reflection - Urban Scrawl

reflection

Wednesday 9 June, 2004 at 12:06PM (Nereus) :: permalink :: comments (9)

I've been considering a redesign of the site (once again) and have been waiting on the release of MovableType 3.0 (the general release, not the developer release) before going ahead.

In considering new ideas for the design, I've also started to reconsider the direction of this weblog altogether. Initially this weblog was created just as a personal journal of my time since leaving the green shores of New Zealand to be with my love IceQueen here in New York, and basically to cover my day to day experiences here. Somewhat mundane reading for some I guess, but hey, it's a personal weblog, what do you expect?

Recently I've found myself writing more often about news items and injustices (perceived or factual) that I've come across, and basically voicing my opinion in relation to them. Today I read part of a journal at stephaniesinclair.com, which is the website of an independant photojournalist covering the war-torn areas of Iraq and Afghanistan. Reading the journal kind of humbled me in a way and I guess re-opened my eyes a little to the plight of innocents there and made me realise that maybe I should be less concerned writing about what movie we saw in the weekend and more focused on issues of a broader spectrum. Then again, most of what I could write about in that sense would be second hand.

So I'm at a crossroads I guess. Should I continue with a personal weblog with our day to day activities, interspersed with the occasional sensational news item as I have been doing recently, or should I write more on subjects that people want to discuss and hopefully learn from? Maybe I could have two separate blogs, one personal, one not. What do you think?

comments (9)

Kiria
June 9, 2004 1:05 PM [link]

I say leave it. You're you, not an obligated reporter. Showing concern for this shit is part of who you are, and the discussion happens. Unless you want some big, famous site full of political debate. :P

noizyboy
June 9, 2004 5:21 PM [link]

yeah - I like it that way that it is. the personal blogging about day-to-day life in big bad america is great (for a little old kiwi kid who's never been anywhere like myself), and the occasional foray into political/news analysis is a welcome change, and, in a different way, also quite revealing about yourself. ;)

keep it up - whatever you decide!

Nereus
June 9, 2004 6:02 PM [link]

Cheers for the comments. I'll probably still do some sort of redesign when the time comes, but yeah, if people like it the way it is (as far as content goes) then I'll continue to vomit up my thoughts as I've been doing. Glad to know at least one Kiwi still visits the site, cheers Noizyboy! I'll add yer blog to my links. Classic about that old fella hitching a lift with President Chirac!

erin
June 9, 2004 11:57 PM [link]

Hey Nereus,
I like your site with the content as it is. I think I get bored with my site a lot because it seems like it is more or less a drop of water in a bucket, but I guess that is my drop and for that matter, my bucket... so I guess I am saying your site is good enough the way it is. It teaches people about many things without being just news.
Actually I read a very interesting article on how Blogs are really starting to shape the world of public opinion... that most any topic has been over discussed but that for the first time in a LONG time, it looks like people are touching base on certain important, and a lot of them political, issues. There are some pretty interesting statistics on how Blogs will influence elections too. I don't know - I like it... but my opinion is merely one of many. Whichever you decide to do... cheers. :O)

Tracy
June 11, 2004 1:16 AM [link]

Nereus

I am new to your site, I actually did a search looking for something that interested me and was directed to your site. I like reading others opinion on the subjects that interest me, and I like being able to voice mine.
I'll stop in regularly and read all you post because your opinion is very cool. What's a blog?

Good luck!

Colleen
June 12, 2004 11:08 AM [link]

I like you blog the way it is. Keep it! I mean as far as content goes. If you want to redesign thats up to you :)

Petervv
June 12, 2004 7:23 PM [link]

Theres more than one kiwi that stops in regularly. I also tend to agree with most of the others that have commented, I like the mixture of personal experiences & observations, as well as the political discussion. Keep it up.

Nereus
June 14, 2004 11:32 AM [link]

Cheers Erin, and yup I agree; as more people get into their online journals (whatever format they may choose to follow) it stimulates more discussion and thought, and as you said, it's starting to shape the world of public opinion. It's a good thing. Too many people are content with being spoon fed whatever the media and/or governments tell them, without actually seeing the whole picture.

Thanks Tracy :) A 'blog' is just a shortened name for web-based log or journal. It shortened to weblog, and now many people just refer to them as blogs.

Colleen & PVV, cheers, it appears the opinion is unanimous: continue as is, so that's what I will do. I will still most likely do a redesign when the next version of MT (content management / weblog utility) comes out which may be a while away yet.

Thanks all for your comments :)

PVV did you get my emails re your planned US trip?

Nereus
June 16, 2004 11:53 PM [link]

How do you feel about the main index page only showing an exerpt of the entry (like maybe 4 lines worth for each of the 4 most recent entries) and then a link to view the entire post and be able to comment on it? It would make the design nicer but I don't know if visitors would read the entire entry then..
Thoughts?