Thursday, January 05, 2006
A Full Year of Insanity
January 6th - a day that will live in infamy. Exactly one year ago, I revived this blog, taking it from a simple school project to a significant measure of my self-expression. 150 posts later, I've past the trial phase, the exhaustion phase, the addiction phase, and all the other ups and downs that cut off many bloggers prematurely.
I entered the blogosphere approximately three years ago, as a pure spectator on the smorgasbord of Jewish life that was Protocols. Like that sites ultimate passing, I too left the blogosphere. However, after Googling somebody one day, I rediscovered our old class blogs. I don't know what struck me, but I decided to see what I could make of it. I figured blogging would be a great outlet for my writing. I've always enjoyed writing, and I've always enjoyed observing, and I've always enjoyed critical analysis. And so it was, I began posting, but it was two months before I received even one comment (Not that it would have done anything - I didn't even know how to view them at the time).
But something happened one day. I received a comment from Semgirl. I didn't know who Semgirl was, and I didn't know how she had found my blog. But I eventually clicked through her profile into a whole world of Frum blogs. I became a silent reader, enjoying both the candid moments of anonymous lives, as well as the spirited debates that often raged in the comment sections.
Eventually, I journeyed into the world of adding my comments to the experiences of others, and this in turn brought many other readers into my own. Even before I learned the professional art of attention whoring, I slowly began to create two-way relationships - learning the personalities of other bloggers, as we reciprocally peered into each other's innermost thoughts.
And it is that relationship that embodies my blogging motivation nowadays. With all the benefits of expression aside, the blogosphere has truly evolved into a community for me. It's not hard to see that I gravitate towards bloggers with similar interests, albeit from very different backgrounds. And so on this first anniversary, I want to thank you, not for merely dignifying my blog with your presence, put for your friendship. May we share many more years getting to know each other (and may we meet in person)!
I entered the blogosphere approximately three years ago, as a pure spectator on the smorgasbord of Jewish life that was Protocols. Like that sites ultimate passing, I too left the blogosphere. However, after Googling somebody one day, I rediscovered our old class blogs. I don't know what struck me, but I decided to see what I could make of it. I figured blogging would be a great outlet for my writing. I've always enjoyed writing, and I've always enjoyed observing, and I've always enjoyed critical analysis. And so it was, I began posting, but it was two months before I received even one comment (Not that it would have done anything - I didn't even know how to view them at the time).
But something happened one day. I received a comment from Semgirl. I didn't know who Semgirl was, and I didn't know how she had found my blog. But I eventually clicked through her profile into a whole world of Frum blogs. I became a silent reader, enjoying both the candid moments of anonymous lives, as well as the spirited debates that often raged in the comment sections.
Eventually, I journeyed into the world of adding my comments to the experiences of others, and this in turn brought many other readers into my own. Even before I learned the professional art of attention whoring, I slowly began to create two-way relationships - learning the personalities of other bloggers, as we reciprocally peered into each other's innermost thoughts.
And it is that relationship that embodies my blogging motivation nowadays. With all the benefits of expression aside, the blogosphere has truly evolved into a community for me. It's not hard to see that I gravitate towards bloggers with similar interests, albeit from very different backgrounds. And so on this first anniversary, I want to thank you, not for merely dignifying my blog with your presence, put for your friendship. May we share many more years getting to know each other (and may we meet in person)!
# posted by Josh : Thursday, January 05, 2006
Comments:
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Do I get an invitation to your wedding? Do we all wear name tags like Eshet Chayil, Cloojew and Frumgirl?
and possibly masquerade masks - you know...like the ones from phantom. this way we retain anonymity...and add a whole interesting slightly unique dimension to the proceedings.
Congrats, Josh! I agree about the blog community feeling. It is a strange mix coming together - we don't always get along even here... but it still somewhat feels like 'home'. It was always about the give and take for me, not just the artistic expression....
Thank you for visiting my blog recently and actually posting! I feel so honored... AND you added me to your blog list of bloggers you should get to know... now that is nice - giving ME an anniversary gift :-)
I doubt I would ever want ot meet in person, Mata Hari... but I like your usage of the masquerade masks especially cuz I luv that musical so much!
Eshet... don't let positive feedback curb your expression. Let your true voice be heard....
Good Shabbos, all!
Thank you for visiting my blog recently and actually posting! I feel so honored... AND you added me to your blog list of bloggers you should get to know... now that is nice - giving ME an anniversary gift :-)
I doubt I would ever want ot meet in person, Mata Hari... but I like your usage of the masquerade masks especially cuz I luv that musical so much!
Eshet... don't let positive feedback curb your expression. Let your true voice be heard....
Good Shabbos, all!
josh- can we book you for the shabbos of may 5th? that'll give you time to rewash eveything and pack after pesach...but make sure you wear your mask, or we'll have to beat the girls away with a stick! (maybe i can use my old lady cane...hahaha)
anyway, thought i'd post this invite as a comment rather than send you email so that A)everyone can pressure you to actually come; B)it'll give you good material (potentially) to blog about; and C)this way i don't have to dig out my kesubah and search for paragraph 38... have a great shabbos, and happy anniversary!
anyway, thought i'd post this invite as a comment rather than send you email so that A)everyone can pressure you to actually come; B)it'll give you good material (potentially) to blog about; and C)this way i don't have to dig out my kesubah and search for paragraph 38... have a great shabbos, and happy anniversary!
Wow, I'm honored that you wrote about me. And I am very happy that I have had such an influence on you and your blogging. Its a priviledge to have you in my circle of friends..
Hey Josh - I kinda feel like I know you too. And you don't have a cold heart, although you are a litvak :)
Happy anniversary! I am new to BlogSpot, so you don't know me that well; but I appreciate your posts and (I think) that the feeling is mutual. I have another journal (on LiveJournal) that is written with a different voice totally. On that blog, the "inner voice" comes out a lot more because I talk about my own introspections, achievements, and shortcomings a bit more. Hehehehe...not that you asked...I'm just thinking out loud.
Congrats!
You are a great writer!
Keep it up!!
I liked the way you said it "the trial phase, the exhaustion phase, the addiction phase," as I am really not sure where I am up to.
You are a great writer!
Keep it up!!
I liked the way you said it "the trial phase, the exhaustion phase, the addiction phase," as I am really not sure where I am up to.
Josh - I think it's time for a new picture to commemorate the anniversary. Can we uh, get rid of the tea cup?
EC - Interesting. Blog cliques. I'm happy with both the regulars and lurkers. I guess I'm enough of a voyuer to appreciate the lifestyle. But hopefully we can help you become more confident. Learning (or ignoring) criticism can be the most importan part of contributing your unique gifts to the world!
MH - I would definitely love to. I think it would be great to bring everyone. Of course, they'd have to feel comfortable. But why name tags? You'd have table cards just like everybody else.
Sara - You can do that, but remember I like simple.
A - Oy, so girlie. Why can't I appreciate sparkly things?!
MH - Ha! That would be funny. I was curious how you guys would feel about facing the world as yourselves. Masks would be a little too much for me- I'd feel like it was an illicit gathering. But maybe we could give everybody giant mugs to obscure their face!
FG - It's interesting. We have such diverse opinions in Blogland. But I almost never get the feeling like we're fighting. Competing, yes. Making fun of each other, yes. But I've never really felt like a fist fight was about to break out. I guess it's because ultimately we come to share ideas, and we recognize that even when we disagree, we have better ways (like blogging elsewhere) to deal with our differences.
BB - Still under consideration. I look forward to meeting you and spending Shabbos, but I can never plan out far ahead. But keep the pressure up! Of course, you have a subtle way of tempting me, so you you could rely on that strategy as a backup.
SG - It's a good example of you never know how a tiny thing you do can have a larger impact. I'm proud that you exposed me to the larger blog world, and you're still one of the most intriguing personalities I've found!
MH - Don't worry, I'm very Polish.
TB - I'm sure I could surprise you in more ways than you'd expect. Keep your keen insights coming!
MS - "Thinking out loud" - I think you summarized my ideal of blogging!
Moochy - It doesn't matter what phase you're at - as long as you're having a good time with it. Don't force yourself to write more, write less, or be somebody you're not. You'll get a lot out of blogging (and you're readers will get a lot out of you) by doing what makes you happy! But of course, that is good advice for anything in life!
Elster - Yeah, I think it's because of the great "Chevra". Without a common background, I'd really just be blogging about nothing, and that wouldn't help me build relationships with others. While I don't ignore any topic to please my Jewish friends, I am always happy to think of a topic that will serve a mutual interest.
MH - With a new digital camera, everything will be possible. Any requests?
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MH - I would definitely love to. I think it would be great to bring everyone. Of course, they'd have to feel comfortable. But why name tags? You'd have table cards just like everybody else.
Sara - You can do that, but remember I like simple.
A - Oy, so girlie. Why can't I appreciate sparkly things?!
MH - Ha! That would be funny. I was curious how you guys would feel about facing the world as yourselves. Masks would be a little too much for me- I'd feel like it was an illicit gathering. But maybe we could give everybody giant mugs to obscure their face!
FG - It's interesting. We have such diverse opinions in Blogland. But I almost never get the feeling like we're fighting. Competing, yes. Making fun of each other, yes. But I've never really felt like a fist fight was about to break out. I guess it's because ultimately we come to share ideas, and we recognize that even when we disagree, we have better ways (like blogging elsewhere) to deal with our differences.
BB - Still under consideration. I look forward to meeting you and spending Shabbos, but I can never plan out far ahead. But keep the pressure up! Of course, you have a subtle way of tempting me, so you you could rely on that strategy as a backup.
SG - It's a good example of you never know how a tiny thing you do can have a larger impact. I'm proud that you exposed me to the larger blog world, and you're still one of the most intriguing personalities I've found!
MH - Don't worry, I'm very Polish.
TB - I'm sure I could surprise you in more ways than you'd expect. Keep your keen insights coming!
MS - "Thinking out loud" - I think you summarized my ideal of blogging!
Moochy - It doesn't matter what phase you're at - as long as you're having a good time with it. Don't force yourself to write more, write less, or be somebody you're not. You'll get a lot out of blogging (and you're readers will get a lot out of you) by doing what makes you happy! But of course, that is good advice for anything in life!
Elster - Yeah, I think it's because of the great "Chevra". Without a common background, I'd really just be blogging about nothing, and that wouldn't help me build relationships with others. While I don't ignore any topic to please my Jewish friends, I am always happy to think of a topic that will serve a mutual interest.
MH - With a new digital camera, everything will be possible. Any requests?
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