When I first started blogging, it involved posting just a few little tidbits here and there. I didn't have a sitemeter and didn't care. If someone stopped by and read one of my posts I was thrilled. Otherwise, I was writing strictly for myself.
Then I started writing longer, more thoughtful posts complete with actual research and links galore. I was posting once a week, then once a day and eventually I was posting several times a day. I got a sitemeter and I kept looking at the darn thing, willing it to collect more hits.
I started doing posts mentioning specific weblogs - daring them to visit my site and hoping they would send others. I was averaging 10 visits a day, then 20 and 30 and it was great but it wasn't enough. I got 174 hits in one day and there was no going back! I want more! More! More I say! I started looking for bloggers from Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland, Vermont, Oregon, and then some from Washington DC, Yeaaaaaaaaaeaaahhhh!
...Then I crashed.
I started getting cynical and bitter. "Bah! If Hugh Hewitt is such a great blogging proponent, how come he never visits my site!", I sneered. I couldn't sleep. I just kept tossing and turning - and tossing and turning. I racked my brain, "What could I write about next? Who can I add to my blogroll? What is the secret to the universe?", But still nothing would come.
I began to feel like Howard Dean after the Iowa Caucuses, hurt, deflated, trying to look like a winner, but deep down just plain angry at the world. I combed news sites looking for the perfect story that would attract just one more hit. I was strung out and looking for more hits all the time, "Hey, buddy, can you spare some hits?", I found myself begging.
Finally, I realized I had a problem. I admitted that I was powerless over blogging and that it had made my weblog unmanageable. I vowed I would take one giant step away from the computer and I did. I vowed I would take a few days off.
I began to enter a state of perpetual bliss where I no longer worried that everyone else was going to get more hits than my site. Finally, I realized, "hey this would make a good post on my weblog!", and I was back at it again.
Mr. jdmays,
I just arrived at your blog, via this page at blogwise, regarding the keyword "Illinois."
http://blogwise.com/bykeyword.php?keyword=5210
(That page had appeared in my blog's hit counter's referrers listing;
http://extremetracking.com/open;ref1?login=uiblog
apparently, someone arrived at my blog from that blogwise page.)
I saw your blog listed at the top portion of that page, saw the title and description, and followed the link over here. This is the first time that I recall being to your weblog. I think that there must be a lot of bloggers in the Chicago area (there are so many people there!), but I am in downstate Illinois... I don't know how many bloggers we have here in Springfield.
Regarding this entry of yours - I also have a lot of emotions attached to blogging... Since I started my blog during the fall semester of 2002, it has been mostly a good experience... I have also posted so many comments at other weblogs, and have gotten into many discussions and debates. While this can be exciting, it can also be stressful (I am one who allows things to get to me, and I become immensely overwhelmed and frustrated with what other people say, and when I see viewpoints and information that I believe is wrong, or with which I strongly disagree... That has been a very unhealthy mindset for me to have; something that I wish would improve).
Anyway, I will look around your blog some... It's good to find another Illinois weblog. I am also a conservative - I am a staunch, tradtionalist conservative and a College Republican; I have had some major disagreements, though, with many of the policies and actions of the Bush administration, with respect to domestic and foreign affairs.
Are you also a student? There are a lot of student and youth bloggers... This is a very good thing. Anyway, it's good that you are active in the Blogosphere, and I will look through some of your blog now. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Aakash at January 23, 2004 03:39 PMThanks for your comments. Yes, I think we have a lot of bloggers in the Chicago area - not as many downstate. (Although I think Free Will is downstate) I'm glad we share a similar viewpoint. Unfortunately, I'm not in college and haven't been for quite some time. I hope you enjoy visiting my blog and stop by regularly.
-Jim.
I used to live in Springfield! It's such a nice little town. Much better than crappy old Charlotte, NC.
As for blogging, I just do my own thing. I blog for myself and if others like my content - hey that's great! And if they don't, oh well. As a rule, I stay away from the big name famous bloggers. I don't read their content, don't visit their sites. I will not play silly games, I will kiss no one's ass and I'm not going to mention the big blogs in the lame hope of getting them to link to me. If they link to me, they do so because of my content, that's what's important, in my .02. The blogs I roll are the ones I enjoy reading.
Just keep up what you're doing. In time you will find more blogs that you enjoy reading, you'll roll them and most will find that they enjoy your content and will roll you back. And that's how it starts. Stay true to yourself.
Jennifer Martinez sends
Posted by: Jennifer Martinez at January 24, 2004 10:11 AMJennifer,
I'm honored that you visit my blog so often and I've appreciated your ongoing support!
I've never lived in Charlotte, NC but at this time of year, living in N. Illinois, Charlotte seems like it would be awfully nice. The last time I visited NC it was March and it definitely seemed nice at that time of year.
As far as blogging is concerned I just have to be careful to enjoy it and not let my Type-A tendencies get the best of me.
Thanks,
Jim.
I live in Charlotte, NC and I think it is very nice. Except for the political pork flyin' around.
Posted by: Jennifer at June 21, 2004 09:48 PM