Lisa wants to know why we blog - what makes me tick? Why am I obsessed with this blogging thing?
The Joy of Blogging (originally aired August 3, 2006, with some revisions added)
There is always a sense of thrill when discovering a new passion.
Whenever I discover a new author I have to pick up every single book
the author has ever written, particularly in the SF genre, where all
books lead to series and sequels. When I started scrapbooking, I had to
have all the newest gadgets, embellishments, papers, and doohickeys. I
still do to some extent, but the excitement has tapered off to a level
of acceptance to the checkbook. When my husband and I started
landscaping our first house, I couldn't find enough exotic and unusual
plants. The first time watching QVC, I was mesmerized by all the
glittery dangles, smelly baubles, and flashy toys. I admit I bought a
few things; more than a few things.
Now I blog. Oh sure I still
do all the other stuff, but blogging has become central. I find myself
seeing blog topics everywhere; the odd bird sitting on my fencepost, my
daughter' need to eat popsickles, my son's penny swallowing incident, dustdevils, and the like.
It isn't only my blog I'm crazed
for. It is all the others I read. I have become fascinated with the
gossip of people's lives. I watch for updates on Julie and Tiggerlane's houses. I wonder if Dirty Uncle Mark and Marnie have found true love and if so - will they live somewhere in the middle like Idaho? I anxiously await for Willowtree to write the next installment of his Big Bus Ride. I read Ian to find out how his book writing is coming along. I cheer for Melissa, and wished I could have gone to her party. I wonder what Susan's kids are going to get into next, and I get excited when I see Bloglines light up for Robin, Beccy, Nikki, Mama Dramas, and Oh the list goes on....
Is
this craze healthy? Probably not. My housework is suffering. My
children are being ignored. Errands are not being run, groceries not
bought. There is a bed not slept in. I had blamed the garbage man, but in reality it is my sudden addiction to blogging. I admit it.
But
then again, blogging isn't such a bad thing. It is a great outlet for
writing. Stories shared are stories read by others. Comments are small
acknowledgments. Yes, my story was read and even liked.
Blogging
is great for learning. When reading other blogs, I find places I want
to visit. I learn about histories and cultures. New hobby techniques,
child-rearing skills, and even cooking recipes are to be discovered
within the blogosphere. Problems solved and questions answered are all
within a click away.
And lastly, and probably the best of all,
blogging is free. When my husband complained that I was on the
computer, AGAIN, I merely smiled and said, "When I'm blogging, I'm not
spending any money." And how can you argue with that?