What's It About?
I've been sort of a negligent writer lately. Partly I've been busy, and nursing what had been a slightly withering social life, which is a very good thing considering I've been here for six months, and having friends certainly makes life a lot more happy place, so I've made it a priority lately.
I've also been doing some thinking.
Several days back, Gillian wrote about being asked at a recent blogger meetup, "So, what's your blog about?" I fell victim to the same conversation, and I think she managed to eke out at least a semi-respectable answer, whereas I, although now having fair warning that the question was still coming, still didn't venture much in the way of either witty comeback or solid response.
Oddly, certain ideas seem to travel in waves, and this one seems to be the theme for the week.
I've happened across other people in the last several of days who are asking or responding to the same existential questions about online presences, and if that weren't thought-provoking enough, had a late night conversation with a girl friend picking apart questions like:
Is blogging more or less valid than journaling?
What does it say about a person when he or she wants to exhibit things for all the world to see? Is it simply attention-mongering? Solipsistic obsession?
Is there potential corruption in the power of being able to rewrite the world to match your point of view? To present conflict without the other person's side being represented?
All valid questions, I think, and important ones, but on the other hand, there's a self-regulatory factor going on. The best and most readable and entertaining blogs are often those whose authors are honest, respectful of their audience and their acquaintances, and who seem to write for themselves rather than for their readers. The question of why publish still remains, but on that token, is the desire to publish a novel or poem much different? If you write something out of a moment of inspiration, possibly for someone dear to you, does it make it profane to want to share it?
Anyway, I'm starting to suffocate under the weight of my own rhetorical questions, so I'll leave it at that, but did want to answer the question, now that I've had some time to think it over, about what this site is about. Maybe it's a once in a lifetime chance to write my own dust-jacket text.
* * *
My website is about the random bits of humanity that occur all around us — the fascinating aspects of everyday life that often go unnoticed when a person stares out the window rather than watching the spectacle taking place in his own home.
My website is about understanding myself. It's about seeking to understand other people.
My website is a communication tool by which people I care about can know what I'm up to, even if I haven't talked to them directly lately.
My website is about my cat. He thinks he's worth this much attention, at least.
My website is a way of returning the favor of all the random tidbits of knowledge I glean from reading other people's writings — a way to trade life experience and wisdom.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, my website is about practicing writing and expression in a way that makes the most of my natural self-conscious impulses in response to public visibility to lead me to write often, thoughtfully, and with an intention of quality.
All in all, I'm not sure if enjoying doing these things makes me self-centered, exhibitionistic, or overly susceptible to the influence of others' approval, but it's definitely a lot more rewarding than watching TV. And there are plenty of things it could be about that it's not, and I'm glad for that as well. Overall, I fairly happy with this weekend getaway I've made for my psyche.
I've also been doing some thinking.
Several days back, Gillian wrote about being asked at a recent blogger meetup, "So, what's your blog about?" I fell victim to the same conversation, and I think she managed to eke out at least a semi-respectable answer, whereas I, although now having fair warning that the question was still coming, still didn't venture much in the way of either witty comeback or solid response.
Oddly, certain ideas seem to travel in waves, and this one seems to be the theme for the week.
I've happened across other people in the last several of days who are asking or responding to the same existential questions about online presences, and if that weren't thought-provoking enough, had a late night conversation with a girl friend picking apart questions like:
All valid questions, I think, and important ones, but on the other hand, there's a self-regulatory factor going on. The best and most readable and entertaining blogs are often those whose authors are honest, respectful of their audience and their acquaintances, and who seem to write for themselves rather than for their readers. The question of why publish still remains, but on that token, is the desire to publish a novel or poem much different? If you write something out of a moment of inspiration, possibly for someone dear to you, does it make it profane to want to share it?
Anyway, I'm starting to suffocate under the weight of my own rhetorical questions, so I'll leave it at that, but did want to answer the question, now that I've had some time to think it over, about what this site is about. Maybe it's a once in a lifetime chance to write my own dust-jacket text.
* * *
My website is about the random bits of humanity that occur all around us — the fascinating aspects of everyday life that often go unnoticed when a person stares out the window rather than watching the spectacle taking place in his own home.
My website is about understanding myself. It's about seeking to understand other people.
My website is a communication tool by which people I care about can know what I'm up to, even if I haven't talked to them directly lately.
My website is about my cat. He thinks he's worth this much attention, at least.
My website is a way of returning the favor of all the random tidbits of knowledge I glean from reading other people's writings — a way to trade life experience and wisdom.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, my website is about practicing writing and expression in a way that makes the most of my natural self-conscious impulses in response to public visibility to lead me to write often, thoughtfully, and with an intention of quality.
All in all, I'm not sure if enjoying doing these things makes me self-centered, exhibitionistic, or overly susceptible to the influence of others' approval, but it's definitely a lot more rewarding than watching TV. And there are plenty of things it could be about that it's not, and I'm glad for that as well. Overall, I fairly happy with this weekend getaway I've made for my psyche.