Wow. I can’t believe that Matthew and I started this thing four years ago. Them’s lotsa blog posts between then and now.
So, anniversaries are natural times to reflect upon how you may have grown and what you may have learned over the years. So, what have I learned? Not much. But I have learned a few things about blogging and these have been codified in some personal guidelines. Further, there some things I have realized which I will now share.
Realization: After four years of writing whatever pops into my head, I can never ever run for elected office. The interwebs has a long memory.
Guideline: Don’t fall in love with your posts, because if others don’t, you will get bitter. If you write something you are proud of, good, now start writing your next stupid post immediately. Why because….
Realization: The attention your post will garner is inversely proportional to the actual thought you put into it. The posts of which I am most proud have disappeared quicker than cocaine at Charlie Sheen’s house.
Guideline: Never ever take yourself seriously. It will show in your writing and always-serious people are boring people. People don’t read boring people. Conversely…
Realization: If you don’t take your blog seriously, why should other people?
Guideline: No matter what you write, no matter how trivial, seemingly inoffensive, silly, or inconsequential, somebody will call you out in the combox. Typically they will scold you for something you didn’t even say. So let it go. Ignore the combox crazies that are just there to cause trouble. Let it go.
Realization: You know that saying “there are no stupid ideas?” That’s not true.
Guideline: Blogging after 3 drinks is fine. Four, not so much.
Realization: Blog hits are like love. They are only useful if you spread them around.
Realization: Write about what you care about. Don’t try to write what you think people want to read. Be yourself. Don’t try to write like anybody else. If you’re a sarcastic jerk, be a sarcastic jerk. Nobody will buy it if you pretend to be somebody else.
Guideline: Don’t argue in your own combox. But if you do, don’t write more than two comments arguing the same point or you’re now part of the problem.
Realization: If you quote GK Chesterton more than twice a month, you’re probably mailing it in.
Guideline: Bloggers (in particular Catholic bloggers) are a subset of a subset of a subset. It doesn’t matter what Statcounter says, it’s just a blog dude. Even if you manage tens of thousands of readers a day, 99.999999999% of the world will never know your name. It’s just a blog. Get over yourself.
February 23, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Thanks for the morning funnies. You guys are great! I love your blog and I especially like the guidelines about drinking and blogging. 🙂 Very funny! Thanks for bringing so much humor and heart to the blogosphere.
February 23, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Patrick – make sure Matthew reads this.
February 23, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Larry — which one in particular?
February 23, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Even if you manage tens of thousands of readers a day, 99.999999999% of the world will never know your name.
Whoa – iz dat true?? Holy carp! I'm crushed…
February 23, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Oh, yeah – Happy Blogaversary 🙂
February 23, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Hey – I resemble those remarks.
February 23, 2011 at 5:46 pm
This is one of my top five favourite blogs! Congratulations on your achievement and keep up the great work!
February 23, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Thanks for keeping it real. We're all imperfect pilgrims learning from each other and keeping each other company along the way. God bless and many more anniversaries to come.
February 23, 2011 at 7:29 pm
Wow! Only 4 years… it seems like much longer… in a GOOD way! Keep up the good work! 🙂
February 23, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Patrick – why? How many brothers named 'Matthew' do you have?
And congratulations to you both, and DMac as well.
February 23, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Congratulations!
February 23, 2011 at 9:20 pm
These seem like life guidelines and realizations, not just blogging:-). I love reading your blog and I don't always agree (not but, but and:-). You do evangelization through this blog, as well. I bought the book, Set Free to Love by Marcel LeJeune (through your recommendation), and just put it out on the counter, intending to get to it. My 20 year old daughter (non-Catholic – I'm a recent convert) who is dating a Catholic, picked it up, read the whole thing, and said, "Do you have anything else like this? I like it, and it makes a lot of sense." I'm a part of a group of younger protestant women by way of a longtime protestant friend (mostly younger, but ALL protestant). Because of your link to Chelsea's post, "Refusing to Suffer is Refusing to LIve", I was able to recommend that as reading for some women who have experienced some of the worst trauma that one can survive. You do a lot, and I know that it is time-consuming, but I share your blog with my family as a way of opening the Church up to a group of long-time, hardcore protestants:-). Many blessings.
February 23, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Dear Patrick,
Congratulations for these 4 years. You change my life almost every day. Then, you and your brother are really important.
And do not forget: every blog, every newspaper, every media are basically a subset of something bigger. In many countries, the majority of the population does not know about much Jesus Christ, so, you are important. Even in Catholic countries, the majority of the population can not explain Catholic dogmas or are pro-lifers. Keep your very good work!!
Best,
Pedro Erik
February 24, 2011 at 1:28 am
After four years of writing whatever pops into my head, I can never ever run for elected office. The interwebs has a long memory.
Didn't stop me.
February 24, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Thanks for the posts and the reflections on the posts. We can all learn from the big pic!
February 24, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Pat, I'm printing this post out and putting it over my monitor. Happy B (for Blog) Day!
February 26, 2011 at 1:40 am
These four years went by really fast! Here's to four more!
February 28, 2011 at 8:33 pm
This is too funny. Mind if I post it on my unread blog? (or, like Anthony, on the wall above my computer?) Really enjoy CMR. Thanks!