#100 - Why I blog

Before I explain why I blog (aside from the fondness I feel for my bloggy friends), I have a few questions about blog awards. Where do they come from? Is there a board that approves them or may any Tom, Dick or Harry create one??? Have you ever created one? I’ve decided to try my hand at inventing some. Let me know what you think. The names are the:

I’m not a stalker, I live near here Award (inspired by folks watching Leah’s front porch photo sessions);
MAC-aholic Award (must give your Mac to the person who tagged you);
You chewed and swallowed what? Award (for people brave enough to eat things I wouldn’t);
Amusing musing Muse Award (funny, thoughtful, inspiring--this would look great on a t-shirt);
I was a teenage Aswang Award (don’t ask);
Cornered by a Bug Award (it was huge);
OMG, that's your inside voice? Award (for the joyful and exuberant);
You’re too smart, I had to Google before commenting Award (I need to read more);
You’re not bad, you’re just drawn that way Award (again, don’t ask);
Miley Cyrus Lifetime Achievement Award

I know you’ll all be fighting over that last one! If I was really going to invent awards, they would be the “I Love Reading Your Blog Award”; “You make me laugh/think Award”; and the “Mary Poppins’ Award” (for the practically perfect).

Okay, it’s all downhill and even more boring from here on. Why I blog…

Last December someone asked how I got into blogging—since you don’t see many married dads in blogville. Initially, I signed up because of MrsZ and Mel. I met them on-line, started reading their blogs, and wanted to comment. Coincidentally, my wife had suggested several times I start a blog—although she had something very different in mind for me. I continued commenting and posted once in a while. Before long I was meeting friends of friends and they were becoming friends too.

As I met more great people, I felt more comfortable sharing. A side benefit is getting my stories on the record accurately so I can share them with my kids—someday! In real life, people had been repeating my stories and usually getting them wrong. My wife spent a lot of time telling her family and co-workers stories about me and then they would re-tell them incorrectly. You know what happens to stories as they get re-told! Blogging gives me a chance to correct that while also connecting with some amazing people I never would have met IRL.

PS - I think my strength (relatively speaking) in blogville is commenting, not blogging. Sometimes I get a little carried away and comment too often. But hopefully that balances out with the times I can’t comment.