so, there are at least 98 people who profess to be reading my random garbage here, so I have a few questions for you (and anyone else who happens to be reading this, LJ friend or not), and I hope you all take the time to answer.
So, ludimagist and I were discussing my little 1000 words of free flowing hostility rants, and his belief that I should actively try and pursue a editorial columnist position. After all, I have that rather large $150,000 receipt diploma from CMU gathering dust up in the attic somewhere, which claims I am eminently qualified for creative writing and cultural analysis (as opposed to you know, web design, computer programming, painting and wrestling… the things that I actually do try to do for a living), so in theory, I’m actually trained for it or something. And honestly, its been something that I have been thinking about lately. Not that I am going to give up my other careers, but maybe I should think more seriously about the writing thing. That’s the real reason I have been doing the random essays. That’s also the reason I am currently composing an entry in what will represent the 120th consecutive day of posting to livejournal. I started trying to do this after discussions with wuttd, actually, about trying to write every day. This is me forcing myself to write something everyday… Whether its insightful, interesting or idiotic is another story. I just want to make sure I get some thoughts down every day. And really its all about whether or not its helping me, and it is. But Meron has me thinking about audience and purpose a bit tonight, so I’m going to do this little survey.
Quick Survey
1) Do you actually read my journal at all?
2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can’t imagine)? Do you skim?
3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel?
4) Do you like my “1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility” essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes?
5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated?
6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists?
Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?
I really do hope a lot of people chime in on this… Thanx in advance
1) yes
2) skim, if I’m interested or bored a fuller read (goes for most of the people on my friends list)
3) more interesting than random LJers, certainly.
4) they can be interesting. I assume they are done without polish though…the “free flowing” part.
5) lots of the random things can be interesting depending on mood.
6) keep up with people, mostly. and it is an additional procrastination tool.
bonus: I always skim at least.
I assume they are done without polish though…the “free flowing” part.
Yep, they are in fact, almost entirely free-form. I get an idea for a topic and then I try to aim myself towards 1000 words. I use MSWord to keep track. Then when i hit 1000, I stop. That’s why a lot of them have kind of awkward endings. Usually I try to start wrapping up around 950 words or so. Then I spell check and correct it back down to 1000 words by adding a contraction or two if I go over. (a lot of times, the spell check will take me over because I accidentally leave out spaces sometimes and that makes for an extra word when corrected). Then I just post it. So they’re pretty much fresh off my mind.
1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.
2) As it is posted. I don’t hit the archives or anything. I am on summer break so this may change when school starts again.
3) “Generally” includes in real life too, right? Sure, then. It may be drivel, but it is the drivel of a friend, so that’s worth reading.
4) Yes, yes, form is everything, just do them on whatever annoys you. Feel free to do them on the stuff that annoys me, too, because I rarely have the time to get a full 1000 words on things annoying me, though I’m happy to make a 50-word note of it in my journal.
5) I am enjoying the current underwear debate. Really good timing on that, too. I don’t care about tennis, though.
6) I wanted a livejournal to force me to keep a record of what goes on at school. I intend to write a book but I don’t think it’s going to happen this summer. Anyway if I want people to read and comment in my journal it’s only fair to read and comment in theirs. Also it is a good way to keep in touch with LX folks and procrastinate. I don’t really care that much about people I don’t know, though, so I don’t read their blogs.
Special Bonus Question: Yeah. I’m innately curious. Sometimes, if someone has a lot of lj-cuts, I’ll flip back and forth because I want to see what the cut text was before I read that bit.
1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.
1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.
I’m not the only one?
See son! It’s not just me!!!
Re: 1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.
Thanks for your support, Mama!
It’s the red and blue against dark grey. The red is not enough of a contrast, making it hard to see. The blue is too much of a contrast, making it seem to vibrate. I suggest either a lighter grey or lighter red and blue…they might seem like pastels though, and I don’t think they go with Mav’s overall mood… Perhaps a yellow instead.
Re: 1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.
yeah… I may redesign it soon, mostly because I want to do something with S2…. but its not a priority…
oh yeah, and ummm… bite me…
Re: 1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.
oh yeah, and ummm… bite me…
give me feedback, please…
Make up your farkin mind…
Re: 1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.
what? I want feedback, and I want you to bite me… where’s the conflict?
😉
Re: 1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.
yeah yeah yeah…. bite me…
I don’t care about tennis, though.
I was wondering if anyone would mention that. Honestly though, I haven’t played tennis in a couple weeks… I’m surprised anyone even remembers…
To be honest, I don’t actually care whether you post about tennis or not. I just won’t read it. It’s your journal, after all.
yeah… I would split into multiple journals of personal stuff and clever observations, except 1) obviously, I have a hard time guaging what will be interesting to who and 2) I’m simply not that organized.
1) Do you actually read my journal at all?
Pretty regularly now, yep.
2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can’t imagine)? Do you skim? I usually skim for content and unless it’s exclusively about people I don’t know then I’ll often actually read it.
3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel? Not actually really knowing you, it’s an interesting insight into a friend-of-friends who has a lot of the same ideas and very different experiences than I.
4) Do you like my “1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility” essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes? People often write the most interesting things on topics about which they are passionate. What better passion than hostility?
5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated? The wrestling is interesting… and the obsession with UnderArmour … and just generally seeing a slightly different view of life in that place than I get from other people I know there.
6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists? I read all of the above. And a dozen world newspapers nearly daily. I like to see into other lives in other places. Different people and different backgrounds both in unique situations and daily life. In other ways LJ is a good way to keep vaguely in touch with people who otherwise don’t talk about their lives. You get to see what’s important to them or what of themselves they may think is intersting to others. Maybe I spent too many years studying brains, but *I* at least find that interesting.
Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?
Often, usually because I’m curious what’s cut and why. Different people do so for different reasons.
Interesting questions, btw. The comments will be interesting I’m sure.
I usually skim for content and unless it’s exclusively about people I don’t know then I’ll often actually read it.
Hmmm, assuming this isn’t a typo, that’s an interesting philosophy… so its kind of like objective people watching then?
People often write the most interesting things on topics about which they are passionate. What better passion than hostility?
Sex? Though actually, I just call them hostility as part of the gimmick, they really aren’t that hostile. It just allows me to write from a angrier voice where I can curse a lot and not waste words apologizing for it.
And suggestions of interesting web columnists? I should have asked that in my poll really, but I was trying to stay kinda me centric…
1) Yes I do.
2) Zod help me, I do.
3) Yeah, yeah, you’re interesting. Next question.
4) It works for me. Hostility is fun.
5) I read everything on my Friends Page, your stuff included.
6) I like seeing what other people are doing, and they’re occasionally entertaining and/or witty. I don’t read any other blogs (hate that word) or web columnists. Wait, except for Master Ninja.
SBQ: Yep, I read the cuts as well.
“Oh my God!”
“No, Zod”
So you read all of everything… jesus, you’re insane… I mean, I’m just as unemployed as you are, and I don’t read everything on my friends list… I treat it like graffiti… or USENET… I skim, and punt if it isn’t grabbing my attention…
Dude, not everyone in my Friends List is in Default View….
oh… well I am, ummm, honored to make the cut…
1. Yes.
2. I often skim, but if I have the time and find the day’s topic interesting I read thoroughly.
3. I think you are an LJ-er spewing random drivel that happens to be interesting. I think that the real “Maverick” is much more interesting.
4. Yes I enjoy these essays. I would enjoy more of them as well.
5. Yes. I think your other random postings are often very interesting. I find this whole wrestling thing very fascinating. I haven’t even seen wrestling on TV since I was about 16.
6. To keep up with people.
Bonus: Sometimes. If I have the time and the post seems interesting I read the whole thing. If I’m busy I may skip it for later, and I often forget to go back. *Sorry*
I think that the real “Maverick” is much more interesting.
Yeah, James Garner was pretty cool, wasn’t he?
Don’t worry about the missing stuff… like I said, I never imagined that anyone was reading everything I wrote. I’m amazed that anyone cares about the wrestling stuff for instance… its mostly a reference for me, so I can keep track of my training, I just never bother to use the private entry style, that’s all…
1. Often
2. Skim. Sometimes just glance.
3. Yes.
4. I don’t often read those, but I probably would if a)they were shorter or b) i had more free time on my hands. But don’t make ’em shorter on my account.
5. I like the audience participation ones. Like the superhero picture. Say, how’s that superhero picture going?
6. Everyone was doing it. I don’t read non-lj blogs of people I don’t know, or lj blogs of people i don’t know, unless i see their comments elsewhere on lj and think they might be interesting. (that’s one of the key selling points of your lj. you’re like kevin bacon.) I read some columnists on the web, and one web columnist.
Bonus Question: If the cut text looks remotely interesting i’ll click on it, then follow my usual procedure of glancing, then maybe skimming, then maybe reading.
Well, I can’t make them shorter by removing words because then I’d be a liar. I guess I could try to use really tiny monosyllabic words, but that would be pretty boring…
—
The picture is going… just very slowly. I haven’t been nearly as inspired as I was those first couple nights, and it turns out its a pretty big undertaking… I am still working on it though… I was messing around with it last week.
ooh… everybody should start playing Six Degrees of, just to see how far it gets…
You’re welcome, in advance…
Considering our relationship, I suppose I’m a bit prejudicial. I doubt my answers will help you much, but if I don’t answer, I’ll feel all left out.
1) Of course.
2) Every word.
3) Not only interesting, you’re a genius.
4) I’ve always encouraged my children to speak their minds; anybody have a problem with that? Yeah? Come see me!
5) I love everything you do.
6) My son made me read it, and no I don’t read other blogs.
Bonus ? I don’t miss a word.
Re: You’re welcome, in advance…
Hey Mama! Good to “see” you! 😉
Re: You’re welcome, in advance…
Thanks, I thought it was time.
Re: You’re welcome, in advance…
Not only interesting, you’re a genius.
I’m smart… my mommy says so…
and I didn’t make you read anything, I just gave you an account because you kept commenting anonymously…
I took the liberty of answering a few selected questions…
2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can’t imagine)? Do you skim?
My powers of concentration are such that I challenge you to find anything that I read everything of.
3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel?
You’re not all that random an LJer, to me. The drivel, unfortunately, possesses too much structure to qualify as truly random.
4) Do you like my “1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility” essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes?
If it makes you reflect on the issue better or more clearly to write about it, then by all means, write. I think your 1000 Words forces you and the readers to think about the issue of who these posts are for in the first place. My current approach right now is to write for myself but put it out there anyway. People, if they choose to, can have a glimpse of my brain. Kinda like putting my brain in a giant Sears catalog for the world to look at. I’m still me, but I’m acknowledging my desire to be an exhibitionist, craving that nugget of attention.
Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?
I read those especially. Anything that someone took that few microseconds of effort to put in an LJ-cut’s gotta be that much cooler!
you’re right on the 1000 words. That’s kinda why I do it. Its just a little challenge that makes me think more about what I am doing…
Interesting approach on the clicking of LJ-cuts… I’ll have to think about that some more…
1) I read the journal of everyone who is on my friends list.
2) I don’t read every single thing you post, but I do read a greater percentage than those I skim.
3) Um, yeah. I like it best when you speculate on more abstract stuff rather than a merely sequential account of an event. The wrestling diary is sooooo-oooo boring. Same with tennis. Sorry.
4) Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes. Love them. The best. Re: doing more. Don’t feel pressured to write one every day, but maybe every week would be cool. Don’t let it get to the point where you are really fishing for things to be hostile about. Alternately, other emotions could be explored.
5) Uhhhhh…… {blank look} {drool} See 3 and 4.
6) I initially got an account to keep up the flow of communication between me and all my friends who don’t live here (which is most of them—{{{{{sigh}}}}}). After a hiatus during late fall/winter, I returned and even started getting a little involved in the communities. I think lj is a fantastic forum and I love the fact that users can help with support and development, even though tech stuff isn’t my specialty so I can’t help. I should also mention that lj is the only journal I’ve been able to keep consecutively for any length of time. [Defining “journal” as a diary of and reflection upon internal/external events and different from my sketchbooks, the content of which is more random]
Bonus question: Yes, I read cuts if the cut-text is intriguing and/or relevant to understanding the rest of the entry. I will probably read them more now that I have a faster connection.
Bonus answer: I agree with about the columnist/commentary thing. I’ve always wondered when you would work your way back around to what you actually went to school for. I would still strongly consider grad school in LCT just because I like school, but if you don’t like school, why not try out for the columnist position. I bet the CityPaper and the folks that took over In Pittsburgh would be interested to hear what you have to say. The problem is that many times you need to have clips already before you present yourself to them. What about doing stuff like e-pinions first to build up your noteriety? Can users comment on them? I’ve never investigated. But yeah, go for it.
Thanks for your support 🙂
I don’t expect people to read/react/care about everything I write… but I am often surprised as what they do care about. For instance the tennis stuff was mostly just so I could keep score, and occasionaly insult Max (because really, why would I ever pass up a chance to do that). The wrestling stuff is actually pretty important. Because there’s a lot to learn and I need to keep track of how I am doing on things, but if it weren’t mine, I’d think it was incredibly boring… each post is the same… learned this, good at this, bad at this. I never expected anyone to care in the slightest… and in fact, since it doesn’t really get many comments, I didn’t think anyone did. You will notice however from the answers here that a lot of people apparently do.
I actually really really really miss going to school, and if I can get a job at CMU that would pay for classes, I’ll be going back. I tried to get a job reviewing movies for InPgh a while back, but they had a ton of people and didn’t need me… then they went under… I actually used to write a whole lot of epinions, but I kinda turned away from them and towards LJ. I’m just a lot more of a columnist than I am a reviewer. I’m just not so sure how to break into the lucrative (HAHAHAH) world of writing sex columns for Playboy, Maxim, FHM and the like… I think I’d be great at it.
1) Do you actually read my journal at all? yes
2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can’t imagine)? Do you skim? a skim a little, I’ll admit that.
3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel? intresting
4) Do you like my “1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility” essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes? lol, you shouldn’t write for an audience, don’t ask this question, write for you.
5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated? I like reading your wresling posts lol
6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists? I read it to keep up with old school friends and make new ones
Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above? most of the time yeah.
lol, you shouldn’t write for an audience, don’t ask this question, write for you.
well the thing is, I’m not just writing for me…I’m a writer, and part of writing for me means being read by other people. Its hard to explain. But being an artist/writer isn’t just having a story that you want to tell… its having a story that you want to tell to other people. The audience is therefore a very necessary part of the equation. Honestly, part of being a writer involves a fair bit of narcissism. That’s true of any kind of artist I think, but especially a writer. Everyone has thoughts. A writer is the guy who MUST share them with people.
1) Do you actually read my journal at all?
Yes! This may be obvious from the fact I’m commenting.
2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can’t imagine)? Do you skim?
Depends on the mood I’m in. Skim or read.
3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel?
interesting enough!
4) Do you like my “1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility” essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes?
Is ain’t no writer, so’s I don’t think ma advice would do you no good.
5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated?
It’s early. I still read it! Must be something good there. I don’t even know you!
6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists?
I don’t read we columnists except for Savage Love, and LJ is fun to ‘see what people are up to.’
Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?
I read that! I would say “yes!”
Is ain’t no writer, so’s I don’t think ma advice would do you no good.
On the contrary… I can usually guess what writers will say, because I am one… and as somone who isn’t a writer and also doesn’t actually know me, I care all the more what you have to say… so please, enlighten me, your opinion means more than just about everyone else here… but ummm… like no pressure and stuff…
1) Yes (via friends)
2) Pretty much, occasionally
3) Sure, but possibly mainly because we’re gay lo^H^H^H^H^H^Hfriends
4) Yes, if you want, sure, not really (that’s four questions, by the way)
5) Yup, nope, nope
6) My friends page, yes (I actually got a RSS client to keep track of all of them), That’s not an easy distinction to make (e.g. Lessig’s blog), but I’d say I tend towards the “blog” side of things.
Bonus question: Yes. You really should’ve put this question in an LJ-cut.
3) Sure, but possibly mainly because we’re gay lo^H^H^H^H^H^Hfriends
*sigh*…Touch me in the morning and then just walk away…
1) on my friends page. better colors.
2) i read really fast. i read everything on my friends page. then again, i dont have many friends.
3) interesting…what a generic word. have to say no. but that doesnt mean i dont want to read. it just means you are somethig other than interesting.
4) i guess i like rants as much as the next person. i can get tired of rants, even my own.
5) nothing sticks out, but thats not bad.
6) i read lj to keep up with friends i havent heard from in years. like you. i dont read any others so far, but i guess if i find another old friend i might.
most of the time i read cuts… i cant help it if it feels like i am missing something. i think i was pandora in a previous life.
it just means you are somethig other than interesting.
Thanks… I think…. I’m not absolutely sure whether that warrants a “thank you” or a “fuck you,” but I like you, so I’m going with the former…
so it was meant
1) Hell yeah, baby!
2) I do not read everything you post, though I’m sure I read most of it. I’m more likely to read your daily life stuff as I enjoy hearing what you’ve been up to.
3) Yes interesting. Even your job hunt stuff is amusing with things like Oprah and Larry King. 🙂
4) I must admit that I often don’t read them because I’m usually just zipping over what people have been up to. I don’t read people’s poetry either. But I do read them every so often and they’re very clever.
5) Yes I enjoy random posts and observations.
6) I actually read it for the most part to keep in touch with what my friends are doing and/or to get to know new people that seem cool. But it’s also a humor thing as most of my friends are humorous just in conversation (like yourself).
I’m more likely to read your daily life stuff as I enjoy hearing what you’ve been up to.
see, I think that’s weird because I find my daily life pretty boring… It’s not like I go to work, or get to build sloth caves or anything like that…
Yes interesting. Even your job hunt stuff is amusing with things like Oprah and Larry King. 🙂
Yeah, that’s starting to get harder though… I’m running out of talk show names to use as code words…
I like boring day to day stuff because that’s my way of keeping in touch with what friends are doing. Or I’m just weird. 🙂
I do like clever observations and commentaries, and you’re a great writer, so I think you could definitely look into doing more of that, as was suggested.
But in the journal world, I prefer plain vanilla ups and downs to mega drama. I’m just too empathetic for my own good, I think.
Oh, and I do read the stuff behind the cuts.
And you could always venture into old-timey talk shows from days past. 🙂
yeah… I’ve been wanting to use Merv Griffin for a while, actually, but I need a big enough job that’s worthy of the title…
1) Do you actually read my journal at all?
Yes.
2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can’t imagine)? Do you skim?
I skim some stuff about the job searches and rafting and tennis and whatnot and read most of the rest.
3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel?
Interesting. I mean, it’s not like you’re ME or anything, but yeah, you’re interesting.
4) Do you like my “1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility” essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes?
I like those a lot. I think the content is much more important than the format however.
5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated?
See above. Content is more important than format. The “Mighty Casey” peom was amusing offhand, and the wrestling stuff is interesting from a content perspective. Some of the bits about you being a chinaman from now on are amusing, as is our upcoming bid for the presidency.
6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists?
LJ itself is amusing and a fun way to both keep up with my friends that use it, write to other interesting people who I discover on it, and to talk to strangers on occasion. I read some people in other formats on and off. I have another friend who could have gotten a column had he wanted one and ended up making his own his own martial arts/sef defense webpage, which I am sure will end up being something bigger.
I do read behind the cuts depending on the rest of the entry.
Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?
Some of the bits about you being a chinaman from now on are amusing
and it amuses me that this is the one thing that repeatedly sticks out for you… but I guess it should surprise me, since you also remembered my comment about “defending Okinawa with a shovel” many years later…
It was actually a sickle.
There is no shovel in the common kubudo curriculum.
yeah, you’re right… my apologies to the generations of ancient rice farmers who died for their craft…
I’m not sure if those guys died for rice farming per se.
I think they died for not realizing, “hey, we could really fuck someone up with these things!” in time.
1) yes
2) pretty much. sometimes I skim wrestling stuff.
3) well-written, interesting, yes.
4) i like short rants. they don’t test my -very- short attention span.
5) sure, i like seeing where your random links go.
6) to keep up on people’s lives, hear world/local news and interesting events, see funny things, etc… i read links posted to bullcrap occasionally, but it’s nice to have my news filtered through people whose opinions I trust. Hmmm. Maybe that’s not the best technique in the world for getting unbiased news.
Bonus: I read cuts when I have time.
pretty much. sometimes I skim wrestling stuff.
You know, you could just skip it. I doubt I’ll ever say anything in them that you’ll find at all interesting. I try to clearly label them all “my life as a wrestler” just so people can ignore them easier.
i like short rants. they don’t test my -very- short attention span.
Is 1000 words short enough? I picked it not just because it sounds cool but also because I wanted something that was short enough to not be annoying but long enough to get all my points in. Sometimes it is hard to fit everything in, and as Max said, he already thinks they’re too long, so I know I won’t be able to please everyone, but I’m really not trying to anyway… still, I want it to be as accessible as possible…
sure, i like seeing where your random links go.
Wow, you actually click on the links? Woah!!! Actually, most of them just go to the IMDB. I only do them at all because, 1) if someone needs more info, they can get it and 2) as once pointed out to me “Google only works if we all do our part”
Hey Mav,
1) Yes, I read all of your posts, which is more than I can say for some other people’s journals. I enjoy reading your journal.
2) And I don’t really skim, but that’s because I read so damned fast to begin with.
3) I do find you interesting, and I especially enjoy posts about art and wrestling 🙂
4) I dig the 1000 words posts. I will admit that sometimes if I don’t think I have enough brain power to read them, I’ll go back and read them later.
5) I enjoy, and don’t really hate anything.
6) I’m on LJ to keep up with people. I have found it’s the best way to keep up on other lives without having to directly correspond via e-mail. I read a few blogs as well– mostly friends, plus Real Live Preacher and Neil Gaiman’s blog. I read some web columnists. I used to be one until the zine I contributed to went away.
Bonus) I read the cuts.
the wrestling posts? Really? Like i said above, I didn’t think anyhone was paying attention to those at all. I don’t really get why anyone would. What do you find interesting about them?
I think I just find it fascinating that someone I know is working at becoming a wrestler. It’s something I know absolutely nothing about, so it becomes more interesting, because everything you post is new. It’s also this really cool process–you’re going from Mav the CMU friend to Mav the Wrestler, and we get to watch the process.
1) yup
2) Read and skim. skim and read.
3) Many things which are interesting. Some things don’t grab me
(infamous tennis trash-talking comes to mind).
4) Yes. They’re fun.
5) Yes. i only read journals of those I’m friends with, and i find my friends interesting.
6) LJ is an addiction. It lurks in the shadows calling me away from doing what i meant to be doing… LJ is a little weird. Sometimes, it makes me feel like a voyeur in the life of my friends. AIM feels more like interaction than LJ.
If you’re thinking of being a columnist, I think you could use some polish to appeal to a wider audience. I think your free flowing hostility has a wider appeal than posts about your daily life.
SB: read most lj cuts.
Sometimes, it makes me feel like a voyeur in the life of my friends
Aha! That was you looking through the window the other day. But I mean she’s like your sister and stuff… not quite sure if that’s icky and gross or kinky and exciting… hmmm….
If you’re thinking of being a columnist, I think you could use some polish to appeal to a wider audience.
Yeah, but that’s the thing… I’m not quite sure how to do that yet…
1) Do you actually read my journal at all?
Yes. But, as other people said, you are much more interesting in real life. I’d rather talk to you than read your posts :).
2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can’t imagine)? Do you skim?
I try to, but not always.
3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another random LJer spewing random drivel?
Of course! Sometimes very annoying :), but definitely not boring.
4) Do you like my “1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility” essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes?
Lot of words. Me lazy. Summary good. Seriously, though, sometimes I do miss your actual point in the long rants.
5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated?
Yeah. I particularly like the tennis discussions :).
6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists?
Like everyone else, to see what people are up to and thinking about.
Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?
Yes.
you know what I think is most interesing. You italicized the answers as opposed to what you cut and pasted like eveyrone else does… its just kinda a unique thing… why?
i don’t know. i guess i’m just special (in the mr. rogers’ sense).
don’t sell yourself short… you’re special in more ways than one… 😉
1) Do you actually read my journal at all?
Yep. From my friends page (like some others who have commented, your page hurts my eyes a bit 😉 ).
2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can’t imagine)? Do you skim?
I skim… it’s what I do for all lj. Mostly it’s my form of procrastination from thesis, so I can’t justify spending enough time to read everything thoroughly.
3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another random LJer spewing random drivel?
‘Course you’re interesting. You’re a friend of Jameel’s, and I can’t imagine any of them *not* being interesting. And you like pro-wrestling, and I like looking at your artwork on your site. I’ve even met you once… you’re an interesting person who even probably exists. Bonus. 😉
4) Do you like my “1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility” essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes?
Since I’m a skimmer and a fairly omnivorous lj reader, I’m not really partial to any particular format. I’m interested to see what you think, but it doesn’t particularly matter to me what format you choose to use (as long as there’s something resembling spelling, capitalization, and punctuation… all of which you use, so it’s all cool by me).
5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated?
I like hearing about your exploits at wrestling class… I enjoy experiencing that vicariously through you. 😉
6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists?
Mostly it’s a way to keep up with what people think is important in their lives, whether that involves hearing about events in their own life, or their opinions on things that matter to them, or just their random musings. There’s a lot of people that I consider friends but don’t see often, and between dpb (inane banter and occasional debate) and lj (more focused and personal ramblings), I feel like I haven’t lost my connection with them. And sometimes it’s a way to make new friends, which is also neat.
And, as previously mentioned, it’s also a form of procrastination from doing work. Those are always useful.
Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?
Often, yes.
I’ve even met you once… you’re an interesting person who even probably exists.
Nah… it’s all done with mirrors… party on saturday, you know… you can meet me twice…
I enjoy experiencing that vicariously through you.
Well… I guess I’m happy that you can vicariously do something through me… Feel free to also viacriously sit around being a bum and watching TV games shows through me as well…
1)Of Course, wtf would be the point of having you on my friends list if I didn’t read what you write
2)Everything, sometimes skip rants depending on mood
3) Interesting
4) Yes, keep doing them
5) Yes
6) Wide array of people at my fingertips
7) Sometimes
1. yes.
2. yes. no.
3. yes. no.
4. bitterness is fun. yes. eh. no.
5. yes. no. no.
6. keep up with friends. no. not much.
yes.