So yeah...i did it. And the world has Harvey and a few others to thank (or blame) for it.
I've been a blog addict for about 2 years now, so it's a little odd that the thought never occurred to me until quite recently to start my own. (Shut up, Jerry...you know I never listen to you! haha)
I realize that for every blogger there's a different reason for starting a blog so I had to ask myself , "Why?"
There are several reasons, the first being: I love words. I like the idea of finding the exact word to perfectly communicate what's in my head. When I'm speaking, the thoughts are firing so quickly, that it seems my mouth is moving before even I know what's going to come out. (And can I just add that that hasn't always worked in my favor!) When I write, I can pick and choose each word until I find the one that works. Also-- and maybe I'm just one of those repressed females who "plays dumb"-- but I find that when i use an uncommon word when speaking, I get the oddest looks from people--as though they think i'm trying to impress them. But when I write, nobody questions a well-placed, slightly intimidating word that forces you to pull out the ol' dictionary. Maybe it's because when you're reading, you don't have to fake the fact that you have no friggin clue as to what was just said.
Another reason I decided to do it is because I have things to say. I'm a teacher at heart. Whenever I learn something I want to share it with as many people as i can. I love knowing that I've imparted something that could actually help someone be it a life skill, a lesson learned (usually) the hard way, or just the chance to serve as a warning of what "not to do" in a particular situation.
What makes this time in my life feel like the right time to do it is because I finally feel like I've earned the right to be heard. I turned 40 this past year and while that's not old, it certainly is deserving of respect. 40 years is a long time to do ANYTHING and that includes living! If someone said, "I been a sellin' shoes fer pert' near 40 years now." you'd probably trust his opinion over the 17 year old working at Payless Shoes as to what makes a shoe a quality shoe.
Next reason? I'm funny. I know I'm funny. My whole family is funny. And we have the ability to make even the most mundane things funny. It comes from my dad's side of the family. He grew up in New York City during the 30's and 40's and they were poor poor poor. My dad didn't have his own bed until he joined the army but that's not what I grew up hearing about. I grew up hearing stories like the one about the neighbor in the basement apartment who my dad and the other little street-rats would lay in wait for and then pelt with snowballs as "The Mole's" head emerged from the underworld. The story would be funny if I stopped right there but it gets fricking hysterical when my dad tells about learning that The Mole turned out to be a hitman for the mob. Lovely. So yeah....I'm gonna tell you stories about my kids and life and silly little things that amuse me. I hope you laugh. I know I will.
I guess the last reason I decided to start a blog is because I like people and I especially like meeting new people. I used to be horribly shy but in the family I grew up in, you learned to speak up pretty early on or get left behind. My dad and brothers teased me mercilessly and I would always get my feelings hurt, so I remember well the first time I lobbed a verbal zinger back at my dad. I was probably 12 or so. The room became deathly silent for about 3 seconds but in that short span, a new me was born. I learned to become friendly and outgoing and, yes, a wee bit sarcastic as a result. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
So here we go, kids! Who knows where it will take us but I'm up for surprises!
Posted by PamCHBF at February 27, 2005 02:25 PM