Hello? Is this thing on?

Moksha Gren says, Why do you KEEP blogging? What makes it so important in your hectic child-rearing / wife-appriciating / job-working life to throw such a time-consuming hobby into the mix? And how do you think it's going?

Holy, I've asked myself that on any number of occasions.  The end of September saw two years doing this on a regular basis.  It's been 770 posts, 2,500 comments and 50,000 unique page hits.

I started doing this, in part, to preserve some thoughts and events surrounding the rearing of my firstborn son, and now my second.  That evolved into retrospective and introspective type pieces where I attempt to relate my own previous experiences with what's happening now.  I never want to get so wrapped up in the present that I can't apply some lesson I learned (or ought to have learned) years ago.

Then something strange happened.  People started commenting.

There is really very much more than that.  The comments were another impetus to keep saying a few things that were in my head, of course.  But then some of the personalities associated with those comments coalesced into real people after a time and honest to goodness friendships blossomed where none were at all expected.

I had thought, at first, this was simply going to be a means for me to keep track of a few of the more memorable things associated with bringing up two boys.  Now, unexpectedly, it's also become a small forum to foster some number of relationships that have come to mean something special to me.

This post really deserves more detail than I'm giving it here, and if I'm reminded to do so in the near future, I'll definitely expound.

Comments

[TerriTorial]

It's funny how comments change everything. It sort of gives you warm fuzzies to think people actually read your words. My blog is about just my boring life, but yet people comment. Go figure!!!

I started reading you when you birthed (or rather your wife) your second wee male. Still can't believe your grabbed those towels. Geesh!

[Moksha Gren]

Comments do change everything. Before hanging my own shingle on the ever-growing blog streets, I was a horrible lurker. I'd read and pass on by. These days I know the significance of feedback from the otherwise empty void into which we pour our thougts, feelings, and pictures. So, even though I put out content much more infrequently than I'd like...I make a point to make time for the people I've met out here.

Thanks, Simon, for continuing to make the time for this endeavour.

[Mark]

It seems to transcend reason, really, because connecting with people with words is more emotional, more primal than logic. My "reasons" for continuing are pretty much the same, less the second kid.

[Tal]

I too started reading you with the infamous "I for one welcome our new overlord" post (is it weird that I remember the name without checking?). It sucked me in, and I've been lurking (and recently commenting) ever since. I'm certainly glad you've decided to adopt a time consuming habit!