Tuesday, August 17, 2010

why I do what I do when I do what I do

I've tackled this question before, but it deserves my attention again. Why do I blog? Why?

One of the first bloggers I connected with here on the grand Internet and whose blog I just adore in my panties is my Aunt Becky of Mommy Wants Vodka. She tackled the topic today so go read her post and brilliant as usual argument.

Here is why I do what I do when I do what I do (wait, what?):

I blog to write.

Pure and simple.

I like to write. I don't write stories or novels, but I like to download. Sometimes it's to make myself laugh (and possibly others laugh as well) and sometimes it's to be real, to put the real me into words. So first and foremost, I write for me. For the words swirling in ma tete.

But what I hadn't anticipated was the commitment I would feel to my blog. Sexy Man (I guess that's his nickname now since that's what I just typed) asked me the other day if my blog was my baby. My immediate response was, "NO!" Because that's just ludicrous right? If I had a baby, it would be all cooey and poopy and cuddly and spitupy. My blog isn't like that. Except it kind of is. My blog is my baby.

I don't mean I'm committed to it because I'm committed to my readers (though I lurve you guys in my panties). I mean that I'm committed to the blog itself, to what it means, to be completely real and authentic out of respect for the blog.

One of my foibles is that I have this performative nature and I can laugh off a situation or put on a smile when things aren't okay. Just to get through. But not with my blog. I'm always honest to the blog. If I find something funny, it goes in the blog. If I feel snarky, my post is full of snark. If I'm a hot mess and need to make fun of myself, I make a vlog or post an unattractive photo. If I'm shitting rainbows and feeling on top of the world, I shit rainbows and unicorns all over the blog until my readers are bleeding fucking sparkles. And if I need to get real and raw and expose my pain, I let it out on the blog.

My blog is my all humiliation network.

It's a plethora of the crass, the mortifying, the overshare. My blog takes TMI to a whole new level.

Sometimes I am surprised at how it's allowed me to connect with you guys. And sometimes I feel better simply for the act of writing.

And sure, I'd love for my blog to lead to other gigs. I'm honored when I'm asked to guest post or collaborate on an e-book or an editor writes me about a possible writing opportunity. I'd love to find avenues of income because I do this amazing thing called blogging. But at the end of the day, I've made about 10 smackers on my blog this year. I don't do it because there's money in it.

I do it because it's all me out there on the grand Internet just being me and exposing myself raw and real.

And THAT? Keeps me honest. And THAT? Is why my blog is my baby.

16 comments mean you love me:

Natalie said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Yep! Preach it! I know exactly what you mean.

Andygirl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

:D

Ley said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

"If I'm shitting rainbows and feeling on top of the world, I shit rainbows and unicorns all over the blog until my readers are bleeding fucking sparkles."

You know why I love you?

Because you say shit like that.

Please keep being real and blogging, because a)you're amazing at it and b)it is so refreshing to meet (umm...proverbially!) someone so honest and real in a world full of Snooki's (no hate--love you Snookrz)

Andygirl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Ashley my dear, thanks so much! it' so wonderful knowing you. via la blog!

Amy J said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I couldn't agree more. It's the same reason I love blogging. Also, you crack me up. I love the way you phrase things.

And for WOW...snarky, snark, hot mess, plethora, and foible.

Poppy said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

One of my favorite things about you is your authenticity. I love that you put yourself out there and your stripper vlog made me a fan forever.

KLZ said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

My blog misses a lot of good stories about my in-laws but it captures plenty of little moments I would otherwise forget. Like when the guy at 7-11 slipped me his banana.

Good time. Keep on keepin' on.

Anonymous said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

So true!

Playing WOW--I found foible and snarky.

El Gato said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

And that... is why I read your blog. Plain and Simple. Cheers!

Liz said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

good for you! and i agree...i've never would have imagined it when i first started blogging, but it is an education and "work experience" all on its own.

Anonymous said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Your blog as your all humiliation network: LOVE that description! Right on! When you're not ashamed of who you are, nothing can get in your way. Keep writing, girl!

Andygirl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

wow, you guys! thanks for all the comments! keep on writing, friends!!

Jenny (@jenndola) said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Love this post! Really. LOVE. You nailed it. I told someone once it didn't matter if people read my blog or not, and she called me on it - I DO care, and if people stopped reading, I'd stop writing it. But the readers aren't my primary motivation. I wrote when I had five readers. I have more now (though not tons), and I write just the same now. I have funny posts, sad posts, angry posts...and they're all ME.

Honestly, it's like you reached into my brain and put my thoughts into words. Witchcraft!

Oh, and for WOW...foible, snarky (and snark, if we're counting different forms), plethora, and hot mess. You were jamming 'em in there!

My word verification: ovelsac. Is it just me, or does that sound incredibly dirty?

Andygirl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Jenny- you sound like a kindred spirit.

and you found me out! yes, witchcraft. my secret identity is Hermoine Granger. ;)

I'll have to go check out your blog now!

alonewithcats said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Keep doing what you're doing, lady. I like what you're doing. Lots.

Andygirl said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

thanks, hon! I appreciate it!!

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