Since I’ve been home sick (again, goddamit!) I’ve had the chance to guiltlessly surf the internet from the depths of blankets and snotty tissues --on a hunt for new and exciting blogs. Of course, there are the ones I read religiously (Petite Anglaise, This Fish, Go fug Yourself,and SupaSuze), however, I recently came across some bloggers living in Holland (Dutch Diary, Dutched Pinay, BicycleMark)each of whom struck a chord.
One entry that particularly jumped out was Dutched Pinay’s “The Anatomy of a Blogger”. "Dutched" essentially comments that all bloggers can be summed up by the following statements:
1. Bloggers have narcissistic traits
2. Bloggers love to write
3. Bloggers are opinionated
4. Bloggers are exhibitionists
5. Bloggers like to show off
6. Bloggers like to share their knowledge/hobby
7. Bloggers blog to communicate with friends and family
8. Bloggers seek friendships
9. Bloggers want to belong to a community
10. Bloggers want to prove something
11. Bloggers want to earn money
Quite a claim! And one, my groggy head was curious to actually delve into. So, how do I rate on this set of traits? (Possibly even asking that very question may confirm number one! )
1. Narcissistic traits? Hmm...I guess that depends who you ask ;) Am I flattered by comments from new/regular readers? Definitely!
2. Love to write? Guilty as charged!
3. Opinionated? Ha! I think my entries here and here may answer that question!
4. Exhibitionist? Does not yet having curtains in my apartment count? Or maybe my foray into the steamy world of Dutch saunas?!
5. Show off? Only in the nicest sense of the word! (and when a stage is involved!)
6. Want to share knowledge/hobby? Yep, if I can.
7. Communicate with fam and friends? Definetly--that’s the main purpose of this blog (however, it has taken a different shape as more and more new readers log on)
8. Seeking friendships? Of course! What's life if not to meet new/interesting people.
9. Want to belong to community? Sure, why not?
10. Want to prove something? In all honesly, can’t say I really do. And if I did--don’t have a clue what it would be! (Maybe that I can out tapdance ya?!
11. Want to earn money? Who doesn’t!--But not with this blog (of course then again, I wouldn’t turn any $$$ away, now would I ;)
So, where does that leave us? I guess number one is the real “biggie” that bloggers ask themselves? Am I doing this for my love of writing? For creativity? For therapy? For fun? Or to figuratively hear myself speak? The answer for most bloggers is probably a combination of all of the above..and of course, let’s be honest here people, it hasn’t been called “vanity publishing” for nothin'!
Hey there Dazzle... myself I blog to fight the status quo and awaken a sleeping public. Blogs provide the personal angle that makes communication more effective. There has to be some "me" in it, to break the ice, and so that people can relate to me if there's anything worth relating to.. and in many ways it works vice-versa.
Hmm.. I bet we've crossed paths on bike somewhere. Next time Ill wave hello like some nutjob on a bicycle.
