're one step ahead of me. Yay.

-Two words: Valentine's Day. Who freaking invented this day? It's stupid. And yes, I do have a boyfriend so I didn't take a bite out of bitter salad. And yes, he will do nice things for me on this day, JUST LIKE HE DOES EVERY OTHER DAY. But wait, I do want to hear what you're wearing. Uh huh...uh huhhhh....annnd confirmation of ridiculous. You just said LBD, JC, and VD all in one sentence. Translation for smart people: Little black dress, with Jimmy Choos, to be worn on Valentine's Day.


By all means start a blog. It's fun and addicting. When starting a blog think of these things:

1. Am I starting a blog because I want to keep my family and friends updated on my daily happenings and occurrences? If yes, SAY THAT SOMEWHERE ON YOUR PAGE. Of course THEY want to hear all about what you're doing every minute of every day. But warn the rest of us that you "invite to join in on the fun" that it's actually not fun, and it may possibly kill me. Or make me want to kill you.

2. If you are going to write about daily occurrences, and you want an audience, adding a bit of, oh, I don't know, entertainment, helps. I follow blogs that talk about the smallest of the small and I love it. Becauseeee they.know.how.to.write. I've read hilarious posts about laundry mishaps, cats, and what a kid said when watching infomercials, ALL which would have blown had they not put some thought into it. And they probably only thought about it for 2 minutes. Thinking. Helps.

3. If you've never cared about writing before, if you got anything below a B on most papers throughout your academic career, if you can't write a sentence without abbreviating, if you end sentences with prepositions and aren't at least aware that you are doing so, if you don't know what a preposition is, if you don't know where the spellcheck button is, if you write sentences as long as this one and feel ok about it, then do you think there is a possibility you may not express yourself to the best of your ability through writing? I'm not saying you're stupid. I'm saying you can't write.

4. Going further with #3. If you've ever kept a diary you know the feeling of opening it ten years later. Pure mortification that you even thought, much less, bothered to write.that.down. However, you can laugh it off because you were young and silly. Maybe you've turned into an eloquent journal writer. If so, journal away. If not, and you haven't touched a journal, or barely even written anything with feeling in years, it's probably not a good idea to start an online journal better know as a blog. Why? Because you will look back and be mortified and unable to laugh it off because it was only last year. Last month. Yesterday. That you wrote that. If you're not mortified, someone else will be for you.

5. Going further with #4. I broke out my 3rd grade Secret Diary Journal (equipped with a key of course) last year and began reading, prepared for ridiculous crush banter and 3rd grade drama. This is the first sentence I read: "I spent the night at Kate's house last night and we went to bed SOOOOOOO late!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" First of all, I was in 3rd grade, why did I think 7:30 was so late. Was I cool or what. Second, I think that was the most entertaining thing I read in the whole diary. But that doesn't mean telling people what time I went to bed, now, is. Comprehendo?


I feel like this is all common sense. Apparently a lot of people don't have it. I'm glad the bloggers I follow do. And to all of you who don't, don't fret. You can READ blogs. You don't have to WRITE one. Capiche?





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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Top 10 Things a Blogger Needs to Know and Have

Not everyone has a blog, but these tips are useful for those you know who have a blog, and if you ever wanted to start a blog yourself. Oh come on, you know you want to ;-)

10. A trusty computer
Well, this is obvious. How are you going to blog if you don’t have a computer. Not too much else to say about this one…moving on!

9. A job with free time
Best-case scenario: no job at all. Is there nothing more enticing than a day at home, snuggled up with your laptop, blogging your little heart out? But before you slam down your pen and march out of the office, remember that you need a job in order to survive. You aren't Perez yet. Blog during down time at work (when you find yourself staring out the window, at the person in the building across the street, at the window, busy working, that's when you should work on your blog...creepster). Once your masterpiece blog makes you rich and successful you can have your grande finale at work and retire in blogland.

8. Writing skills
I’m not talking impeccable grammar skills-just the ability to come across like you passed 4th grade writing. In other words, stay away from “ain’t”. Also try to remember contractions (‘your’ vs. ‘you’re’ anyone?) and the correct use of “to” and “too”. Doesn’t anyone else cringe when they see improper use of those words?! Ok, maybe not. But it’s nails on a chalkboard to me. I’m just saying.

7. Ignore negativity
A lot of people haven’t crossed over to the blog-loving-side of the world. Too bad for them. For the rest of us, let’s try and maintain a positive attitude when someone rains on our blogging parade, shall we? They’ll figure it out eventually.

6. Entertaining friends
I suggest carrying around a small pocket notebook. When your friends (coworkers, siblings, acquaintances) say something funny/do something embarrassing/say something ridiculous/act horrendously, you simply jot down a few words describing the moment. Then, when you are in a blogging block, staring at the blinking cursor, wracking your brain for anything to write about, your dependable notepad can save the day! Warning: change names. No need to lose a friend over a blog post. (Then where would you get your inspiration?)

5. Blog love
Every blog needs a little love. If you’re a beginner blogger you know that more than anyone. So put on your sleuthing hat and find fellow bloggers. They’re out there, just itching for you to slather them with love and affection… and make them money…eventually. So be a follower. This is one of the only times you can kick up your feet and let others make (blogging) decisions and (blogging) stories for you. That is, unless you surround yourself with low lifes and negative influences. Then this should be an extremely easy concept for you. It’s simple: Follow blogs, and they’ll most likely follow yours.

4. Be creative
I like to think I’m a pretty creative person. But when it comes to creative technology…cross my name off the creative people list. If you find yourself in the same boat, no worries: there are people who can be creative for you. (Bet your ears perked up, huh? It’s always fun to find other people to do work for you) If you haven’t noticed (which would mean you’re blind) my blog is border-line boring. There’s no flair, nothing catches the eye, the colors are all wrong, it’s just plain disappointing. Especially when the posts are so darn funny, right?? (Riiiiight?) While devotedly following a blog I came across an advertisement for “Once Upon A Blog” (http://onceuponablog.org/) and low and behold, all my questions were answered by a blog genius. There are tons of blog geniuses. Shoot, maybe I’ll even become one and answer your questions. Get back to me in about 6 months. We’ll see.

Note: Yes, I am aware my blog still doesn’t look creative after consulting the blog genius at Once Upon A Blog. That’s because it hasn’t been changed yet, smarty-pants. Give me (and blog genius) a few days. Prepare to be amazed.

3. Have fun
Don’t let blogging stress you out! It’s supposed to be fun and happy! Easy and exciting! Entertaining and thrilling! And many other enthusiastic and positive adjectives! If you can’t think of anything to write about one day—don’t FREAK out. Take a few deep breaths, consult your notepad (#6 in case you weren’t paying attention), and try, try again.

2. Avoid Procrastination
Refer to blog entry #2 from a few days ago. I think that pretty much covers it.

1. Blog away
Get started! Go get em’! And send me your blog link so I can follow your success—or comment on your stupidity. Just kidding!