As I said in a comment in reply to Angel at this post of mine:
And now I’m beginning to think I might need a 2nd blog for the same sorts of reasons as you, Angel, but I do not want to do it. I do NOT want to separate my life, as much as I know the rest of the world expects it. *sigh*
One of my biggest practical, and non-ethical, holdups is a name for the 2nd one. I kind of figure the new one would have to be the personal one, but this name fits the personal better. I don’t know.
As much as I don’t like the idea, maybe it’s time to separate the so-called "professional life" from the rest. It sure seems to be what most people do. And while I do see the reasoning for it, I just wish the world wasn’t structured in a way that leads to it. Oh well, wishing doesn’t change anything.
So dear friends and readers alike, I’d like a little advice. I can easily start another blog with the TypePad account that I have. It, too, will have the "root" of bookmark.typepad.com/ and will get the new name appended after the .com/. Anybody who just chooses a link or types bookmark.typepad.com will get…what? I’m not sure of that one.
The issue as I see it is that there are quite a few links coming here thanks to the Carnival and This Week in LibraryBlogland and a few other reasons. Yet, this blog should probably become my personal blog, based on name anyway. So. Do I start a new one for the LIS stuff and just put a "prominent" notice and link near the top pointing people to the new one in case that is what they are looking for? Of course, all previous posts will remain here so all current links will work. It’s not like I’m a superstar so it shouldn’t be an issue to start a new blog for the LIS-focused stuff, should it?
What do you think? Are there other options? Is it too late and should I just keep this one (thoughts) for LIS stuff and come up with another witty music related title for the personal stuff?
I’m not planning on hiding one from the other so a little confusion shouldn’t be too big a deal.
Angel, Jenica, Em, and anyone else for that matter, what do you think? Should I separate the political, the military, the silly quizzes, etc. from the so-called "professional?"
5 responses so far ↓
1 Jenica // Nov 3, 2005 at 9:57 pm
My vote is no. But, then, people tend to prefer the model they’ve chosen, and all my expression is in one place. Ruminations on my job, pictures of my cats, conversations with my fiance: One blog. So, you know, caveat etcetera.
That said, I very much enjoy knowing more than one facet of a person. I enjoy reading Dorothea, and you, and Joy, and “Jane”, and ranger more than I would simply because I know the person behind the words. I also enjoy reading your essays on librarianship and the information world MORE because I also have a sense of your politics and personal history (the parts you choose to share). I feel like that additional context is a big bonus, and enhances the quality of the information I take away from your posts.
But if you chose to have two web faces, I would absolutely understand. There are days when I type entire posts and delete them, because they should never be published with my name on them if I ever want to have or keep a job again.
Basically, it depends on why you’re blogging. I’ve chosen an integrated approach because my blogging started as and continues to be a chronicle of my thoughts and life. What’s YOUR purpose? Identify it, and then trust it, and go with it.
Whatever you do, I’ll follow you around and keep reading.
2 Em // Nov 4, 2005 at 7:09 am
I agree with Jenica about considering the purpose of your blog. From various posts and conversations (yes, I get to talk to Mark in person as well as through the blog!), I know that your blog is an effort at integrating parts of your life, but also at finding a way to voice your thoughts and feelings. But it really has evolved a lot from the early posts to the current version. Are you still able to do both in one blog? Is there personal stuff you’re not expressing because your blog is now more public?
That said, I have wondered about the title. It seems to me your blog substantiates how truly your thoughts are NOT broken. If you are wanting to invite more conversation and communication, would a different title for the “academic” part of your writing serve that purpose?
3 Jennifer // Nov 4, 2005 at 8:59 am
I agree with Em and Jenica; one of the most interesting aspects of your blog is that it isn’t strictly LIS-related. In reading your writings, you get to know the person behind the ideas as well as the ideas themselves, which I feel provides both insight and interest. That’s one of the reasons I regularly lurk here.
4 Angel // Nov 4, 2005 at 4:35 pm
It seems you are getting great advice, so I am not sure I can add more. At the end of the day, you have to do what feels right for you. In my case, for instance, I did not necessarily want to have article notes about lesbian pulp novels and tequila in the same place I put my notes on LIS articles and other LIS items. I guess for me it was a matter of “those other things interest me, but I am not as sure most of the regular LIS folk would be intereted.” The Itinerant Librarian is my play space. It is also a place I write more about my other areas of interest. One thing you may want to consider is the issue of having your name on it. I know bloggers who have a “serious” blog with their name and the second as anonymous. Mine have my name on both, and they have links to each other, so they are not a secret. For me, there are things I need a little extra space. But I certainly see where other bloggers choose to put everything in one basket. Some of those blogs I find very interesting to read, cats and all. I think if a blogger is a good writer, people will come to read their stuff no matter where they put it. I know, I probably was not that helpful, but I hope my experience somehow gives you some insights. As always, best. Keep on blogging.
5 Mark // Nov 4, 2005 at 7:11 pm
Thanks everyone for the advice! And welcome Jennifer; no need to lurk though.
I have decided to keep one blog for now. For the reasons you all gave and a few of my own, which you’ve probably read here already.
I think the 2 things that triggered this thinking, especially after my dissing J. Nielsen, is all those surveys I just did in a row and the fact that I had given my “business” card with my blog URL on it to a prof I respect at the conference last weekend.
I used to really despise all of those silly surveys and then I found a few that were so wrong that I found them humorous. Then I discovered that some people I like and respect really enjoy them so I did a few more.
So, I guess I need to find a balance of the “silly” and the rest of what I’m happy to show of me along with the LIS stuff.
Again, thank you all for the positive comments and letting me know that you like finding “me” here besides the LIS stuff!
Cheers!