My blog is a desperate cry for attention. It’s a daily chronicle of my current obsessions, rife with hyperbole and pandering to the objects of my affection.
I tend to rant a lot about indie music, and consider it a life’s calling to spread the gospel of Canadian music, which means that I go to a lot more concerts on a school night than is advisable. But despite my chronically sleep-deprived state, this blog is not all concert reviews and scenester sightings, festival reports and musician encounters, theatre analyses and pimping for the arts community. Sometimes I even write about my cat.
In my day job I work in medical research. By night, I shed my mild-mannered lab manager persona and pretend that I actually have a life.
Essentially, I like to hear myself talk, which is what got me started blogging in the first place. And then a weird thing happened – people responded. Naturally this created a monster.
Now that I’ve got a small loyal group of readers in my firm but benevolent grasp, I feel as though I have license to regale them with tales of all the concerts they missed, all the cds they should have bought, and all the plays I should have dragged them to.
One day they will rise up and kill me.
I’ve been at this site since July 2005. Nations have risen and fallen, as have hemlines, but surprisingly I am still here.
It varies, but I average about 90 visitors per day. Surprisingly not all that many of them are searching for porn. I do have a close group of loyal blog friends whom I visit daily and who visit me regularly.
Are you kidding? It costs me money to blog! Why, just last week I spent $10 to upgrade a file-sharing service. Big bucks are spent to make my blog look as fabulous as it does.
Actually, that’s not quite true; I did get free theatre tickets all last winter in exchange for reviewing plays on my blog. But then I bought season’s tickets this year, so I guess I broke even on that one.
Zombies may feel comfortable coming around to my blog, where they can just be themselves and not worry about being judged by the snobby living. The same goes for bad-tempered people of all kinds, living or undead.
Anyone with an interest in reading concert, theatre, and new music reviews, and possibly listening to me rant about perfume abusers or strange encounters at the hairdresser, would be more than welcome to hang out at my place. I don’t usually have any pie to offer, but I do serve up some tasty samples of music that I happen to be obsessing over.
Probably far more than is healthy. I generally post daily, and, while I can bang out a post fairly quickly, I do spend a lot of time answering comments and of course visiting and commenting on the blogs of others. You know, socializing.
I would guess that I spend a least two hours a day blogging.
I am amazed that anybody does, to tell you the truth, as I am not really as nice as people think I am. But most of the people who do regularly drop by my blog are smart, kind, and dead funny. So that more than makes up for my shortcomings.
Besides, I hardly ever post pictures of my cat.
I guess it depends on what is meant by blog success. For me a successful blog is like a kitchen table, where everybody feels welcome to drop by for a while and shoot the shit. It’s a sociable place. How does that happen? Reciprocate. Respond to every comment and make a point of visiting everybody who visits you. Always comment, unless you are totally flummoxed by the person’s post. Even then, say something smart-assed, at least.
Try to offer your readers a fresh perspective, something that they are not going to be able to read elsewhere.
And be funny, damn it!
This blog can be visited at http://badtemperedzombie.blogspot.com/
This blog is highly addictive. And it’s sort of like Cheers or Central Perk…all the cool kids hang out there (and they let me stay for some reason).
Barb has a finger on the pulse of all things cutting edge and new . She has a quick wit and is funny as hell…anyone looking to put a smile on their face should stop by and say hello. And I bet you’ll be back for a second go.
Thanks, Deb! It’s people like you coming to visit that make this blog. Seriously, any pretentions to coolness are all strictly due to the quality people who are kind enough to drop by.
You’re one of the most entertaining reads out there Barb and I don’t even admit to being a zombie in polite company. Keep up the excellent work. People think I’m a lot nicer than I am too even though I constantly snark. Fools, fools I tell you!
One day they will be sorry, Dale. One day you won’t care that the world knows that you are really a not-so-nice zombie. I can hardly wait!
I remember I started reading your blog when you were nominated for a Blogger award and fell immediately in love. But don’t tell anyone.
If I win the $25, I will post naked pictures. Of Dale. And Splotchy. Together.
I cannot compete with that, Beckeye. I am going to pull a Justin Trudeau here (which will mean absolutely nothing to you if you haven’t been following Canada Reads over the years) and I’m putting my vote behind you. Because that is something that everybody wants.
Splotchy said that he was wearing a flesh coloured body stocking but if I win, I’ll tell you the whole story from start to finish.
Barbara was one of the first people to check out (and keep visiting) my own blog and that makes her tops in my books! It’s amazing really that with all of her loyal readers she still has time to go exploring for other blogs to read.
Since then, though she claims to not be nice, I’ve even recieved a Christmas card and a personalized CD with some kickass music from her. Her blog is intelligent, funny, full of great music recommendations and ocassional nudey pics of sexy celebrities. Okay, I made that last part up, but she can consider it a request.
And with all due respect to Dale and Splotchy, I mean real celebrities.
You and Beckeye just keep upping the ante in this contest, don’t you, Dale? If it’s a tie betwixt you and Beckeye, do we get the infamous pictures plus the behind the scenes story?
Did you hear that, John? That was the sound of my head exploding because it swelled up so big so fast. You’ve made me all verklempft now; you are the sweetest thing!
As per your request, if the nudey pics of Dale and Splotchy don’t do it for you, I shall consider it an honour to find suitable replacements for you.
Barbara, if you win, I insist you go out on a blogstar world tour and regale us all in person, we love you long time. John’s right, we need real celebrities.
I think we should all go on tour together, Dale. As far as I am concerned, I’m just a barbie girl living in a barbie world and you are a blogger superstar. But I want to hang on your coat tails. Do you wear coat tails btw?
I think I’ll have whatever you’re having Barbara! I only wear coat tails never.
You don’t need them, Dale. You are beyond classy, even in with those sweatpants you usually wear.
Barb’s my idol.
That’s so funny, Beth, because you are my idol! It’s a mutual idolation society.
Time for a love in or a key party or let’s at least share our meds.
Votingly yours,
Dale
Bless you for aways looking out for us commoners, Dale. Key party it is! I’m heading over to throw my hat into your ring as well. You are as strong as a loonie these days!
Wait…Beth said she wants to be me when she grows up, yet YOU’RE her idol? What’s going on here?? And why am I not winning?
What do you mean you’re not winning, BeckEye? You’re beating me, aren’t you? How is that not winning?
I got to this voting party late its seems.
Barbara was the first commenting visitor to my blog, although she probably doesn’t remember it, and since we have joined a few of group blogs together, which have been fun but the most fun has been with their eventual demise. Sounds bad, but really it just means Barbara has the knack for the graceful exit and her clever wit will keep you entertained indefinitely. Plus, she also writes the most amazing concert and film reviews. The past few years I was certain I attended the Calgary Folk Festival.
Barbara is the finest man who ever lived. That didn’t come out right. We love Barbara!
I was your first, Al? I never knew that, but I certainly remember the first time I visited your blog, thinking now there’s a blog I can get behind. It was a blast quitting blogs together, weren’t it? Let’s join another one so we can quit again!
And you are making me blush with all these nice things you are saying. Tell me more.
It’s funny that you should assume I am not a man, Dale. I love the internet. And Dale.
Gee, our scores combined barely tie Dale. I guess we suck! But at least we suck together.
There is solidarity in our mutual suckage, Beckeye. I feel like you’re my sista.
At least you two still have dignity and pride, I’m shameless and sad.
We like you shameless and sad, Dale, you’re sexier that way.
I care!
Hmm, you don’t have any thumbs down votes yet. I got one right off the bat. I bet it was that hag, Ann Coulter.
It’s your turn this month, Beckeye! That Coulter bitch isn’t going to keep you down.
Don’t you find it interesting that the #1 blog so far this month has 85 + votes and it’s the 3rd of October? I suspect foul play. We need to get behind you, Beckeye and possibly Tanya.
Or is it possible that her friends just love her more (and have access to many many computers)?
Hmm. I think you may be onto something, Dale…98 votes and it’s only the 3rd of October? Ann Coulter is behind this, I’m sure of it.
Or maybe what Barbara said.