Wednesday, August 22, 2007

From the Sidelines, aka Some Observations....

I'm still here on the periphery of the blogging world, checking in with many or most of the blogs on my blogroll. I might be negligent about doing so equally or regularly, and I apologize for that.

Even if I don't visit often -- and post even less -- I still have a soft spot for you all, and admittedly some bloggers more than others.

Danny never ceases to amaze me with his entertainment knowledge and his journey through family history and family photos.
Neil, the funny rabbi, is always so eclectic and enlightened in his writing.
Neil, the funny non-rabbi, continually makes me smile with his wonderful wacky world and words. HE IS ADORED BY MANY, IT SEEMS.
Oriyenta brings her daughter's life -- and her own life -- to life for us.
Old Old Lady of the Hills captures spectacular photos and wonderful stories of the natural world around her...both in the Hollywood Hills and outside them.
Fancy Maven is anxious...and funny...and pretty blunt.
Shalom from Jerusalem is simply a wonderful and warm and down-to-earth person who welcomes everyone into her blog, as if it were her home.
{Cruisin' Mom...we miss you!}

Last week I ran into a professor, who was also a fairly well-known blogger in the Jewish blogging world. I asked if he's still partaking in blogs and in the conversation he said that he thought blogging, especially in the Jewish blogosphere, is not as popular as it was a couple of years ago. He thinks it peaked after a couple of years and then slowly, people pulled out.

I believe it's true, although there are always some new people jumping aboard to replace the old people.

The blog is not as "essential" to my life as it truly was between late 2004 and early 2006. I don't spend as much time or effort on my own blog. In Hebrew, I'd say that the "cheshek"/desire isn't there; in fact, it's been lost.

But I can't pull myself away completely. The blog -- mine and reading others -- has continually been a source of inspiration, emotional strength, interest, etc. I can't just go "cold turkey."

If you've been blogging for more than a year already, do you feel strengthened by your blog? Do you think your blog has developed into "a crutch" of sorts? ( mine had been one for quite some time. I'm pleased to say it no longer is.) Has your blog evolved in any way?

When I think of something to blog about, it's usually lately about my weaknesses, my fears, my flaws...and I wonder why I feel I need to share those with you. Do I have to air my laundry, just so you can gather up that laundry, fold it for me and put it in its place?

Maybe I've outgrown my blog in some ways--the dimished posts and visitors prove that--but I certainly haven't outgrown yours. So do keep writing, and I'll continue to read, and comment if moved enough.

8 comments:

orieyenta said...

Awww...I feel so honored that you included me in your list. I miss your posts but even when you are not here, you are not far from our thoughts.

I think there are a lot of people that reach the point in blogging where you have. I don't write as often as I used to in the beginning but not because of lack of desire. I feel more like, "How many more cutesy stories about Little Orieyenta does anyone want to read"? And then I post one and if it makes even one person smile that day, it was worth my effort.

mother in israel said...

I've been blogging for over a year, and I'm not finished. I still have a lot to say! Finding quiet time to sit and write is a different story. Becasue of travel and vacation his summer my blogging has been less productive and satisfying for me, but I don't believe it's permanent.

Anonymous said...

I'm not a blogger myself, but I do read a number of J-blogs on a daily basis. I find that it's mostly the "personal journal" blogs that get stale after a while, both for the blogger and for the reader. (I continue to read them because they're real-life soap operas: an intimate glimpse of someone else's life. But, inevitably, the drama ebbs from time to time.) The ones that remain interesting (to me, anyway) are the issue-oriented blogs that examine and promote discussion of religious and cultural topics. And the best ones are a mixture of serious and light topics, both general and personal, insightful and humorous.

I don't think you need to apologize for not having the time or interest to write a daily blog. Weekly--or even just sporadic--blog entries with *content* will keep the readers coming back and will keep you "fresh," too.

marallyn ben moshe said...

thanks so much pearl...i haven't visited in so long i had to scroll down and read many posts to see what is happening by you...and i appreciate the kind kind words you wrote about my blog...i too got a little overwhelmed after a year of blogging...found i was spending most of my morning writing answering and reading...but after awhile i realized that i missed you all...so here i am...stay safe my dear friend...the plan is, b'ezrat ha shem' to be in toronto for a few days in january...if it comes to pass i would love to meet and coffee and cake or bagels and lox or anything...i'll let you know...shavuah tov...keep blogging...it won't be the same here without you...i mean it...emmes...smooches

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh I hope you don't give up blogging entirely Pearl....I feel like I have just recently found you and I dearly appreciate you including me in your list of bloggers you like to read...I have been blogging for a little undere two years...(I started in October of 2005...) And sometines I feel like it is ALL I do...(LOL)...And in some ways, it is, because of my health issues...BUT, I have not reached the place where I want to give it up...I think for me, the great Great pleasure of meeting so very many wonderful people like you, ALL over the world, has been and still is, the most wonderful part of blogging...So, I hope you will continue to post and visit and comment, when you feel like it...

torontopearl said...

Thanks for leaving your thoughts.
I've backed off a bit from blogging just for lack of "good material." I write poetry or humorous essays, but mostly have to wait for inspiration; I can't just write as an exercise. My blog entries work the same way. If I'm uninspired or withholding some deep-down thoughts and feelings I don't feel I want to share with the blogging world, I do not post. I prefer to write my own stuff, rather than just link to current events, and trivia, for the most part. Sometimes those are just fillers or things that moved me, which I want to share.

rabbi neil fleischmann said...

Thank you so much for mentioning me and others and for continuing to introduce me to good blogs.

... Is the Window to Our Soul said...

I seem to be drawn to it in cycles and when its that time to check in, its almost always to the familar five, except for one person, who I read/comment on regularly. I do feel a twinge of guilt for it because I know the familar five also reads his blog regularly.

Not that I ever had more than a handful of readers on my blog, but they have always been the same folks since the beginning. When I don't see comments from them, I just try to remember how much bigger their blogrolls have become, and how difficult it must be to keep up with everyone.