5 reasons…
I’ve been tagged with a meme by Steve – Our Man in Granada, previously Our Man in Hanoi. I don’t normally do memes (and no, not only because I never get asked to do them) but I liked this one.
So, here are five reasons why I write this blog…
1. I’m an addict. I go through most days looking at events and listening to conversations, wondering how I can write them up, make them funny or interesting. Having a reason to find something to laugh at has been a godsend over the last year, which has been rather difficult. Conversely, sometimes writing posts is cathartic. More than once, it has resulted in tears. I like to think this is a healthy thing, but who knows?
2. I wanted to do something that would inspire me to write on a regular basis, and hand written diaries don’t work for me because I tend to go for the “got up, had a sandwich†approach. Yawn. Also I need the idea of an audience to actually get anything down at all. It must be the exhibitionist in me. The one that drinks too much tequila, clambers over the comatose body of my inhibitions, and makes me pole dance in public.
3. I love the community feel of blogging. I love that people leave comments, and I wish more people would. I know there are people lurking out there, and I’m curious about you all, and why you read this collection of inconsequential ramblings. I also like that people talk about what’s out there that’s interesting, and who is writing good stuff. I’ve discovered a whole world of funny, interesting, talented people out there, I like being part of it, and I’m richer because of it.
4. I like to entertain people. I was a geeky, tongue-tied teenager, and then I discovered that people tend to like you if you can make them laugh. Not that I do it for that any more – I don’t give a crap if people like me or not these days. But it is a fantastic feeling knowing that there are people out there reading what I write, identifying with it and responding to it.
5. I want to have something to look back on, to remember how things looked or felt when I saw or experienced them and not see them through the fuzzy glasses of hindsight.
So, that’s why I blog. Why do you read?
April 4th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I read because I am addicted to blogging. Especially when the blogger is in Namibia and I am so effing green with envy!! Not fair.
OK?
April 4th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Because you write pretty damn good, really…!
April 4th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Good answers. I don’t normally do the tag thing but it was passed on my good people and like you said it was interesting.
I wonder too about all the lurkers. There are a handful of people who leave comments but so many just read. Why? I leave comments everywhere.
It was only when I left Hanoi that so many came out of the woodwork to say goodbye – many had been reading for years before that.
Hey, good news. Looks like I just got a gig to do a corporate blog. 20 hours a month and more than enough to live on. Nice.
April 5th, 2007 at 10:31 am
I read – yours – pretty much for the same reason as you write it. It explains why it reads so well.
April 5th, 2007 at 11:00 am
I read because you write well, and you’re funny. It also gives me some comfort to know I am not alone in experienceing Regular African Madness.
April 5th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Serial lurker here … I read because you’re funny, and because I worked in Africa for a while and so am interested. I also used to use a bike to get around, and your tales of that make me laugh too.
Oh and I don’t read many blogs or write a blog myself, so it is a compliment from me that I come and read yours!
Maybe I will not lurk so much in future….
April 5th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I love that blogging gives us a window into the world of others…especially when the “others” are witty, funny, thoughtful, and living in an interesting part of the world. (And in case you haven’t already noticed, you fall into that category!)
So, thanks for letting me peek through your windows. (And I mean that in an entirely NON-slimy way.)
April 5th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
I love reading about your various Namibian adventures Rach. And it’s a great way to keep in touch when you’re a bit rubbish at it as I am.
xox
April 6th, 2007 at 4:41 am
4 reasons I read:
I read blogs in general I guess because I want to see a little sliver of the human experience from a different perspective, and the medium seems to achieve that in a unique way. Almost all the blogs I read are by people not in my country _and_ not in their own original country. I’m curious about the rest of the world and captivated by the frustration, the clashes, and the joys that happen when cultures meet and people see new places.
I also read them because I have little ~1 min. chunks of time throughout my workday when the computer is processing, and highly narrative short readings are a perfect way to fill the time. Just the truth.
I found your blog through Ourman Steve’s blog, which I found because I was interested in joining VSO and wanted to learn more about what they do and what the experience is actually like for volunteers.
I went all the way back to the beginning of your blog, way pre-VSO, and read all the way through, because I was hooked by your style and your subjects. I too enjoy your humor, but honestly, I was pulled in more by your more serious and reflective posts. And the fact that a lot of your thoughts on various things gibe with mine. It’s like when you meet someone with whom you have a lot in common–except, uh, that it’s mostly a one-way exchange, and the blogger doesn’t really know about it, and when I mention it, as I just did, it could sound a little odd or creepy or fawning. But I hope not. Anyway, you asked.
April 6th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I read blogs like I read books or watch movies, or listen to stories. I suppose it’s a human thing.
I read your blog because as others said, it’s funny and well written. And after a couple of years, I am still enjoying it, which is extremely rare with blogs.
I didn’t realise that leaving a comment was so important for the blog writer, so I will make a little effort… If you want.
Last thing, as I am french, reading english blogs is also a good way to maintain my english.
C’est tout.
April 6th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
I read your blog because I miss drinking red wine with you after work and I like to hear all about what your up to!
Like I said before you have got a fab talent. I’m very jealous as my blog when I was travelling was generally the got up, saw some sights and dranks some beer….yawn!
Happy Easter!
L xxx
April 6th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
I read because otherwise I would have very little contact with my sister! Being in totally different parts of the world to each other/family does tend to make contact difficult
Also I love the way you write and the way you look at the world.
p.s. Would love to talk to you properly…
April 6th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
what everyone else said really – a view of a different world. Humour, and just great writing!
April 7th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
I enjoy reading your blog because you write well
Perhaps reading blogs is my reward for writing a blog…
April 7th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
[...] shamelessly stole this from the wonderful Living For Disco whose insights into the world of a blogger make me [...]
April 7th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
[...] pinched this idea from the fantastic Practically Perfect, who shamelessly stole it from Living For Disco, who got tagged with a meme by Our Man in [...]
April 7th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
I read it because blogs are interesting – both the content and why people write them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your blog with us!
April 7th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
can’t believe i’m no. 18 commenter. is this a record?? erm. because you write marvellously and are terribly comical. like lou, i miss you and it keeps me up to date – privileged to know you in ‘real life’ as well as blog-ariously.
April 8th, 2007 at 12:27 am
I read because my fiancee is in the PC in northern Namibia and i am crazy for her and for any piece of additional information about the life of any volunteer no matter what part of namibia they are living.i read yours frequently cause a)you write frequently b) you write funny c) it gives me a good picture of what your life is like and helps me imagine a daily routine in a volunteer’s life…
April 10th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
I read because it puts me other places, and lets me (in my imagination) walk in places that I am not able to go.
April 10th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Blimey – look at all these comments! I go away for a few days and look what happens. Talk about coming out of the woodwork. Hello everyone, and welcome to all of you who haven’t commented before.
I can’t really go through responding to everyone, but thanks for letting me know you’re out there, and why you read. It’s really nice to know.
XX
April 12th, 2007 at 6:51 am
I so identify with your reasons to blog: my own (hand written) diary reads -on consecutive days – ’slept well’, ’suppose I must have gone to town’ and ‘rained all night’; my children are hardly going to learn anything about their mother’s generation given such staggering revelations are they? Why do I read your blog? Because it’s funny, absolutely. But also because you’ve got Africa down to the proverbial T: her complexities, her frustrations, her people: including, I don’t doubt, bloodycolonials like myself! Please keep writing – and congratulations on book.
April 12th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I read because I appreciate a good, honest and funny read. And coz i know you, and it’s funny to read about the odd and strange things that you come across in Windhoek, and then discuss it with you in the bar, and how I just had a really similar experience too (often involving taxi drivers). I learn a lot actually.
It’s good to look through another person’s eyes for a change.
April 13th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I am reading your blog because I am considering bringing myself and my family to Namibia to teach. I am looking to find as much information as possible on this country. You also are an excellent writer. I hope to be one someday as well. I am even thinkign about creating a blog now that my life is in a state of transformation. It seems liek it may be a cathardic process every day.
Who knows?
April 15th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I came across your blog on someone else’s blog (can’t remember which one now) and have been reading it ever since – it makes me chuckle. I grew up in Zimbabwe and some of your stories ring bells. Also I think working for an NGO like you do is admirable and I’d love to hear more about it (hint!) on your blog. Your non-work exploits are v amusing too though.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Wow you got replies! I once asked a question to ‘my readers’ and got a reply saying that I was just looking for more comments and she wasn’t going to answer my question!
April 22nd, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Well, this is the first time that I’ve read your blog, and I’m looking forward to reading through your past posts and seeing what you’ve been up to recently – looks like everybody else loves it. The reason why I’m reading it? Well, I haven’t seen you for ages, and I just had a chat with your mum and Ellie this afternoon!
Just gave my dad the URL, so he’ll probably be reading it by now.
By the way, you weren’t *that* geeky and tongue-tied as a teenager