Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Anonymity

Two posts in two days - how did you get so lucky?

In fifth grade, my kids learn about author purpose and how to shape their writing based on their target audience. Jay, for example, writes his blog for an exclusively odd group of people who understand and appreciate his ramblings. (Which only includes me a small portion of the time).

I've always felt the purpose of my blog was shaped around informing my family and friends the happenings of my life. I think of it as a way to connect with many people without telling the same story over and over again. Those happenings don't change based on who my readers are, however, the examples I use and the stories I tell might differ based on who I know I'm connecting with.

I got an email today from my husband that said, "(Nameless coworker of his) thought your blog about me was hilarious!" (Surprise, surprise - Jay thinks something about himself is funny!)

"Oh really?" I responded, "I didn't know he read my blog."

This is not the first time in recent history this has happened to me. Over Christmas break, I got together with a group of old friends, many of whom, unbeknownst to me, read my blog! I didn't even know they knew my blog existed!!!

Does my family even read my blog? My mom does, but I only know that because she's told me so on the phone. Anyone else? Who knows. What about my friends? Apparently more do than I realized.

On one hand, I would be naive to think that no one is reading this. We live in an age where information on our friends and family is so easily accessible. I've got my blog address posted on my Facebook page, Jay has it linked to his blog, etc. So naturally, I assume people will run into it and occasionally read it.

On the other hand, I think it would be kind of nice to know who those people are! I admittedly really enjoy reading the comments people leave after they've read a post. It's always great to get feedback on anything you do - positive or negative - and sometimes it sparks ideas for future posts.

So readers and writers out there in blogworld - I want your opinion. Even if you've never left a comment on a blog before - it's not scary, take a chance and leave a message!

I SO don't know if this will work...BUT for my curiosity's sake...

Do you like to know who reads your blog or do you enjoy the mystery of the "public" domain?

Do you leave comments on the blogs you frequent or are you an illusive reader of rants?

And finally, if you are only a reader - do you know how to leave a comment even if you don't have a blogger profile? <- That's actually a trick question, because if you respond, you obviously know how. Hee hee hee.

That's all for now peeps. Let me know what you think.

8 comments:

JAY!!! said...

I like to know who reads my blog. Though sometimes it's nice to hear an occasional, "I read your blog," comment from someone you had no idea read your blog. Which is what you just said, so I apologize for being redundant.

I leave comments on occasion, but I don't leave one on every blog I read.

I do know how to leave a comment without a profile. But I have a profile, so it's a bit of a moot point.

Dallas said...

Hi. My name is Dallas. I'm related to you through marriage and I read your blog. I find it quite enjoyable. I like to know who reads my blog, but I'm up for a good mystery as well.

Also, in regards to your last post (the one I refer to as "the post where Jay got passing marks because he's sleeping with the teacher")... You know how you can make Jay turn up the temperature and take Led Zeppelin out of the cd player even when he's driving? Hit him. Punch him hard. He'll be driving, so he won't see it coming.

momvick said...

I have no blog. I sometimes leave comments on the blogs I read but mostly I stalk silently. Being techno impaired I have no idea how to do whatever you asked.

I love your blog.

The Goob said...

Despite the fact that I frequently say my audience is about five people strong, I actually presume that the better part of the population of Iowa, and the marjority of people from Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Toledo, OH, Idaho, and Minsk read my blog. I'm expecting the "Minsk's Most Read American Blog" award to arrive in the mail any day now. To that end, I'm pretty peeved that the only people that ever comment are Jay, Dallas, Mr. Bottom, and Dave when he's had some happy grass.

I like to leave comments because they are a shorter way for me to convey my verbosity than actually writing a blog. Also, I frequently amuse myself a disproportionate amount, so writing comments as fun for me to write as for everyone to read.

I verily enjoy your blog o' sensibility, as its nice to read something a bit less stilted and more genuine than the rants Los Hombres Schmitz and myself post. And it's nice that I know things happen on your blog in real time, unlike what ever the hell is going on in California...

Matt said...

I don't actually read blogs....

Viceroy Fizzlebottom said...

I read your blog. I think it is too Jay-centric. But only because Jay himself is so Jay-centric. Right now, he's probably learning chainsaw sculpting so he can carve a bust of him out of a stump.

I like getting messages to read. They are oftentimes amusing. But mostly, I'm just as conceited as Jay, so I like it when people fawn over my brain vomit.

And to all the haters--you should just be glad I take the time to update my blog for all you honkies, what with this life of excess I lead and all.

Ashley Schrage said...

My name is Ashley. I stalk your blog, but won't go over the top and become a "follower". That's just creepy :)

I silently stalk some blogs, mostly professional photographers that I adore and don't want to appear psycho by constantly leaving comments on their page. That, and they get, 38 comments a post. So I save my comments for us little people who just hope to get 2 comments per post!

LindaAlex said...

Kelsey, I do read your blog. I think I found it through a comment that you left on Ashley's blog. I comment occaisionally on blogs, if I know the person, to let them know that I am reading. I love it when people comment on my blog, but I assume that I have just a few readers...my kids and a few friends. There is something exciting about getting a comment and knowing that someone read and felt a response! I think I mostly write for myself, so it's ok if people don't read or if they read without comment. I enjoy the humor in your blog!