The $64,000 Question

I know it’s time to give up blogging when….the blogging mainstream is video blogging, I’m just not doing that. I’ve seen quite a few video posts on people’s blog and to that I say, not me!

Several times I thought about ending my online life, but then I woke up the next day and thought: you fool! Actually I did get rid of a few blogs I authored, but I’m not ready to give up on this one. ¹

Anywho, a big THANK YOU to everyone who left a comment and shared a thought or personal experience on my previous post. Your comments were a big help to me and will always remain the best part of blogging.

The baby is fine, mommy is just going through the terrible twos. So I’ll continue to be the diligent caretaker, other times I’ll allow her to take long naps and some times I’ll leave her in the capable hands of a CPR certified babysitter.²

When I was writing this post a weird crazy funny thought popped into my head about my mom and the newspaper. She reads the obituaries like it’s MySpace for the up in age, but instead of adding friends, you delete them. I thought it would be cool if there were an online area where blogs could go to die. We could search for blogs that suddenly disappear or when we’re ready to throw in the towel, we could submit a snapshot of our blog and onlookers could mourn in the comment section. We could give our blogs a “proper burial” complete with obituary and all.

Photo: timstvshowcase.com

so you’re stuck with me [↩]
guest blogger [↩]

Posted on January 10, 2009 at 7:56 pm by Natural · Permalink
In: Blogging, Brain Damage · Tagged with: Blogging, decisions, endurance

47 Responses

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Written by Paul
on January 10, 2009 at 9:14 pm
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LOL, what an idea! I would’ve loved to see how my people mourned for my last (dead) blog. Video blogs! lol yeah right, I think I like people just looking at my words, for now at least.

hey paul, it could happen. see now i wonder what your blog was about, if there was an obituary we could look at, then i would know. lol the video blog is a deal breaker

Paul´s last blog post..Lovable lusts
Written by Davina
on January 10, 2009 at 9:40 pm
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Hi Valerie. LOL, I like the idea of the obituary. I had the thought that if this happened the blog might be resurrected after receiving all the support Might give the blogger a new breath to continue. I’m glad you are sticking around.

well Davina, once it dies, that’s it. can’t call in a faith healer, perform CPR or be resurrected. thanks!

Davina´s last blog post..This Ebook Asks, “Will It Change You?”
Written by Mike Goad
on January 10, 2009 at 10:15 pm
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I don’t ~~read~~ watch videoblogs and I think there are a lot of folks out there that feel the same way. I’ve tried a couple, but if I want to watch video, I’ll turn on the TV or stick in a DVD.

i did a little research on video blogs vs. regular blogging. doesn’t seem like the written word is going any where, especially for those who do that google key word thingamigy

Mike Goad´s last blog post..Blogging Freebies
Written by Marelisa
on January 10, 2009 at 10:25 pm
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Hi Natural: That’s just too funny: sitting down every morning with a cup of coffee to check the blog obituaries. “Oh no, I loved that blog, I can’t believe it’s gone, and it was so young . .. I hope it didn’t suffer”. I think that letting your blog take a nap when you need a break is a fine idea

wouldn’t that be fun and interesting to read about the deaths of blogs, how old they were, their life story. surely someone has to jump on this idea, but not me. this blog takes a nap, then i go ramble on another blog of mine..it’s really a personal journal for my thoughts.
Written by Ask Ms Recipe
on January 11, 2009 at 12:31 am
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This is an interesting post… It would interesting to have a virtual morgue for blog. Hmm wonder what would happen at the funeral for a blog. It would sure be interesting. I’ve seen some pretty good blogs totally disappear for no reason. It makes me wonder especially if they are free blogs why the author would delete. I wonder what the tombstone would say for the blog. I guess we’ll never know what will happen for the last rites of a blog. LOL

it would be fun to crack open a browser and go read the blogbituaries. I have a few blogs I killed off without warning. I’m sure people are wondering what happened to them, right people?
Written by cardiogirl
on January 11, 2009 at 6:05 am
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Like everyone else — I think that obit site for blogs would be AWESOME! It would be interesting to see an ICU section where the blogs are sputtering and still have a little bit of life, but might go down at any moment.

Then maybe the re-incarnation section where the blog died but it evolved (with a different url) somewhere else.

Great idea!

it could get interesting. i’m sure someone out there will do this, it’s a good idea….like answering comments within the comments. thanks CG, i ~~stole~~ learned from watching you.

cardiogirl´s last blog post..She might be the next Miss America
Written by Matt
on January 11, 2009 at 10:43 am
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If there was such an online place for dead blogs all of the blog’s former friend-blogs could dress up and go to the online funeral. We could all change our banners to black for the day and post our eulogies for the dear departed blog.

I’m glad you decided to stick around for a while!

i see a whole online hospital where sick blogs go to rest or die. i guess i’ll stick around, if not then i could at least get started on this idea and add my blog first. thanks for stopping by.

Matt´s last blog post..Comment Frustrations!
Written by Lin
on January 11, 2009 at 11:13 am
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I like the thought on the My Space for old people, that made me laugh. Okay, so I read the obits on the weekend, which is scary because I don’t consider myself that old. I wonder when I started that?! And I usually know someone too, which is scarier yet.

I would really like the obit for dead/dying blogs. That way it would save me a lot of time visiting blogs that haven’t moved in awhile and I won’t be visiting just waiting to see if they ever post again. I could send a little “I’ll miss you” note and maybe dab a tear while I hit the “remove from favs” button on my computer. Maybe that could be your NEW blog!!!!!

i read the obits too, but i also read the entire paper. she gets the paper just for the obits and then reads the rest of the paper. i never come across anyone i know, but i like to look at their ages, pictures and read what the family had to say about them. i hate reading about young people in the obits.

i think it could turn into something, instead of searching we could just subscribe to the feed and get a list of the blogs that kicked the bucket. (is anyone writing this down).

nah, it’s a cool idea, but not one i’m ready to do. i’ll pass it off to someone else, but do email me if you plan to do it, anyone.

Lin´s last blog post..Frozen Slumbers
Written by JD at I Do Things
on January 11, 2009 at 11:51 am
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I like the idea of a blog graveyard. It seems so sad for a blog to just . . . stop. We should be able to pay our respects.

yes, a graveyard would be nice. w/tombstone. we could add virtual flowers and send cards. it would be a hoot!

you guys make me feel so…normal. lol

JD at I Do Things´s last blog post..I Put Bacon in It so you don’t have to
Written by PurpleGreenPops.com
on January 11, 2009 at 11:40 am
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My wife and I have a 21 month old son, Bray, and we think he is getting an early start on his terrible two’s!

Yeah, a few times I have thought about giving up on blogging. But I just do a post now and then and keep it going. Then the mood hits me, and I’ll do a lot of posts.

So hang in there.

i’ve seen pictures of your son, he’s a cutie. the thought crossed my mind, to cash in my chips, i’m sure it’s just a winter phase, when the sun comes out and the weather warms up, i hope to feed the baby more
Written by robert bourne
on January 11, 2009 at 12:20 pm
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good idea..are we doing the whole thing like having a wake and things like that..I know you think me suggesting a wake is just another excuse to drink and you would be right..but a wake for each dead blog would be good…:)

uh robert, you drink [liquor] at a wake, i thought you could nibble on food, but you bring booze? well maybe to a blog’s death, sure have one on the house

robert bourne´s last blog post..Thank You
Written by Vered - MomGrind
on January 11, 2009 at 1:38 pm
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I’m pretty sure most bloggers, unless they are professional bloggers who make their living blogging, periodically toy with the idea of letting their blog go. It’s completely normal. And, if a blog doesn’t make a person happy anymore, there’s nothing wrong with letting it go.

i would think everyone has toyed with the idea of saying bye bye to their blog, especially if you live an active life outside of blogosphere. i guess it is like any relationship, if it doesn’t make you happy, you can either work at it or let it go…
Written by Joe
on January 11, 2009 at 2:53 pm
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I’m not so sure video is the new way of blogging. I have witnessed, in some circles, almost a backlash against video bloggers, particularly ones who simply republish youtube stuff.

i read that it takes longer for a person to watch a 2 minute video than to scan a blog post, obviously. as a time issue, i don’t really see it replacing blogging, but i am seeing a lot more of them, some i have watched

Joe´s last blog post..Wrapping up the week
Written by Jannie
on January 11, 2009 at 4:48 pm
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ha, ha where blogs go to die. Cool idea.

I guess video can be combined with prose but I don’t think video will completely overtake writing for some genres. (In my opinion, anyway.)

If you’re a person who has liked to write since childhood, the writing will probably always be something you’ll come back to. Maybe you just need some time to recharge your batteries, as creativity ebbs and flows.

But best of luck whatever you decide.

wouldn’t it be nice, we could even visit the blogceased.

ah you’re probably right, videos won’t replace writing on a blog completely. i could never give up writing…writers write, bloggers blog…i could just be in another “space” right now. anywho, it’s good to say it out loud at least for me, there are others who might have the same feelings. it’s nice to know that you’re not the only one. i get vibes too so i don’t just write for myself.

Jannie´s last blog post..Notes to self
Written by Urban Panther
on January 11, 2009 at 6:29 pm
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I seriously like the obituary idea. When my favourite bloggers haven’t posted for awhile, I actually worry and fret about them. It would be nice to go to a central location where I could see if they ‘died’. Then at least I could mourn and move on!

agreed. it would be “official” instead of just letting the blog sit for days, weeks or months. i do check back on the bloggers that haven’t posted in a while, i guess too long of an absence could be a sign?
Written by Bamboo Forest - PunIntended
on January 11, 2009 at 6:32 pm
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haha, an online area where blogs could die…

I don’t think it’s a big deal that you opt not to do video. I don’t really think video blogging is all that great. If you’re doing something that can truly be enhanced by video, then it’s cool. But if you’re just speaking about what you would convey in your blog, I think it’s not really necessary.

The written word will always be the king of blogs.

i did enjoy your video on your blog. that’s nothing i see me doing for sure unless it’s something funny i guess, but not a regular post.
Written by Raquel
on January 11, 2009 at 8:06 pm
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That is very funny.

It makes me think though, what if a blogger [me] is dying? Am I gonna make an early burial ceremony in my blog too or just leave it until the domain would expire?

i did say i would move a copy of my blog to a free service so it could live there forever, even after i (cough) die.
Written by Dee Langdon - BloggerNewbie
on January 11, 2009 at 8:38 pm
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Natural –

I am so glad you are continuing your blog. I find your writing very interesting and entertaining. Your blog is a good break for my tired and weary body, mind and soul.

hey Dee, i was looking at my posting schedule…each month it dwindled, can’t help but wonder if this is the end. guess it will be what it will be

Dee Langdon – BloggerNewbie´s last blog post..Too Many or Not Enough?
Written by Trade Show Guru
on January 11, 2009 at 8:49 pm
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Hey Valerie,
They say one is supposed to plan ahead for death (since it will eventually happen to all of us), and part of that planning is to get a Costket (a casket from Costco). I suppose writing one’s own obituary wouldn’t be a bad idea either (control what is said). Don’t worry, I’m going somewhere with this…
Here’s an idea for a post.
Title: Write your own blog obituary
Post summary: a contest. Write an obituary for your blog (100 words or less). Post it as a comment. Best obit will be given credit on the next post (or some other prize).
Just a thought…
~ Steve, aka the plan-ahead trade show booths guru
PS. I’m glad you’re going to keep on sloggin!

it’s a good idea, go for it. YOU. i’ll write mine and post it on your blog. sloggin, that’s it. lol

Trade Show Guru´s last blog post..Trade Show Booths and Duct Tape
Written by CommenLuv
on January 11, 2009 at 10:00 pm
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LOL…. I like your idea of blog obituary. It’s really original. Classic. I’m impressed with your style of writing. To leave it ‘die’ when you are made for blogging is simply a great loss to the community. Keep blogging, gal.

Yan

thanks Yan, i already stopped by your place and subscribed. you keep up the good work too!

CommenLuv´s last blog post..Leave Your Blog and Let CommentLuv Show You The Way
Written by tigga76
on January 12, 2009 at 6:34 am
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I love that idea! I think you should extend that to all web site. A web graveyard. You might be interested in this cool site I found that lets you see how sites used to look a while ago [http://web.archive.org/collections/web.html]. Go there and type in myspace.com and then go as far back as you can. Its quite inspiring to know that it started out so humbly but not its a monster.

I like your blog though. I’m trying this thing again myself. I also pondered the whole video blog thing too (even went as far as to buy a $60 web cam which I never used). I hope there is enough inspiration out here to keep me moving.

Thanks for the visit and hopefully I’ll be around.

hey tigga, i’ll check out that link, sounds interesting. so you used to blog then you stop it seems? i have a webcam, not sure why, but i’m so not interested in putting my face on anything but a pillow (to so go sleep, that is) later
tigga76´s last blog post..The Five O Five: Friday, June 6, 2008
Written by Max
on January 12, 2009 at 7:44 am
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LOL @ She reads the obituaries like it’s MySpace for the up in age, but instead of adding friends, you delete them.

she does max, like you read for tyops (there’s one for you)
Written by carla
on January 12, 2009 at 12:47 pm
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It took me long enough the get the courage to have a gravatar photo. Video blogging is just not happening!

I think a blog graveyard is a good idea. There are so many ‘dead’ blogs out there, it would take a lifestyle to finish reading the obituaries.

really? well i guess your picture is up there, so yeah I guess that would take some courage. the blogbituary would be so fun to read i think.

carla´s last blog post..Does Eating Organic Mean Going Broke?
Written by Kathy @ Virtual Impax
on January 12, 2009 at 1:46 pm
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Any time I happen upon the obits – I always wonder “why?” Why did he or she die? How did it happen?

I’d be even MORE curious with blogs – WHY did you decide to quit? No time? No money? Nothing left to say?

As for video blogging – tried it and discovered I have a LOT of facial ticks of which I was not aware until I saw myself create a video. UGH! (Think the MASK!) If I ever start trying to blog for laughs – I’ll DEFINITELY adopt video blogging. Until then – I’ll stick with my gravatar!

been asking myself the why question and there is no one answer. i think it’s more ME and not “blogging”. i’ll pass on the video blogging too.

Kathy @ Virtual Impax´s last blog post..Do Small Business Social Media Blunders = Small Business Marketing Blunders?
Written by Sweepstakes Girl
on January 12, 2009 at 3:04 pm
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Haha your honesty in the post made me smile. Lots of us understand! Left a drop for you!

thanks. new to EC, aye? i’ll mosey on by then

Sweepstakes Girl´s last blog post..I’m New To Entrecard!
Written by Barbara Swafford
on January 12, 2009 at 3:36 pm
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Hi Natural – I love your original ideas. Blog Obits. I’ve seen a few blogs that have died and it’s rather sad. I mourn the loss of the great words the author shared.

As for video blogging, I watch some, but prefer the written word.

thanks barbara. it would be nice for a final resting place for blogs. kinda cool actually

Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..When Non-Blogger Friends Don’t Get It
Written by Tom
on January 12, 2009 at 3:41 pm
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I also like the idea of a virtual obituary for blogs. A long time ago, there was a site that listed ghost/dead sites, I went to check it today and it’s still being updated! Take a look at http://www.disobey.com/ghostsites/

hey tom, thanks for sharing that link, i checked it out. i wonder if anyone will do the dead blog thing? hmmm.
Tom´s last blog post..Acesse seu MSN, Yahoo Messenger, AIM, GTalk usando seu navegador com o Meebo
Written by Robin
on January 12, 2009 at 10:32 pm
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too funny, Natural. Deleting friends!

I’ve had a couple of my blogging friends disappear without a trace – well, 3 – and I emailed them. Two have resurfaced, but one has simply gone. Barbara wrote about this a while ago – it’s disconcerting!

Glad we are stuck with you.

just yesterday my mom told me someone we knew died and i was thinking, man i should’ve read the obits, i didn’t know that. yeah one for blogs would be an interesting read. when i do go bye bye, i will still read blogs, i wouldn’t just vanish…i could just be more of a pest

Robin´s last blog post..5-Year Plan For This Blog
Written by Evelyn Lim
on January 13, 2009 at 3:09 am
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Count me in. I really like the obituary idea too! It will be nice to publicly announce if I have decided to give up my site.

yep, it sure would be and not just to your readers everyone. we’re a funny bunch of bloggers

Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..Ideas For Soul Growth In 2009
Written by meleah rebeccah
on January 14, 2009 at 1:09 am
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Im glad you are NOT leaving us!
xoxoxo

no, i’m going to ride the wave in my brain, it’s really more me than it is blogging.

meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..Help! Quick!
Written by Mar Matthias Darin
on January 14, 2009 at 3:15 am
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Video blogging is not all its cracked up to be. Its harder to start and harder to maintain. Not as many people will visit either because most work places and public computers don’t support sound. The video blogs also suffer in search engine ranking as there is no content for the search engine to index.

you are right about that regarding search engines. unless i do stand-up comedy, i’d never do video.

Mar Matthias Darin´s last blog post..More changes to the blog and a couple of rants
Written by cardiogirl
on January 14, 2009 at 6:09 am
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I don’t know what this says about me, but I’m starting to get really excited about the idea of the Blog Graveyard and am seriously considering all of the possibilities.

Oh gawd, Natural. We could collaborate and make this happen!! Starting to have a mini-panic attack. Must leave now. Will email you later.

go for it! this idea now belongs to cardiogirl, i just transferred the rights to her. i’d love to see what you come up with…valerie doesn’t have the brain power right now to think.

cardiogirl´s last blog post..Maybe there can be too much of a good thing
Written by Liara Covert
on January 14, 2009 at 11:27 am
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The idea of creating a cyber graveyard for deceased blogs is a novel idea. As you suggest, this may be a fantastic way to revive them or redefine reincarnation of the not yet dead but not really living.

i think it would be fun. i don’t have the time to give it any attention, but i have some great ideas i could toss at someone who could make it happen.

Liara Covert´s last blog post..5 ideas to build your self-reliance and redefine dignity
Written by Chris
on January 14, 2009 at 12:01 pm
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LOL…seriously though, I got into blogging because of the writing and not the filming. I almost threw in the towel but this s**t juts keeps calling me back.

well you got a chance to spend time with your family and do other stuff so that’s good. yeah it does call you back, i’m already working on new blog posts. glad to see you chris!

Chris´s last blog post..Cell Phones and Relationships
Written by Janna
on January 14, 2009 at 6:47 pm
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Actually a really good idea I actually started of the year of 2009 with killing of my blog.

It was a four year old daily blogging process that in two klicks on my computer was killed and put to eternal rest. Life of Janna doesn’t feel quite at home yet but I’m getting there.

wow four years of work, gone. actually i like some of the stuff on my blog, so i probably wouldn’t delete it. i go back and read some of the posts, mostly for laughs. i guess after a while with your new blog, it will grow on you and will feel like home

Janna´s last blog post..Reconstruced business
Written by Mike Foster
on January 15, 2009 at 1:47 am
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Your blog is great the way it is, great content told with a sense of humor. As for video and blogs…I’m the wrong guy to ask about that (see my latest post).

peace,
mike
livelife365

saw/read your last post. liking the new look too!

Mike Foster´s last blog post..New Look
Written by meleah rebeccah
on January 15, 2009 at 2:01 pm
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Whew! Im glad THIS BLOG lives. The internet would not be the same without you!

oh you know the show would go on. i’ll be a distant memory, one day

meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..National DeLurking Week.
Written by Regina Sunderland
on January 16, 2009 at 12:46 pm
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NO NO NO, no killing off anymore Blogs. Haven’t you heard they have finally been put on the endangered list now! Just kidding.
Please don’t EVER give up on this Blog, remember that some of us actually really like to read instead of just watch!

Will an extra HUG help to motivate you to further greatness?
(They always help me!)

hey a hug ALWAYS helps, thank you, with a side order of therapy. i rearranged some things in my brain that seem to be helping.

Regina Sunderland´s last blog post..My I couldn’t sleep and went surfing blogs worthy of mention List!
Written by Squawkfox
on January 16, 2009 at 3:25 pm
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Excellent….stay alive and please do avoid the “Blog Obituaries”. I’ve done some videos on my blog…but it’s just my voice.

really? then i’ll have to make my way over there to see what you sound like

Squawkfox´s last blog post..Free Printable Workout Log
Written by Atniz
on January 16, 2009 at 3:57 pm
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Your blog is doing good in ranking. I hope you will continue to blog. There is nothing wrong by adding one or two video post a month.

thanks. i used to add more videos – none of me – in the past, maybe i’ll have to do that more, but I do enjoy the writing when it’s flowing and i’m okay
Atniz´s last blog post..What To Sell On Your Blog?
Written by Roj
on January 17, 2009 at 7:10 am
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This blog is so successful, popular and it would be a big waste if you kill it… You have such a weird thinking about blog deaths and stuffs… Although I have been blogging for a year, I am still new, i of course have blogs made, deleted, recreated and stuffs like those but of course, it is a time wasted… I also work full time in the office and at times it is just too difficult to update. The good thing about blogging is, you can relax while you work,,, at least that is how i feel. ^^

thanks. i had to laugh about my weird thinking. you’re right, i’ve always been off the charts, off the menu type of gal

Roj´s last blog post..Loboc River Cruise with Friends, June 2007 in Bohol, Philippines
Written by Maria M
on January 19, 2009 at 9:12 am
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You have a unique writing style and would do the blogging world a disservice if you quit. I am still very new to blogging but hope to keep seeing you around for a long time.

maria that’s a very kind thing to say. i appreciate it. much success to you and your blog

Maria M´s last blog post..Surprise Visitors – Are they Really Welcome?
Written by Betty
on January 20, 2009 at 1:49 pm
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I always wondered about that myself. I ‘ve noticed some people keep up so many blogs. What happens when you just can’t/don’t want to do it anymore? Does it sit there? I have found a few that haven’t had posts since 2006. I wonder what happened. Given up on?

Oh well. Take care and have a great day.

i don’t know where they go. for me, i deleted my blogs. it still would be nice to have a little cemetery for them.

Betty´s last blog post..Paris Hilton might just be dumber than Jessica Simpson
Written by Penny
on January 22, 2009 at 5:14 pm
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That is a good idea, and would be kind of fun, perhaps less depressing?? But I tend to think people kill of their blogs without telling anyone on purpose…

would be fun to read over a cup of coffee. just like opening up the morning paper to see who passed away. not that death is fun…the blogs i mean.

Penny´s last blog post..Disconnected
Written by Corrina
on January 24, 2009 at 12:01 am
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I can’t imagine there ever coming a day when I video blog. Hopefully I’ll not want to retire my little blog anytime soon. Or ever. lol

video blogging. yuk! what’s up girlfriend! glad to know you’ll be sticking around or plan to.
Written by Zoe
on January 26, 2009 at 3:37 am
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video is a serial killer. first, he killed the radio star. now, he killed blogs.

i see, thanks for the, heads up?

Zoe´s last blog post..If I had a band…
Written by Used trucks
on February 10, 2009 at 12:15 am
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u have a good blog frd … then y thinking on to quit ? to quit online life is not really a good idea … maybe i can say it would b worst idea

ur getting good response here too … just try to make it more popularize as per ur need … there are many bloggers who are not into video blogging yet .. but still they are happy with it.

okay i can’t call you used trucks, what’s your name, real or fake. well hello uh used trucks. thanks. um, let’s just say i’m not or wasn’t very organized and i was unbalanced. i like being balance and hey this sounds like i’m on the couch..i was trying to do too much.