Billy's Inquisition

1: Do you like the look and the contents of your blog?

I like the overall look but am jonesing for a WordPress makeover - one that would allow for more categorization and a sleeker look. As for the content, I'm torn. Some days I'm quite proud of what I've written. Other days, re-readng it makes me throw up in my mouth a little. Don't ask about today...

2: Does your family know about your blog?

They do and it affects what I put on it. Not to get too greasy, but there are some adolescent anecdotes that are darn hard to share when you know your Mom reads your blog.

3: Can you tell your friends about your blog? Do you consider it a private thing?

I don't tell them so much as I act disinterested whenever they bring it up. That way I maintain that cooler-than-thou blogger exterior when deep down inside I'm wetting myself at the thought of eyeballs on my stuff. That didn't come out right.

4: Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog? or you try to discover new blogs?

I scan a few dozen different blogs on a sometimes hourly basis. I'm also a non-paying member of the Greensboro 101 community and rely on that portal for my immediate world view. Beats watching cable news.

5: Did your blog positively affect your mind? Give an example.

Most definitely. Being able to pour out my thoughts and receive instant feedback is a luxury wannabe writers of earlier generations never had. Thus, I count myself lucky. Being that I write primarily about my work, it is a healthier outlet than whining on the job. I do that too, however.

6: What does the number of visitors to your blog mean? Do you use a traffic counter?

I do use a traffic counter and occasionally obsess over it. In the past year or so I've weaned myself from reading too much into it. Instead I dwell on the knowledge that a slow trickle of willing readers are perusing the ooze that comes out of my head. Try not to get any on ya!

7: Did you imagine how other bloggers look like?

Eh - not so much. I'm more interested in what someone has to say than what hairstyle they prefer. Then again, I'm in broadcasting so I'm quite familair with deceptions, facades and window dressings. That said, I found Fecund Stench to be far hunkier than earlier imagined.

8: Do you think blogging has any real benefit?

Not sure about the reader, but it has greatly helped my state of mind both as a creative release and a confidence building writing regiment. Everyone who thinks they have something to say should give it a whirl. Except that Billy fellow. He should quit immediately and take up Sudoku.

9: Do you think that the Blogsphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?

Only in some bloggers' minds. In reality it is a healthy addition to the global discourse. Those of us who think our blogs are great works of art really should get outside more.

10: Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?

As a career journalist, I'm conditioned to stay neutral. That ain't hard as I generally abhor politics. However I do read lots of local blogs, many of which are shrill indictments of the other party's failures. Y-A-W-N. It's a shame some of our most talented communicators are hindered by their extremist ideology - left or right.

11: Do you think that criticizing your blog is useful?

Sure. If I wanted constant assurance that everything I pen is brilliant, I'd join one of those smarmy writers' groups. Ick!

12: Have you ever thought about what happen to your blog in case you died?

I'm pretty sure I'd stop posting so regularly.

13: Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?

I dig all you local cats, but beFrank and Little Lost Robot were my early inspirations. Frank is wry and thoughtful. Robot makes liquid shoot out my nose. I aim somewhere in the middle.

14: Which blogger you think is the most similar to you?

I'd be araid to name any one individual but many of the Photogs Who Blog seem to be following a few of my cues - a move that will certainly leave them as spent and disillusioned as I. Sorry fellas!

15: Name a song you want to listen to.

Texas Flood by Stevie Ray. To me that song is Scripture.

16: Ask five bloggers to answer these question on their blogs.

I couldn't possibly.