Sunday 13 February 2011

Hey, That's Not a Proper Post!

This is probably the strangest post, if you can call it a post that I've ever done. The recent mention as a 'blog of note' was very welcome but is not without problems. I have always answered any comment on my blog out of common courtesy. (Except when abusive, and I have only had one abusive reply in nearly three years!)
Because of the blog of note mention, whilst loving the visitors,I find it impossible to answer every comment and have steadily 'gone under' since! (I can assure you I read EVERY comment. I also promise I VISIT the blog of every visitor where possible even if I don't comment.) All this has bothered me as it may give the impression I am uncaring concerning my fellow bloggers; nothing could be further from the truth.
I get an 'award' and the world goes mad. Yet out there are many, many blogs that put mine to shame. For example, Life in Windemere, a blog written by a lady who has suffered life threatening illness yet writes with great courage and without self pity. Clouds and Silver Linings, the blog of Eddie, an ex-ambulance driver, whose self taught grasp of technology drives me mad with jealousy. Pig in the Kitchen, whose recipes are breathtaking, all the more so as many are gluten free. (My wife is a coeliac) And Bernard, who is both older and wiser than me! (Bernard predicted the the 'blog of note' thingy would give me problems.) Now of course I feel guilty for not mentioning the many others that I follow or have been following me since the early days. 'Guilt, guilt, guilt, oh lordy!
All this has also made me aware of the many out there who get no comments week after week. I have started deliberately visiting a 'commentless' blog, any commentless blog and trying to give a word of encouragement. How about visiting a 'commentless' blog, (from my followers list if you like.) (Who was it who once said, make my day!) One example, Witty Prmt who blogs merrily on without reward or reader comment. What would he say if he suddenly received half a dozen comments. (Mind you, I only want him encouraged, not frightened to death!)
I have completed just short of three hundred posts since April 2008. How some of you complete one a day is beyond me. Some observations. My first post ever contained those immortal lines 'softly softly catchee monkey'; how my daughter hates those words! The happiest post was perhaps 'Ted Arthur Roberts' (16th April 2009), the saddest 'RIP Shaun' (15th January 2009). And the most surprising 'Ramblings from a Misspent Youth', (12th June 2010) purely and simply because I was hospitalised and didn't see it coming!
This 'post' in a way is for all the 'little people' out there. The bloggers who seek neither fame nor fortune; but who nevertheless entertain, inform, educate; some of you are awesome, astonishing. All take a bow. I have been amazed since I joined the blogging fraternity all those months ago. Long may I continue to be so. (As long as senility doesn't completely take over although the post dated 27th April 2008 suggests it's a distinct possibility.) And concerning my next post, as they used to say on the television (as those of considerable age will testify,) 'Normal Service will be Resumed as soon as Possible'.

37 comments:

Dumdad said...

Life in the fast lane of bloggers - enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Incidentally, I've closed my old Blogger blog and opened a new one with WordPress so the link to my blog in your blogroll is no longer valid.

And I've managed to reverse the number of people commenting on my blog - from about 100 a day to as fewer as five now! No worries as I'm not seeking grand stats - I do this for fun not money or glory!

Happy days.

kennethlawson said...

Very cool tile for your blog.
I also understand your commitment to responding to people who take the time to comment on your writings.I have never had the issue of having so many comments that I couldn't keep up with them, but I do know that it can go from one extreme to another pretty fast.
When you visit my blog you'll notice I haven't done much with it in several months. I moved this summer and haven't had the time and connection to do what I'd like with it. Have a read and go into the archives and see what I've covered over the last couple of years.
Let me know what you think.

Ken Lawson

VioletSky said...

All that adulation and attention is one reason I fear such awards as "blogger of note"!
I am quite happy with my little community as it s-l-o-w-l-y grows and changes.

word verification is "diarst" you are certainly a first class diar[i]st

the fly in the web said...

There are some super blogs that just don't seem to attract many, or any, comments....though they might have a lot of silent readers!
Thanks to your 'blog of note' extra followers a whole lot of new blogs has opened up for me..and I'll be sure to do as you suggest and make a comment or two.

Valerie said...

I wondered what you would have to face as a Blogger of Note and looked with trepidation at the number of followers on certain other blogs. Thank goodness I'm happy with my lot ... I couldn't cope with hundreds.

Bernard said...

Very well explained Ken.
I know just how you feel.
Violet Sky hit the right 'note'!
"I am quite happy with my little community."
....and so am I. :)
But do not despair, be of stout heart and soldier on.
Cheers....Bernard.
ps I'm only 68 you young scallywag!

Barbara said...

Very cool - I love your posts, they are so sincere and real! Thank you for visiting my Blog and leaving your comment, I really do appreciate it :) since I see that you certainly have your hands full. Keep it up :)

John Teal said...

Thanks for taking the time to write some excellent posts !
I only found you through Blogs of Note so am glad you had the accolade. Thanks too for taking the time to pop in on my blog and leaving a comment :)

CWMartin said...

I'm one of those who jumped on because of your Blogger of note-eriety. And you have commented on mine, so you're okay on that. I surely understand what you mean, just not from personal experience. I've recently expanded from my little neck of the woods to be a follwer and sometimes participant in far more popular blogs (like yours) and even from a mainly spectator perspective it gets a bit much at times. But the perspectives from all over the world (like yours) are invaluable. Thank you for your humour, especially the news updates, and please, carry on!

Heather said...

Your new found fame has left you in a sea of duty! I think you are doing a fine job of commenting and visiting other blogs. Remember, you owe the little people nothing ;)

Mike Robbins said...

I'm new to blogging, so I don't have the problem you mention.

I have a Twitter account under a "stage name" that I was using to make up my own sayings and quotations and post them. It was more of an experiment, really, and I was surprised when I started getting a lot of followers. At first, I felt obligated to follow them in return, until I eventually realized many of them were selling something.

L.A.C.E. said...

I too found you only due to blog of note, so I'm glad you got the accolade. Love your posts because they are interesting and funny.

However, seeing as I suffer from insomnia (that of which is on occasion child induced) could you make a couple of boring posts that could put me to sleep?

Keep writing what you love. Cheers!

Andy said...

I'ts your blog Ken so just enjoy it in the way you want to.

Do whatever gives you the most pleasure. I look at mine as a kind of digital scrapbook with all sorts of rubbish on it but I enjoy it and if others do too then that is a bonus.

With the number of supporters you have I feel sure they read your blog because it is a good read, not because they want you to reply to their comments or read their blog in return.

Keep up the good work.

Andy

PS I don't expect a reply to this!

jacksofbuxton said...

Pleased to have "found" you via BON.

Anonymous said...

I've just recently started blogging and enjoy your posts - that's what these things are all about - enjoyment (and education and entertainment, I suppose!). Just keep doing what you're doing Ken, it seems to be working for ya so far!

Ayak said...

It's not always possible to find time to comment on all the blogs you read,or even to visit all your followers' blogs, particularly now you have so many. And you shouldn't feel guilty about that.

I know what you mean about commentless blogs and I visit a few and make comments, because I know how happy we feel when we get comments.


A the end of the day, I believe most of us blog for ourselves, because we enjoy it...comments are really just a bonus.

sweet pea. said...

i really like this post. hmmmm, have i ever told you i liked your blog? if i did or didnt, i like it =)

oh, and i think its really awesome that you gave a shout out to those commentless blogs out there. i know exactly how that feels. took nearly 3 years for someone to finally notice my blog......
ah well. everything in due time. right?

Star said...

Thanks! I needed this post!

Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!

rhymeswithplague said...

I found you pre-BlogOfNote, possibly from a comment on Jinksy's or Carolina's blog, and thought you were funny.

I still do.

I will be 70 in about a month.

If you come over to my blog, please do not be shocked by my latest post. Most of them are not so morbid. Read a few more!

Delish Dish in the Kitch! said...

Aaah...the ever elusive comment. If it weren't for the stats page some may never think that their blog is even being viewed. While that may sound a bit self-serving, those who wish to spread smiles and laughter throughout this sometimes dismal world, just want people to feel better and appreciate even a "click" onto their blog - and if given the gift of a COMMENT? WELL, NOW! Now we're talkin!!!

I can't wait to read more of your blog!

Putz said...

ok, so visit my blog{ 500 posts on one blog} i challenge you i also challenge you to comment<><><>i am kind of like dumb dad above me cause that is what a putz is really, a dumb dad><><>have been going since 2006, and my claim to fame is i usually dump on myself and try to leave everyone else out of the picture

The bike shed said...

Well those of us who here here before your 'fame' know that you often pop by, as I do, but don't always comment. That's ok by me.

Keep on blogging Ken

Bernie said...

I know how you feel, Ken. I remember feeling very undeserving and a little embarrassed when it happened to me. Then I figured it was just because of my age and thanked everyone in my next post and did not try to comment on everyone's response. But yours is different. Your posts are great.

You are so right. There are so many great blogs out there that go unrecognized. Here's an accolade to all of them.

By the way, when you have time, and can get around to it,come visit me again. I have missed you.

Nakamuras on Saipan said...

Funny...I thought I was just being silly feeling "guilty" for not leaving comments on blogs or regularly visiting my followers blogs and commenting! Now I see I'm not alone. Blogging takes a lot of time (specially when you have a slow internet connection!)so visiting the followers I have is quite time consuming! Can't imagine how you keep up!!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I appreciate about what you said about my blog here. It's a pleasure I never had. You are the first one to directly comment on my blog. I find it very nice to hear that you found my blog to be entertaining.

I cannot follow you, I have reached my following limit. Otherwise, I would have followed your blog.

Bye!

Nota Bene said...

Good for you! There are many, many blogs out there that should have recognition...I'm glad you got yours and it is spurring you on to encourage others

Karen Fisher-Alaniz said...

I may not get a lot of comments. But I'm still under the delusion that people are reading.
For now, that's enough. (and it keeps me writing - which is important for a writer)

Anonymous said...

I read your blog whenever you post a new entry. It always cheers me up when I am having a bad day.

For me blogging is just another way of writing a diary.. one that people can read! Which is scary!

Having people comment on a diary seems odd when you think of it but I think it can help you feel better about the point you are trying to make ^_^

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jane's Domain said...

I don't receive many comments on my blogs either - but people tell me that they enjoy my blog. I think that has to be good enough for me!

Though, I have to admit, I'd love to be named "Blog of Note."

Congrats, again, Grumpy Old Ken!!

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