Bloggity Blog Blog

Today is Getting to Know You day over at Create A Connection... and the topic is blogs. I think I know a thing or 2 about blogging. So here are my answers

When did you begin your first blog and what inspired you to do so?
I needed an outlet and I type considerably faster then I write. and my mind goes considerably faster then I type... so my journals tend to be a big mess of thoughts. But getting them all out and able to get advice and encouragement was a phenomenal experience and I was hooked! I started my 1st online journal on OpenDiary about 7 years ago.

Do you have more than one blog? Why? How are they different?
I certainly do! I have my main journal on Livejournal which is where I talk about anything and everything and in great detail. I also post lots of pictures and vacation recaps and all sorts of stuff. That one is seriously friends-locked, and I don't just let anyone view it. Very private thoughts and relationship discussions.. Yes, I kiss and tell...... sometimes ;)

Also on LJ is my craft journal: ribart_designs. Periodically I will post updates to my Web site, etc. I don't normally post pieces there. I also have a weight loss journal on LJ, but I tend to just update my main journal with that info and just filter it to a few people.

I started my Blogger blog to be able to participate in the swaps and exchanges on here. I decided to use it mostly for my knitting projects and info about the exchanges I participate in.

I also have the standard MySpace and Yahoo 360 blogs, but I hardly ever write in those.

How would you characterize your blog? Creative, Political, Informational, Community-oriented, Something else?
Mostly creative, but not just tangible creativity.. I enjoy writing and putting a spin on things. Also, telling stories about my dates, etc have been a big success with my readers that love following the budding romances I've had over the years. I'd say I have a following that is very much like a family to me.

To paraphrase Oprah, what is "one thing you know for sure" about blogging?
There are some amazing people out there in blog-land just begging to be discovered and are full of creativity and similar experiences. I also know that the more you write, the less likely people will read and comment. It can certainly take over many hours in your days if you let it. OK, so that was 2 things...

Is it important to you to get feedback in terms of comments or pings? Why or why not?
It really depends what I am writing.. on LJ, if I write about my dates and uncertainties, I truly value the feedback and hope my friends will comment and give advice and encouragement. Pings, well, I don't care how many people visit my blogs in a day or week. As long as I am getting comments from friends, then I am happy!

What 3 blogs would you recommend to our readers and why?
Photoflavor - This is one of the feeds I have in my Google Reader and love the pictures this guy posts. They are gorgeous and a wide variety of subjects. I have saved a fair number of them to my hard drive for a slideshow screensaver.

I don't consistently read any public blogs. Most of the ones I read are my friends on Livejournal and keeping up with their lives. The link is here, but finding public posts, that aren't community posts, are somewhat rare.

If any of you have an LJ, I would love to friend you! Just comment here with your username and I will find and add you on there.