BYOC..Its Friday

1. When did you begin blogging? Do you plan to do it a long time or do you think you’ll stop after a while?

I began blogging almost four years ago (I cannot believe it has been that long!). It is funny really. I have never been a journal keeper or consistent at anything really. This blog has become quite the marker in my life. In a way it matches my weightloss...finally stuck both out for the long term. Do you think the theme about most things is slow and steady? :) I have sort of taken that on as my motto in life these days.

2. What do you enjoy more - blogging yourself or reading other’s blogs?

I like both. Somedays I just cannot wait to get some profound thing down that has been rolling in my head or some event that has occurred and I start drafting the blog post even before I am near a computer. At other times I read a blog post that touches me, makes me feel close to another blogger, sympathize with their words or even be inspired by a break through or struggle. I also LOVE reading the comments people post..both to others and to my own posts. Sometimes the real gem is in a comment.

3. What’s the biggest thing blogging has taught you? Biggest surprise about blogging?

hmm I agree with Read...that you can connect with other people that you have never met. Even more odd I sometimes wonder if I connect more with them on the computer than in real life. I am sorta shy really and my experience at boobs was a tad overwhelming...but that brings us to number 4.

Also-read number 1. That whole long term thing is pretty powerful in my head :)

4. Have you met any other bloggers in real life – solely because of your blog or theirs?

I have met several both at BOOBS and when they came to Portland or I travelled to other places. I find that the one on one meetings are the most fun (but that might be my nerdy inability to handle socializing in crowds well). see above.

5. Does your blog have a general theme as in one topic or do you cover everything and anything?

I focus on my lapband but of course weightloss is not a single item issue so everything creeps in. I keep some stuff to myself if I am concerned it will hurt anyone I care about. See below for more on that topic :)

I have another blog-We did it-I am lame at staying on top of it. For some reason weight-loss has been a topic I can stick with better. I am planning on opening a knitting store so my brain is working on yet another blog/webpage to accompany that adventure.

6. Are you public or anonymous? Whichever you are – do you ever wish you were the other?

I am public, open and at times I wish I was anonymous. I do keep stuff back because I know 'people; who know me read this. Of course if you don't have something nice to say about someone you might as well keep it to yourself right? I wish I could keep this motto better in my off-blog life :)

7. What’s your best blogging advice for a new blogger?

Keep at it. Be yourself and be honest that is what we really want to hear about and what we will connect with. It is also what you need to do so that you can use this as a record for your life. Don't worry about how many people follow you or don't. there are plenty who are lurking and think of this blog for yourself. A place to get your thoughts and feelings out and keep a record. I cannot tell you the number of times I have gone back and discovered a pattern to my behavior that needed changing or just recognizing so I didn't feel so bad about it. THis blog has done wonders to help me examine myself..warts and all.

8. Does anyone in your real life read your blog/know its address? Do you wish they would or wouldn’t?

Goodness yes. I have friends in my neighborhood, extended family members, colleagues...it is sometimes pretty creepy to think about. My husband reads it sometimes even. Everyone has been very supportive and nice about the blog. Again this knowledge sometimes causes me to keep things back but hey...I don't need to say everything do I? :)

9. Do you enjoy blogging or do you view it as a chore? How often do you blog?

I do enjoy it. If it were a chore I wouldn't do it. I blog sometimes a few times a week, sometimes every day and other times with week gaps. I have actually increased the regularity over time because I have figured out that the venting and looking back is so beneficial. I do tend to blog more when stuff is happening around here either with my band, eating or life events. I will let days go by when things are boring or too busy to take a moment to stop and type an entry.

xxxooo