Wednesday, August 12, 2009

One Year

It has been one year since I started this blog. Since I put a counter on it, I have been recording 6-12 hits per day, some are people that stumble onto this blog without looking for it. Most people that look at it are regulars.

I have viewed a lot of blogs over the last year and read many on a daily basis. There seems to be quite a variety of styles that people use. Some are travel logs. Some are daily occurences. Some are deep philosophical writings. One strives to be a technical class on how to do things. One friend posts numerous pictures of his cooking each week.

My main objective was to write about what I am doing while I am a retired person. It is as much for me to record(and remember) items as it is to let others know what I am doing. I guess I feel that a blog is somewhat self centered. Obviously I write about what "I" am doing. And for that reason, I often think about not doing this anymore. Why should I write about "me"? I always thought that being on the road and reporting a travel log would be a good way to keep family and friends involved. I enjoy those blogs the most, almost real time. Following someone across country or across oceans is thrilling to me.

I have joined Facebook, but that has not been as satisfying, I like blogging better.

So, for the time being, I will try to keep writing. Feedback is important to me. Anyone have comments?

6 comments:

tillerman said...

I think most blogs are about "me" i.e. the author. That's OK.

I often ask myself the same question, "why do I bother to blog?" I guess everybody has a slightly different answer but for me it's fundamentally that I like to write. In my blog I can have fun with different writing styles. Sometimes it's a straightforward account of a day out sailing, some time it's about dreams and plans, some times it's discussion about how to sail better, sometimes it's just plain nonsense (like my post today).

I once told my wife that my blog is a bit like a magazine. Lots of different stuff... pictures, videos, stories, serious articles, jokes, competitions, etc.etc.

One of the somewhat unexpected paybacks from blogging has been being part of a community that share an interest in sailing blogs. We have fun reading each others blogs, leaving comments, joking about... it's a bit like having a beer and pizza with a group of buddies after sailing.

I think you're doing a fine job with your blog. Keep it up.

gerrycammy said...

The movement of how people consume media has changed dramtically over the past 10 years. Where we once got media only from centeralized distribution network, the masses are now moving into the decenteralized cloud.

I joined facebook about a month ago, and it's blown my mind. I'd much rather read nonsense from friends I haven't seen in years, or look at photos of what they're eating for dinner, than consuming some prime time trash on TV that some executive somewhere thinks I should like.

It's living in the cloud of reality, instead of hiding in fantasy. Reconnecting with real people, not characters. Facebook has provided me an effortless way to not only reconnect with friends, but also learn the intimate details of peoples lives, like, what's annoying them at this moment, and how much coffee did they drink today. And yes, finding out the neighbor girl I grew up playing with is now a supermodel in NY still boggles my mind. It's still amazing that people write these things, and even more amazing that people read them.

Blogging, on the other hand, is a bit more formalized. We put a fair amount of time into posts, and it's something that we hope to hold onto forever... it's out digital baby book for our kids and our lives. I probably won't ever rant there, or share links, that's what facebook is for... the blog, is all about us.

Anyway, I like your blog, and what you write about. I might not read every post in it's entirety, but I think it's pretty neat what you choose to write about. But, I'll fully admit, the sailing porn is why I come here.

Keep writing. :)

Dan said...

Gerry
And with the counter I have, I notice a lot of people looking at my blog while they are still at work! Shame! Shame! :-)

Anonymous said...

You are doing fine with your blog, keep up the good work. Your ability to get out and do things that many of us who for one reason or another are unable to gives us arm chair voyageurs an outlook to another world.

Anonymous said...

More Cow Bell.......

Terry said...

Keep up the good work Dan. I've been busy this summer so not much blogging for me but I hope to pick it up a bit after the end of September.