Sunday, November 02, 2008

Fun Monday - Why do you do it?


Our host this week is BeeDancer, who came up with this challenge:

I'm relatively new to blogging, & I'm sure this has come up before, but I'd really like to know WHY you blog. Tell me how you got started or why you got started and why you keep it up. Plus there's a photo requirement: Post a picture of the one person/place/thing that most symbolizes the town or area where you live.

You're right, BeeDancer, it has come up before, but I don't mind telling you because sometimes I need to remind myself!

Zach on Floor 2

THIS is why I blog.


When ZBoy was very small, I gave his grandparents (my in-laws) a journal and asked them to write down stories of their childhoods, things they remembered about living in rural Ohio, about joining the Army, about raising kids in the 50s... anything that would tell my boy who they were - because I realized that by the time he would be interested and really care to know, they might not be around anymore. It never happened. It made me sad, but I also realized that one day he might want to know who I was, what I thought about and what was going on in our lives when he was a child (I remember very little before the age of 10 or so myself).

So I started this blog after hearing about blogging from my friend Alice in Wonderbread. It was hard to get in the habit of journal-keeping again, but now I'm hooked on it.

Which brings me to another reason that I blog. The friends I have made. Who knew I would be corresponding with people all over the world? That one of my best buddies would live in Australia, or another in England or Seattle even? Blogging has turned me into a global citizen without the passport, the expensive flights or hotels, because it seems I know someone almost everywhere!

In keeping with that thought, my friend Karisma (one of my Aussies!) has bestowed this amazing award upon me:
“This blog invests and believes in ‘proximity’ [meaning that blogging makes us 'close' - being close through proxy].”

That sentiment is it exactly. Closer to my son in the future, close to my worldwide friends now. And now, I am supposed to bestow this award on eight blogs I feel that fulfill the promise of proximity in my life!

Hoosier Girl
The World According to Liane
S. William Shaw
Oh, The Joys
Stepping Over the Junk
A Florida Journal
Pure Florida
The Alternative Anna

This is by no means a complete list of bloggers that make me feel close, but Karisma included quite a few of mine in HER list and I didn't want to duplicate.

Go check out the rest of the participants for Fun Monday this week at BeeDancer's and have a great week!

UPDATE: Oops! I almost forgot about the second part of the challenge! When most people think of Tallahassee, this is what comes to mind:

This is the old State Capitol. My grandmother worked here as a clerk for the House of Representatives. Her immediate boss was Alan Morris, who is well known in this neck of the woods.

The old Capitol was pretty small, and Florida's government was getting pretty big, so in the 70's they built what is still called "the NEW Capitol" right behind the "Old Capitol". In a rather unfortunate design, the "new" Capitol, with the domed Senate and House office buildings on either side looks rather like the architect was shooting a bird at the whole state. There were many jokes for a long, long time about this, but after nearly 30 years, the joke seems to have worn off - we're used to the State giving us the finger.

These charming fellows are a recent addition. The dolphin fountain on the back side of the capitol is a beautiful thing to behold, and tourists ALL want their pictures taken with the dolphins!

I grew up here and while the Capitol has been a centerpiece for this town, Tallahassee also associates itself closely with another landmark about 30 miles south of the Capitols:

The Saint Marks Lighthouse, located in the Saint Marks Wildlife Refuge. It is unmanned now (though still operational), but when my mother was a girl, a family lived in the adjoining house and a lighthouse keeper ran the light. Everyday, she rode the bus down the dirt road to the lighthouse to collect the children for school. Mom lived in Newport, which at the time was a ship-building town, and the lighthouse was about 10 miles away. Long bus ride. These days, Newport is pretty much a boat ramp, a campground and a small bridge crossing the St. Marks River since Outz's Oysters burned down about 10 years ago.

24 comments:

Jan n Jer said...

I agree, blogging is a wonderful way to make new friends from all over. Keep up the the good work!

Jan said...

Hi Sayre, We all blog for different reasons, but I'm like you the added benefit of new wonderful friends, from all over, has been great.

SwampAngel65 said...

Thanks! that is a cool "award"...different and special.

My Fun Monday post is going to be a little late. I'm too tired now to do it.Just want to sleep!

Yup, when I think of Tallahassee, I think of the old capital bulding and FSU! You have a wonderful, perfect choice for blogging. I hope nothing happens and all our blogs will still be around when our kids are older. It's terrible, but I can barely wirte a letter anymore without my hands cramping up so bad! Computers have us spoiled.

Thanks again, my friend!

karisma said...

Wonderful post! I love the way you included the award as well, nice touch! That picture of Zboy sure reminds me of someone around here! I bet they would be best buds, must be something in the name!

Hootin Anni said...

I'm certainly glad that you started blogging. You've charmed us here in blogland, indeed!!

And love the lighthouse...anything that has to do with the sea...the dolphin fountain also. What a stark difference in the Capitol buildings tho...whoa!!!

Happy Monday to you.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I think the reasons we blog are all so similar. I love the fact that we can one day look back and remind ourselves of all the "stuff" we have been through!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Zboy is really a "Z"...who knew? Cute.
Your reasons are pretty much "ditto" at my place.
For a Christmas present last year, theHansMan had my blog copied and gave all my posts to me in a spiral notebooks month-by-month ! They were all housed in a nice file holder with handle...I thought it was a great gift. Just in case Typepad crashes someday and all my "classics" are lost.

Great photos ! I've never been to Tallahasse, but as you say, it didn't cost me any money to travel there and be with you today.

Yes, blogging has added a new dimension to my life and also added many friends.

Have a great week.

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

That is such a good reason for blogging - just make sure you keep it all backed up somewhere, just in case!

Unknown said...

I haven't been at this long enough to have formed the bonds that you have, but I do understand how that happens and look forward to it.

Have to admit that when I think of Talley I think of the "Unconquered" statue outside Doak Campbell Stadium.

I also really like the spot near downtown that is the Prime Meridian for the beginning line of all property lines in the State of Florida.
It's a great story. Read about it here:
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC15YYQ

ChrisB said...

It comes as no surprise that many of our reasons for blogging are pretty similar. Getting to see other parts of the world goes a little way to satisfy my lust for travel so all the photos are great.

Anonymous said...

Sayre (Sarah . . . as I once knew you) This is Pam Jordan. I found you today through a VERY convoluted route. Saw an old blog of yours with your dear pa pa's picture. My mom Linda would want me to say hi!! You are correct, your grandmother was a wonderful public servant and served the House and Allen Morris ably for many years!!

Sayre said...

PAM! Wow! Hi! It's been a long time... Tell your mom I said "Hi!" back. And stop back by anytime!

storyteller said...

It’s been several weeks since I participated in Fun Monday, but I’m delighted to be learning how everyone got started blogging, why they continue, and about where they live. What fun! Methinks you’re correct that writing down our stories for those who follow is certainly an excellent reason … and like you, the most unexpected benefit is that of making friends all over the globe without leaving home. Who would have thought such a thing was possible? Congratulations on your well-deserved award.
Hugs and blessings,

Living Life said...

You brought a tear to my eye! Great job!! Great pictures too!!

Living Life said...

You brought a tear to my eye! Great job!! Great pictures too!!

Anonymous said...

I've definitely made a lot of friends from all over the world through blogging. It's amazing.

Anonymous said...

Great blog & great photos.

Faye said...

What a gift for your son to have your stories recorded. Unfortunately our older relatives may be willing to share their stories, but when do we ever get the time or opportunity to talk with them with the recorder running?

From the photos of new capitol, looks like you all needed an architectural review board!

Alison said...

I think the journal idea was a wonderful one, I am sorry it didn't work out. I love the same things about blogging.

I love your pictures and the history. The historical stories are my favorites.

Gattina said...

That's very true ! Blogging has no borders you made friends all over the world. That is wonderful.

BTW, the Atomium which I showed on my blog represents Brussels, just like the Empire State Building New York or the Eiffel tower in Paris.

PinkPiddyPaws said...

LOVES me a lighthouse! :)

Robbiegirl said...

*blush*

Thank you! Hopefully I'll get round to giving out some awards myself soon...

Robbiegirl said...

Not sure why I blog really. I always wanted to keep a diary but never kept it up for long.

Blogging is easier.

Perhaps it's the feedback that keeps me interested. Writing for myself is boring, but when I know other people are going to read and comment it's much more fun.

Anonymous said...

great photos!