Two years ago I started blogging on WordPress, part of the diaspora of refugees from Vox.
I love blogging, have I ever told you that? I love the friends I have met, the lives that I have been invited into, and the creativity and expression that it allows me.
People come and people go, in the world of blogging, but one thing I notice about those who stay is that they are blogging for their own enjoyment, and to suit their own voice. They aren’t trying to create a brand or a product, they aren’t out for fame or celebrity, though that does come for a rare few, but they are simply blogging because of the many gifts it brings to them, and the pure joy of communication and friendship.
I can be sad, I can be happy. I can ask for opinions, or just ask for a shoulder to cry on. There is nothing like a group blog hug!
It has helped me look at my world differently, and to notice the small things in life. It is the small moments that often make up the most interesting moments. There is surprise in never knowing what will strike a chord with my readers, or what will resound in deafening silence.
Blogging has opened my world to new friends, new cultures and multiple world views; some I agree with, some are as distant from my own as to be almost alien. To quote Martha, it’s a good thing.
I am visible, though I hide behind my persona. I am creative. I am excited and I want to continue blogging. It never gets dull, and there are always new people to meet.
Thank you WordPress, thank you friends. You light up my world.
[Don’t worry, this is about as much nice as I am capable of, so I vow to be back to my cynical, opinionated FD tomorrow. ]
Flamingo Dancer's Blog 
Oh gosh FD. I feel all mushy now.
Like you, I benefit from a host of different folk who choose to read and comment on my posts.
It’s a great little world in the blogosphere.
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Sorry for the weak moment. I will try to keep it under control!
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Even though my ability to comment has been curtailed these past two months, I enjoy reading your posts, even the ones where you threaten mayhem on everyone. (Or perhaps, especially the ones where you threaten mayhem.) May you post for many years to come!
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I intend living until I am 102, so that is 48 more years of blogging!
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Phew! You had me worried for a minute, there. Looking forward to the return of Ms. Cranky-Pants. And, my mother loves your posts as well (oh, and me, too!)
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How is Mom? I promise on the cold dead body of Vox not to be nice too often!
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Mom’s so-so. Numerous ailments of age and infirmity: loss of mental acuity, back pain, physical weakness. But, she’s holding up. Thanks for asking.
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Thanks. It’s nice to know you enjoy us as much as we enjoy you. I love you blog. I can’t think of another blog that makes me laugh out loud. I await the return of my favorite cynic.
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How nice you are… perhaps way to nice for me! As Mr FD can attest tonight, the cynical and sarcastic FD is back in the house!
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“They aren’t trying to create a brand or a product, they aren’t out for fame or celebrity, though that does come for a rare few, but they are simply blogging because of the many gifts it brings to them, and the pure joy of communication and friendship.”
That’s it exactly. I’m not so concerned with the number of readers, fame or celebrity, but the quality people who have entered my life via the blogosphere. And the “pure joy of communication and friendship.” Thanks for expressing my thoughts exactly.
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I think that if we don’t write for ourselves, first of all, there is no authenticity to our blogs.
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And thank you, FD. So glad we survived the Vox diaspora together – although I nearly didn’t.
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It was scary for us in the beginning, we were like boat people caught off Christmas Island, but we got permanent residency in the end!
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All that, and you sport those shoes so beautifully! No end to my awe!
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Size 9 (Australian), there is a reason for the “dancer” (ha,ha,ha, not)
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Has it really been two years since VOX died?
Where else but the blogosphere could I sit in the middle of the United States and “know” people from all over the world such as a school librarian in Australia?
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And without you my students wouldn’t know about drabbles – so you are influencing Australian culture too! Wonderful friends and links indeed!
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Very well said. So many people think the internet has made us all more distant from one another. Like you, I have to disagree!
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The internet is a world opener for so many people, I could never say it is a negative. Like all things it is what we choose to do with it, isn’t it?
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*Big smiles here* Then I had to laugh. I love the cynical opinionated FD, too. 🙂
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You’re just laughing because you know you are out of reach of my stick…for now.
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Aubrey doesn’t like to hug people. Aubrey doesn’t chuck people on the arm guy-style.
However. Aubrey feels blessed by her friendship with her Goddess. And now she needs a hankie.
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Flamingo Dancer doesn’t do nice, so Flamingo Dancer understands Aubrey’s need for privacy to recover from a moment of emotion. You may rise and leave our presence, but not for long.
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Whoa. I worried when I read this post, but hope returned at your reply to Hangaku. 102 seems a good number to me.
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Is it 2 years already? Your sentiments about blogging must apply to many of us. It is now 4 years since I began on Vox and joined your circle of friends. It saddens me that only a few of them remain blogging today but it’s been a privilege sharing parts of their lives.
I share your appreciation of WordPress. All this technology free of charge.
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