A bit of euphoria about blogging
on Jul 21 in Uncategorized by DanOn Saturday Kerry, Amy, Evan and I headed down to London for the weekend courtesy of those nice people at Think Parents. Yes, an all expenses paid weekend in London. With trains and hotels and meals and everything. I know – mad isn’t it.
Over the past couple of months my blogging world has exploded somewhat. Both on the materialistic front (with free Blu-ray players, trips to theme parks, etc), but more importantly, it’s exploded socially too. Historically most of my blogging interaction has been with people in other countries, and as a result geography has dictated that our friendships have developed through the sterile membrane of a computer keyboard.
I’m under no illusion that this in anyway devalues the relationships I’ve made however. You only have to look at the amazing levels of support I got with last years Dales Walk and the dozens of friendships I’ve made to see that despite it’s virtual overtones, blogging creates very real and very wonderful social communities.
But now my blogging world seems to have started bleeding into my regular one. Over the past few weeks I’ve met a dizzying number of bloggers face to face: Rosie Scribble, Tara, Kerry, Preseli Mags, Linda and notSupermum (briefly). And of course Hadrian’s Walkers Jo and Ian. Heady stuff for a social recluse such as myself.
And it doesn’t end there. This whole Hadrian’s Walk thing effectively means I’m in the process of arranging to have eighteen other bloggers come with me on my holiday next year.
And it’s bloody fantastic. I haven’t felt this enthusiastic about blogging for years. I even came straight in at number 7 on a Top 100 British Parent Blogger list this weekend which, while it no doubt shows that there is something wrong with their measuring criteria, is rather good for the old ego. Especially as I came in 2 places higher than Ian. Ha! The loser! (Shut up Jo, I know you’re three places higher than me. But such lists are ultimately meaningless and you’re just exposing yourself as a pompous blowhard for gloating about it. You make me sick, you really do).
Of course my actual page views hasn’t gone up. But to be honest that doesn’t matter. I’m more than happy with the little circle of friends I’ve got going. The thing that is really exciting me is that all of these friendship seem to be suddenly becoming more solid somehow. It’s like someone’s pored fertilizer on my blogroll or something. It’s great.
I’ll blog about our trip to London later this week. But the reason I was there was to take part in a sort of filmed focus group talking about the wonders of Blu-ray for the Disney Website. Oh yes, Disney now owns my soul, lock stock and barrel.
It was fun, although a little disconcerting at times. I’m not even sure they’ll even use anything I said as I tended to just trail off into confused rambling. The thing I really objected to was the make up artist who dusted my face in order to stop it shining on camera also dusted the entire top of my head too. What was she saying?! I’ll have her know that I have magnificently luxuriant mass of hair up there! It’s just very light in color so it’s hard to see sometimes, that’s all. Apparently that’s considered extremely attractive in some cultures you know.
Extremely attractive.
Related posts:
- Blogging for Fun and Profit?
- An Alternative State of British Parent Blogging 2009
- Reasons to love blogging, part 1
- Blogging: 4 years, 1071 posts, and the chance to make a difference.
- Day Four: Blogging Tips
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Congrats on all your accomplishments. I always knew you were headed for bigger things. But that’s what happens when you stir up the pot and start doing socially noble things, like the Dale’s Walk etc. Now I’m waiting for when you become a world famous poultry blogger and you end up on the talk show circuit.
.-= Jeff´s last blog ..Just wish me luck =-.
@Jeff, You and poultry! I know it’s hard to fight against fetishes, but a least try to mask it Jeff.
Seriously dude, or should I just call you Walt now? You’re comfortable with me bringing up the rear, your rear?
.-= SingleParentDad´s last blog ..I Have a Name =-.
@SingleParentDad, again with the smut. No wonder you’re only the 9th best parent blogger.
A bit of community feeling is great isn’t it?
:)
.-= Clair´s last blog ..Kind of back =-.
@Clair, and you’re part of it. You could even say you were Clair in the community!!! (Yes I realize Radio 4 got there first, but the joke still stands)
At this rate we’ll be going round in limos wearing shades before long…
.-= Tim´s last blog ..Howzat! =-.
@Tim, you mean you haven’t got your limo yet?
Ha! Found you. No, I don’t know why the make-up artist was powdering your ‘hair’ either! ;-) No confused rambling from you – you made sensible, clear and appropriate comments, as did Jo and the lovely twins. I, on the other hand, don’t remember saying anything. Did I speak?
.-= Preseli Mags´s last blog ..London or bust =-.
@Preseli Mags, I think every single one of us believes that everyone else were great and we were rubbish. Hopefully the truth is somewhere int he middle.
Congratulations!
I was delighted to be a new entry at no92! Of course it won’t change me. No. No photographs!!
.-= SandyCalico´s last blog ..Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers =-.
@SandyCalico, The only reason i was number 7 is that I’ve been at this a bit longer than most people on the list. Time + mediocrity = veteran
I’ll have you know that I’m only friends with you because of your ranking in the top 10. How does it feel to be a celebrity?
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Lesson: Leaves are never squishy =-.
@Erin, pretty good. Although the press photographers are getting a little intrusive. I was photographed getting out of a car with no underwear on last night. Very embarrassing.
Blooming ‘eck, I should have asked for your autograph when I had the chance – new in at number 7?? Wow! But no surprise, your blog is brill and the kudos is very well deserved.
.-= notSupermum´s last blog ..Me, Myself and I =-.
@notSupermum, looking at the scoring methodology my listing is fortuitous rather than deserved.
Congratulations! It’s all well deserved.
.-= VegasDad´s last blog ..it was just a leap =-.
@VegasDad, thanks, but it’s totally not – which makes the spoils even the more sweet :)
Snort, I wasn’t going to mention the head powdering thing at all, honest. But then you won’t mention me pretty much killing my dad off part way through the shoot will you. And my limo is pink. It’s a bit gauche, but I’m coping. :D
.-= Jo Beaufoix´s last blog ..The Highlight of a Big Day =-.
@Jo Beaufoix, only two more years of buying hi Christmas presents left to go!
milk disney for what they’re worth..just saying ;)
@Arjan, ALL they are worth? Blimey, that’d take a while, but I’m up for it.
Wow, congrats. That is great. You’ll be #1 in no time at this rate.
And I know what you mean about the blogging thing taking off. I just got a few people to vote on what book I should read. Now that is the big time.
.-= James (SeattleDad)´s last blog ..Aged Longer for Extra Flavor =-.
@James (SeattleDad), you know a Dad’s bookclub isn’t a bad idea at all. As long as you kept the pace slow enough to make it practical. One book every six days?
Start one man. If you blog it, they will come.
Aha, I found you! I knew all my investigative skills would come in handy one day.
Yes, rather predictably I am going to agree with the very lovely Mags and Tara (but not Ian, oh no) and say that you did brilliantly in front of the camera. I managed to find time to spot this amid thanking my lucky stars/breathing a sigh of relief that my daughters rather than me ended up on that sofa – I had had my hair dyed specially but not managed to shed a pesky five stone in time!
I’d like to make a serious point though if I may, about blogging. (Cough) I came it at as an offshoot of my job – trying to keep up with developments as a writer to stay up with the times, give myself new skills and even (whispers) make money.
The surprising thing has been the friends I have made. Thanks to Kerry at ThinkParents, that includes six remarkable women I shared a trip of a lifetime with.
I recognised you as you were kind enough to answer a query I posted on the mum bloggers’ ning network.
What I didn’t know until I found you here was that you were a community mental health nurse. Blogging has been a key way for me to help tell my story of how I overcome mental illness and to help others tell their stories too – and this is a current project I’m working on elsewhere.
So I am full of admiration for you – I of course find this much easier to say in a comment on a blog post than I would if we were face to face – and that – as replicated in posts and comments from other people on so many other blogs is another great aspect of blogging isn’t it? Blogs are helping so many people find a voice and reduce isolation.
Right, I think I have, as ever, rambled on enough, but (best Arnie voice) I’ll be back – your blog is fantastic.
Good day – and if Ian is reading this – hello, Sir, how’s it hanging?
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Magical Croyde – and why it’s a family favourite, by Jess Brooks =-.
@Linda, I’ve often thought that there is room for a blog about the day to day life of a mental health nurse, but there is no way to write one ethically. Anonymity is only able to justify things so far.
And anyway, I much prefer to keep my work and my home life as separate as I can, and blogging is something I use to do that with. I imagine as a writer it’s a little harder to make that separation.
See now I have called Jo Tara – it’s cos I am starstruck by both of the blogging behemoths, don’t you know – many apologies, but of course not to Ian, just in case he is reading this.
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Magical Croyde – and why it’s a family favourite, by Jess Brooks =-.
@Linda, Ian will be reading this. He idolizes me don’t you know.
Dude can I get an autographed photo? Congrats man.
.-= DCUrbanDad´s last blog ..Where the hell does the time go????? =-.
@DCUrbanDad, I’m not sure if there is anything to congratulate really, apart from me getting a load of free stuff (which admittedly is rather nice). I’m just all loved up at the moment for some reason.
yes I agree entirely – I have read some excellent mental health blogs and getting involved in any way is a huge responsibility and ethical minefield. Oh my God, as a writer it can be very hard to do that – says she who once posed in Bella with a pair of giant pants…
still not apologising to Ian, love is never having to say you are sorry and all that…
Bye.
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Magical Croyde – and why it’s a family favourite, by Jess Brooks =-.
They have 100 bloggers over there now?
My worlds came together a few years ago and now they are just one big blur. I like it.
@Whit, well, they count some of us a couple of times to make up the numbers.
I think I like it too, although it’s all a little new at the moment.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Serendipity =-.