Comments on: cyber identity crisis

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 08:54:29 +0000

I’m a couple of days late on the commenting thing. This may be weird since I only read and don’t actually know you, but that’s what they’re here for, right? I read blogs in general because I like hearing about what other people are going through and where they are in life. I’m almost positive that I found you through Urban Honking, but with the rate of my clicking, I can’t totally be sure. Because of Perfect Heart I had the chance to email you and ask questions about Portland and you were nice enough to answer me back. Isn’t that some kind of blog success story?
I don’t have any words of wisdom on blogging. Mine only started about two months ago. I like telling stories and it gives me an outlet to ramble, without seeing the look of confusion and boredom on people’s faces. I can also continue to think I’m being hilarious, even if I’m not. Maybe you haven’t outgrown it, but the important things in your life have changed. Your focus has shifted and Perfect Heart needs to move with it.
You’re doing good work and if anything you’ve convinced me that Portland is a great place. Now if only there were more jobs for librarians…

By: hoppock

hoppock — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 04:15:54 +0000

I don’t know about “what’s the use” as far as your personal objectives with your blog. but as a distant reader that doesn’t know you outside of reading your blog, i enjoy it and read it regularly. i can’t really say why. I don’t know. but i hope that you don’t stop blogging. maybe blog somewhere that is not as public as urbanhonking? if that is the source of your misgivings.

By: willow

willow — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 15:29:38 +0000

Wow!
Such rad, thoughtful responses. Thanks, friends.
I’m not going to stop blogging- I’m too vain for that. And to be honest, once I brought up the idea of changing the focus of Perfect Heart I immediately felt adrift. What else would I write about, if not my feelings? :-) I’m still working it out, I guess.
It’s cool to hear from some experienced personal bloggers. i sort of forgot that it’s okay to write first and foremost for myself; that it can still be interesting to other people if my writing is strong enough. And it’s cool that non-bloggers are into it too. Allison- I can’t imagine not having you as a real/cyber friend, even if it takes me forever to write you back. You knew me before you knew me, and I’m so into that! Now I’m your fan, too.
I’ve got a lot to think about. But I love you, dudes. Thanks for being nice.

By: allison

allison — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 11:10:08 +0000

dearest willow,
please remember that without your lovely blog we would not have been internet friends who became friends in real life! and, of course, it is your place to decide what you’d like to do, but it is really nice as a far away friend to be able to read some things about what you are thinking. plus i think that you are amazing and i cannot wait to do some crazy performances with you this summer!
i love you!

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 07:49:09 +0000

There are a million types of blogs out there, and you have to realize that your type–the peek into someone else’s life and thoughts–are just as valued by lots of people as other types of blogs. You’re allowed to have a crisis of faith or nothing to write about, but you’re not allowed to undervalue the strength of your writing or underestimate people’s general nosiness :-)

By: piu piu

piu piu — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 04:35:55 +0000

sometimes you go through periods where it just isnt happening. when i came to the states i couldnt blog. at all. not entirely sure why….maybe because i felt more exposed than i wanted to be…meeting people who could and would read my blog- which was a new experience for me, and an offputting one too. Since then I’ve found it harder to blog than previously. Also, my life is going through a very stagnant few weeks of sitting around at home a lot being broke, and i feel completely uninspired!
anyways. i guess if you want a break, than take it and see how u feel without the blog. it is an addiction, and even a responsibility and we all need a holiday sometimes!

By: jon

jon — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 03:18:17 +0000

this got me thinking — maybe an equally revealing question is “why do the rest of us NOT blog?”
i tried at one point (1998.. mind you before the word “blog” was coined), and hated it. (for the curious, you can see the page in all its glory at http://scribble.com/uwi/uwi/weekly-log.html.)
to be sure, there is a spectrum of public “presenters”, and people are driven by different reasons to put out chunks of words. why dont i? and what (if anything) would start me doing it?
i shall leave these are rhetorical questions to myself (perhaps answered in person at the cafe?), or as an excercise to the reader, if applicable.

By: Sonny

Sonny — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:37:44 +0000

I think we mostly blog for ourselves. For me, it’s a mix between chronicling my own life (sometimes I think it’d be cool for my kids to someday be able to look back on what their dad did/felt), keeping in touch with friends/family, relieving stress, expressing creativity, and crying for attention.
And I wouldn’t so much compare it to tv as much as I would compare it to books and/or music. If I had to make a tv comparison, though, you’d be a reality show on Bravo, I think….either that or TLC. I think those would fit you the best.

By: Sweet Lucy

Sweet Lucy — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 20:45:22 +0000

I don’t know if I have any answers for you, Willow. For me, I mostly just blog for me. Just to write something and try and write it well, but also to feel somewhat connected as I’m writing–hard to do when just journaling.
Your writing as of late has been a little less revealing about your life than usual, and I’m wondering if you’re avoiding certain topics purposely. Most of the time I avoid blogging about B. because it’s so hard to walk that line between your life and your partner’s privacy.
Yes, there are trolls. But there are people whose presence I also really appreciate and relate to, like Piu piu. And there’s blogs I follow simply for the connection, to see what someone else is going through, and why they do what they do. It’s like a vast collection of short stories.
I actually wouldn’t compare your blog to any TV show at all. I would compare it more to a short story collection–TV is too consumable and I think your blog is more interesting and thought provoking than most TV. TV for me is entertainment, mostly silly and stupid, but I think your blog is valuable and has value in and of itself. No matter the time period or whatever. But if it doesn’t work for you anymore, then it doesn’t work. And maybe you can find another medium to express yourself in.
Sorry that was so fucking long! I’m on spring break and have a lot of free time!

By: Mikey

Mikey — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 20:44:30 +0000

I think we blog because we have to. What we blog and how we blog is secondary to that. You shouldn’t feel like you have to blog or you have to cover this or that or fill a niche… you should blog what you want and when you want to.
Now, if you want certain things from your blog… then I think there are a lot of aspects to think about, and a lot of changes you could make to meet those needs. But it doesn’t seem like you want to have a “popular” blog, or become an expert in an field… or any of the things I usually think of as the plus sides to blogging.
In your very first entry you said, ” I want to entertain. … I have great stories. I will create links.” Which I think is a great “mission” for blogging. :)