Video killed the radio star....
And Ravelry killed the Blogger? hhhhhmmmm, maybe....
Well, hello FKD readers and concerned fans! Yes, I'm still alive and so is the P-Man.
We appreciate all your concerned email and posts so let me 'splain....
I have not been feeling too well, I'm on my second course of antibiotics for a sinus infection that just won't quit so I'm crabby and miserable and my new super heroine name is Yeast Woman!!! (just kidding, all the yogurt and acidophilis is doing it's job!)
I've been having a bit of an existential blog crisis - after three years, do I want to subject you, my much appreciated (and missed!) readers to another pair of socks? hehe... Have I said all I need to say?
Truth is, I don't know...I miss you guys A LOT and I miss all the great things blogging has brought to my life but I confess, blogging doesn't come easy right now and if blogging becomes a chore rather than a labor of love, is it time to go or just time for a long little blog vacay?
While I don't think Ravelry takes the place of blogging, it does vie for it's time.
Maybe it's true, absence does make the heart grow fonder cause now that I'm writing this, it feels like I never left....anyone else feeling the ambivalence? Got a cure for blogger's ennui?
I leave you with this very cute picture of my kitty man...
while I further contemplate my blogging life. Any and all tips for combating the ennui will be appreciated!
I'll be back cause I have so many finished socks to show you, I need your help picking out buttons for Mom's lace vest and I miss you all!
Knit lots, hugs to most and thanks for all the love ;)
37 comments:
Please, please, don't stop!! Ravelry is fine, please try to multitask ... or cut and paste :)
I believe that too. Maybe it's just our spring slams us right into summer or should we call it simmer? Oooo babeee, I want your socks ;-)
Ah. Ravelry has done some good things for the knitting community but not all good. I've lost a few of my favorite bloggers to it.
I hope you don't stay away long.
I'm like you! Except not sick, and doing the blogging thing instead of Ravelry. :) I think what it comes down to is where you're feeling most at home at the moment. If blogging feels like a chore or work, then you probably should take a break. I'm a firm believer in hiatuses (hiatusi?) - I think once you get a little removed from something, it's easier to take a measured look at it and evaluate its importance in your life.
Anyway, blogging (or any other leisure pursuit, really) should feel like fun and not an obligation, and if the fact that you're not blogging as frequently is stressing you out, don't let it. Blog when you like, when you feel you need to. Do what makes you happy. Life is full of a million bits of stress, so don't let your blog turn into another one of those bits. Be happy. :)
Oh ... please don't tell me you are quitting too! So many have left lately ... it feels so sad. Personally, I really don't mind seeing another finished socks ... they are all beautiful!
Having said that, the decision of course is still yours ...
I do understand, but for what it's worth, when I logged into Bloglines and saw Fluffy Knitter Deb highlighted, I was pretty pleased. I love Ravelry, but I don't do too much communicating with it. I much prefer reading blogs. I like hearing what's going on in people's lives. Ravelry is only one small facet of a knitter's life. Just my two cents! And keep the socks coming!
You just answered yourself. You miss us. And you've got stuff to show us. And decisions on buttons to get advice on...
Post less. But don't stop!
Where would we get our P-Man fix, anyway? *wink*
((((hugs))))
I'm sort of the opposite with Ravelry. I love the resource, but don't feel the need to participate in communities. I hope that you do continue to blog. I always enjoy reading you. Do take an extended hiatus if you need to and blog when and if you feel. When I didn't see you in my bloglines for awhile, I assumed that you were still having computer problems. I'm sorry you've been so sick. I hope the sinus infection go aways soon. Those are tough to kick.
Hope you get well soon.
Whilst ravelry has contributed to people stopping their blog, I think that it's also a natural progression. Lots of people have started blogs in the past 3 to 4 years and life may have moved on. I hope that you continue to write but if it feels like a chore,then stop. Life is too short to spend time blogging out of obligation when there's so much to do.
Just take a wee vacation and then please come back!!!
You better keep blogging because I cannot stand the boards at Ravelry. It's going to be a long summer for me.
Are you using saline solution for your sinuses? It's not fun, but I've had good luck with it.
Take care of yourself and the P-Man!
I tried to give up lack-of-blogging-guilt long ago... it's hard. See you when I see you!
Yeah, what sallee said. I think when you're feeling better, things will become less conflicted. I don't think you are done sharing with us!
Awww, Deb. I always want to see a picture of your socks. And Pumpkin, too. :-)
Don't stop! Plus, you can only feel better after you get WELL from all the sinus infections. Never discount a low level of illness to make you feel greatly muted even for your yarn!
...what they all said! We miss you. Reading you in the morning is so much better than reading Ravelry boards.
Take care of yourself, and then we'd all love to hear from you again.
don't stop!! I love seeing your fos, knails, and your darling p-man here too! In the meantime do take good care and I sure hope you will be well soon~~ :)
I wonder just how annoying it is for people not on Ravelry that us who are bang on about it?
I'm sure you'll find a way to be a part of both areas of these knitting communities. Maybe a short rest from blogging will bring back the love?
I firmly believe in Bloggng Without Obligation -- saying something if you have something to say, but otherwise ... not. That being said, if you're truly looking for something to post about, start a new project, something big, and post about the process ... why you picked that particular project, the yarn for it, and share the growth, or lack thereof.
Sorry you're still feeling icky ... doesn't sound like fun, and likely not helping at all in the creativity department.
Sounds like you need a break and I for one think that's a perfectly ok thing to do. We all need a little break sometimes. Do hope you feel better soon though! And loving the P-man as always.
Don't quit! I've gotten sort of sucked into Ravelry too, but the forums there just aren't the same as blogs. Plus, I've found that conversations over there seem to degenerate pretty quickly into train wrecks, not sure why. I think we're all more civilized on the blogs, it's more like we're a guest in someone's home, so we're nicer! :-)
And the p-man, as usual, is just a handsome guy.
DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!1 I would miss you SO MUCH! That being said, I perfectly understand not feeling well and blogging inertia. Although, I personally NEVER tire of seeing your socks or any of your creations for that matter, if it is no longer something you enjoy, take a break (but be sure to email me ;)) I remember the first time I came across your blog - I believe you were in a closet due to a hurricane with no water, doors or windows, you became family to me that day and you still are! Give the P-Man a little scratch under the chin for me and I'm here to hear you out if you want to vent :)
Sending positive feel better vibes your way - those sinus infections are brutal!
Glad you're back. I was worried!
a lurker in California
I fall along the same lines as many of your other comments: Ravelry is a wonderful resource but there's nothing like visiting your home base. See, it's not about the project. It's about coming to see YOU!
I know that you've felt ambivalent about the blog pressure for some time, as have I. I don't have "the" answer. I just know I'd miss seeing you - even if it is every so often.
Otherwise, I'm glad to hear you're feeling a little bit better, friend.
You know, I have definitely had those months, and eventually I usually get in the mood to blog again for a stretch. Give it time and don't throw in the towel just yet, okay?
First - I hope you feel better real soon.
Second - I never get tired of seeing socks (especially this year since I can't seem to finish a pair myself).
Third - I love the P-Man and would miss him terribly if you stopped blogging.
Fourth and Most Important - I'd miss you if you stop blogging. Take a little break, or blog less frequently, but please don't stop completely!
I so understand where you are coming from. I have been taking a completely unplanned and unexplained blog break, and you know what? The world did not implode, and I realized I needed the break. I've been spending time joining in on discussions at Ravelry and it has been fun to be involved in discussions. I don't necessarily think one has taken the place of another, but right now I needed a break and Ravelry happened to be there to provide another distraction. My poor neglected blog will be there for me if I do decide to go back to it. If you need a break, take one. It may reenergize you for more blogging adventures in the future!
My two cents, and that's all these thoughts are worth -- Blog when you can, but not when it seems like it is work. Don't shut down the blog, but post when you feel like it. Most of us will still be here even if the frequency is way down, and I'll still enjoy hearing from you when you have the time and interest to share stuff, even if it is every few weeks or months! (There are several people I only hear from at Christmas...and I'm still thrilled to hear from them even at that frequency!) That's the beauty of Bloglines! I don't have to manually check every day to see if you've posted, but when you do, I'm notified and can see how you are!
Well, you've read my feelings and thoughts on this. I say, DON'T GO. Just blog when you feel like it, and check in on us when you feel like it. We will never tire of your socks, or P-Man. :)
Blog when you want - we'll be here :-) anxiously awaiting your and P-man's comments and photos.
You might try a neti pot to help cleanse and restore the sinuses (no yeast from saline) in addition to those ever-so-nasty antibiotics.
Feel better and blog when you can, after all, never too many socks.
Glad to see you're still around. I was first worried that something was wrong, and I'm sorry to see you've been ill and suffering. At least you've got the P-man there to take care of you. Get better soon. I miss our phone chats
I totally understand your blogging "ennui". My suggestion would be to not put any pressure on yourself to publish, just when the notion strikes you - the pendulum will likely swing back in the blog's direction at some point. I am glad you are alive and well.
I love your blog and hope HOPE you keep popping on here when you feel like it to show us your socks, show pictures of the P-man and do things like your cast/on tutorial when YOU feel like it.
I really enjoyed that posting a few months ago where you told us about your favorite things.
I wish you will continue to blog because I just love your socks and I will really miss reading you, seeing all your nail polish colors and of course, the P-man pictures!
Take good care of yourself and I hope you get better real fast.
Danielle
You're right... ravelry does compete with blogging time. And heck... I didn't even read any blogs last week. I'm just now catching up.
But I didn't catch up on those Ravelry threads that I've been rubberneckin'.
And then there's the guilt... ya know... the bad blogger guilt.
Let's get some chocolate and contemplate all of this later.
I know how you feel ... only I'd rather communicate by blogging and just post my finished project with details to Ravelry. Lot's of resource there, but I like the connection it still has to blogging. What I've done tho is post only 2 or 3 times a week. I try to stay away over the weekends lately. Good luck in whatever you decide ... and get well too. (I've been sick also but just haven't talked about it yet)
One word: Levaquin. The antibiotic of choice for sinus infections. (ask me how I know....) Feel better soon, pookie.
I feel exactly like you do in the Rav vs. blogging debate. Ravelry is so shiny! I'd miss ya here, but if it's a chore that ain't right. Do what you wanna do, and we'll stalk ya wherever you are. Heh.
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