See, I’ve been hit with writer’s block recently. (Yes, for once I am ‘speechless’ so to speak. ~ which is rare for one as talkative as me.) And I do get upset with myself when I realize that there are people out there who do not have this problem. It’s like they constantly have something to blog about. But I’m not that lucky (?). 
During a recent chat with a veteran blogger, one of the 2nd generation bloggers, he told me that bloggers from his generation will never run out of things to blog about. As for me, (and those who started out in 2005, we are the 3rd gen bloggers), being a 3rd gen blogger I felt kind of small and inferior. Like as if it was something common for a blogger from my generation to run into writer’s block, most of the time. Now, I can’t say that I agree with this vet because he goes on to say that you either get it or you don’t. (Click here to see which generation you’re from.) Courtesy of Edrei.
For me personally, I don’t get it. It’s just that I don’t see why one should be classified into such narrow categories based on whether or not one has something to write/blog about. I mean, yea I could go on and on and on about whatever that’s on my mind and it could be any thing, as long as it’s SOMETHING that I was thinking about, but what if it wasn’t worth the time to read? It would be a waste of MY time and yours too, I would think. That being said, I’m not going to parade about saying that I write quality posts most of the time. I do admit that I write some random off the shelf thoughts, some rants every now and then (Yes, a girl has every right to b*itch about something. PMS is not an excuse.), a milestone that I achieved ever since I had WP installed (normally with the help of the WP Sifu himself of course), of FLASHERS and then I also tackled *SOME* serious issues like abuse, being ’smart’ Malaysians and road bullies. I think what makes a blog a good blog is not whether or not you’re from which generation but what you write about, whether or not you can bring forth your thoughts attractive enough for people to see your point of view. It’s the contents that matters. Just coz one is a 1st gen or 2nd gen blogger doesn’t means that his/her posts are ALWAYS interesting to read, you know? 
But this is not what I’m blogging about today. 
How do I blog?
I actually thought that it would be a good idea to kind of list down how I actually begin to blog WHEN I have something to blog about. I don’t normally blog everyday but I do try to because I’m sure there’s always something new to blog about or is worth a blog but like I mentioned, sometimes nothing happens.
The idea will first come to me from different sources. Normally it is sparked off by something that I which I saw happening in front of me or most of the time, while I’m driving to work in the morning and I think of random things. I think about work, I think about my life, I think about why that driver in front of me or beside me can’t stick to his lane or why would any girl in her right mind wear a SHORT Marilyn Monroe skirt and ride a bike one-handed coz she’s holding on to her skirt with her other hand. I think about lots of stuff and out of these MANY thoughts, SOMETHING normally strikes me as interesting and THAT is when more ideas are mentally constructed. And the minute I get the chance to (normally at traffic lights while I’m waiting for it to turn green), I quickly jot them down so that I don’t forget. It may be a hustle to you or you might think I’m nuts but hey, I’m forgetful and if this is what it takes for me to remember, I’d do it. So you sakit maner, right? (So, what’s your problem?)
Once that is done, the minute I get the chance, I start writing but not in the ‘Write’ section (for WP users). I write out my post in MS Word (got this idea thanks to BJ’s Blogging Language, I’ve also since adopted this way of blogging.) so that I don’t run into spelling errors BUT still sometimes, the spelling is correct BUT the word bears the WRONG meaning. Example, bears could be typed in as bares ~ this is more of a typing error than a spelling error. And with the auto-correction feature on, MS Word normally corrects it to the nearest possible spelling, which is not all the time good.
Once that is done, I’d read it once, maybe twice but not too many times coz the more times I read it, the more I’d be tempted to add something else. Then again, that is not necessarily TOO bad. Sometimes, I get more ideas the more times I read it. All the better I guess. And when I’m satisfied ~ I click publish. Sometimes I’ll send a ‘ping’ to PPS, sometimes I don’t. However, recently I haven’t coz I realise that if I blog good, people will somehow find their way over. Word of mouth more powderful (powerful), I guess.
Why I blog?
SERIOUSLY, I don’t know why. I only got to know about blogging some 6 months ago thanks to Friendster’s Blog. I created my FIRST ever blog called Yvy’s Special Space. At that time, I still didn’t know what blogging was all about. I just knew that people had blogs to write down their thoughts and sort of maintain an online diary. (It’s not really a diary if you ask me since it doesn’t really contain your deepest darkest secrets like you would your hand written diary, right?) Although some people really do spill out EVERY single raunchy encounter and every explicit detail of their steamy sessions from the bathroom to the couch to goodness knows where, most of them hide behind a well protected pseudonym (and here I am thinking that I had an imaginative mind!!) 
Haiyooola…. Heck, if I wanted to spill EVERY detail that happens behind my bedroom door, I would DEFINITELY be using a pseudonym for sure!! After all the spicier….the better!! 
*Alamak, off track a bit here…*
Anyway, I was really getting sick at the amount of time taken up by Friendster to publish each of my post that I started searching for other options and soon ended up with Blogger and It’s all about me, myself & I was born. I guess the blogging bug got to me and it was just a matter of time that I moved on and got myself a domain, what more with 6 months of free web-hosting, I sure ain’t complaining!! And now, you are currently reading my LATEST blog, Yvy’s Cozy Corner (No need to give URL la, you’re already reading me mah!).
Now, people blog for difference reasons and with different methods and ways. I for one am not going to say how one should blog because to each his/her own. Like how each of us is unique in our own beautiful way, so are our blogs. Of course you will have a handful of high-flying wannabes but hey, without them I think it wouldn’t be the same. 
Now, coming to why I blog ~ I still don’t know. Sometimes I feel frustrated and want to rant ~ I blog. Sometimes I experience something good and I want to share it ~ I blog. Most of the time, I want people to read my posts so I can get lotsa and lotsa comments and trackbacks thus increasing traffic and my adsense revenue, hopefully. No lar!!! REALLY joking about this but on a serious note, I think I blog for fun. I like pouring out my thoughts and getting feedback from others. I like to see how differently people think from me. And it is amazing to see how different we are in our own special way.
I also noticed that I have somehow managed to get a handful of *ahem* faithful and frequent readers whom I truly appreciate and especially when they leave me a comment. Of course a good comment always make me smile and the horrid ones…well, come to think of it, I hardly get horrid ones and I intend to keep it that way as long as possible!! I will not deny the fact that it feels damn bloody good when an elite blogger leaves a comment for me (and this is almost close to never ~ yes, very pitiful I know) but I bet it equally hurts like hell when they leave a nasty one. (Can I count myself lucky that no elite blogger is upset with me??? YES, I CAN!!) 
But like all things and experience this life has to offer…..it’s just part and parcel of blogging. What’s blogging without a little flame every now and then right? (That doesn’t mean u can flame me suka-suka (for fun), ok??) 
After all, once bitten twice shy.
Saturday, 8. October 2005
Aiyo…no matter how much I explain also. I don’t think it’s something you guys can get laa unless you’re in the loop as well. You don’t have to feel ANYTHING owe us anything or do anything. Because we’re different generations of blogging…make your own generation worth. You blog for the reasons you blog. We’ll always be who we are, you’ll always be who you are.
You do not have to feel inferior, think about it this way…our parents are a different generation to us…yet we lead our own lives our own way creating successes our own way. So what if people like me believe in the generation theory? It doesn’t mean new bloggers can be any less worth. It means you find your own peace of mind in your time. You don’t necessarily have to look our way. We just make sure you don’t make any serious mistakes.
Saturday, 8. October 2005
Ed :
i think u’re right too! 
well, like u said, we all see things differently so u dont really have to go around educating ppl abt it. i know how tiring it can get. 
Saturday, 8. October 2005
hmm…is it just me or is kamigoroshi exuding this slight tinge of “sifu”-ness about himself? well, i don’t know…but personally? i believe blogs are there to be freely worded and penned by their respective owners…plus, the guidelines are the usual stuff that we find in the real world.
“We just make sure you don’t make any serious mistakes.”
That’s really nice of you, seriously. Though honestly speaking, I feel it could have been worded in a slightly less arrogant manner.
Yvy, there is no need to feel inferior really. Coz as kamigoroshi has pointed out, we belong to different generations. Plus, it’s YOUR blog after all…feel free to express yourself in your own way…=)
Everyone gets writer’s block once in awhile, and maybe it’s just a sign that we’re possibly suffering from abit of burnout. Time for some relaxation perhaps? Just my 2 cents mate…cheers!
Saturday, 8. October 2005
Me is a faithful reader!
For the record, I read a lot of blogs. It’s because blogs are personal things which show the variety that we as individuals have.
I’m not attracted to the content of a blog… well, I am, but I prefer writers who have style and personality in their writings.
I write about personal stuff, but I avoid talking about current events or politics or social issues, because people can go elsewhere if they want that kind of stuff. However, if you want a quirky, eccentric, and downright observant perspective of things, then you’re welcome to read my blog,
Count me out if it comes to reading teenage blogs who rant about how “my life sucks” and “today i ate a sandwich, it was good”. Pointless.
Your blog’s a very good read too Mistyeiz. You’re very down-to-earth, and you blog on interesting issues. Keep it up ^_^
Saturday, 8. October 2005
Uiyo, I sound blardy arrogant. Damn it.
Saturday, 8. October 2005
First of all…THERE is NOTHING wrong with having “blogger’s block”…to me it just shows that you’re human; sure there are times where it’s almost impossible to blog an entry because you just dont know what to write about, it’s perfectly normal. I’ve had bloggers’ block before, so I know what it’s like. To say that 2nd generation or 1st generaion bloggers ALWAYS have something to blog about is just an arrogant statement… they too are humans and have the same capability as us – the only thing I can honestly see that makes them “special” is that they started blogging before the mass crowd. So? Big deal, it’s just timing differences…that’s all
So meaning to say that if you’re a 2nd generation blogger,are you automatically regarded as a better blogger? My ass you are! like i said in my entry, it’s all about content,style, flair and like Xaph said…personality. 2nd, 3rd, 37th generation it doesn’t matter…it’s all about the content and writing style!
Kamigoroshi is right…we’ll never get it…and you know what…WE DON’T HAVE TO!!
I could be wrong with this but I think there are just a minor portion of 2nd generation bloggers who perhaps could feel jealous because of the overwhelming new generation of bloggers…perhaps they feel threatened that some 3rd generation bloggers are getting more recognition and they have not even been in the blogosphere that long compared to the older generation… perhaps that could be the reason why…. suck it up 2nd generation bloggers, if you’ve been around longer than us and you’re still feeling that you’re unknown, it’s probably cuz your writing isn’t exciting enough
Saturday, 8. October 2005
Patrick Teoh just started blogging for real for less than a month, but I have a good deal of respect for this fella. Newbie blogger or not, I think his blog has value far above a lot of so-called veteran bloggers. It’s his person, his thinking, his character, his experience that matters, not who got there first.
Saturday, 8. October 2005
what about our lim kit siang? also started blogging in august, but you see how many people like his blog and his stuff? He’s 3rd generation oso right?
Saturday, 8. October 2005
Wa lau…my reply was beginning to be really long so I might as well blog about it la.
Saturday, 8. October 2005
Why ever u blog, I r glad you do
Saturday, 8. October 2005
wow! overnite n so many responses n one post too.
thanks all…. THIS is the beauty of it all, when ppl have different view points n we get to see what’s happening on the other side. it’s all good! 
Saturday, 8. October 2005
*flame flame flame flame…*
Don’t think you’ll get any elite bloggers giving you a nasty one, so not to fret. After all, if they do that sort of thing, they would never have got to that respectable level right?
Saturday, 8. October 2005
You’re a nice person, that’s why you don’t get horrid comments. I don’t pretend to be a genius, and I don’t go around TRYING so hard to leave smart-ass comments for people when I visit their blogs, but so what? Why limit ourself with narrow definitions? Blogosphere is big enough for all sorts of bloggers.
Permit me the liberty of copying this conversation I had with a blogger I admire tremendously, all names changed of course:
XY:you don’t comment.
Bunnywunny says: i feel like i’m out of depth and that if i say something, people will laugh at my insipid comments. i feel like a midget amongst intellectual giants
XY: and if you were one, you’d be able to move freely among giants?
Bunnywunny:yes i think i would. without the current set of qualms
XY: what you fail to realise is, who you deem intellectual giants, see you as an equal. you think i can do half of what Max could do? fuck no.. not in this lifetime or the next, if there was one..
Bunnywunny: Max is just a kid
XY: so why am i moving freely among such intellectual giants?
Bunnywunny: cos you’re one too?
XY:fuck no..i just bring to them my own style.
Bunnywunny: well i don’t really know how to respond adequately to your style
XY: you dont have to Buns, that’s my point.
Bunnywunny: then? make half-arsed comments which seem silly and childish and out of place?
Bunnywunny:you guys are having a conversation in there.
Bunnywunny: I can’t just jump in and make some inane remark
XY: why do you want to something you are not? jump right in, make an inane remark, that is what i do all the time. you’ll be surprised how much an inane remark can turn into an interesting topic.
XY: intelligence is not a measure of the language you use when you type Buns.
I feel what he says about comments, can be applied to blogging too.
Saturday, 8. October 2005
yee wei : ooi….where got flame flame all? *puts out fire* this is not flame….this is what u call an exchange of opinions in a different direction.
Saturday, 8. October 2005
*smiles* Lol…misunderstanding. It was intended as a lame-ish joke by using the ** to indicate that i was doing the flaming. *faints*
Sunday, 9. October 2005
yee wei : cheeky monkey u!! wait i burn ur tail then u know!
Sunday, 9. October 2005
Hey…3rd generation…Bah….I don’t give a damn whether a blog is the hundredth incarnation…If the blog’s good I read it.3rd/4th/5th generation? wonder where that came from…Right…human mentality…I’m better than you…reminds me of who can pee higher up the wall…Sigh we’re still kids in our hearts…
Yvy,i’m a regular visitor…Weee!!!
Sunday, 9. October 2005
suresh : WEEEE right back at cha’ mate!!
Monday, 10. October 2005
Having a writer’s block is almost a daily affair for me. So, constant thinking of new things to write is a big challenge it self. Coupled with normal work, family work, etc…leave little time to read a blog, a more little time to write one. So, if you are having a writer block, then you are normal.
Writing down little pieces of thoughts in MS Word helps (turn off the auto correct feature – it can be nuisance sometimes)…once you are free, you expand it from there.
Monday, 10. October 2005
BJ : thanks for the tips. after all, i got that MS Word infection from only wat….
Monday, 10. October 2005
Tipu mya ni…. Say only Blogger’s Block, then go ahead and bantai long post!:mrgreen:
*waves hand in the air* I Legurar Leader! I Legurar Leader!
Now where’s that flame-making kit….:wink:
Tuesday, 11. October 2005
plink : hmmm…i see it’s PLINK again, showing signs of desperation. but since you are my ‘legurar leader’. i’ll let u off.
you want to flame? CAAAAAAAAN. 
i oredy got my fire extinguisher ready here with me. i’ll definitely spray u wan! 
i sure spray sampai botak. 