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Jean of riceandsoup is my blogging mentor. Jean of riceandsoup is locking up shop and cutting a limited number of keys. Jean of riceandsoup wonders why people don't write more "entries of substance, written beautifully even if the topics addressed were mundane."
When Jean talks, I listen or maybe it should be when Jean writes, I read. When I read her two most recent posts today, I immediately wondered how my own blog measured up. Do I write more than drivel? Do I make people read heartily, instead of just snacking? Do I tell enough stories? Do I share enough of myself?
I think I do all of that. To continue the food metaphor, because I like a party mix of different kinds of reading, that's what I aim to offer. It can be exhausting to read long, contemplative entries one after another. For some people, that's the style they're most comfortable with and of course, they can do as they wish.
I read personal blogs to know someone and people are not always thinking so deeply. When I read your blogs, I like to know the little fuzzy things that tickle you, the prickly things that make you wince, and the deep cuts that make you cry. In essence, anything that gets a reaction out of you.
As for journaling the mundane*, I'm afraid I'm not so keen to do that. Here's a sample of the truly mundane everyday existence I lead:
Bored yet? I certainly am.
Maybe my account of everyday life is unexceptional compared to other online journals because I'm unwilling to reveal the dirt. And not just my own dirt, other people's dirt as well (no matter how much I may dislike them).
I have a policy of not talking about other people and sharing their story. I'm even tapering down the number of stories about Stephen as he gets older and I am more wary of violating his privacy. Instead, I'd rather share with you my thoughts on things that affect us either in concrete or emotional ways.
This blog, my home on the Web, is a place where I try to be a better person - more analytical, informed, creative, understanding, and compassionate. I hope most of my posts are of substance, even if they're not written beautifully and are sometimes mundane. I strive for excellence in all areas of my life including my blogs.
*Kamigoroshi calls them noodle posts.
When Jean talks, I listen or maybe it should be when Jean writes, I read. When I read her two most recent posts today, I immediately wondered how my own blog measured up. Do I write more than drivel? Do I make people read heartily, instead of just snacking? Do I tell enough stories? Do I share enough of myself?
I think I do all of that. To continue the food metaphor, because I like a party mix of different kinds of reading, that's what I aim to offer. It can be exhausting to read long, contemplative entries one after another. For some people, that's the style they're most comfortable with and of course, they can do as they wish.
I read personal blogs to know someone and people are not always thinking so deeply. When I read your blogs, I like to know the little fuzzy things that tickle you, the prickly things that make you wince, and the deep cuts that make you cry. In essence, anything that gets a reaction out of you.
As for journaling the mundane*, I'm afraid I'm not so keen to do that. Here's a sample of the truly mundane everyday existence I lead:
Marv has been gone since last Wednesday and won't be returning until Thursday. Stephen misses his Baba and asks for him frequently throughout the day.
"Baba coming home soon. Baba bring Stephen present. Where's Baba?"
I miss Marv too. Without him around to guide our schedule, we wake up aimless and it feels like one day flows into another with no direction. We don't all wake up around 7 a.m. when Marv starts getting ready for work. And the anticipation of seeing Marv come walking through the door is not there in the evening so the day trails off like string unravelling with no beginning and no end.
We wake up in the morning and go through our usual routine. Me: check e-mail, look at blog stats, edit blog posts that went up during the night, make breakfast, respond to comments, read others' blogs and the news, chat with my parents on webcam and Skype. Stephen: watch his shows, muck about with his toys and books, hassle me, and eat breakfast.
Just before housekeeping comes at about 11:30 a.m., we get dressed and clear off the floor so they can vacuum and mop. A few times a week, we'll go out for lunch and a little shopping then return home for more computer, TV, and playing. Today, we also went to "play" pool downstairs and spent some happy moments getting to know all the different balls by color and number. Then we bought about 15 bags of Vietnamese dried fruit chips to bring back to California. It's all incredibly routine with no surprises, but somehow the day passes quickly and we're already at mid-afternoon.
And what am I thinking during this whole time? I think about what to write for the Genetics and Public Health Blog, what to eat for dinner, why Stephen is complaining even though we've done everything he's wanted to do, how to get rid of these headaches that plague me at least once a week (most likely because of eyestrain), and what I want to read next after finishing the latest Atlantic.
Bored yet? I certainly am.
Maybe my account of everyday life is unexceptional compared to other online journals because I'm unwilling to reveal the dirt. And not just my own dirt, other people's dirt as well (no matter how much I may dislike them).
I have a policy of not talking about other people and sharing their story. I'm even tapering down the number of stories about Stephen as he gets older and I am more wary of violating his privacy. Instead, I'd rather share with you my thoughts on things that affect us either in concrete or emotional ways.
This blog, my home on the Web, is a place where I try to be a better person - more analytical, informed, creative, understanding, and compassionate. I hope most of my posts are of substance, even if they're not written beautifully and are sometimes mundane. I strive for excellence in all areas of my life including my blogs.
*Kamigoroshi calls them noodle posts.
At any rate, I do enjoy hearing about your life in Vietnam, the fun (and even the not-so-fun) you have with Stephen, and how you decorated your flat in Singapore.
Anyway, I like all your entries, mundane or substantial. So just keep blogging! :)
On the contrary! I think these are very substantial esp. if they hold a great deal of meaning for you.
Thanks for the nice compliment. *smooch*
But, I'm of the opinion that my blog is to be whatever I want it or need it to be at a given time, readers be damned! I'm not writing if for my "readers" nor for posterity, but just for me. That has changed over time, and I'm sure it will continue to change. What I like about blogging so much is that it really is all things to all people and it's power to the people too.
readers be damned
Soooo...damn you? ;) hehehehe
Absolutely! No need for you to consider my feelings when you're writing about what interests you!
I have strong views but don't condemn anyone for thinking differently. It's pretty tricky to convey that in every post, which I try to do because I know people drop in and out, read one post and walk away with an impression whether correct or not.
But if you just want to narrow your blog-reads to just a few per day so there's the need to focus on just the blogs of certain quality and substance, that i understand ..
Some of my favortie blogs are those that take the mundane and show it in a new light. I immediately think of lizardek, subpolka or jackiejj who can reveal the triumph in a day well lived, the humor in a day at the office or the spirtitual serenity in spending an afternoon reading on the porch.
Liz does have a way with words, doesn't she? I've never viewed the world in such a romantic way. Maybe that's why I make a better scientist than a writer (and that's not saying much!). :P
I do see the scientist in your style. You are constantly hypothesizing and then you allow your readers to prove or disprove the theory.
Everyday I look forward to taking part in your experiments. :)
***
I had to look up who said that quote, as it is a quote that I have known for years. It was Camille Pissarro, a French Impressionist.
Kamigoroshi.
People have so much different reasons for blogging which is why we have so many different kinds of blogs. While I can't honestly say I enjoy reading everything out there (if I did, I'd never sleep), I think it's marvelous that everyone gets the opportunity to share their experiences.
Making a blog a regular read is kind of like making friends. I am sure there are plenty of good blogs out there but I am just as reserved about scouting them out and making them my regular read as I am in making new friends. I can't say whether "mindane" blogs appeal to me more or the more 'deep' ones appeal to me more. Again, like making friends, I guess it is a matter of whether things 'click' or not. It can be rather tiring if everyday, every little thing has to have some deep meaning to it, isnt' it?
I know what you mean about making blog friends. That's why I try to read everyone's blogs as often as I can (without my eyes exploding from fatigue). I'm genuinely interested in what everyone's up to. I've also had to stop my bad habit of finding new blogs to read unless they're really really compelling. Even so, I probably add a new blog to my reading list every week. :P
mundane?
Re: mundane?
keep writing yeah! i sure have learnt some new stuff after readin ur lj always!
that's so considerate. :)
one of my biggest pet peeves is parents constantly bragging about their child's accomplishments.
anyway, on an unrelated subject, have you, by any chance, read this book, "falling leaves: the true story of an unwanted chinese daughter" by adeline yen mah? it's a biography of the author (she's shanghainese) and it's a story of how her stepmother mistreats her and the whole family. quite a cruel stepmother actually. if you haven't read it, well, i recommend it! it's really good. i think you'll enjoy it.
heh...
Crappy writing. Didn't feel particularly sympathetic toward her plight with a wicked stepmother.
Talking about other people
Candice
Re: Talking about other people