Let’s be honest with each other. Do you ever come here to learn something new? Or do you trek all the way here – that is if you’re not reading me from your reader – just to hang out and hear another familiar human voice?
Come on, what do I have to teach that you can’t search on Google? Or in Twitter? Or in FriendFeed live search. Surely you’re better off there huh?
You’re not alone, my friend. That’s pretty much on my mind a lot of times. For example – sure, I need to learn HTML. And there are countless resources online for that just a click or two away. I went to this site, downloaded this HTML cheat sheet, saved it on my computer both at home and at work. Did I go back to hang out with the author? No, I went to my blogging buddies sites and had fun.
Of course, I made a mental note of that blog. I’d go back there if ever I survive learning HTML to learn something else. But for the meantime?
I just wanna have fun
Just to give you an idea, I’d tell you where I’ve been today. Been to only a handful of them because I’m a slow reader. When I like a blog time is no object: instead of scanning the post I’d swallow it whole, take a seat and ask for coffee. You guess right, it’s a long sweet goodbye before I go. Okay the places, I’ve been to -
- Good Times Manila – A blog which lampoons celebrities and pseudo-celebrities. Deejay writes so well that a great number of his clueless readers generally take these send-ups as encyclical from the Vatican itself. Therein lies the joke as well, except for Deejay who tirelessly reminds his hyperventilating readers to go check out his About Page in an effort to calm them down.
- Influenza Bloggers – A newly launched fun blog which pokes fun at everything. Nothing is ever sacred to this group of bloggers. Not even themselves surely. I read it every day just to be in their good side. I have this pet notion that this group of wackos will hesitate to train their guns on a friendly face – however “influential blogger” he maybe. Ahem.
- Filipino Poems and Poetry – You can lower your eyebrows now. Poetry is my kind of fun. An acquired taste surely since Elmot shared with this blog his sensuous poem, Bells and Women. I go there not in search of more risque poems – okay, that too. Now hear this – I’m astounded to find not balm for my repressed urges, but a cure for my calloused heart. Pretty annoying initially as I’m not given to touching base with my inner yearnings, but what can I say – Elmot has that rare ability to slow me down without saying, “Poof!”
- Clinical Chemistry Blogs – All 29 of them. I checked them all today to see what they’re up to. Well, I’m happy to say they’re all still there, making baby steps into the blogosphere. If these guys are what splogs look like? Oh boy, I’d be happy to be branded as a splog myself. Thanks, you lovely people, for voting your Lolo Jan as one of the influential blogs of 2009. I owe you big time. And if anyone causes you any disrespect, I’d give you free lessons so you can say with flair, “With all due respect, you suck!”
Alexa rank, my foot
Please note that in all of these new watering holes only Good Times Manila has a high Alexa rank. Well, I don’t care. It’s the least of my concern. I vote with my feet. Sure, I visit high traffic blogs, but my greatest satisfaction is to have that sense of community with brilliant new blogs wherein I’m treated as a person and not as a statistic. And it feels nice to have a stake in their growth. I feel a sense of ownership simply by association. And this makes my day. Every single time.
So the question is – why for heaven’s sake are you here - or your other favorite blog hangouts? What’s in it for you? You need to learn the proper maintenance of a light saber? Jesus. You’re hopeless.
Oy, I almost forgot. Tomorrow – that’s a few hours from now – is my birthday. I’d rather you greet me here than be constrained by a 140-character tweet. And yes – with all the ruckus raised by the Mafia wars in Facebook – this is a much saner place to drop your greetings. And for the shy souls, please use the contact form.
Photo Credit: Garry
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