Blogging, personal information - where does it all end?
Friday, May 13, 2005
Well, Sharon as usual has gotten me thinking about blogging as have my current life situations.
First, thanks for everyone who sent good wishes for my son...he's much better (his obnoxious almost 3 year old self!!) - and it is nice to get support from a community like this.
However, my Mother is now in the hospital...her 2nd time in a little over a month. This time fairly serious, she has a blood clot in her lung. She was upgraded to ICU when she basically almost quit breathing and they did a procedure to break up the clots...she seems much better now, but it was really touch and go. Now we're looking at needing to get her home care with some ongoing physical therapy. It's going to be a fairly long haul I think.
So, aside from my personal life - which seems FAR more dramatic than usual, I was reading all of the info about the "seamy" side of blogging. Arlee had some comments on it, and it got me to thinking about what I love about blogging.
I think, like quite a few of you creative types it became a way to think through the creative process. For me, who had been out of the art/creative world for SO long...it was a chance to explore other new ideas and get feedback on some of my crazy ideas (thanks by the way for everyone's comments on my scanned flowers...now I have to figure out how to scan those bugs...what a great idea!!)
Anyway, I know Sharon started out (and continues to be) very professional in her approach to her blog, but I've found it really fun to have glimpses into her personal life. I enjoy the links (and think that the information she gives is what makes her blog wonderful) but I enjoy that she's now documenting the process of her work as well. I feel I know several of the people I admire in a personal way, wee wonderfuls, loobylu, pamdora, rock,paper,scissors.....I mean it is absolutely great that these creative individuals are people too! I find the most wonderful thing is combining day to day life (whether they have "day jobs", families, and such) with the creative process and their finished projects. Even glimpses into the business side of things.
At any rate, all of this is really a long rant to justify a lot more personal details than I usually put into my blog. It's been a crazy month, without a heap of stitching or art and I miss it, but I guess that's life!
First, thanks for everyone who sent good wishes for my son...he's much better (his obnoxious almost 3 year old self!!) - and it is nice to get support from a community like this.
However, my Mother is now in the hospital...her 2nd time in a little over a month. This time fairly serious, she has a blood clot in her lung. She was upgraded to ICU when she basically almost quit breathing and they did a procedure to break up the clots...she seems much better now, but it was really touch and go. Now we're looking at needing to get her home care with some ongoing physical therapy. It's going to be a fairly long haul I think.
So, aside from my personal life - which seems FAR more dramatic than usual, I was reading all of the info about the "seamy" side of blogging. Arlee had some comments on it, and it got me to thinking about what I love about blogging.
I think, like quite a few of you creative types it became a way to think through the creative process. For me, who had been out of the art/creative world for SO long...it was a chance to explore other new ideas and get feedback on some of my crazy ideas (thanks by the way for everyone's comments on my scanned flowers...now I have to figure out how to scan those bugs...what a great idea!!)
Anyway, I know Sharon started out (and continues to be) very professional in her approach to her blog, but I've found it really fun to have glimpses into her personal life. I enjoy the links (and think that the information she gives is what makes her blog wonderful) but I enjoy that she's now documenting the process of her work as well. I feel I know several of the people I admire in a personal way, wee wonderfuls, loobylu, pamdora, rock,paper,scissors.....I mean it is absolutely great that these creative individuals are people too! I find the most wonderful thing is combining day to day life (whether they have "day jobs", families, and such) with the creative process and their finished projects. Even glimpses into the business side of things.
At any rate, all of this is really a long rant to justify a lot more personal details than I usually put into my blog. It's been a crazy month, without a heap of stitching or art and I miss it, but I guess that's life!
7 Comments:
Thanks for this as I always wonder about the 'personal details are OK'issue. I often think people would find my life boring but I always have a good response to writing about anything personal. I must confess this intrigues me as I always end up asking myself why are people interested? Yet I quite happily read about others lives - its probably a question of balance.
commented by 
sharonb, May 13, 2005 4:42 PM
sharonb, May 13, 2005 4:42 PM
Hi Mary-Frances,
I also like "knowing" the people I read a lot, although for various reasons I tend to be a little reticent about my own personal life - having another blog as my garden blog is about as far as I go - and even there I tend not to show photos of my actual home. But that is because of experiences off the internet, not on it. :)
I guess it just comes back to keeping "safe". There are two issues here - one is will people keep reading if there is personal stuff in blogs, and yes, I think they will, as long as, as Sharon says, there is balance. And I think we need to know when our friends are going through difficult times (and I feel for you with your Mum). The other issue is the "keeping safe" one, which is just something we need to keep in the backs of our minds.
I also like "knowing" the people I read a lot, although for various reasons I tend to be a little reticent about my own personal life - having another blog as my garden blog is about as far as I go - and even there I tend not to show photos of my actual home. But that is because of experiences off the internet, not on it. :)
I guess it just comes back to keeping "safe". There are two issues here - one is will people keep reading if there is personal stuff in blogs, and yes, I think they will, as long as, as Sharon says, there is balance. And I think we need to know when our friends are going through difficult times (and I feel for you with your Mum). The other issue is the "keeping safe" one, which is just something we need to keep in the backs of our minds.
Oh, look! More shoes!!
Hope your mother comes through OK, though I know this will be a difficult time for you. That "sandwich generation" thing and all...
Personally, I LOVE the personal stuff; but I personally censor myself to keep other people's identities safe. I'm not sure that's always good. It means there is a lot I can't write about...
Hope your mother comes through OK, though I know this will be a difficult time for you. That "sandwich generation" thing and all...
Personally, I LOVE the personal stuff; but I personally censor myself to keep other people's identities safe. I'm not sure that's always good. It means there is a lot I can't write about...
yeah, I agree, Its good to be circumspect about devulging too much personal info especially about family and friends, but I love reading about personal lives as well as other persuits.
Hi Mary
Sorry to hear about your Mum. Hope things improve soon. I think a good balance of feelings, personal details and the main content of the blog is the way to go. I suppose it depends what you want your blog to be about and who might be reading it. Anyway, I appreciate your honesty and your sense of humour. I wish you well with all your endeavours and I love the Australian tree work - gorgeous colours.
Sorry to hear about your Mum. Hope things improve soon. I think a good balance of feelings, personal details and the main content of the blog is the way to go. I suppose it depends what you want your blog to be about and who might be reading it. Anyway, I appreciate your honesty and your sense of humour. I wish you well with all your endeavours and I love the Australian tree work - gorgeous colours.
I hope your mother feels better soon.
I enjoy reading everyone's blogs. It gets to the point that you get to know everyone's "voice" and quirks. The other nice thing is that usually if you need an answer, someone will always answer!
I enjoy reading everyone's blogs. It gets to the point that you get to know everyone's "voice" and quirks. The other nice thing is that usually if you need an answer, someone will always answer!
I like reading personal stuff too - guess it comes from being an Ex-Soap-Opera addict, not that I find your family's trouble soap opera, please! There's a comfort in the familiarity, flow, continuity of a well written story complete with the writer's reality.
