When to Call It Quits?
I'm thinking of retiring or seriously revamping this blog. Not because of the lack of things to write about. I have plenty of that. Rather, I'm thinking about quitting because I'm looking back on my last several months of posts and realizing that I'm doing none of my subjects justice. I think up a lot of topics while I'm driving to and from class (1.5 hours each way) or when I'm in meetings (hours and hours of my life GONE!) The thoughts are usually quite elegant and well formed; sometimes even profound, but these thoughts invariably end up being truncated into something short and trite that only my most loyal bloggy friends would care to peruse. (Thanks for that loyal bloggy friends, and new ones, hi So Yun and H. in Portland! H, what a small internet world that you know my real life buddy Wayland and I had no idea you even existed till he said his friend H. in Portland reads my blog religiously even though HE didn't know I had a blog and only found out that I did because he had mentioned to you that he was heading over to see his buddy J who happens to be married with two little ones called Evie and JT. Small small world, I never even knew you were a reader until he told me about you. Thanks for reading! Where was I??) Never mind balancing full time work, school, kids and marriage; what about my parents? Siblings? Cousins? Friends?
In the past few months, we've done a number of things I haven't had time to really write about. We've been to our good friends' wedding where J was the officiant (he was sworn in, over the phone for one day only as associate deputy of marriages of Alameda County or something like that) and Evie was a flower girl who had her two boy friends from babyhood fighting over her at the reception. We've hosted a few dinner parties where we had a crab and pho feast. (I only cook when there's a lot to be cooked.) Signed Evie up for hip hop classes (she starts in May) because she loved the JabbaWockeez but didn't think that girls could dance like that till I showed her Kaba Modern. Worried and worried about my poor sweet JT who has zero friends his age and who spends his days playing by himself or with great grandma. Celebrated the start of baseball season by heading to two games with two different sets of friends and because we just haven't seen them in months. Worried and worried about my good friend who only retired a few years ago but found out a little over a year ago that he has a debilitating disease. Realized that all I can do is enjoy our time together and our team (Go A's!) didn't win that day but we still shared resigned sighs and spurious hope of "maybe next time" (BOO Red Sox!) and he could still smile and make my little boy laugh even though he can't speak much anymore. (He doesn't read anymore I don't think, but my blog used to have a black background with white text. I changed my design for this particular friend.)
I have so much to write about but I have a lot to worry about too. Blogging has been bumped down the list of activities that I want to maintain. But then, this blog is my main journal for where I keep some things I want to remember and not only that, there are so so many people whom I've learned to care about in this blogosphere that I'm not sure I really want to completely let this go. How else would we keep in touch? I feel so bad for not commenting or having the chance to catch up on your blogs (you know who you are).
I wish so many of you were nearby so that we could just hang out. Some of you ARE nearby and I've had the opportunity to meet some of you. I'm so thankful for the new friendships that I've made from this little blog. I'm also thankful for this little outlet where I've occasionally felt free enough to let out some very personal matters. SO...what to do? What to do...?
12 comments:
Hmmm, you could always take an extended hiatus and come back when you feel like it. You're a great writer, and I think you should keep writing in one form or another.
I have to say that I like looking back on my life through the blog, and I think being part of a community makes it easier to find the discipline to journal regularly.
Don't even think about leaving the blog! Though I don't comment as much as I should (damn bloglines!,) I enjoy reading your interesting (and always thoughtful) perspective on things.
Like Rachel said, don't feel compelled to blog for any other reason than your desire to do it. That's the only reason that counts!
I second/third Rachel and Metrodad... there IS a reason why we all come back to check if there're new posts. (Well, I finally had to get bloglines so i don't check 100 times a day!)
Don't feel bad about not commenting or not catching up on other people's blogs... things happen, life happens and we (even in real life) can only check on each other so many times, right?
So yeah.. long comment to just say, blog in your own pace, don't worry about, just don't dump it.
:-) Besides, without these updates, how can we tease JT in, say, 10 years from now when we do a blogger get-together if we didn't know about his nekkid days?
Duuuuude.... I am so with you and am seriously considering putting up the "Gone Fishing" sign on my blog for good. I just can't keep up -- on my blog or with others'.
At the same time, I agree w/everyone else that it's for you more than anyone else... but for me that's easier said than done. It's starting to become yet another thing that I'm just not getting done.
Totally agreeing with everyone else on this one - and I AM still reading, it's just usually while nursing one and playing with / feeding the other (so no hands left to comment!). I have hopes of one day posting again but can't quite make it happen... perhaps when both girls are in college? :) Anyway, do what works for your lifestyle right now - and we'll all still be thinking about ya!
please don't take our lotus away. we love your thoughts, commentaries, lists. blog little, blog a lot, but don't not blog at all. short and sweet? that's what i do when i don't want to devote too much time to it.
don't you dare leaving this blog Lien - I'll cry. I came across it by chance and had stayed since (over a year now). Now seriously, if you need to take a break then take it and come back when you're ready. It'll be so sad if there is nothing on your cute JT and Evie and of course you and J as well. Take care.hugs
Please don't leave us! I have to agree with everyone else, maybe take a little break and then come back when you feel more energized. Your writing is so insightful and honest, I really enjoy reading your posts.
Even if you post once a week or even less, I love following what is going on with you.
(At least your side of the bay can enjoy baseball this year...)
don't go! but don't stress over the blog either. =)
Keep it! As easy as it is for me to actually see you -which I have and Ms Lotus herself is one beautiful person- I check your blog each day. If you write it's great, I read. If not, I just wait until you do.
Christina
Take a break, Lien, and come back refreshed and revived and post, post, post away - as frequently or infrequently as suits you and your amazing life.
Your writing has improved in leaps and bounds since I first started reading you - I hope you don't mind my saying so. You were always insightful and interesting, but throughout the years of writing, you have become eloquently so.
I've got you on RSS feed, so I will always know when you update, even if it takes me forever to read, and comment.
take care!
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