A Blogging Soliloquy
Written by Major Tom
Filed under: Personal and Family, Blogs
October 5, 2006
Oh, I don’t mean to sound so kitschy like I am inside such and such horrible Hollywood movie that shouldn’t have been made in the first place; I just mean to elucidate something on this post. I could perhaps give a one-liner and be done with it like “I am just too busy right now that I have not been blogging as often”, or maybe I could be sport in a community of many “why’s” and “what’s” as well as “how’s” and “how’s that again?” kind of intuitions; that maybe I feel like elaborating farther and be interesting than just a one-liner lip-service.
Maybe it’s kind of a phenomenon that bloggers should be aware of by now, that so-called blog delays or blog meltdown, that oftentimes we refer to it as blog hiatus. Why do bloggers go into a hiatus? Often the reason is that undeniable reality that most bloggers—like 99% of them— have day jobs that whenever demands at workplace becomes too edgy for comfort, the blogger just sign-off with a quick notice and be away from the net for days and days and sometimes for several weeks. And sometimes, they never come back at all. It’s a given fact—we bloggers are like a different specie of working class people that has evolved in the most recent of times, like in the last half-decade, where we can be ascribed to as such and such group of individuals who despite being immersed in a very demanding undertaking—such as being a lawyer, a salesman, a doctor, a web designer, a businessman, a teacher, an engineer—still inexplicably aspire to do extra task by logging into the Internet and update a weblog on a regular basis. Let’s admit it; it has become some sort of a task, a responsibility even though most of us don’t get paid for it. Buffwings used to say that blogging out to be just a hobby and I could agree with that easily but somehow, I just can’t help but feel that blogging has actually become more than just a habit to me like it had become a way of life, a daily routine, a daily task. Sometimes I feel like I’ve got to step back awhile and re-examine this thing I got myself into. I am not complaining I must be clear with that. In fact I had enjoyed blogging so much that I felt just awhile ago that I must have been caught in the whirl of a very enjoyable activity that it went to a point that blogging had became the most primary concern in my mind and everything else get adjusted because I need to find time for blogging. I think that’s not an ideal situation. I think it’s something that I need to handle and address.
And now that I have not blogged for more days than what was usual, I felt this kind of questions in my mind which I thought you could partake in finding out the answers. What has blogging became to each and everyone of us? What has blogging become to you?
Oh, I hope you don’t mind so much those above soliloquies. Maybe I am just getting old. Actually, the reason why I was not blogging as often as what was usual in the past days is that my computer has encountered some problems and I am still trying to fix it. It’s maybe a virus. I just called a friend who is adept on this kind of things and he said that maybe, its hardware problem. I couldn’t blog at home so I still need to go out into a café when most of the time I do my blogging is almost near midnight, after I’ve taken my night meal and watch the evening news. It’s a kind of time where it is most silent and most conducive to thinking. I don’t know if I can do that—go and find a café near midnight. But then, I am confident my computer can be fixed in time not longer than a week.
Major Tom, I guess a large majority, as you said, goes through it. On the other hand, it gets more difficult to get back the momentum as days go by without blogging. So, hopefully, your pc gets back in shape sooner =)
Comment by Fred — October 5, 2006 @ 8:04 pm
It’s just my 6th month of blogging and I was telling everyone that I may close shop one day. Work and blogging take most of one’s time. It’s nothing permanent.
Comment by ipanema — October 5, 2006 @ 11:47 pm
ipagawa mo na agad pc mo. nami-miss ko mga entries mo.
Comment by atticus — October 5, 2006 @ 11:53 pm
Totally understandable. I’m still inclined to believe that blogging is just a hobby for me Major Tom although it takes some of my office time admittedly. I really don’t go around posting on all blogs much that I would love to. I have a blog because I want to express and share ideas - simply put, communicating with people albeit a different way. I don’t tweak my template like crazy, I don’t have cool buttons,ads like most people do - my template is cut and dry of the shelf stuff. I just don’t have the time. I wish I could win the lottery tomorrow and do nothing but blog the whole day from a cottage along a lake. So far blogging hasn’t done harm to my routine, my work and quality time with family and friends. I have managed to somehow control it but I agree with you - it is addictive and can be a real distraction!
Comment by bw — October 6, 2006 @ 9:09 am
I fully agree. For me blogging has also become a way of life. Because of my busy chedule, I’ve had difficulty updating these past few weeks and I suddenly miss my friends in the blogosphere. Hope your computer gets fixed soon.
Comment by ladybug — October 6, 2006 @ 9:58 am
Major Tom, I share the same thoughts on blogging. It becomes some sort of a daily obligation already. But I always remind myself that it’s supposed to be just a hobby. Nothing more. So far, I’m enjoying it. I hope you too, over time.
Comment by Abaniko — October 7, 2006 @ 6:46 pm
Like what Ipanema said, blogging is not permanent. It’s very much like chatting on the web, one can get tired of doing it everyday. Unless of course you can make a living out of it….
Hope your pc gets fixed soon, tom.
Comment by snglguy — October 9, 2006 @ 12:39 pm
To Fred: That’s one major issue attorney, the need for momentum. I reckoned that in this game,
momentum is addicting. We sometimes could not get by without it.
To Ipanema: To be sure it is not but in my case, even though I feel sometimes that I must be having
constant burnout juggling responsibilities at home and the craving for
surfing, I think going away permanently from the net is not an option for me. I’d always be coming back sooner or later.
To atticus: Baka sandali na lang,…in fact I am raring to get back.
To BW: I guess you found the right balance and perhaps I might find mine; the right pace and the right amount of time.
To ladybug: It’s entirely a new form of lifestyle, we cyber entities has just evolved into one unique group of individuals and
I think it’s a good thing.
To Abaniko: This a very good advice and I am sure I’d ponder on it deeply.
To sngl: It’s completely an enjoyable activity for me although at times,I get so deep into it that it could in some days undermine
my other daily concerns. But I guess it is just a phase I am going through.
Comment by Major Tom — October 9, 2006 @ 1:39 pm
I blog because I want to keep a record of my activities as well as to think out loud or rant whenever the mood strikes me. I used to obsess over blogging everyday. It is as if my life is pretty boring if I don’t have anything to write about. But I’ve learned to limit my entries because I didnt want my whole life to be an open book.
I hope your computer woes are fixed soon.
Comment by Daphne — October 9, 2006 @ 2:49 pm
My landline has been out since the day after the storm, and didn’t realize til now that blogging, in some strange way, had become a responsibility in a fun way as well. Meaning: to have something served when friends stop by to visit.
I feel that way perhaps, because I feel disappointed whenever my favorite sites, such as yours, Major Tom, has been quiet, so to speak … hehehe. So, better get that PC of yours up and running
Comment by eric — October 9, 2006 @ 4:34 pm
Hi Major Tom! For us non-probloogers, life is too difficult to make blogging one of our responsibilities. I was in the States for 3 weeks and couldn’t get hold of a computer. In a way, I felt so free because I didn’t (and couldn’t) have to blog.
Blogging and blog-hopping should be fun and a means to express ourselves and our opinions and not a boring task that we somehow got ourselves into.
So I suppose that being quiet or getting into a hiatus is a must-do to rev up our creative juices again. After all, we get holidays from our work, why not blogging?
Comment by Toe — October 9, 2006 @ 5:33 pm
In the meantime that your pc is being fix, i suggest that you go to paper and pen and write your thoughts. To avoid the inconvience of going to the internet cafe everyday during unholy hour to update, get those written thoughts (on paper) posted one time and post date them. This way, you have a fresh post scheduled the day you want an entry to appear in your blog.
The question of what blog or blogging has made us? I am certain, blogs and blogging make us bloggers. ha ha ha.
Comment by myepinoy — October 10, 2006 @ 7:27 am
You can only do so much in a 16hr day.
Life gets in the way of blogging no ?
Comment by senorito_ako — October 10, 2006 @ 9:17 am
I also find blogging kind of addicting. There are times when I’d also like to take a break from blogging but once I get on the internet, there’s just that impulse. But I do try to stay away from bloghopping especially if I am very busy and there are other things that have to be attended to.
Comment by niceheart — October 10, 2006 @ 12:41 pm
You didn’t include a domestic helper blogging her thoughts while her employers are in the office
lol just kidding 
…. hmmnnn Once i decided to refrain from blogging cause it doesnt make any sense at all, lalo na kapag feeling ko nabubuhay na lang ako dahil sa blog… i know most bloggers ganyan din ang nararamdaman madalas..hindi na healty diba? tignan mo ikaw, sira na pc mo pero pilit lumalabas ka pa rin ng bahay sa gabi para lang magblog kesa magpahinga hmmnnn….bad! 
Comment by melai — October 10, 2006 @ 5:25 pm
i used to blog for myself, so i update just every once in a while when i want to. however, it has evolved into being a reponsibility to my readers. that’s why a lot of times, i write for the people that read my blog, aside from posterity, which is my main objective in the first place.
Comment by duke — October 11, 2006 @ 8:16 am
Blogging is an addiction. A bad habit like drinking,smoking or going after chicks…
Comment by Sidney — October 12, 2006 @ 1:19 pm
Hey, any update Major Tom?
Comment by Abaniko — October 18, 2006 @ 11:33 pm
when blogging was still new to me, i always have it in mind. i kept on thinking what to blog next. but after a year, i just blog when i can. although it has been a routine for me to check my blog and read comments. If i have more than enough time, i bloghop.
Comment by evi — October 20, 2006 @ 9:14 am
To Daphne: Record keeping or journalizing is one good reason for blogging and I often do that also some time back. But like you, I have mellowed down somehow.
To eric: It’s always a fun thing although somehow, there are times like these when we need to step back a little in favor of other responsibility. I’ll be up and running soon and raring again.
To toe: That must be one reason of my hiatus toe, I need to get the creative juices revved up again. Otherwise, this must be just a writer’s block. Sometimes artist just couldn’t get it on no matter what…until the right time comnes.
To myepinoy: Good advice bro; I’ll try doing that.
To senorito ako: It must have been that way bro.But I guess we all get through this sort of thing.
To niceheart: Like a narcotic sometimes. The craving is just too extreme at times.
To melai: Talagang merong ganun. I once knew about a blogger who works as a helper overseas although nalimutan ko na ang pangalan.
To duke:I feel that way too Duke and methinks it’s a good thing although talagang sometimes mahirap lang magadjust ng time…
To Sidney: Oh, it’s like a bad medicine if I say…but it get us through the night…
To evi: That should be fine coz in that way, blogging won’t be demanding so much from you…
Comment by Major Tom — October 20, 2006 @ 12:22 pm
baka ako yun lol!!
Comment by melai — October 20, 2006 @ 4:23 pm
To melai: Baka ikaw nga…(smirk)
Comment by Major Tom — October 21, 2006 @ 3:09 pm
Oh, that really hits home. I go crazy whenenever I can’t go online. And that, “… everything has to be adjusted just so you can find time to blog..” .. its like getting a life so you can blog about it.
Comment by Xtina — November 18, 2006 @ 4:45 am