Disenchanted...

I got a text today from Roxy, who reads my blog and it said~

"What's up slacker? No new blog in three days. I'm disappointed. Lol."

And she's totally right, I have been slacking. So I started asking myself why I was slacking? Usually, writing my blog is my favorite thing to do! And I did have a couple of valid excuses...

I wrote the last blog late on a Sunday night so I left it up Monday so that everyone would get a chance to see it. Yesterday I spent almost all day in town and by the time I got home all I did was fall asleep on the couch. And today...I had to get up and go to town early as well. And then I had to assist Sean with some online job applications. But still, I could have fit a blog in there somewhere. If I really dig deep...it comes down to being kind of annoyed with blogland. And yet, I didn't want to rant. My rants aren't funny. Some peoples are, but not mine. And yet, I feel the need to get this out.

First off, why does everyone blog? I know I started G & H because Hildi and I emailed a lot to keep in touch and they were pretty funny. So I thought "why not share"? And it was okay if we had no followers because mostly it was for us and our families. I started this blog when I was going through a difficult time and some of the first entries aren't funny at all. But the point was for me to get my feelings out. Then somewhere along the way, I started to get funny. And then I started to branch out and read other blogs and make comments. And then other people started to read my blog and comment. And that was awesome. I mean, really? Who doesn't like to get comments and see that more people are reading your blog? It's instant gratification and trust me, there is nothing better for a writer. It's validation. And I do enjoy seeing that follower number grow! Or having someone say "wow. I just found your blog and I really enjoyed it. I'm going to follow you now." Everyone wants that. But maybe for different reasons, I don't know.

Lately, blogland has been reminding me of high school. All about the popularity. I've seen bloggers do giveaways just to get more readers. Really? You want people to follow you because you bribed them?? Is that follower number really that important to you?? I'm talking about the giveaways that state "if you mention my blog on your blog and send readers my way, I'll enter you in my giveaway." Um. No thanks. In fact, if you do that, I don't give a crap how good you are, I'm not following you. I'm not even visiting your blog. And yeah, I know some of you are saying "but Spot! What if they're a really good writer??" They might be the best writer out there, but to me, they're doing it for the wrong reasons. And I want no part of it.

I'm stubborn, you say? Dang tootin!! Always have been. A bit of a snob? I won't deny it. Hates to follow the crowd? I will run the other direction. I don't read books because Oprah tells me to. I don't pick a candidate by which celebrity endorses them. I don't hang with the "cool kids" unless they have more going for them than trendy clothes and money. I could be wrong. I could have too much "rebel attitude". My dad always said I'd "cut off my nose to spite my face". Maybe. Maybe I just don't like being told what to do. Maybe I just don't want to follow the crowd. And maybe I don't want to read and follow your blog because you are a shameless self promoter. I want to discover your blog through a comment on someone else's that makes me laugh or think or I can relate to. Then I want to follow your blog because the content is good and holds my interest. Not because you told me to. Or someone else told me to because you begged them or bribed them. What happened to integrity? Is this really about who has the most followers??

I also don't mind discovering blogs because someone commented on mine so I took a look at theirs. Or if I'm on a blogsite I like and see and an interesting blog on their blogroll. I got an email today from a blogger who said he'd found my site through a comment I made on another site. Now he's a follower. Would I mind checking out his blog? Well of course I checked it out (and follwed). Because he wasn't bribing me or demanding me attention. I'm not above returning a favor.

Anyway, maybe this makes no sense to anyone but me. And maybe I'm just rebelling against the status quo. Maybe I missed the memo where this is a popularity contest and I'm just bitter because I'm not on the homecoming court. But to me this is about connecting with people. I've gotten to know alot of my followers and my frequent commenters and I consider them friends, not fans. I tune into their blogs because I care what's going on in their lives and I feel like they care about mine. And I love it when something I've said touches them or gives them a laugh for the day. Anyway, it took Angelia to restore my faith in blogland. She's offering a giveaway. But you don't have to pimp out her blog to enter. Just leave her a comment. And she's just doing it because she likes to give. That's the kind of person I want to be friends with and follow.

Thank you to the followers who found me through comments on other blogs. I'm unbelievably happy that you chose to stay. And I'm happy that I got to view your blogs too! And to those who have me on your blogrolls...thanks!! I'm honored. Truly.

Sorry if I offend anyone. No. I'm really not. I think that integrity is important. Thanks for letting me rant.

♥Spot