It’s My Blogiversary!

Actually, I’m a day late. Yesterday, December 14th, was the one-year anniversary of  my very first post. If you read it–or if you already knew me way back then–you’ll realize that I wanted to make a super-helpful database.  It would have involved a lot of learning technology and doing data entry, which would  be helpful for you but boring for me.  So I’ve blown that off entirely, except for the listings.

Anyway, I thought that I’d answer the top questions that people ask me about blogging.

How do you have time to do this?

I don’t, really. Well, okay, I cut back on my volunteering a bit, rationalizing that this was sort of a public service. And I like to do it, so I steal time that I would have spent sleeping or watching tv. Also, my house isn’t very clean.

Where do you come up with everything?

For listings: email lists, mailing lists, newspapers, flyers, website listings, personal emails, and word of mouth. For all the other posts: honestly, I hardly ever have a problem thinking of something to write about. I keep a list of items sort of queued up, so if I’m not feeling creative, I just check my stash.

Do you do this for free [insert incredulous tone here]? Why don’t you have ads to make some money?

Yes, I do it for free. I’ve thought about running ads, but for a variety of reasons I’ve decided not to try to make money from this blog, at least not anytime soon. Capital District Fun helps me in other ways, especially considering how scared I was when I started, and how easy and not-scary it feels now. I do enjoy money, and I think that I would like to make some money doing some thing. Also, if you offered me some money, I would take it. As long as you didn’t want me to write something unbelievably fake. Because that’s not how I roll.

Do you write about everything?

No.  My husband and my mother-in-law are readers, so that limits me right there. Also, I try to focus on putting out the good and happy karma (although if you ask me to explain karma as a Mystical Concept I will become confused, uncomfortable, and fidgety). Specifically I try not to complain about anyone, except my own self and household–and then it’s clearly with affection,  I hope. I also don’t write anything that would be truly humiliating for my children. Which is a shame, because I have some excellent funny-but-humiliating stories.

What’s the worst thing/best thing about doing the blog?

The worst: lately, it’s when someone “unlikes” me on Facebook. I know it’s pathetic, but I take it personally. I try not to check it, but it’s hard not to notice. Or when I work really hard on a post and no one notices or comments in any way. That happened more earlier–frankly, these days I just haven’t been working as hard.

And the weird thing is that people know what’s going on in my life, even if we’re just acquaintances (or strangers). Which can be awkward, especially if I’m making getting-to-know you patter with someone who already knows me.

The best:  When something  frustrating or ridiculous happens, it always cheers me up to know that at least it will make a funny post. Also, I’ve learned that I really like to write, and I’m not afraid of people reading what I write now.  And every once in a while I get an email from someone who’s just had a baby or who’s just moved to the area and they thank me profusely. And then I feel terribly happy with myself for the next day or two.

Anyway, thank you, everyone. Thanks to those of you who peer-pressured me into starting this little project, and to those of you who just noticed this blog today (I got an email, actually), and especially thanks to anyone who’s left kind and encouraging comments. I do appreciate that you’ve taken the time to spend a little time with me & Capital District Fun.