Let's start at the very beginning! (Take 2)
Hi there, out in the blogosphere! Thanks so much for stopping by! *VIRTUAL HUG* Welcome. Please bear with me and the simple appearance of my page. I have started a blog before but have changed this to be my new URL.
Below I have copied my first blogpost written in October 2011:
For quite a while now, I've toyed with the idea of having a blog, but I wasn't sure how to approach it. There were two main reasons I was holding back:
1. I wasn't sure that I would have anything really that new to say. Surely my experiences aren't the most unique or interesting in the world, and someone at some point in history has surely expressed my thoughts or opinions in a much more engaging and witty manner than I ever will.
2. I am someone who has always felt a little uneasy about keeping a diary, in case someone finds it. Don't get me wrong. it's not that I have a big 'Bold and the Beautiful-esque' secret to protect, but I've always been of the opinion that if you are going to keep a diary, the point is that you are completely honest, and I worried that if I had a disagreement with someone, I would write something in the heat of the moment that may hurt someone's feelings. Also, what if I wanted to write about a day I had with my friends? They didn't sign on to be written about.
But after some consulting with other bloggers, and a lot of thinking and encouragement... Voila! Here I am.
Here are the reasons I decided to go for it, jump in at the deep end, as they say.
1. I want to be a writer. There are a lot of expectations that come along with admitting to harbouring that particular career aspiration, probably all of them fair enough. One is that my writing will sound like I have swallowed a dictionary and thesaurus, be incredibly profound and be rife with hidden meanings and symbolism. Let me say from the start that unfortunately I can't make any such promises. Although if that does end up happening at some point, then fantastic! What better opportunity to practice my writing and see how people respond to it!
2. I have recently finished my university studies, after completing a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and a Diploma of English and am now writing for Divine, an online community written for, and by people with disabilities. I am honoured to work for them and get my first real taste of paid employment, but I am also keen for work with more structured hours. I know I have the brains, it is just a matter of finding something that I can do independently which is proving difficult at the moment. I was told that starting a blog may open doors for me, connect with new contacts and therefore present new opportunities, so here's hoping!
3. Just the fact that I am writing in my own voice will hopefully make these posts unique. Even if someone has had the same thought as me, because we are different people the way the ideas are expressed will most likely be very different. I also realised that just because I am writing a blog, it doesn't mean what I write always has to be personal.
4. If writing about people in my life is essential to the story, I will always ask them first and protect their identity, unless I have their blessing. The friends that I have spoken to, though, are very excited and have labelled me the 'Carrie Bradshaw' of the group. I never watched the 'Sex and the City' series, but will take that as a compliment.
For quite a while now, I've toyed with the idea of having a blog, but I wasn't sure how to approach it. There were two main reasons I was holding back:
1. I wasn't sure that I would have anything really that new to say. Surely my experiences aren't the most unique or interesting in the world, and someone at some point in history has surely expressed my thoughts or opinions in a much more engaging and witty manner than I ever will.
2. I am someone who has always felt a little uneasy about keeping a diary, in case someone finds it. Don't get me wrong. it's not that I have a big 'Bold and the Beautiful-esque' secret to protect, but I've always been of the opinion that if you are going to keep a diary, the point is that you are completely honest, and I worried that if I had a disagreement with someone, I would write something in the heat of the moment that may hurt someone's feelings. Also, what if I wanted to write about a day I had with my friends? They didn't sign on to be written about.
But after some consulting with other bloggers, and a lot of thinking and encouragement... Voila! Here I am.
Here are the reasons I decided to go for it, jump in at the deep end, as they say.
1. I want to be a writer. There are a lot of expectations that come along with admitting to harbouring that particular career aspiration, probably all of them fair enough. One is that my writing will sound like I have swallowed a dictionary and thesaurus, be incredibly profound and be rife with hidden meanings and symbolism. Let me say from the start that unfortunately I can't make any such promises. Although if that does end up happening at some point, then fantastic! What better opportunity to practice my writing and see how people respond to it!
2. I have recently finished my university studies, after completing a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and a Diploma of English and am now writing for Divine, an online community written for, and by people with disabilities. I am honoured to work for them and get my first real taste of paid employment, but I am also keen for work with more structured hours. I know I have the brains, it is just a matter of finding something that I can do independently which is proving difficult at the moment. I was told that starting a blog may open doors for me, connect with new contacts and therefore present new opportunities, so here's hoping!
3. Just the fact that I am writing in my own voice will hopefully make these posts unique. Even if someone has had the same thought as me, because we are different people the way the ideas are expressed will most likely be very different. I also realised that just because I am writing a blog, it doesn't mean what I write always has to be personal.
4. If writing about people in my life is essential to the story, I will always ask them first and protect their identity, unless I have their blessing. The friends that I have spoken to, though, are very excited and have labelled me the 'Carrie Bradshaw' of the group. I never watched the 'Sex and the City' series, but will take that as a compliment.
A few random things to know about me:
- I have Cerebral Palsy, Spastic Diplega. I use an electric and manual wheelchair and also have a walking frame ( I can use it for very short distances so I do a few laps around my kitchen and lounge room a few nights a week, for exercise).
- I love hugs, they are known to 'recharge my batteries', so I will begin each post offering a Virtual Hug.
- I love books, quotes, music, singing, concerts, musicals, tv shows and films, which will become evident as we go. I will hopefully write reviews of books, music, movies, sporting matches etc. I am someone who, when I am told to pivot by the physio, starts laughing, because I immediately think of the F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode when Rachel, Chandler and Ross try to manoeuvre Ross' new couch up a New York City apartment stairwell. PIVOT! Hopefully, among other things, this blog will be a kind of pop culture feast.
- I love writing, bookstores and libraries.
- I love AFL football (go the mighty Kangaroos).
- I love those warm spring, almost summer days like today, where the smell of blossom is in the air.
- I love nothing more than being invited out and catching up with friends and family.
Thanks :)
