Sunday, November 22, 2009

How Long Has This Been Going On?

I just happen to be going through some of my archives the other night and realized that, come February, I'll have been blogging for 4 years. Four years... that's kinda hard for me to believe but I'm not sure why. And what is even more astounding to me, is that you people are still reading and I keep getting more regulars! I'm not sure if it's that I'm interesting or you crazy folks just like watching a train wreck.
Anyway, I've thought a lot about the whole blogging thing and how it has morphed so from what I started. Well, I really didn't know what I was doing when I started; I just thought it would be something fun to do and something that a friend (Rurality) encouraged me to start. Damn you Rurality! you've destroyed my mind! lol! Just kidding, but she probably had no idea what a monster she was creating. I have always liked the idea of keeping a journal but for some reason, was never able to keep it up for very long. Maybe there is just enough of an exhibitionist in me to enjoy the publicity of blogging more than a private diary but one of the main reasons I like blogging is because it does serve as a journal. That and I can actually have some contact with other folks, which is great considering that the way and area I live in can be somewhat isolating at times. And folks from all over the world!! how cool is that?! But I tell ya, nothing makes me feel better than to receive an email or comment from someone who says they were down and discouraged, but after reading my blog some, saw that they could do more things than maybe they had previously believed and DID! There have been many a day I've thought to myself that it is stupid for me to be writing this blog and going to all this trouble but if I can encourage even one person to try a new skill or help themselves out of a bad situation then I am happy to have gone to the 'trouble'. Even if you just feel better knowing that you're not as nutty or as big a ding dong as I am about life, it still makes me happy.
I was recently reading another blog where many of the commenting bloggers were saying that they would be mortified to know that people they worked with or other casual acquaintances had read their blog. I found that interesting. Maybe I'm too stupid to be self-conscious but it doesn't bother me to know that there are definitely people I work with that read here. Maybe I'm just an open person, I don't know. Now, of course, there is plenty I don't write about on here and never will but I don't think feelings are anything to be ashamed of (and I think some people do); it's certain actions that might be cause for shame but I'm here to say that we are all human and sometimes we all feel things we maybe shouldn't, even though many people won't even admit that. I mean, who's the stronger person? one that is tempted and provoked and still resists or one that always does right but was never really in danger because they just don't have the feelings? I think I'd rather be accused to having too much feeling than none at all and I'll never be ashamed of caring for another person. The thing is, everybody has their own unique trials and don't ever let anybody tell you otherwise. I once worked for a man that most people would envy in that he had more money than he probably even knew. There was very little in this world that he literally, could not buy. But he slept with a loaded gun in the bed with him. Nobody has it all. Nobody is immune to insecurity or fear.
Well, I'm not smart enough to be philosophizing to ya'll people but just keep this in mind: even the lowest construction worker learns, in his first days on the job, that you can do just about anything if you put your mind to it. You might be a little slower than some until you get the hang of it, but you can learn just like they did. It's just one step at a time, so don't ever give up.

*Ella Fitzgerald

12 comments:

jojo said...

Keeps me sane at times too! all this writing... I keep hoping you post MORE pottery pics, stories and tips. :) and house pics. :) oh and i like flooding the front yard stories. :)
just saying!

congratulations on 4 years.

Pablo said...

Congratulations on nearly four years. I've enjoyed the time spent with you.

I blame Rurality too. I never knew much about blogging until I came upon that one. Soon it linked me to other great blogs (including this one), and I was addicted. I call Rurality my "gateway blog!"

I remember a group named Ace had a song by that title some years ago.

Unknown said...

I love a good train wreck!

Philosophizing...is that a word?

Mostly I like your sense of humor.

Yeah, I agree, more pottery pics : )

I just recently found out a girl at work has been reading my blog, I'm not really sure how she found it, but I try not to publish anything I'd ever be sorry about or embarrassed by.

MamaHen said...

Hey jojo! good to hear from you! i'll do my best to put up some more pottery pics and I should have some more house stuff soon.
i hope i don't have any more 'flooding the front yard' stories but you never know! lol!

Hey Pablo! thank you very much; i've enjoyed having you as one of my regulars.

Hey Linda! lol! yeah, i think a lot of people read mine just to make themselves feel better. 'At least I'm not as stupid as that edifice woman'! lol! just kidding.
My rule before publishing any post that I think my be a little on the edge is to say to myself, 'would I mind if my Mama or my boss read this?'

Frugal Canadian Hermit said...

Nice post Annie. (I've heard others call you that). Right from the heart. I like reading what you have to say. Hope to see another 4 years of posts, and maybe your house and mine completed somewhere in that time frame. Or hopefully alot sooner actually, but, what ever.

R.Powers said...

Congrats on 4 years! A lot of bloggers fall by the wayside. I'm glad you didn't!

Speaking of Rurality ... what's up with her? Seems like she hasn't posted for a long time.

Ed said...

I'm into my sixth year of blogging and there aren't a lot of people out there that have more than two or three years in. So making it to your fourth year is great and I wish you many more years of good blogging.

I don't think anybody I know at work or at home read my blog but I know a few probably suspect I have one and there will come a day when it will get found. I won't be ashamed at anything I have posted when that day comes but I will be sorry that my anonymous life will be blown. I kind of like saying my mind without worrying about other peoples toes.

Anonymous said...

ER, your post reminded me of my fav quote..."Attitude determines Altitude"...it's all about believing in ourselves:)

MamaHen said...

Hey Mark! i believe that is your name and yeah, Annie is what all my friends call me so feel free.
thanks for your kind words and I do hope that both of us finish our houses soon! God, I hope it doesn't take me another four years but then, this is just supposed to be the first half. Ughhh!

Hey FC! thanks man!!
I don't really know what is up with Karen. I guess maybe she is just a little burnt out on it. Says she doesn't feel she has much to say since she has been using Facebook; evil thing that it is!

Hey Ed! thanks!!!
well, like I said, i would probably say whatever i've said here to anybody i work with or whatever but you are right; having a certain anonymity is nice. I feel like my regulars read because they enjoy it, where as some people i know (and don't associate with me otherwise) might just read to try to get something on me. Not that there is anything there for that but who knows!

Hey Molly! that's right!!

Robbyn said...

Wow, congratulations on four years, Annie! I always love stopping by here to catch up with what's going on in your world, and love seeing each new project with the house, too. Cheers to your blogging success...I'm really glad you're here :)

Robbyn

MamaHen said...

Hey Robbyn! thanks so much!

Jenn said...

Facebook is the biggest time sink ever. More addicting than tobacco.

Bail, Karen, Bail!!!