Blogging Meme

I don't usually do "memes" and never do tags. However, once in a while, a meme that grabs my attention is posted in one of my friend's blogs. The following "Blog Meme" was posted over at "Here in the Hills." It looked interesting, so here is my version.

1-Do you like the look and the contents of your blog?

The look of my blog is pretty simple. It’s just a standard template from Blogger with a custom header created just for me by Bohica. Eventually, I’d like to get a truly custom and unique layout… and my own domain name as well, but that will not happen right away.

As for the contents, well, I’m happy with about 85 to 90 percent of what I’ve written and perhaps a little bit higher percentage of the photos I’ve taken. It all depends on when I’m asked!

2-Does your family know about your blog?

Yes, and I know my parents are among my most loyal readers. Other family and extended family members read it as well – my sister even left a comment recently. My kids, however, only frequent this site when I direct their attention here. Although they are online regularly and often, their pursuits do not include reading my musings. Besides, they get the live version of me on demand.

One of the benefits of recording my thoughts here is that I will have left them with something more than my “stuff” when I leave this planet. They don’t have to read it now; it’ll be there when they’re ready to.

3-Can you tell your friends about your blog?

Yes, the URL is on my “freelance” business card. Some read it, others don’t. Believe it or not, I have more than a couple of friends that do not own a computer, do not use the Internet and don’t want to learn. Crazy, I know!

4-Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog?
No, I read many blogs and some have, to the best of my knowledge, never even visited my blog, let alone commented on it. However, if there is a blog or another website that I can go to through a comment, I always do and almost always leave a comment in return, even if it’s just to thank the blogger for stopping by.

5-Did your blog positively affect your mind?

Blogging has been a proven to be positive influence in many areas of my life – my mind incuded.

6-What does the number of visitors to your blog mean?

Only that there are a number of people that think what I have to say is worth a few minutes of their time. I’ve said this before and it’s still true: I write for a number of reasons, one of them is to be read. For someone to stop what he or she is doing to read what I’ve written is the ultimate gift. I very much appreciate it.

7-Did you imagine how other bloggers look like?

Sometimes. Often there is a photo in their profile or post – I don’t have to guess. The ones I wonder about the most are those that have a caricature or some other abstract representation of themselves.

8-Do you think blogging has any real benefit?

Absolutely – and apparently so does Time magazine. The benefits are realized on so many different levels… Political, personal, economic, spiritual, the list goes on and on. There are, of course, detractors and they too have some valid concerns, but blogging is here to stay and the benefits far outweigh any problems.

9-Do you think that the blogesphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?

No, it has become an integral part of the global community. In fact, it is more than a part of the global community, it is now part of the world’s communications infrastucture. I get visitors and readers from all over the world – a feat I could never have accomplished without blogging. ‘Nuff said.

10-Do some political blogs scare you?

No, but I tend to stay away from the extremists. I don’t have time for thoughtless, myopic rhetoric – there is far better political material to read.

11-Do you think that criticizing your blog is useful?

Criticism from others or myself? I will always be critical of my own output, especially when it comes to writing. Although the feedback I’ve received through comments is overwhelmingly positive, I have had a few who disagreed with what I had to say. For the most part, these were written respectfully and not delivered as personal attacks. That kind of criticism is appreciated. However, if one wishes to engage in a verbal war, well, I can do that too.

12-Have you ever thought about what would happen to your blog in case you died?

No, hopefully my family will keep it alive in some form or another, even if it’s just for them.

13-Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?

I can’t answer that. I read a number of very different, very distinct blogs and all have had an impression on me – I wouldn’t return to them if they didn’t.

14-Which blogger do you think is the most similar to you?

Again, I can’t answer that. There are far too many facets to writing style, content and other inter-personal characteristics I share with other bloggers – some compliment my own personality while others contrast it.

15-Name a song you want to listen to?

Veteran of the Psychic Wars (Blue Oyster Cult)