I'm not sure what I really want from this blog.
I think because I live and work by myself I like having this blog as a bit of an outlet.
For me, it's like a place that I can say stuff that doesn't interfere with other people, but that can still be observed by others.
It's comforting to come here a few times a day and just make a comment about what's on my mind.
It's convenient to put links here to stuff that I see so I can find it later, and so my friends can have a read if they're interested.
If I didn't have this blog, I think I'd start to annoy people by talking to them via e-mail too much.
Saying outlandish things and sending them directly to someone is an unusual social practice, and can have the effect of alienating people.
I've had falling-outs with mates because I've sent them too many strange e-mails in a day before.
I'd actually feel really lonely being in a room by myself all the time if it wasn't for outlets like this (and other forums).
I quite regularly go several days without laying eyes on another human being, and without stepping foot out of my room except to go the bathroom or the kitchen.
If you haven't lived like that, then your not likely to understand what that's like.
Anyway, this blog is *for me*.
People, particularly my friends, are welcome to come here and read what I've got to spray into the ether.
However, I really don't want to be judged for what I say here.
Quite often words just fall out after I've been awake for 20 hours working.
I don't tell lies here. There remain some truths that I will try to avoid speaking. Anything that I do say is likely to be rushed or poorly considered and in all likelihood what you think it says won't represent what I actually think, usually due to a failure of my expression or understanding or 'emotional condition'.
Because I spend most of my time alone, and because I expose myself to absolutely no mainstream media (such as television, newspaper, radio, commercial / news mailing lists, etc.) it is quite likely that I have a different social perspective to most other people.
I've noticed lately that quite a few more people come here to read what I have to say than I had expected. I'll be the first to admit that by *internet* standards practically no-one comes here, but by *my* standards *fucking heaps* of people come here. I'd guess about one hundred people a week. This blog has served 297 distinct hosts in the last 7 days. I'm not sure how many of those are just search engines, etc. but the numbers have been increasing rapidly lately.
Frankly, I'm not really prepared for that.
This is not a technical blog. It does not provide any regular or reliable information on *any* topic.
So, if you're new here, then you should know all of that.
Unless you're my mate, or have some other motivation for wanting to watch my slow demise into insanity, then you probably don't want to keep coming here.
The last thing that you should know, is that I really fucking hate sarcasm. So, if you have something to say here, I'd very much appreciate it if you would be sincere.
John.
John,
By way of introduction, I should tell you that I am one of the "lurkers" reading your posts on a fairly regular basis these days; hello, my name is Rick.
I don't know you personally and I'm quite confident that you have no knowledge of me beyond an infrequent post or comment you may have read. All insignificant, really.
I read your blog because it's quite clear from what you write that you are intelligent, thoughtful, and driven. You generally express your ideas clearly and your opinions are direct and unadorned. This speaks of an honesty and an integrity that seems to be unfortunately rare. In addition, many of the things you explore and link to such as mathematic information sites, puzzles, and other mental challenges are interesting to me.
I particularly find fascination in your occasional statements about the US. I'm a citizen of the US and, outside of a few blogs, have little chance to directly hear the perspective of people from other parts of the world. I am curious as hell about how people view this nation.
Beyond these few things, I find blogs that offer more exposure of the human being writing them far more interesting and important than those that are purely technical or clearly more corporate marketing effort than anything else.
Just thought you might care to know.
Hey Rick,
Thanks. :)
John.