If you buy into the mythology promulgated by the people who know about blogging you must do it their way because they have tens of thousands of subscribers, they make tons of moolah and some people call them A-listers.
Man, that would be grand, to be called an A-lister and to know that the 287 people who aren’t related to me and don’t follow me online actually know my name. Come to think of it, I have more Facebook friends than that so maybe I should aim higher.
Don’t worry friends, this is not a passive-aggressive attempt to slam anyone. As I have said before when I choose to go after someone I do it in a way that makes it clear– in other words I use their name or at least their website.
But that is not what this is about.
This Is About Blogging
This is about blogging or maybe more accurately it is about writing.
It is about my theory that the best bloggers are storytellers and that every story is like a good soup.
There is a base, there are ingredients that go in it and then a mix of spices that can make it amazing or awful. I suppose there could and should be a middle ground, but I don’t usually find it, at least not when it comes to food.
I really enjoy my meals or I don’t. For that matter I find few things to be as disappointing as a bad meal. A good meal is spiritual.
Hell, sometimes a great meal is like an orgasm that just makes your body tingle and it is always made better when you share it with someone else. Food is communal in nature.
Google Music
I am a fan of music and of Google Music. One of the reasons is because they give out free songs and I am a fan of free, but not just because it is free.
I like it because sometimes I am exposed to music I might not otherwise listen to. And since you asked here is a partial list of what I have picked up via Google Music.
- Could You Be Loved- Bob Marley
- Empire State of Mind- Jay-Z
- Band On The Run- Paul McCartney
- Living For The City- Stevie Wonder
- California Love- 2Pac
- Let’s Get It On- Marvin Gaye
- Sitting on The Dock of The Bay- Otis Redding
- I Will Wait- Mumford and Sons
- Baker Street- Gerry Rafferty
- Crazy on You- Heart
Ok, raise your hand if that list made you want to play Songpop or if you thought it was sort of eclectic.
And Now Something For The Men
Gentlemen if you and your boys find that some days you suffer from that “it feels like a swamp down there” feeling may I suggest you try Fresh Balls.
That is not an affiliate link nor is it a made up name for a product. Hell, some people might consider it to be marketing genius. It is edgy, but it is memorable.
And no, I won’t tease you about it the way I would if you picked up a Mangroomer.
The Click Came
That click I was waiting for came a while back and turned life upside down but the upside down, inside out part isn’t done yet. But the thing is I feel pretty good about it, the shaking isn’t done yet.
The shaking isn’t done and there is more to this click, but my gut says it is all going as it should be so I am just riding the wave. That is the name of the game, go with the flow, roll with the punches and just enjoy the ride.
Blogging Doesn’t Have To Have A Point, it just needs to be fun.
Jane McKay says
Thanks for putting Could You Be Loved in my head it replaced “Toot Toot Chugga Chugga” by The Wiggles. You are a god amongst men.
Jack says
My kids use to go crazy for them I know all their songs, fortunately I don’t have to listen anymore. 🙂
Jane McKay says
Lucky you! We had the privilege of seeing their “Farewell Tour” in December for Miss Indigo’s 2nd birthday. I thought she was going to explode from excitement. She even had a Toot Toot Chugga Chugga Big Red Car cake! Good times…….
Jack says
My oldest will be 13 this year but when he was around 3 The Wiggles were everything to him. He wanted to listen/watch to them 24 hours a day, used to make me a bit crazy.
Barrett Rossie says
Jack, I do love that song list. At least, the songs I know. Since we agree on those, it makes me want to check out the songs I don’t know.
So you see, this point did have a point after all. You’re working for Mumford & Sons, aren’t you?
Jack says
Hi Barrett,
Yep, I am working for them and I will wait for you. 😉
Joe says
I’m sure there is a comment in me somewhere, but all I can think is… damn, what an absolutely killer song list.
Jack says
Hi Joe,
A comment about music is always good.
Judy Lee Dunn says
I’m not biting on the “What’s the point?” because you and I have been down this road before. I will just say that even telling a story on your blog has a point. The story is the point. And I love that Flannery O’Connor quote: “A story isn a full action with a point.” I guess it boils down to our definition of point. Okay, now I’m messing with you. : )
I am going to be telling stories more consistently on my blog because I am attracting readers for my book that is in progress. Rarely do I come to this site and not do any thinking. Thanks for that. my friend.
Jack says
Hi Judy,
We have been down this road before but the difference between us and them (at least some of them) is our love for writing, our interest in learning more about our craft and our curiosity.
That might sound obnoxious to some people, but it is not meant to be. Not trying to be pretentious at all.
Some people break the rules because they don’t know them, don’t remember or don’t care. Others do it with intent because they want to find out what happens.
Will throwing gasoline on the fire cause an explosion or will it make the flames go higher…
Lauri Rottmayer says
I love this! And I agree with it. I have no point to my blog. LOL! I write when I’m inspired and most of my posts don’t take me any longer than about 5 minutes to write. It’s my place to go and write about things that interest me, concern me, entertain me. Sometimes, I like to entertain you. No, most of the time I hope to entertain my reader. I don’t make any money blogging and I probably don’t have as many readers as most people do but I love it and it makes me happy. When I’m on twitter or facebook and I read “I have to write five blog posts, what should I write about?” I’m confused. Write what’s fun, write when the spirit hits you, make yourself happy. It’s not hard. 🙂
Jack says
Hi Lauri,
I don’t understand people who blog but don’t have any fun doing so. This is work or at least it appears to be for some people. Maybe they don’t have enough from the outside world. but I see no point in adding to my load.
Writing should be fun and it sounds like you have that. That is awesome.
Stan Faryna says
A little restless?
Jack says
Who me> 😉