I've kept this web journal for seven years now. A lot has changed in my life over those years. I'm really glad that I documented it, especially since I can't hardly remember things as I get older. I was in my twenties when I started blogging. I had a brand new baby boy and a two year old back then.
This post isn't so much about how much I have changed, but how much social networking has changed on the web in seven years. I loved blogging early on because I was an introvert who also enjoyed communicating my thoughts and ideas to people who might listen. Blogging allowed me to speak to my friends and family without actually calling them on the phone - and all at once. It was quite the social coupe for a guy strangely afraid of phone calls. Early on the thought of someone reading a blog who didn't know me seemed almost impossible...I mean how would they even find it in the first place? (I think that Google came to popularity soon after that.)
I remember feeling a big tension when blogger added the comments feature. All of sudden I had people talking back to me. That made it lose some of its introverted bliss. Now I had to actually engage in a two-way conversation...yuck. Plus, because of the nature of my opinions some of my comments were from anonymous haters. I turned comments off for a long time, but brought them back when they allowed the option to restrict anonymous comments.
When I moved to LA in 2005, blogger became even more important to me. There were several years where most of my posts were about my acting career. I enjoyed feeling like I could share that whole experience with those friends who had an interest in my life. Looking back on those years, this blog may have lost some of its insight, but maybe it just reflected where I was. I have had more insightful seasons than others. I do think it was more personal then...for better or worse.
Over the last 18 months, Facebook and Twitter have had a noticeable affect on this blog. I bought into Facebook early on. I like it a lot. It reminds me of why I started blogging in the first place. To my friend Brad's disappointment, I also Tweet. Though I am not sure if it will sustain itself over time. Since those networks allow me to post short daily thoughts, I've blogged less over the last few months. I am not sure what that will mean for the future of blogging, but I have no intent to quit.
Life is jam packed this summer...in a good way. I'll check back in here as I always have...even if it takes a few more days between posts.
4 comments:
it's not so much disappointment as it is chagrin.
The bolgs are a great place for introverts. It pulls the real person out of the mist and puts them in front of the world to see.
Some hide behind a veil or object and feel less vunerable. Some put their actual mug shot on for others to see. Got to be careful there though.
For some it is their only window to the outside world as seen from their protective cocoon.
I like it because I have met people all over the world that I would have never met before. A few have become close friends and I visit regularly.
The blogs do have a purpose,especially for introverts
introvert? you keep saying that but i dont believe you.
Your about as intorverted as a billboard!
So your a former actor? yes, thats an introverted profession!
You speak in front of a few thousand people on the weekend, if i was introverted i would want to do that too!
Your just being silly!
ha! i'm so there with you as being vaguely afraid of answering the phone...whether its avoidance or whatever...
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