Posts Tagged ‘blog’

There was a recent report discussing how kids these days (heh) no longer read or write blogs. Instead, in their micro-sized ADD culture, they prefer to read status updates on Facebook. Okay, I can understand that. Part of the way I kill time is to scroll through my news updates and see what teensy morsel people have to toss out into the digital realm. It’s quick, it’s easy…and sometimes I really don’t need mundane details and 140 characters will suffice just fine. Ironically (is that the right usage? I can still never tell) sometimes people still manage to put out the most mundane details in 140 characters.

On the other hand, I don’t want just snippets. I want stories, gosh darnit! Call me a cranky, crotchety dinosaur here, but I used to like reading blogs from friends, or even people I didn’t know that well but sort of knew. There is something about a well-written personal blog with a few snarky comments is just…well, just plain entertaining to me. I like reading about the near disaster my friend had during a class, or some other befuddling musing in their head. Or perhaps it was a recent accomplishment, or a vent. Of course, I do add that one stipulation is that certain friends are just good writers. Those that aren’t…well, the entertainment value comes more from execution rather than content.

Either way, it’s sad to say that a good portion of the former blog world that I used to frequent from friends is no longer there. Of course, this was due to platforms like Xanga…and I’m convinced my cousin is one of the rare ones still existing there. (Hi Gogo).

Hand me a cane, if I wax nostalgia for a little longer I’ll be needing it during my tirade about dem whippersnappers these days.

Man, the Internet makes me feel old sometimes.

A day or two ago, as I was perusing around the Internet, I came to the realization that I do not fit into any sort of niche.  Sure, there are things that I am interested in and I do have quite a few hobbies.  Despite this, I find it difficult to devote 110% of my efforts, time, and energy into writing about one thing on a blog.

Image from barnoid

I love food, and I usually write my thoughts and reviews about bay area restaurants on Yelp.  I enjoy snowboarding, but I can’t tell you the latest hot gear to get from Burton or Rossignol.  Social media and online engagement is a part of my job and I love it, but not really something I can discuss all the time, every time.  Occasionally, of course, I love pointing out some of my favorite programs online.

In either case, the only ‘niche’ I seem to fill is the occasional snarky 20-something year old, which I’m told is overdone.  That got me thinking: is being in a niche something really necessary to succeed with an online presence, or can you still be just yourself?

A part of me thinks … no.  After all, that’s why a lot of people visit food blogs, movie blogs, etc.  These cater to a specific interest, and usually offer a rich plethora of information.  On the other hand, there are also those random Internet personalities that tend to generate a lot of traffic.

In either case, niche or not, I suppose the only thing I can really do is to continue to write about things I’m interested in and things I WANT to write about…even if it is focused on absolutely nothing.  After all, isn’t it better to read that as opposed to some blog that focuses solely on garnering traffic?

Or am I just justifying the fact that I have absolutely no type of focus on this blog?

Hum.  Either way, I’m having some serious thoughts on some web re-design.  Stay tuned!

Sadly, the third frame really hit home for me.

I’m pretty sure the best way to lose reader(s) is to, uh, not update. Like what I’ve been doing these past few days. But, in my defense, it’s pretty hard to blog when I’m too busy stuffing my face with food and cramming in as much fun and family time as possible.

It always catches me by surprise when I find myself about ready to leave and a friend or family member inquires, “when will you be back?” Instead of the usual college answer (sigh) of break, I really have to think: “when WILL I be back?”

Sad.

And, to cop out, here is an old YouTube video courtesy of one of my friends, rating M for mature due to the expletives included. You’ve been warned.