Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Where Do I Go From Here?

I am not happy in "blog world" right now. What I started out to do and where I have ended up aren't even close to my head visions. I originally had one blog and thought that would be all I needed. It was and is private. Then I thought maybe I would have something to say publicly-hence the Eyeballs one. It was passable for awhile altho some visitors took umbrage with what I had to say, so I made all comments having to be pre-approved first. I also took down anything that might be used to contact me in a bad way, so I had nothing that would identify me except my name. I also added a contact email that was fairly anonymous-but would be directed to my mail box when appropriate. I also posted some things to my private blog ONLY for my benefit.

When I started this crafty blog, I was enamoured of other paper/stamp blogs and thought maybe I could make a photo journey of what I liked and my progression as a stamper/paper crafter. It was easy to get all caught up in the frenzies that came about blog-wise about a year and a half ago. Everyone was doing it. I added a feed for every blog I visited. I tried to leave a comment on all of them at least once a week. I tried blog candy. I switched all my feeds to Reader. But for several months now I have felt at odds with "blog world".

I feel stifled because the more I add of me to the blog, the less people think to visit.(Honestly why it bothers me I don't know-validation maybe?) Some have vaguely mentioned on other blogs that they are only "here" for the photos (not just my blog but on other blogs too). I started another blog of the RAK's I have received with only artwork and the sender's name. Maybe that could appease the visual people. I cannot and won't do that on my main blog.

Hence I find myself posting less and just being ambivalent about the whole process. I wonder if it's the typical winter depression I always go thru because I so thrive on sunshine and there isn't much here in Michigan. Being sick isn't helping either. I have a huge stack of cards and a box full of items I have made-but I don't want to drag out the paraphernalia to photograph them. At least I am being creative-nothing like ink in your hand to make you play.

I am a thinking and expressive person and have opinions and feelings on so many things that I want to write about but am not sure where to put them. I guess I need a hybrid blog-one with all my life expressed in its bits and pieces instead of spreading it all over several of them. I am thinking of purchasing a web presence and doing just that. It will be all the pieces of me (no Jen, I am not stealing your title!). First I have to learn html, xhtml and Css. That is the only way I will have control over what I add and not be limited by Blogger, Type pad etc. I hate having ads tacked on to freebies. If I pay for my space, I can do what I want.

Most of you will not get this far-you are not looking for blabbering-you are looking for cards, scrapped pages or tutorials. If so, try the Top 50 sites or some specific searches in "blog world". I will be deleting any advertising on my blog that I feel is useless/or that is not what I use or want. I have already taken down the link for the stamp company I was a design team member on last spring. The Top 50 Stamping site is totally useless. I never get a visit from that site, so why should I advertise for them? I remember when my numbers went down and how cool it was to get 500 visits in a week. But some of the blogs listed on the Top 50 have nothing to do with stamping, so how legit is it? I can see where my visitors come from and where they exit to via the Live Feed widget (well at least the last 100 visits). I will be doing blog candy but a different way-details later this week.

I also want to add music but many people are freaked out by that. Since I always keep my computer speakers off until I need them, I am often surprised-and happily so when I find a player on blogs. What a fun way to discover new music and styles that "blog world" is hosting. Being a music junkie, I probably am keeping some smaller labels in business these days!

Well, its 1AM on MLK Day. A toast to a special man who's favorite word was Free. Can you imagine the blog he would have had? And he would not have wondered why he was blogging but would have reveled in the joy that he could!

19 comments:

  1. Just because people don't comment doesn't mean they aren't reading. A lot of times I look at the pic and if it is a card that suits my taste then I read on.

    I babble a lot on my blog and who knows if people are really reading it. Still makes me feel good to write it.

    It's not about the numbers...it's about you...and what you have to share.

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  2. Hey babe...sorry I am not here more...I have got caught up in the challenges of too many obligations (which doesn't look like it will end any time soon!). Be who you are...I'll keep reading. And, BTW, I like your snarkiness...makes me realize there is a whole breed of "us". Ha!

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  3. Well...I just thought that I would tell you that your blog is one of my daily doses! Even when I am very busy, and don't have time to comment or stay long yours is one that I always pop on to see what you have going on.
    I think you are very funny, creative and just an over all interesting person that I would be friends with if we lived closer!
    I say write what you want, create what you want...for cryin out loud it is your blog! If someone doesn't like what you are doing they are welcome to not come back right???
    I agree that stamping top 50 thing is dumb, as a mater of fact I am going to take it off my blog when I am done with this comment!
    Keep up the great work! I enjoy your blog so much!


    AND thank you for the envelope of wonderful goodies!!!

    The sun will be back soon (fingers crossed)!

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  4. I love your blog and would hate for it to go away. We don't live far from each other, and I grew up in the Flint area (Swartz Creek grad). So, I recognize a lot of the places you talk about, and I like that. I hope you continue.

    I do have to say, however, that I don't subscribe to blogs that automatically start music when I log on to them. It's fine to have it as an option, but having music auto start usually makes me jump out of my skin. I read a lot of blogs late at night, and I don't want music playing. So, I hope that you don't go that route. Maybe just make it an option???

    Anyway, keep it up.....I just started a blog so I can relate to your thoughts. Hang in there.

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  5. I'm finding that if I read the feed in my email I don't come to the blog. It's lazy of me and I really should come here more often. I'm missing all the 'extras'.

    Keep it up, we're here!

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  6. Personally, I enjoy your blog very much - when "Paper Tango" appears in my email list, it's always one of the first I read! I don't often comment, but if I really like something I do.
    Keep up the good work, but you have to do what pleases you!
    NancyS (momsnack)

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  7. I'm sorry you are in such a wintry funk, If I could, I would send you some sunshine from chilly Florida. Hope you go with what is "right" for you. I personally love reading about a person, not just looking at the pix. Makes me feel like I really know them. So, whatever you do, enjoy it. That is what life is all about.

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  8. WELL JAN LET ME TELL YOU THIS...SINCE ADDING YOU TO MY LIST OF SISTERHOOD SISTERS I COME EACH & EVERY DAY & YOU ALWAYS MAKE ME GIGGLE OR LAUGH OUT LOUD.IT DOES MAKE YOU WONDER THOUGH WHY PEOPLE DONT TAKE 5 SECONDS TO LEAVE A COMMENT..I HAVE HAD OVER 5,000 "LOOKERS" NOW SINCE I STARTED MY BLOG I THINK IN SEPTEMBER 07 & LET ME TELL YOU I HAVE FAR FAR FROM THAT IN COMMENTS.A FRIEND & I WERE LAUGHING THE OTHER DAY & WE HAD DISCUSED A DECLINE IN HER COMMENTS & SHE HAD OFFERED A RAK AWHILE AGO SHE THOUGHT SHE WOULD PUT ONE ON..WELL SHE HAS GONE FROM A STANDARD 10-15 COMMENTS TO WELL OVER 30 ALL BECAUSE SHE IS GIVING SOMETHING AWAY & MOSTLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER LEFT A COMMENT BEFORE! BIT WEIRD TO ME BECAUSE I THINK IF YOU HAVE THE SPARE TIME TO LOOK AT SOMEONES BLOG SURELY YOU HAVE THE TIME TO COMMENT.ANYWAYS IM WITH YOU ON THE WHINGE FACTOR!KEEP ON BLOGGING BABY I LOVE IT...CHEERS KRISTY.

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  9. I wouldn't worry about people not commenting. You've been brave enough to post your feelings and what you think. Whether or not people comment on your blog doesn't mean you haven't given them something to think about. There's nothing wrong with posting your ideas, it is your blog after all :D.

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  10. I am sorry to hear you feel this way. We should only do what we enjoy and if people care to share in it they will, do it for you not for others.

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  11. Sistah - if you love it, just do it. I love the little pieces of you that you share, infact, that's how I get to know you better. So keep them coming....

    hugs n' aloha,
    Jen

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  12. I too am sorry your feeling this way. I enjoy reading blogs and viewing items. It's fun to learn about other bloggers/crafters and I enjoy your posts as part of the sbs group. I agree with flossie's follies, do it for yourself and enjoyment. :)

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  13. Only do what you love, I say.
    I know many people who are looking for validation thru the blog and let me tell ya, it is just setting yourself up for heartache and headache. Hits, comments, links...do not make one person better, nicer, happier than another.
    And everybody is right, lower comments doesn't necessarily mean less positive feedback and you are right some people are only looking for cards, personally I love the opinions but cards are good too.
    And when I visit a blog and the opinion is not the same as mine, unless I "know" the person, I rarely say a word. Just a thought.

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  14. Yep, the world of blogging can sometimes be more of a headache than it is worth. I got caught up in it for awhile and now I just do it as I please. Sometimes that mean even only 1 post a week!! I have had people unsub for that reason and, you know what??? I'm still me and they are still them. Be yourself!! I love this post, by the way. It's so real!

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  15. Interesting thoughts Jan, it is so true what you say. I tend to read closer if I see a project I really like as I want to know how it was made but usually I don't read a lot as I am looking for quick visual stimulation. I have noticed a lot of people have 2 blogs, one for crafty stuff and one for personal stuff, that way people know what they are going to get.Of course you can't please everyone!
    The important thing to remember is it is your blog to do with as you wish!

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  16. Yep...what they all said! LOL! The blog is all about YOU. So post what you want. I do keep a counter on my blog and enjoy watching it go up even when there are few comments. At least I know people are visiting. I also set my feedblitz so it only sends out the title (and not the actual post) when I post something new. I know, personally, if I get their post via feedblitz then I'm not likely to go to the actual site to see it. Just a thought (not sure how you have yours set). I don't visit anyone's site EVERY day. (I work 40+ hours a week and drive another 10+ hours per week.) I, do, however try to visit my SBS4 sisters at least once per week.

    Jane
    SBS4

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  17. I was feeling the same way! I think sometime we put the pressure on ourselves, or at least I know I do. Sometimes the pressure to be on a DT, post every day, and compete with all these top stampers was getting to me. I needed a reality check. Is this really going to change who I am? Nope, still a wife, mother, teacher, and good person. Blogging or not blogging isn't going to change me.So be who you are and try not to let it bother you! BTW, just found your blog through my good friend Simone! She was my reality check!

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  18. Anonymous11:12 AM

    I know exactly how you feel. I used to wonder why some blogs were so popular. It's kind of like high school again...the popular group vs the rest of us...hee hee hee. Anyway, I enjoy blogging and do it for fun. My friends and family visit often and I do get comments from other bloggers. I find that I get more and more visits, however, the comments are still low. I think there are just so many blogs out there that people don't have the time to comment on each one. I know I'm certainly guilty of that. Anyway, just have fun and keep posting!

    -Melanie-

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  19. Jan, take heart in the fact that for every one person out there who is here to use your ideas, there are many more who are enamoured by your vision.

    The problem with email, computers, the net, blogs etc is that is has taken the 'personal' out of so much.

    I love your blog, I love what you do so don't change too much.

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Thank you for stopping by and sitting a spell with me and mine. I hope you take away a smile!