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Monday, January 22, 2007

#550-Shadows


It's hard to top Sperm whale vomit as a post topic. I mean where do you go from there (hopefully up)? I suppose I could talk about my mixed feelings about being part of a team blog -- Freedom's Place.

First I am still a bit fuzzy as to the point of a team blog if you are all randomly posting about unrelated subjects. Isn't the point for everyone to write about the same topic, like needlepoint or yak butter recipes?

Second I was never really keen on the name "Freedom's Place." It sounds like a commune out of the 60s and conjures up images of hairy-legged woman wearing Birkenstocks with purple socks.

I would have opted for something a bit more esoteric without any political overtones. For example, maybe it should have been called "Ambergris" with the subtitle, "We write about whatever irritates us and comes up."

I've also never been much of a fan of committees, nor am I a joiner. I don't like being part of clubs, organizations, religions, mailing lists, or fraternal organizations that require you to wear a fez. I am an introvert and find groups of any kind rather distressing.

Okay, we all have our own blogs anyway. What is the point of posting on a team blog what we could have posted on our own blog? Wouldn't it be easier to just have a link to our blog than posting on another blog?

Don't get me wrong. I admire THE Michael's social experiment. I think Freedom's Place will be a great outlet for some people. But personally I think it does take a village to raise an idiot and something tells me that is the niche reserved for me in Freedom's Place.

So I may occasionally visit Freedom's Place, my real place is here at Dizgraceland. I feel more comfortable in the shadows than the light.

17 comments:

Whitesnake said...

I write there because it gives me the chance to pretend to meet those that frequent the place. I have decided (for the time being at least) to tell the tales of how I envisage meeting each of you.
It will also give me the chance to be me and interact (From my perspective) with those who's views I may or may not share and be Whitesnake: the boozer, the smart ass, the romantic, the womaniser, the philsopher, the bringer of comical relief etc etc etc.
I know not where I fit in, however it will give me the chance to get to know them and maybe myself.
I will always pop by here, you do what you feel is right for you.

I always respect that, eh....Mate!

Naughti Biscotti said...

I can relate to many of your feelings. Groups make me feel uncomfortable. In real-life group situations, I sit back and listen to everyone clammering for the floor, throwing out ideas and oftentimes cleverly concealing insults. I get an idea that I think might push the group to some resolution. I raise my hand. It goes unnoticed. I raise it again and think, "Aren't we supposed to raise our hand?" I never know the rules, so I always fall back on my kindergarden lessons.

In this case, I don't know if we're supposed to post on the same day. Are we rudely interupting someone when we post shortly after they do, like changing the topic while everyone is enjoying a good conversation. Do we raise our hand?

So, I end up feeling much like I do in real life situations where I become the weird art freak hanging out in the corner, holding up my hand.

I'm still reading "Freedom's Place" though and enjoying the contributions. Just trying to feel my own way before I jump right in.

Time said...

Whitesnake,
I was not intending to diminish the value of Freedom's Place, only understand it. You fit in there well. I've always been more of a homebody.

Shandi,
I think I did violate team blog etiquette by posting right after your graffitti post. I apologize. I've never been very good at waiting my turn, either. :) It's one more reason why I will likely just lurk in the shadows from now on.

Naughti Biscotti said...

Noooo noooo !!! You didn't interupt me, I think I interupted Whitesnake. I felt awful because I didn't check before I hit publish. I'm so afraid of pissing someone off or not fitting in that I just pull back to my own safe space.

I'm not good at parties either. I worry about what I said, how I said it, how I was dressed, whether I got too drunk, etc....

darlingina said...

You've all NOTHING to worry about. Any and all the contributions you make there will be well appreciated and loved just as much as your individual Blog posts. Hell, i gotta get Michael to get my name and pic outta there. I feel lucky and blessed if i can think of something to post on my own blog, much less there. I would much rather read than write. Myyyy Bad.

anna said...

I'm so glad you posted this because I thought I was the only one thinking it. Although I'm not a contributor, I have visited that group blog and read a few posts. I don't understand the point of it. What is this group's mission (one that isn't already being accomplished by each contributor's personal blog)? I think I've only visited it twice and never commented, whereas I visit your blog (and some of the other contributor's personal blogs) almost daily.

Anonymous said...

I thought the point of a group blog was a "share the work" kind of thing. Hmmm....

Time said...

Shandi,
I think Whitesnake can forgive you. You aren't alone about the party thing, though. I think we both need to learn to just accept who we are and if people don't like it, they can go to that hell we don't believe in. :)

Gina, You are too modest. You don't post oftne, but they are always great posts. Besides, now that I've lowered the bar at Freedom's Place, there is now where to go but up. :)

Anna, I'm glad you understand my point, and thanks for stopping by Dizgraceland on a regular basis. I do appreciate it.

Kat, I think that is my point of confusion. If we are all doing our own thing at Freedom's Place, how are we "sharing the work?"

Time said...

Lights,

Thanks, but no. That is of very little help. But I love you guy.

Kindness said...

i must confess the first time i posted to freedom's place I realized that i had posted over your first post. i went back and changed the time of my post to put yours on top.

my personal blog is about nothiing in particular and my posts at freedom's place are evolving to the political. i worry as i witness the slow and gradual erosion of our rights.

whatever anyone decides to do is fine by me. i try to read everyone's personal blog as often as possible. sometimes i even comment. once i sat down and back-read shandi's entire blog!

Alex Pendragon said...

I've read this post and the comments with mixed emotions, and figure I can best respond to it post-wise back at "Thoughts". I'll see you there when I finish my take on your concerns.

Miss Cellania said...

A little late getting into this discussion, since I tend to wander around oblivious... Tim, I didn't know anyone in this group before I was shanghaied into it, except HE and just barely THE Michael. But now I have a whole slew of new blogs to check out, including yours, which I have enjoyed every chance I get to come and read. I also wondered about how anyone else would feel if I posted too much, or out of turn, or whatever, but that will be corrected if I ever get a real job!

Naughti Biscotti said...

I find Lights comment VERY helpful. The only thing he didn't address is the fact that Chipotle is the best damn restaurant on the planet. With that helpful bit of advice and the new knowledge about hairy-legged hippies, all of life's problems will seem to disappear. ;-)

As for Kindness, WOW!!!! I had no idea. That is the greatest compliment you can give in the blogworld. I am stunned! Thankyou!

Time said...

Kindness, Again, I appreciate your kindness, but I never have given much thought to the order of the posts in a group blog. It is, after all a free blog :) Oh and I really like blogs about nothing in particular. I think they are much more interesting than the ones about something.

THE Michael, I never thought of my opinions as concerns, just my thoughts at the moment I wrote the post.

Kat, By definition, I think you are right. I think most team blogs have a common theme that writers pass from one to the other. But if you've ever talked to anyone from a socialist country, there is always someone who leans on the shovel at work but is the first in line for food. I don't know what that means, but it sounded kinda good :)

Miss Cellania, I'm glad you have been introduced to new blogs in this process (particularily mine). So have I. And I have never thought you posted too much or anyone too little. Blogging is a personal type of thing and people should write when they are moved to write.

Shandi, Please do not encourage Lights. And I take it Chipolte's serves killer Margarita's as well :)

Footpad said...

Given my nom de guerre, I heartily support anything that leaves shadows and darkness.

-- f

Time said...

FP,
Okay, I am having a slow processing day. Your nom de guerre is Footpad. I'm having a hard time taking that next step to things that leave a shadow. I'm sure I'll do a Homer Simpson when you explain it to me though.

Footpad said...

[hint]