14 January 2011

It Is Not About Me: Part I

Right now, I am enjoying other people's blogs more than I am enjoying my own. I am enjoying leaving comments. I think the art of commenting could use some pumping up.

Comments are nice, but, "Great blog! Read mine!" Does not show that the commenter has really thought about what the author has written, nor does it reveal the commenter's voice. Worse, it appears insincere.

So I am trying to be a commenter that others welcome.

I could not find a picture for this post that communicated the idea of "It's not About Me," until I found this one:

tully.jpg

That's my cat, Tully. I am sad to say that he got eaten by coyotes at my sister's house in Topanga Canyon, California. He was one of the the best cats I ever had, right up there with Orca: fierce, brave, talented, funny, intelligent, and affectionate.

These are attributes I admire in people too. So, see? That was a nifty transition after all, huh?

It's Not About Me: Part II (Preview)

If you have taken all that in, you might be interested in this—I am thinking about doing a review of the blogs I have discovered. An honor roll, really, better than a blogroll because I can say some enticing things about each one. This could be a recurrent theme of mine. I would like it to be. Would you?

But I am kind of hesitant. I would really rather have permission from the people whose blogs I have discovered. It is just good manners. I'm not interested in "critical" criticism. The world is full of that, and such writing tells one more about the failings of the reviewer than the reviewed.

No, that's just NOT the kind of review I'm interested in writing. In so much literary criticism, it is really an effort of the reviewer to draw attention to himself or herself rather than what is reviewed.

Ick. Don't they see how transparent they are? At the same time, sounding like a total fanboy just strains people's credulity. It's delicate work!

And here. This is important. I am not sure how to go about it. Should I just plunk a query into a comment on one of their posts? That would put them on the spot in public. Should I email them and ask? It seems like a private message is better. I just don't know, so, if you're one of the people I read and comment on (and you know who you are), and if you have taken a few minutes to read this (and I hope you have), you could help me out by letting me know your opinion. My email is listed in my profile, if you would prefer that. @rgcrockett01 is my twitter ID if you would prefer that.

[addm, 2:42p. If I comment on your blog, you ARE on the list.]

And, if I have not yet discovered you, you could also let me know that.

But also, the fact is I do not get all that much traffic at this writing, so it is no great honor to be reviewed by me!

And yet, and yet... from a little seed does a great tree grow.

12 comments:

Andrea L. Cole said...

Ehh.. I'm open to constructive criticism. Not saying I'll necessarily follow it, but I'm open to it.

Richard G. Crockett said...

Hi Yandie,

I don't want to list a blog unless I'm recommending reading it, and I certainly would recommend yours. You are sincere and passionate. Plus, you know how to communicate that.

See? As I said, it is an Honor Roll. I take it I have your permission?

that guy said...

rick-

actually the art of commenting is the art of blogging. most of us want to be heard. but we also want feedback.

the blogger gets the big stage the commentor gets the a quick bit part! you have to make the bit part count!

i, personally, write to write, but comments validate the page views. although, i wrote many apost that were nearly ignored.

a blog is a network of people sharing their lives thoughts, dreams, opinions, and stories!

you are more than welcome to use me and my four blogs.

Bruce
bruce johnson jadip
evilbruce
stupid stuff i see and hear
Bruce’s guy book
the guy book
Dreamodel Guy
dreamodeling!

Richard G. Crockett said...

Great, Bruce. Thanks for permission. You made your part count.

Zakgirl said...

Rick,

Fortunately I woke at 5am and actually remembered who I am.

Having a father aged a fit and healthy 85 years that suffers, (no he's not suffering), exists (no not exactly), LIVES (yes, he still lives) with Alzheimer’s I value the fact I can wake and be aware of who I am and where I live and what I think I might like out of life so this is my long-winded way of saying I'd love to be honored on your blog roll.

Bloggers helping each other I think is what blogging and therefore writing is all about.

Zak.

Thanks for the thought. We all know of course that this is all about YOU and us, the bloggers. What else could there be? I don't think we need be ashamed.

Zakgirl said...

Sorry to hear about what happened to your cat. I can see he had a great purr-sonality.
Zak.

Richard G. Crockett said...

Hi Zak,

First, thanks for the go ahead.

Second, glad to hear your dad is keeping on. I trust he has some days better than others?

Third, thanks for remembering Tully. He was much beloved by everyone who knew him. Orca, the other cat I mentioned, so named because his markings were like a killer whale and had a personality to match, though affectionate to me, was a jealous guy, but he was amazingly protective of his two brothers. He lived a long time, yet like Tully, died a warrior's death.

It is difficult to be a cat. I try to offer them a safe haven, but I will not stop them from going out. I love those hunting kinds.

Andrea L. Cole said...

permission granted, yes :-)

StephanieC said...

I'm sad to hear about Tully (and Orca). I only ever let Mr. Grey out in the small fenced rear yard. He was also blind, so I was uber-protective of him.

It hurts so bad to lose pets. Thanks for your comment on my Scooby post. In the video clip you mentioned, I was giving her last treat to her, just before the vet came to euthanize her, at home, on her bed.

The clip of her walking along the sidewalk was also the same day, her final walk.

I felt it was important to include her last moments - the things I knew made her happy.

As for reviewing my blog... I am slightly afraid of what you may say or identify. I am one fragile bird.

But, alas, the blogging world is really open to anything and everything. I just don't take to criticism too well... even if I am the first person to make fun of myself.

I guess go nuts, if you want to.

Richard G. Crockett said...

Thanks for the beautiful comment, Stephanie,

"Mr. Grey." What a great name for a cat. I mentioned Orca being protective? One of his brothers (Tora), was not quite blind, but almost. He was born that way, and he and Orca were inseparable. Orca used to actually nudge him around. One day, I finally figured out that cats, unlike dogs, do not really grasp "pack," but wow, oh wow do they understand "family."

I appreciate you explaining Scooby's last moments. That scene just broke me up. I have lived that. Perfect, that the vet came to your house.

As far as the blog reviews, I'm really re-thinking my strategy. People's feelings matter to me. I respect yours, so fear not.

Dr. McCoy said...

I understand what you mean about the insincere comments, but sometimes there are no words to fully express how you feel about a post. Sometimes I read a post and I think it is hilarious, but just saying, "Oh, wow! That was hilarious!" doesn't exactly convey all that I feel. Then I have the dilemma of either not commenting and having them think I haven't read it or lame-commenting. I choose lame because I want them to know that all their hard work was not for naught.

the well fed spirit
a bitch called mom

Richard G. Crockett said...

I have the same problem. I'll sometimes se all these funny comments, and I just can't come up with a quip of my own, so I don't say anything, so thanks for commenting. It certainly was not lame!

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