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2.04.2012

Confessions of a Wannabe Blogger.





































Taken yesterday in Santa Barbara. Shannon and I had a lovely time strolling the charming streets & doing all of the following:

1.  Taking samples from every food joint that offered, including the ones that didn't (we asked).
2. Spending the standard unnecessary amount of time (but luckily, not the standard unecessary amounts of dollars) at Urban. 
3.  Searching high and low for any misplaced Black Sabbath vinyls to return to Shanny's beaufriend's home collection.
3. Eating way too many carbs for lunch. 
4. Scoping out deli/bakeries ISO some delicious pastries for dessert (to keep consistent with the massive intake of carbs), only to settle on a box of ginger chews from Cost Plus World Market (because we decided consistency is not friends with our thighs in this case).
5. Debating over face masks creams at some fancy soap store where I was involuntarily called out for abusing my skin and adding thirty days of age to every day in which I continue to not give two, three or four shits about applying expensive moisturizers to my face. (Uh, duly noted, SALESlady...I'm still not buying your overpriced product. But thanks for your free educating. And all the free samples.) We decided on a single container of reasonably priced face masking cream and went on our merrily way.
5. And, of course, getting way out of control with the iphone instagram, as any vain set of sisters should. (Scroll to the end of the post for some more winning shots starring yours truly. And her fabulous sister.)

[End ridiculously long photo caption]

Essha Maria. Heyyy. 

I'm feeling lame. And overwhelmed. Not in my life (at the moment), but in my blogging endeavors, oh yes.

Boy oh boy. 

It goes without saying, I'm falling short of sticking to my posting schedule, I knows. BUT. In my defense, I have been doing some heavy field research into this whole foreign world of blogging and it is absolutely mind-boggling. I don't think I've ever wanted to know more about something I know so very little about. I actually thought I knew a great deal about blogging, but man was I wrong. And it's both exciting and overwhelming. I have become so engrossed in reading and tapping into a resevoir of so many outstanding blogs (mostly all written by outstanding women) and I am so impressed and also intimidated with what I've found. It's the kind of intimidation that makes me feel remarkably less capable of baking so many sweet pies of quick wit and vivid content, but also inspired and determined to give it all I've got. 

This whole blogging movement is pure and utter madness. And I want in! I wanna be a blogger! 

And I wanna go to this Alt Summit extravaganza. I managed to learn of this event and other events of the like and I just thought, are you kidding me???

I feel like I've just stumbled upon the greatest calling of my lifetime. (Yahtzee!) Finally, something more concrete to do with my creative mind, my pen abilities (however great or small), and my love for networking, self-expression, and design. 

It would be presumptuous of me, of course, to think that any of this is going to be easy or that I will successfully be able to gather the same kind of following that so many of these other bloggers have. Or that I could even make a real living off being just that: a blogger. 

But man does my heart skip beats at the thought of it.

I have so many questions though.

How do these women find the time to post such thoughtful, entertaining and poised information on a daily basis? Are they all best friends with photographers? Or were they photographers themselves already? Or did they become photographers for the sake of their blogs (the route I'm most likely going to have to take). And for the photos that aren't their own, do they know most of the artists they are crediting, or do they have pending requests constantly to showcase work in their posts? Again, how do they have the time? Most of these women are mommy bloggers which only baffles me further. HOW DO YOU HAVE THE TIME?!? I'm sitting here, no kiddies of my own what so ever, mostly unemployed and I feel so crammed for time to sit and make sense of all my thoughts, to come up with a clear and precise purpose for each individual post, with the balanced amount of humor and offerings of wisdom & truth, with the perfect follow through in the form of a artsy, captivating image that isn't copyrighted, or just my face every time. (I do love my vanity, but it's probably not for everyone.)

Realistically speaking, I don't think it's my time here that's the enemy, so much as my discipline is. Discipline or no discipline, I'd be lying still if I didn't say this whole world of blogging is scary intimidating.

 But all the same time brilliantly inspiring. 

I do have much to learn. And much to type!

And my vow is to stay diligent. And stay true to me. Jen. Punky. Miss twenty-something with big dreams and determined spirit.

I do hope I can acquire an audience, and eventually a profession perhaps outta something like this, AND I do hope I can be at Alt Summit next year...holy canolies, that would be super duper neat.

But for now I shall carry on in my amateur blogging ways, and pray to God for the discipline to stay super close. 

All the while, I must be careful not to get too consumed in all of this just right away as I do have other priorities at the moment. I.e. getting my finances in order and getting to New York. These are still at the top of my list right now and still remains my main purpose here-to track most specifically that journey, but I'm sure getting quickly preoccupied and entranced in all this blogging business. I've been especially busy (and overly obsessive) putting my very humble html skills to work here. I think I'm content with the present look. Thoughts? (If you're reading this, tell me it looks GREAT. Quick, before I start feeling otherwise and spend more minutes [aka hours] changing it all up again.) (Thanks.) 

Of course there is still the restaurants I want to open, the books and plays I want to write, the husband I so truly want to locate someday, the kids I wanna produce, that cover of Maxim I wanna land (probably before the kids) and the whole world I wanna travel slash take over. But I'd like to officially invite "become a professional blogger" to the list. I think it is my right as a 21st century American woman to be ambitious as fuck, and so. There you have it. 

Yes I can. And I will ! :) 



Cute sister pants. I really love her.

7 comments:

  1. Your post truly spoke to me! I'm fairly new to the world of blogging myself (I did a little bit here and there last year) and I've found it incredibly difficult to get back into writing and cranking out content on a daily basis. There are so many bloggers out there that I admire and I find the endeavor inspiring and mind-boggling at the same time. Also, the amount of time I've spent at the computer lately, is becoming a little...ehem: obsessive :) (will need to find a way to find a balance between the real and the virtual world). I just wanted you to know I think you're off to a great start - your blog looks great! (http://joycreation.tumblr.com/)

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    Replies
    1. Lisa!

      Thank you SO MUCH for your comment. It's so exciting to receive any sort of feedback... it makes this whole blogging thing that much more worthwhile! I have to admit, I immediately clicked onto your blog after reading your comment and did some exploring (stalking) and noticed that you are living in Madison, WI.... that is where my dearest friend Sarah is from! You must be surrounded by some lovely people... Midwesterns (next to Mormons and the Swedish) are the nicest people!

      Anywhos, so wonderful to have a fellow ambitious friend in the blogging business :) Your blog is lovely! You definitely have a follower here :)

      Punky

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  2. Thank you, so much :) You're very sweet! I know exactly what you are talking about - the days, when I was the only one visiting my blog made we wonder, what I was doing it for. It's much more fun to be in this together!! And I look forward to following your blog and reading more about you. Yes, I do love the Midwestern mentality - people here are great :) If you ever join your friend on a trip to Madison, make sure to let me know!

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  3. You're so far ahead of the game. You're in your twenties and you know that you want to be a blogger. I didn't figure that out until I was 41. :) Your personality comes through in your writing. It's easy to read and conversational. You're finding places, like Alt Summit and other bloggers, where you can go and get the answers to all of the questions that you have about blogging. Did you know that Alt Summit has an Alt Channel now where you can take online classes about blogging? You should check it out and see if there are any you are interested in. If you ever have any questions that I can answer, you can always email me. :) xo

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    1. Thank you, Melanie! You are so kind to take the time to check out my blog, and give feedback. I love your blog--you're a COOL LADY of her 40s & you really seem to have got this whole blogging thing pretty figured out :-) You're encouragement and your advice means a lot. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to meet at ALT 2013?! In the meantime, I'll definitely have to check those classes out. xoxo!

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  4. Great questions that so many have. As far as having time goes and being inspired to write- I find the busier I am and the less time I have to write, the more I have to write about! So sometimes when I feel totally uninspired I just try to go out and be busy and make life happen and then all of a sudden I have a million things I want to say. Good luck!

    bonnie :)
    xoxo

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  5. I've got some great pointers for you're looking to sharpen up your blog your life your direction and desires. It's a 5 week on line self directed course offered by Karen Walrond of chookooloonks.com

    The course is called PATHFINDER: on claiming your own beautifully different life. Take a look here: http://www.chookooloonks.com/path-finder .

    Registration is closed for Spring but you can get on the waiting list for Fall, It costs you nothing to get on waiting list.

    Please click over to Karen's site and SIGN UP for her emails: FREE and the photography and daily inspirations are something you will WANT in your in box every day.

    You want Karen in your in box.

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    I'm going to be kinda bossy and tell you to get both of these sites on your email feed. You won't believe your eyes when you click over.

    xo BIG LOVE xo

    ReplyDelete

Your comments make my day! I read each and every one of them and try to deliver a response to as many as I can! Unless there's a discussion going, I will usually reach back to you via e-mail. Thank you for your willingness to speak and share your thoughts :) You is dope.