On a short hiatus this week. I actually took off on Wednesday afternoon, but decided not to mention it until today. Surprise! It was a side trip to see his friends and to somehow celebrate my getting one more year older (like I care – just pretend I’m still in my 30s, okay?).
On Wednesday I woke up and announced to my husband, “I think I’ll be stubborn today.” Hey, why not? It’s a valid emotion, and I gave fair warning. He found it amusing, and something really interesting happened – I felt quite able to put my foot down or disagree and he laughed at nearly every instance, reminding me of my declaration. What a way to act how you like and disarm ahead of time! I think I’ll bottle this approach.
When I have free time, which occasionally happens, I surf Entrecard to find new blog haunts. It’s amazing the crap that’s out there. One blog actually named itself “My big world of crap” blog. Truer words have never been written. There’s one called The Junk Drawer, which is a lovely woman’s musings about whatever floats her boat. There are anime fan sites, real estate sites, photography sites…. basically if you can dream it up, there’s a blog about it.
What really unnerves me is how many comments these blogs get. I mean, one post, random things about the poster, got 43 comments. Seriously? Forty-three comments on how many years she was a cheerleader? Jealousy? Envy? Me? Damn right! The crap blog is getting about 1,600 views per day! Come on, someone. Tell me what I’m doing wrong here!
Perhaps I should talk about random stuff, like how my husband isn’t allowed to say the word “bulghur” around me. I hate that word. It sounds, well, it rhymes with “vulgar”, doesn’t it? Or maybe I should blog about the words we invent. “Stop being persniferous!” Would you like that? To me, that’s not why I read blogs. But I seem to be in the minority.
So tell me – what are your favorite blogs? Why? Which ones do you head toward first? What characteristics do they have that keep you going back, and compell you to respond?
And tell me – bulghur is vulgar, isn’t it?
HA! Well, I have to admit, I do love the Junk Drawer (and am jealous of all her loyal readers).
Other good ones are:
View from the Cloud
Tiggyblog
My Random Blog
and
Cardiogirl
I’d add yours to the list, as well!
JD at I Do Things
Up until recently, I only read my friends’ blogs . . . and then I started a blog of my own (for business, not for pleasure–thus no random crap blogging for me!). I figured I’d better see what else was out there, and now I regularly read your blog, as well as several other freelancers’ blogs (most of which are in your blog list), plus Neil Gaiman’s journal. And of course, I still make time for my friends’ blogs.
You’re a hoot, Lori! I love that word: persniferous. hehehe Here’s ya one: wonkerdoodle! 😉
Functional Shmunctional is awesome and usually always has comments in the double digits.
How about… Derfwad Manor? Her last few posts are running 76-96 comments per post! Amazing, eh?
I’m dying to know what you think about these blogs!
*smiles*
Michele
My favorite blogs? Why that would include yours, of course. Because we seem to share common interests in writing and being entrepreneurial and blogging, so I always learn something.
Guess what? I broke down and posted a new Dismaying Story. Drop by if you get a chance.
Lori, I’ve thought the same way, it seems like the blogs about crap do get a lot of attention. I try, not always succeeding, to give good information and I don’t even want to tell you how little traffic and comments I get. Then again, sometimes I go back and reread some of my posts and say, what was I thinking?
I like blogs that give me useful information, anything that can improve the quality of my life in some small way. I’m so busy with all my blogs, I don’t have too much time to read others, but I’m trying to give them all a chance. Bye, Lori!
I’m as good as there, Andrew! I hope you make this a habit. 🙂
Michele, I’m studying these blogs. They’re great! But what makes them great? That’s what I’m trying to get at.
JD, thanks for all the links. I’ve not made it to them all yet, but I’m working on it!
Writtenexpressions, maybe that’s it. Maybe I don’t read enough blogs to drive traffic here. I have to work! LOL
Thanks, Kathleen. I’ve always felt the same way about blogs. I want to be entertained, but I want to learn something much more.
Yeah, I realize that, Lori. I think what makes them great is the colorful personalities of the authors. You never know what’s going to be in the next post when you visit. There’s always spontaneity, humor, and I guess it just attracts a LOT of people…
*smiles*
Michele
Hi, it’s Kathy from The Junk Drawer. I just wanted to sheepishly chime in and say that I didn’t always have a high number of comments. I’ve been at blogging for almost a year, but for the first six months I rec’d only a dozen comments each post. One thing that happened to me is I got a nice boost from another blogger, a very popular one. He sent me a lot of traffic and that seemed to kick off a wave of new commenters.
One thing I advise any new blogger is to always reply to each comment received. It builds community and returning visitors can see how interested I am in their contribution. People feel loved!
Thank you for mentioning me in your blog.
It doesn’t hurt that you’re also connected to Entrecard, Kathy. I’m totally jealous and envious of your numbers. :))
Thanks for stopping in!