No, I am not referring to myself as Young Frankenstein (although if you catch me first thing in the morning...maybe).
I'm referring to my long, unintended, unannounced absence from my blog. I have no idea if any of you are still out there (and I suppose if you're not there is no one to blame but myself) but if you are THANK YOU. I even missed my own blogging anniversary (Dec. 30) - can you say L-O-S-E-R?
I initially took a break to concentrate on a writing course I'm taking at UCLA (which I have LOVED). But, I also left to pull myself out of the debilitating internal competition I was having with Sitemeter, Feedburner and Statcounter (not to mention you other bloggers out there (you know who you are) who get dozens or hundreds of comments for every post no matter how large or how small.) To be honest, that is just hard to take.
I believed myself to be above all the high school popularity nonsense. But I-just-couldn't-tear-myself-away from checking in numerous, time-sucking, mentally distracting, confidence-shattering times a day.
So I bailed.
But I missed you guys.
So I'm back.
Sort of.
I've never considered myself a flake in IRL. I'm actually very much the opposite. But somehow, in blogland, I've taken on a personality flaw that I refuse to tolerate in others: visiting when it suits me, taking and not giving back (I am still reading though I have resorted to lurker status).
So, for those of you still around, forgive me. I will try my best to visit and comment with more frequency, and of course, write on my own damn blog.
I hope you'll
22 Comments:
I'm glad that you're back! Nothing wrong with reading and not commenting if that's what you're in a mood for. As long as you're having a glass of wine while you're doing it, of course.
Well, hello Merlot Mom! I personally try not to look at stats. They make me feel insecure, and I don't think I'm normally an insecure person. I try to just focus on enjoying the writing and the sense of community. Of course, it doesn't always work ... but most of the time it seems to. Welcome back! :)
Having my glass of wine, checking my Reader, and was happy to see your new post.
I relate to "...checking in numerous, time-sucking, mentally distracting, confidence-shattering times a day." For a *hobby* that's supposed to be a stress *reliever*, I too allow it to be a stress inducer. Something I promised myself I wouldn't do. I'll work on keeping it in check, if you will.
I'm joining you!
-Chris
Welcome back!
I used to feel discouraged when I first started blogging and post after post after post would get no comments. It took time, and visiting/commenting on other blogs, to build up to getting at least one comment on every post. Often there are more, but for now I'm happy if every post gets at least one comment. Sometimes I ask a question at the end of the post to give readers a reason to comment, that seemed to help, but I think what works best is to be consistent in posting and participating in the community by commenting on other blogs.
Hope to "see" you here again soon!
I'm glad that you're back, even if it's infrequently.
I know how you feel—I'm struggling with the same things. I get jealous of stats and comments on other blogs. It's like high school all over again, but worse because I should know better. This blogging thing was supposed to be a fun thing for me to do; it shouldn't stress me out. Now I'm trying to change my mindset. Post when I have something to say and stop checking my stats every hour!
Keep writing. Check in when you can and relax!
It's about damn time! We miss your wit and wisdom. I think the whole world is high school. I don't think I'll ever convince myself I'm not in it for the validation.
Happy Blogoversary, my BBF. Now get to work on your 100 things!
I missed my blogoversary too (Dec 29, I think). It happens to the best of us : )
The main thing is, you're back.
Oh hi.
I'm glad you're back. Don't be too hard on yourself. It's easy to get caught up in all that stat, comment stuff. You're a writer. They will come. And just THINK of all the lurkers out there reading YOU. :)
Hi Merlot. This is my first comment because I am truly lazy and get your posts through the email and then dont bother to come on through and comment.
Consider myself totally and utterly reprimanded and I'll be back regularly - if you'll post regularly - to comment.
I've taken up your mantle of Give Me the Grateful Life and I post every Monday all the things that deserve to be shown some gratitude - so for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I went in to check my stats and my subscriptions - and found I have a total of "one" subscriber to my blog - my mate who is a writing colleague and co-collaborator on a few projects.
Come back soon ...
I try not to look at my stat to comment ratio either. It can be depressing. But, as long as you enjoy blogging etc... it all works out in the end.
Glad you are back- I am a silly lurker and I will try and do better about commenting. Its not right for me to take (enjoy the things I read) without giving back ( leave a comment letting you know I enjoyed it).
Again, glad you back- I love your writing!
I had been wondering where you were. Glad you are back. I missed you.
Thank you all for your comments and warm welcome back. Just to be clear, I was in NO way reprimanding anyone who reads and does not comment, I was referring only to myself. Come, read, comment, don't comment, whatever. Thanks again for your company.
Welcome back!
I knew where you were, because I'm there too.
That is so funny, because I am new in the blog world too and I am ALL CONSUMED with how many readers, how many comments.. blah blah blah. I am glad to know I am not the only one standing against the proverbial wall at prom!
Glad you're back! I took my own semi-break on and off in December and now I'm trying to find a groove again.
Hi! I found your blog thru BlogHer and loved the name "Merlot Mom" because I love wine, too! And miss the GNOs with wine and endless chatter.
I totally know what you mean checking stats on the blog because I think it's a natural obsession because we're not really writing for ourselves all the time. I took a long unannounced absence from blogging last year and lost a lot of readers who haven't come back since I returned, but I have a better attitude about it and don't care as much as I used to. (Even though I secretly wish they would come back!)
I wish I were sitting next to you in your UCLA writing class, because that would mean that I was taking a UCLA writing class too. I'm totally jealous! And I hope that my jealousy boosts your bloggy ego!
Welcome back! I, too, am completely jealous of your UCLA writing class. And I, too, am a horrible lurker.
Welcome back, I am new and can't remember where I found your blog, but loved it! There's nowt wrong with lurking, or de-lurking in my book, as you say!
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