Obviously people are free to visit or not (Hey, come back, I wasn't talking about you!) but I do wonder what changed. These are not people who stopped blogging, and I didn't stop visiting them either. (Well, not for a while. I probably will have by now.) Maybe they just lost interest, or maybe they had too many blogs to read and had to cull some. That happens, and I get that.
What interests me more is the thought that maybe I did something so objectionable they just couldn't bear reading any more filth from me. See, that's where it gets interesting.
- Was it my neverending fascination with bums and poo, sometimes even combined with head lice?
- Was it my ridiculing of religion and the overly religious?
- Was it my dislike of all animals, and in particular my own cats?
- Was it my love of gay porn?
- Perhaps they are a huge U2 fan and took objection to my most balanced discussion of Bono's public persona?
- Maybe they were fed up with my endless discussion of pregnancy, breastfeeding and my menstrual cycle? (No link - just go pretty much anywhere.)
Anyway, my long-awaiting point comes now: Google Reader, or whatever reader y'all are using should come with an automatic question when you delete a blog, just like the iPhone has for its apps
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| Deleting only to get full version of bloody addictive game |
only this would be a rating question for bloggers, so it would have to be much, much wordier. It would go something like:
Why have you tired of this blog?and then the results would be sent to the writer of the deleted blog. I would read those with as much interest as I do my Google keyword stats. (I am still the queen of Dutch toilets! First in Canada, top ten in all countries I checked. Seriously! Just go google "Dutch toilets" and there I am. I'm so proud.)
Please give as many reasons as you'd like: ___________________
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| I do love brackets - not sure about the hairy boobs |
I wouldn't abandon my favourite topics, obviously. I'm not particularly looking to increase my readership amongst gay porn hating religious nutters who are also fans of U2. However, I would like to know in which respect I'm most objectionable, and I do hope I am because I'd rather be objectionable than dull.
If they must leave me, I'd rather it was with slammed doors rather than a "meh" or a yawn.
Posts
Nah, you just fall away from the habit sometimes, especially if updates fall off, or you haven't got round to putting someone on your blog roll, so they're not there to click on. I wouldn't take it personally. I think it's more about routine, and the waning of a new enthusiasm, for me it is anyway. If I didn't have an updating list in front of me on Dan's blogroll, I wouldn't be half as regular a visitor anywhere - forgive people, we're just lazy.
ReplyDelete@Jo - See, I'd prefer it if there was a good reason. And I am most forgiving. I know the world's not waiting anxiously for my grand opinions. I was just wondering about it. I have an inkling the religion thing scared off a couple of them in particular.
ReplyDeletehello! I'm here!
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Dutch toilet post, but am now off to find the dinosaur cakes. Will discuss hairy boobs on Monday huh?!
x
so you really like it if I left a comment today? Nope sorry, nada!
ReplyDeleteI'm not scared. Or apathetic. Or offended.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot going on. A lot. It colors my blogging and my commenting. I DO still read but I do not always have the wherewithall (where do I split that word up?) to comment.
But I made sure to comment on this one. Because we all seek clarity.
I haven't stopped reading my lovely. Stopped commenting because I usually talk utter rubbish and trying not to leave too much of a verbal diarrhoea footprint in my wake (hang on while I go look up how to spell diarrhoea . . . )
ReplyDeleteAnyways, truth be told I'm usually reading the blogs on read on my phone these days and it's a biatch to comment using the phone.
So THIS is how special you are. I've come on to my pooter especially to comment this time. And leave just a little bit more drivell on the interwebs . . . x
Hello I found your blog using the search term 'hairy boobs'. I'm finding this too. More people than ever are visiting my blog *brag brag* (actually many of them when I stopped blogging for three weeks which says something) but much fewer comments. I think it's a case of so much to do so little time. And the phone thing which Tara mentions although I'm not as techy as that. I think people visit, start to read then get bored and wander off. Does that offend you if I say that? Maybe talk about bottoms a bit more.
ReplyDeleteI can only talk for myself, but my reader now has so many blogs that I follow (because there are so many great ones) that I stopped using it because reading all would be a full time job. And comment? I hardly have my hands free to type (she says with baby on lap yet again). I guess that means your blog is in my top 5 that I still visit and at least sometimes comment on. Incidentally, I get hardly any comments these days though my stats are no worse. May just be a sign of the time, people read and don't leave comments.
ReplyDeleteRecently I was super enthusiastic about a blog and read it every day - but as much as I like it, I haven't visited in a week. It happens. It's alright.
hmmmmm....."Was it my dislike of all animals, and in particular my own cats?"
ReplyDeleteI do wish you hadn't told me that. (Just joking......mostly)
Seriously, I cannot believe that your loyal followers have abandoned you for any of the above reasons....in fact I doubt if they have really abandoned you at all. (have your number of followers actually decreased?.....that might be a bad sign)
I can only speak for myself, but I know how important comments are to the spirit of a blogger and I have been trying mightily to leave as many comments as I can everywhere I go. Some days I don't even have time or strength left to blog, I just spend the time commenting, because, face it, it does take time and effort to leave a decent comment. (who would want any other kind?)
The problem is there are so damned many wonderful bloggers now and the longer one's blog list gets, the harder it is to comment on every blog. So if I have neglected you, my dear, I am so sorry....nothing personal....I still love ya, honest.
Gay porn hating religious nutters who are also fans of U2 are totally my target audience, hands off!
ReplyDeleteI've always taken in personally when I've lost a follower or two - never actually found out who they were, but still, one or two less is a big dent when there aren't that many to start with!
ReplyDeleteDon't stop with the poo, porn, hairy boobs etc - thats exactly why I keep coming back for more!
MWA I'm still here, just getting used to working again and having to rearrange my time, but I do still pop in and read all your most welcome posts, you have been posting a lot lately too. I am doing two jobs at the moment,the day job and the evening one, that stops after next week, so back to having my nights (except Mon & Tue) back to myself.
ReplyDeletexx Sandi
I have no idea what any of the answers would be because obviously, I'm here and still loving you dearly. No one is like you, Mwa. No one. And that is a very good thing.
ReplyDeleteHi.....don't think I have read any of your previous stuff (but I do forget stuff so could be wrong!)and agree with you about the curiosity regarding commenting...so I am commenting and saying hello!
ReplyDeleteMwa, I think it's normal that a blogger changes their style as years go by, they mature as a writer, their life change, they find ther own voice. Also people's tastes change with time, so it could just be that your followers are evolving with you, I honestly don't think you have offended anyone. Like @Lo said, I'd would be more worried if your general following was decreasing, but I honestly don't think is the case, since you're great.
ReplyDeleteI have just found you very recently, but I don't comment on your every post, sorry, I'm still here, the problem is that often I'm suffering from "commenter's block" and I can't think of anything interesting/ witty/ non repetitive to say, so I stay quiet. It's not you, it's me ;)
A
Sooo sorry that I haven't been commenting. It may be because of Easter holidays or the fact that I'm just a lazybones!
ReplyDeleteWill comment more, keep at it - all posts are funny and make me laugh a lot!
BNM
Hmmm...I have no answers, so I was tempted not to comment. But in case you're worried, I've been away a lot with no internet access. If you send me your iPhone I can remedy that situation and comment like mad from wherever I am. (As long as you pay the bill)
ReplyDeleteSee? It's what people are saying... business, iphones, commenter's block - I always read Ms Moon, and some days I a comment doesn't come easily for one of many reasons, but it's not that I'm not reading and responding. I often feel v conscious of saying something for the sake of saying it, when I can't really frame my response in words.
ReplyDeleteI do miss the days of people talking to each other on my blog, and a bit of banter, I miss it a lot. But I'm not sure how sustainable it all is.
I too rarely read blogs on anything but an iphone or ipad, and commenting is a real swine so I generally don't bother.
ReplyDeleteI still turn up here on a regular basis however.
I also think that the switch blogging has made from a community to a competitive sport might have something to do with it.
i don't comment when there's tons of comments already there, when i don't have anything witty to say, and when i am tempted to give advice. when there are tons of comments, i think to myself that who are already bombarded with comments...why bother? i rarely ever have witty stuff to say, as i'm eternally searching my creativity. when i feel like giving advice, i refrain...because no one wants to hear advice...really.
ReplyDeletealso, i hate those damn captcha things!!!!!!! just when i think i've left a comment and am on my merry way...bam! that damn thing pops up, then i just want to scream and run away..
ReplyDeleteas for the religious right...screw 'em. they have the bible read. if they don't like what you have to say...they can read something else.
Know what you mean ... it does make you wonder. Have found that if you do some sort of giveaway/freebie thing, they all come out of the woodwork, though! I too have been away.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing they left because they're insane and had to seek treatment. Duh.
ReplyDeletePeople leave my blog for that reason too sometimes.
When they return, I almost compliment them on how well rested they look.
I'm still here my dear. I loved all the porn, bums and poo, if that's any help. I'm tickled by you being addicted to Cut the Rope, too - same as my 4 year old son......
ReplyDeleteHi all, I swear I wasn't talking about any of you! I have my weeks when I'm hardly online, and obviously no one needs to comment. I was talking about some people who obviously stopped coming around about a year ago, and I have some inklings why. Still, thank you so much for all the lovely reassuring messages. You are all much appreciated!
ReplyDelete@Rhi - If you want to discuss hairy boobs, that's what we shall do. :-)
@Kelloggsville - :-)
@All This Trouble - Thank you very much.
@Tara Cain - And thank you! x
@Emily O - I'm not offended. Maybe I should discuss bottoms more.
@cartside - It is alright. Yes. (And thank you.)
@Lo - I'm a compulsive commenter at times as well. These days, I blog first then go off to send out some comments. It simply won't do if it starts being the other way around.
@Steph - You're welcome to them. From now on, I shall send them all to you.
@Victoria - Well, I'll try!
@sandiart - My dear, I definitely wasn't meaning you! I hope you are enjoying your first days back at work, and don't worry about me! I am a happy blogger. xx
@Ms. Moon - Thank you, my lovely.
@libby - Hello to you and welcome!
@Aubergine Kenobi - Hello again! Thank you for that. Please don't feel any pressure to comment.
@BNM - Oh now I feel bad! I swear I wasn't bitching about anyone here! It was a couple of people who really aren't around any more. Ah hell now I feel bad. Please only comment when you want, and when you do I will be very happy.
@fiona - My iPhone is in the mail as I type. Oh wait a second... what a devilish trick!
@Jo - I think I've been misunderstood. Sigh... But I will just take all the lovely compliments and be happy. Maybe being misunderstood isn't that bad.
@Dan - Ah I see what you mean with the competitive sport, but I swear it's not like that for me. I am genuinely in it for the connections.
@Thug in a Cocktail Dress - Ah I don't mind good advice. I remember you gave me some a while back and it was good!
Oh and I don't have captcha! I hate it as well. In fact, you do have captcha! You may decide to switch that off and try without for a bit. I've had maybe twenty bits of spam in nearly two years. Easy enough to clean up by hand.
@potterjotter - You are right. When I gave away brownie points, I got more comments. Maybe I should make it a habit.
@Marinka - Next time that is what I will think.
@nappy valley girl - Ah it is an excellent game, and I'm sure my capabilities are hugely inferior to your 4yr old's.
I'm here. I comment. I love your voice.
ReplyDelete;)
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile - I found you from Flourchild on the fridge post which also made me smile. Will make a note to comment regularly as you are on my blogroll of blogs I follow :)
ReplyDeleteI think Google need to get their head around how people actually read blogs. You can subscribe to as many blogs as you like, but how many people actually read all 200 blogs they subscribe to? I follow around 40, because I love them and I like to comment as much as possible (we all like to feel like someone is listening).
ReplyDeleteI agree they (the Googletrons) should give you some feedback if you are getting culled from someone's reader. Or, you should be able to have different categories of subscription: one's you love, one's you read occasionally, and the one's you feel kinda obligated to keep up with. That way nobody would cull anybody.
And I wouldn't take this to heart. You're awesome. x
This is the first day in .... two months??? that I've logged into Google Reader and finally read a few of the 300+ backed up blogs.
ReplyDeleteIt's me, not you that I dropped off the blogiverse and haven't read or commented on anything. so soo sooo sad. But that is changed now and here I am reading and commenting and quite sad the post really had nothing to do with hairy boobs. Isn't that false advertising?
Hairy boobs was my weaning secret. Don't like that giant black wirey hair tickling your nose? (Infants and hubby don't care, toddlers do) well, it's probably time to stop then! It works!
You know, maybe you could throw in some more gay porn?
ReplyDeleteNow, seriously. I think we became such close blog friends that you know I love you even if I don't comment on each and every blog post you put up - and vice versa. It's called being comfortable with each other. And now please don't say I had changed and that I need to make more of an effort to keep the spark alive...
I love Cut the Rope and I think it's a great idea to rate it when it's been deleted. I don't know if I'm one of the people you're talking about-I returned to school and so therefore didn't have so much extra time. Now I'm finished-so I shall be around more often-unless I get a job and in that case, I just can't make any promises. It was NOT about your content though...I love when you overshare!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know I have been one of those. The last two months I have been sicker than a dog. Finally getting better, so there's no escaping me now.
ReplyDelete