It's funny, isn't it, this thing called blogging?
While I was sitting here eating lunch and browsing around on the Internet, I stumbled across a really interesting blog. With a couple of clicks of my mouse and twenty minutes of my time, I felt as if I knew the blogger- though I have never met her and never will.
I started wondering.....has a complete stranger ever happened onto my blog? Are there people out there that feel as if they know me even if I've never met them?
I have had some pretty interesting conversations lately on blogging. I've talked to fellow bloggers, two people considering starting a blog, people not into blogging, self-proclaimed blog stalkers, and just loved ones who follow our blog. It all has me thinking.
My having a blog is a bit out of character for me in some ways. In general, I am a pretty private person and there is little I hate more than being in the spotlight. I hate (hate, hate, hate) public speaking. There is absolutely no way that I would stand in front of a group of people and share the everyday thoughts and happenings of my little life; it would make me feel so uncomfortable and exposed.
Yet I share a lot of it on a blog. With absolutely no idea of who or how many people are reading it. Hmmmmm.
I started our blog about twenty months ago as a way to share pictures and stories of the kids with their grandparents and aunts and uncles. It didn't take long for the sentimental mama part of me to fall in love with the process; I can sit down at the computer and document a memory in about five minutes. The pictures, thoughts, and conversations are all recorded for me to come back to later. I love it.
I'm also an insanely proud mama. Like most parents I know, I love to talk about my kids and my computer is a captive recipient of my many rambling posts. Of course, a few grandparents I know would read the telephone book if I typed it out as long as it included a picture of their grandbabies- more captive audience. ;)
The biggest perk of blogging is definitely the connection that it fosters with the friends and family that we don't see as often as we'd like. I love that some of them also have blogs. I miss them a little less when I can peek in and check in on them whenever I want. I've said it before, but I wish that everyone I knew had a blog.
I've definitely rambled enough of my thoughts on the subject. Any fellow bloggers or blog readers willing to share yours? What prompted you to start a blog if you have one? What do you enjoy or dislike about blogging? Does it ever drive you a little crazy to write something and wonder if two people will read it or ten? Do you ever feel uncomfortable not knowing who is reading your blog? If you don't have a blog, why not? Do you feel as if facebook eliminates the need for blogging? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Also, you definitely don't have to, but if you regularly read our blog but have never left a comment, I'd love it if you would leave a comment and say hello sometime.
Happy Tuesday!
While I was sitting here eating lunch and browsing around on the Internet, I stumbled across a really interesting blog. With a couple of clicks of my mouse and twenty minutes of my time, I felt as if I knew the blogger- though I have never met her and never will.
I started wondering.....has a complete stranger ever happened onto my blog? Are there people out there that feel as if they know me even if I've never met them?
I have had some pretty interesting conversations lately on blogging. I've talked to fellow bloggers, two people considering starting a blog, people not into blogging, self-proclaimed blog stalkers, and just loved ones who follow our blog. It all has me thinking.
My having a blog is a bit out of character for me in some ways. In general, I am a pretty private person and there is little I hate more than being in the spotlight. I hate (hate, hate, hate) public speaking. There is absolutely no way that I would stand in front of a group of people and share the everyday thoughts and happenings of my little life; it would make me feel so uncomfortable and exposed.
Yet I share a lot of it on a blog. With absolutely no idea of who or how many people are reading it. Hmmmmm.
I started our blog about twenty months ago as a way to share pictures and stories of the kids with their grandparents and aunts and uncles. It didn't take long for the sentimental mama part of me to fall in love with the process; I can sit down at the computer and document a memory in about five minutes. The pictures, thoughts, and conversations are all recorded for me to come back to later. I love it.
I'm also an insanely proud mama. Like most parents I know, I love to talk about my kids and my computer is a captive recipient of my many rambling posts. Of course, a few grandparents I know would read the telephone book if I typed it out as long as it included a picture of their grandbabies- more captive audience. ;)
The biggest perk of blogging is definitely the connection that it fosters with the friends and family that we don't see as often as we'd like. I love that some of them also have blogs. I miss them a little less when I can peek in and check in on them whenever I want. I've said it before, but I wish that everyone I knew had a blog.
I've definitely rambled enough of my thoughts on the subject. Any fellow bloggers or blog readers willing to share yours? What prompted you to start a blog if you have one? What do you enjoy or dislike about blogging? Does it ever drive you a little crazy to write something and wonder if two people will read it or ten? Do you ever feel uncomfortable not knowing who is reading your blog? If you don't have a blog, why not? Do you feel as if facebook eliminates the need for blogging? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Also, you definitely don't have to, but if you regularly read our blog but have never left a comment, I'd love it if you would leave a comment and say hello sometime.
Happy Tuesday!
Comments
I personally like blogging because I like documenting my life for "prosperity's" sake. I enjoy reminiscing about my time in Denver by reading my old blog posts. The pictures and stories make the memories that much more vivid in my mind. I wish I had started blogging sooner. I would LOVE to have some memories and stories written down from my time in Chicago, too. Heck, even college. Memories start to get fuzzy after awhile- a blog puts them back into focus.
I also love that I can stay in touch with friends and family that I don't necessarily see that often. For instance, I have only "met" baby Drew a few times, but I feel like I know him very well because of your postings. Same goes for Gracie and Luke. I love that I know what's going on with the Hedenbergs without actually getting to see you guys that often.
I'm not really bothered by the idea that "strangers" can get a glimpse into my day-to-day life. One reason I love reading random blogs (or even not-so-random ones!) is because they read like stories to me. Or reality television. Both of which I enjoy enormously. I hope random people get as much entertainment out of reading my blog as I get out of reading theirs! I sometimes forget that I'm reading about real people's lives, even.
I also enjoy reading Meaghan and all the niece's blogs. It IS sort of a reality show or a continuation of a book you love. My sisters, my cousins and lots of my friends read Leslie's blog on a regular basis. My sister Sandi, who has no little ones of her own, gives it high praise - which impresses me!! It is definitely a medium where Leslie's creative talents shine. I love Blogs!!
Just keeping the record straight:)
I love your Blog!