Really bad. Maybe the worst blogger on the planet.
Summertime will do that to you.
That's not entirely true. Summertime, working out a lot, horse shows, swimming, new puppies and frustration will do that to you.
Yes my name is Lindsay and I am a frustrated blogger. I think I had grandiose imaginings of how this would go. That people would read this and be enchanted by me and I would be rocketed into blogger superstardom.
Yeah that's not happening-I have very few readers, very few comments and I'm not really sure what to do about it.
So that is my question for the day-it's really more like a series of questions:
What do you like to read about on blogs?
How can I spice things up?
What kinds of things draw your attention to blogs?
What are some ways to get out there and reach and hopefully gain some more readers?
Any ideas will be much appreciated-as are those of you out there who are reading this.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
:) and his brother ;)
So I have been watching TBS's new show Men at Work. Pretty funny, clever writing and a glimpse into the minds of men. Some background: On last weeks episode, Milo, having just gotten out of a 5 year relationship, is trying to re-enter the dating world and is struggling somewhat with texting a new girl he's dating. His lady killer friend Tyler is helping him deconstruct what Milo views as an open invitation from the lady. Their convo goes a little something like this:
Tyler: "In the hetero-textual world everything is safe if you have a smiley face at the end. They're like...conversational condoms."
Milo: "Really?"
Tyler: "Absolutely man. You can say the naughtiest, filthiest stuff to each other and its all in fun as long as you end it with that bad boy. Or his brother...the winky smiley face."
Milo: "Good to know."
You can watch it here:
Men at Work-Hetero-textual Male
The conversation made me laugh out loud while I was watching-which is something I generally reserve for New Girl or Psych (haven't watched either? Step away from the computer and go do so IMMEDIATELY!)
It was just so....true! I could literally think of dozens of times that I had softened the blow, or added some levity to a text with a :) or ;)
Uh oh-don't want him to think I'm being too flirty--:)
Whoops hope he gets that that is sarcasm---;)
Want him to understand beyond a shadow of a doubt that yes, you ignorant male, I am flirting--;)
And they're so right-these little emoticons are conversational condoms. They make you feel safe. For me, comments I'd never post or texts I'd never send are instantly made "ok" by adding a :) or ;)
And you know what? Thank God.
I mean seriously-being single is freaking exhausting. And thought I don't often advocate for the male side of things I am sure they feel the same way. You feel like a psychoanalyst 99% of the time. What did he/she mean by that? What do I do/say now? And on and on with the questions and second guessing and uncertainly and doubt.
And while I often bemoan all the game play, the rules and regulations that often make dating so very tiresome, in this case I find it perfectly ok. Comforting even. Because without our little conversational condoms there are texts that would never get sent. I realize they are just in fact punctuation marks squished together to attempt to illustrate an emotion or tone and I'm pinning a lot on them but they sometimes give you a little added boost of confidence. They power sometimes to push send-ummm don't know if I should say that. eh-I'll add a :) Yes the addition of a colon and parentheses makes it all ok.
It's a dog eat dog world out there kids. And this girl? I'll be practicing safe text.
Tyler: "In the hetero-textual world everything is safe if you have a smiley face at the end. They're like...conversational condoms."
Milo: "Really?"
Tyler: "Absolutely man. You can say the naughtiest, filthiest stuff to each other and its all in fun as long as you end it with that bad boy. Or his brother...the winky smiley face."
Milo: "Good to know."
You can watch it here:
Men at Work-Hetero-textual Male
The conversation made me laugh out loud while I was watching-which is something I generally reserve for New Girl or Psych (haven't watched either? Step away from the computer and go do so IMMEDIATELY!)
It was just so....true! I could literally think of dozens of times that I had softened the blow, or added some levity to a text with a :) or ;)
Uh oh-don't want him to think I'm being too flirty--:)
Whoops hope he gets that that is sarcasm---;)
Want him to understand beyond a shadow of a doubt that yes, you ignorant male, I am flirting--;)
And they're so right-these little emoticons are conversational condoms. They make you feel safe. For me, comments I'd never post or texts I'd never send are instantly made "ok" by adding a :) or ;)
And you know what? Thank God.
I mean seriously-being single is freaking exhausting. And thought I don't often advocate for the male side of things I am sure they feel the same way. You feel like a psychoanalyst 99% of the time. What did he/she mean by that? What do I do/say now? And on and on with the questions and second guessing and uncertainly and doubt.
And while I often bemoan all the game play, the rules and regulations that often make dating so very tiresome, in this case I find it perfectly ok. Comforting even. Because without our little conversational condoms there are texts that would never get sent. I realize they are just in fact punctuation marks squished together to attempt to illustrate an emotion or tone and I'm pinning a lot on them but they sometimes give you a little added boost of confidence. They power sometimes to push send-ummm don't know if I should say that. eh-I'll add a :) Yes the addition of a colon and parentheses makes it all ok.
It's a dog eat dog world out there kids. And this girl? I'll be practicing safe text.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
The Lost Art of Lyrics
It occurred to me this week whilst (yeah, I say whilst. Try it, you'll like it) we were driving home and jamming to the radio that lyric writing is quickly becoming a lost art.
At the very least it's playing hide and seek. It's face is on a few milk cartons. That's all I'm saying.
This thought came to me while we heard two currently overplayed tunes that are, ahem, on the iPods of a few, ahem, friends of mine. They'll argue that Willie Nelson is on mine, but I maintain that he is, in fact, a working mans poet.
But I digress. The songs in question are One Directions "What Makes You Beautiful" and 'insert random pop princesses name here's "Call Me Maybe".
Sweet lord. Is this what we've come to? These are our modern day troubadours?
We've gone from this:
"Maybe I didn't love you, Quite as often as I should have. And maybe I didn't treat you, Quite as well as I could have, If I made you feel second best, Girl I'm sorry I was blind. You were always on my mind." -Elvis/Willie (had to include some Willie ;)
"Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down." -Simon & Garfunkel
"Yesterday, All my troubles seemed so far away, Now it looks as though they're here to stay.." -The Beatles
"In my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, Speaking words of wisdom, Let it be." -The Beatles
"Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose, Nothing ain't worth nothin', but its free." -Kris Kristopherson
"Imagine all the people, Living for today." -Lennon
"Freedom? Well that's just some people talking. Your prison is walking through this world all alone."
-The Eagles
"There are places I remember all my life, though some have changed. Some forever, not for better. Some have gone and some remain." -The Beatles
To this:
"The way that you whip your hair gets me overwhelmed"
"I just met you. And this is crazy. But here's my number. So call me maybe."
This is a sad commentary on our times. And not only are MANY of today's lyrics insipid and uninspired they are also repetitive. Over and over and over. Same words. Oy.
I'm not saying I haven't fallen prey to bubble gum pop. (I was in high school during the rise of boy bands for Pete's sake) It's catchy, the beats are good and the lyrics, however mundane will burn themselves onto your brain. But in 10, 20, 50+ years are people really going to remember where they were when they heard these songs or how they made them feel. Doubtful. Very doubtful. But the old standards I've listed above will stand the test of time and thankfully, there are artists out there that strive to meet some basic standards. That try for some meaning, feeling and, dare I say it, poetry.
Some current lines that pass the test, for me, and leave this listener feeling or thinking or (yes, I'm a sap) crying?
"I got a gypsy soul to blame and I was born for leaving." -Zac Brown Band
"You and tequila make me crazy. Run like poison in my blood. One more night could kill me baby. One is one too many, One more is never enough." -Kenny Chesney
"The stars are blazin' like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun." -The Killers
"All of this around us'll fall over, I tell you what we're gonna do, Hey you will shelter me my love and I will shelter you." -Ray LaMontagne
"Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own savior, Standing on my own two feet." -Adele
"A man needs something he can hold onto, A nine pound hammer or a woman like you, Either one of them things will do." -Ray LaMontagne
They give me hope. Perhaps lyric writing is not dead. But I think sometimes, like so many other things in our lives, the rush to make the CD, to make the money, produce the records overshadows the artistry. I'm glad there are some artists and songwriters out there that still strive for...art.
What are some lyrics or songs that speak to you? That get to you?
At the very least it's playing hide and seek. It's face is on a few milk cartons. That's all I'm saying.
This thought came to me while we heard two currently overplayed tunes that are, ahem, on the iPods of a few, ahem, friends of mine. They'll argue that Willie Nelson is on mine, but I maintain that he is, in fact, a working mans poet.
But I digress. The songs in question are One Directions "What Makes You Beautiful" and 'insert random pop princesses name here's "Call Me Maybe".
Sweet lord. Is this what we've come to? These are our modern day troubadours?
We've gone from this:
"Maybe I didn't love you, Quite as often as I should have. And maybe I didn't treat you, Quite as well as I could have, If I made you feel second best, Girl I'm sorry I was blind. You were always on my mind." -Elvis/Willie (had to include some Willie ;)
"Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down." -Simon & Garfunkel
"Yesterday, All my troubles seemed so far away, Now it looks as though they're here to stay.." -The Beatles
"In my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, Speaking words of wisdom, Let it be." -The Beatles
"Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose, Nothing ain't worth nothin', but its free." -Kris Kristopherson
"Imagine all the people, Living for today." -Lennon
"Freedom? Well that's just some people talking. Your prison is walking through this world all alone."
-The Eagles
"There are places I remember all my life, though some have changed. Some forever, not for better. Some have gone and some remain." -The Beatles
To this:
"The way that you whip your hair gets me overwhelmed"
"I just met you. And this is crazy. But here's my number. So call me maybe."
This is a sad commentary on our times. And not only are MANY of today's lyrics insipid and uninspired they are also repetitive. Over and over and over. Same words. Oy.
I'm not saying I haven't fallen prey to bubble gum pop. (I was in high school during the rise of boy bands for Pete's sake) It's catchy, the beats are good and the lyrics, however mundane will burn themselves onto your brain. But in 10, 20, 50+ years are people really going to remember where they were when they heard these songs or how they made them feel. Doubtful. Very doubtful. But the old standards I've listed above will stand the test of time and thankfully, there are artists out there that strive to meet some basic standards. That try for some meaning, feeling and, dare I say it, poetry.
Some current lines that pass the test, for me, and leave this listener feeling or thinking or (yes, I'm a sap) crying?
"I got a gypsy soul to blame and I was born for leaving." -Zac Brown Band
"You and tequila make me crazy. Run like poison in my blood. One more night could kill me baby. One is one too many, One more is never enough." -Kenny Chesney
"The stars are blazin' like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun." -The Killers
"All of this around us'll fall over, I tell you what we're gonna do, Hey you will shelter me my love and I will shelter you." -Ray LaMontagne
"Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own savior, Standing on my own two feet." -Adele
"A man needs something he can hold onto, A nine pound hammer or a woman like you, Either one of them things will do." -Ray LaMontagne
They give me hope. Perhaps lyric writing is not dead. But I think sometimes, like so many other things in our lives, the rush to make the CD, to make the money, produce the records overshadows the artistry. I'm glad there are some artists and songwriters out there that still strive for...art.
What are some lyrics or songs that speak to you? That get to you?
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Vacation=woo hoo!, Packing=Boo hoo!
Heading out tomorrow for a mini vacation to Gatlinburg with my girls. And am as excited as if we were going somewhere like, oh, I don't know...the beach, a cruise etc etc. It's basically just about getting away and changing the scenery at this point. We have some fun stuff planned and, of course, mucho shopping.
But in order to go-I gotta pack. And I HATE packing. With a fiery, all consuming passion. It's torture.
What to take, what not to take. Do I take too much (yes always), do I take the minimalist approach (no, never). I generally end up taking the same amount of items for this, a two day trip, as I would for a week at the beach. I have no restraint.
There are too many variables to consider! And I must have some Boy Scout in my makeup because I feel the need to "always be prepared". It could rain. A cold snap. A heat wave. Something dressy could come up. I may need a bathing suit. I could just hate my clothes (Happens. A lot.) So I over pack. I've tried to break the habit but I've finally just accepted it. I'd rather have more than necessary (which I always, ALWAYS do) than not enough (NEVER happened).
So off I go to begin gathering my things. I predict a minimum of one suitcase plus additional bag.
Yes I realize it's a two day trip. Just go with it.
But in order to go-I gotta pack. And I HATE packing. With a fiery, all consuming passion. It's torture.
What to take, what not to take. Do I take too much (yes always), do I take the minimalist approach (no, never). I generally end up taking the same amount of items for this, a two day trip, as I would for a week at the beach. I have no restraint.
There are too many variables to consider! And I must have some Boy Scout in my makeup because I feel the need to "always be prepared". It could rain. A cold snap. A heat wave. Something dressy could come up. I may need a bathing suit. I could just hate my clothes (Happens. A lot.) So I over pack. I've tried to break the habit but I've finally just accepted it. I'd rather have more than necessary (which I always, ALWAYS do) than not enough (NEVER happened).
So off I go to begin gathering my things. I predict a minimum of one suitcase plus additional bag.
Yes I realize it's a two day trip. Just go with it.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Rainy Friday
Which makes it just perfect for sleeping in-which I did. A lot. It was magical and just one of the many, many things I love about being out of school for the summer.
What else do I love?
-wearing my pj's all day if I so choose-and baby, sometimes I choose
-not having to pack my lunch and/or get school clothes ready each night
-no alarm clock-woo-hoo!!!
-the joyful freedom of no schedule at all
Summer is pretty freaking great. And this (shout out to mild winter!) we get a nice long one. I intend to enjoy it-pool time, friend and family time, mini vacay time and me time. What are your summer plans? And favorite things about the most sweltering of seasons? (the heat and humidity would be on the not so favorite list for me!)
On the weight loss front I have been maintaining pretty much the last few weeks. It's been hard to stick to a diet once school was out-I knew it would be. I have good days and bad but frankly I am just happy not to have gained any back so far. I need to buckle down though-trying a boot camp tomorrow morning with some Zumba peeps-Lord help me! I'm hoping that that, in addition to Zumba and walking will get the weight coming off a little faster again-if I survive.
Heading out Monday for a few days in Gatlinburg with my peeps-I am as excited as if we were going to the beach-which sadly we are not-time and money constraints suck. But we are going to relax, likely pig out (hence the need for boot camp!) and do some shopping and other fun stuff. It will be nice just to get away and change the scenery for a few days.
And now I am going to go get dress-yes I am aware of the time-what of it? And then to go get my oil changed (vroom vroom) and stop by my home aways from home Wal-Mart for a few things. It's a wild life I lead, I know.
Over and out.
What else do I love?
-wearing my pj's all day if I so choose-and baby, sometimes I choose
-not having to pack my lunch and/or get school clothes ready each night
-no alarm clock-woo-hoo!!!
-the joyful freedom of no schedule at all
Summer is pretty freaking great. And this (shout out to mild winter!) we get a nice long one. I intend to enjoy it-pool time, friend and family time, mini vacay time and me time. What are your summer plans? And favorite things about the most sweltering of seasons? (the heat and humidity would be on the not so favorite list for me!)
On the weight loss front I have been maintaining pretty much the last few weeks. It's been hard to stick to a diet once school was out-I knew it would be. I have good days and bad but frankly I am just happy not to have gained any back so far. I need to buckle down though-trying a boot camp tomorrow morning with some Zumba peeps-Lord help me! I'm hoping that that, in addition to Zumba and walking will get the weight coming off a little faster again-if I survive.
Heading out Monday for a few days in Gatlinburg with my peeps-I am as excited as if we were going to the beach-which sadly we are not-time and money constraints suck. But we are going to relax, likely pig out (hence the need for boot camp!) and do some shopping and other fun stuff. It will be nice just to get away and change the scenery for a few days.
And now I am going to go get dress-yes I am aware of the time-what of it? And then to go get my oil changed (vroom vroom) and stop by my home aways from home Wal-Mart for a few things. It's a wild life I lead, I know.
Over and out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)