Blogging: What’s the Point?

Warning:  Much ranting ahead.

I’ve seen articles posted on various blogs with tips on how to do this and that with your blog to make it better.  Adding/using widgets, customizing the appearance, tracking stats, monetizing, etc.  And don’t forget about promoting your blog using Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Buffer, YouTube, [insert latest social media here].  Annoyingly many of these articles seem to claim that when it comes to blog hosting, Wordpress is the only way to go.  Eye roll.  To quote one blog “if you aren’t already using Wordpress, you need to be”.  This part I always groan at because to me it matters less where you host your blog and more how you use it. 

This can be explained in two parts.  First, in the available features of the site you choose.  I’ve heard much praise on the features available to wordpress users and how well they can fully customize their blogs.  These are only great if you actually use them.  Example, I’ve seen blogs that look wonderful, super well designed.  Guess what?  They’re on blogger.  On the other hand I’ve seen blogs with colors and layouts that scream “default”.  Blogger again?  Nope, Wordpress.  Either site works well as long as you choose what works for you and put in the effort to make your blog the way you want. 

Now the second part gets us closer to my main point, using your blog.  I recently visited another wonderful looking blog.  Everything about it was perfect except for one thing, it was dead silent.  There might as well have been cobwebs hanging around from the lack of activity from the blog owner, not that I really should talk much about inactivity.  Of course I usually avoid going 2+ years without updating.  Meanwhile I know of another blog with a comparatively basic look to it, not to mention a color scheme that I personally wouldn’t go for in a million years.  It is alive with activity from both the author and her readers.  Plenty of posts as well as comments.

Yes, we have finally gotten to my point.  The point?  Blogging isn’t about pretty banners and backgrounds or having a “professional” looking site.  It’s isn’t about following others via every social media site under the sun hoping some of them will follow back.  It’s about sharing yourself with others.  What did you do this week that made you happy?  Share it.  What did you make yourself that you’re proud of?  Share it.  What do you like to do that you think others might like too?  Share it.  What can you teach others to do right now?  What has been on you mind that is just screaming to get out?  What do you want to say that will take more than a photo or 50 characters? Share it!  Share it with others and let them share back. 

This is why I continue to blog, even to come back to my blog after much time away.  So I can Share.  Look forward to more sharing.

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The Good and the Bad

Some good news and bad news.  First, the other day I just happened to notice that I now have 100 followers.  Yay!  Quite the surprise too, I guess I’ve been too preoccupied to notice how close it was to 100.

Now the bad news.  It’s the end.  Disney’s blog, ~Ruffles and Stuff~, has come to an end.  She did her last two posts the other day stating that she is leaving the blogosphere, possibly permanently.  It is such a shame, no more new and cute tutorials and pretty photos, but at least the old blog posts will be staying up for everyone to enjoy.  That includes all her pretty tutorials, check them out here.  And maybe in few years she’ll come back, cross your fingers.

Update:  I should have mentioned this much sooner, but crossing our fingers worked.  ~Ruffles and Stuff~ started up again sometime ago and has been going strong with plenty of new posts.  Yay!

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Whining Time: Peace and Quiet?

Ever gone to a library and found it would be quieter if you worked outside, if not you are so very lucky.  If so, I feel your pain.

It’s strange because I remember, when I was little being taught that you must speak softly in the library and to be very quiet so not to disturb others who are reading and working.  It seems that either I’m the only one who was taught this, or I’m the only one who remembers. 

I always see people at my local library chatting away or talking on their phones which is worst.  The other day I over-heard a man on his phone talking from all the way across the room.  The ironic thing is he was mostly telling his friend that he “couldn’t talk now because he was at the “library”.

The worst case happened some time ago.  I was trying to do some work on the second floor, and apparently there was some sort of lecture or conference going on in one of the rooms.  No problem there, I guess the walls are sound proof or something.  But when it let out, the place started to rumble like an earthquake coming.  About 2 or 3 dozen people came out to wait to take the elevator, all talking in unison.  It sounded like a concert had ended.
 
In a word, I felt pissed.  I thought of telling them all to shush because it is a “library”, but considering the mood I was in,  I didn’t think it would have been wise to open my mouth.  Who knows what would have come out.  I’m surprised none of the librarians or staff said anything about it.  They’re all probably too used to the volume level to really notice anymore.  I feel kind of bad for them.  At least I can leave if it bothers me too much.

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