Tags
What? I’ve done fifty posts? Like, this is an actual blog? What?
Okay, so maybe I should be so surprised. Once I got my groove, got over my inhibitions, and just ran with it, it actually wasn’t hard to get at least three posts a week. It took a bit, I had to find my way within the niche I’ve created for myself, and I’m still trying to figure out exactly what this blog is, but it’s been a great ride and I want to keep going, which is a good thing.
As this is a 50th post, I think I need to do something to commemorate it. I think, after 50 blog posts, I’ve learned a few things about myself and about blogging. So, without further ado:
What the last 50 posts have taught me:
1. I still have trouble focusing on one thing. When I started the blog, I included three different topic areas into one blog because I wanted to be a unique perspective. Preacher who drinks beer and cooks better more exceptionally over as good (if not better) than his wife? What kind of amazing setup is that? I’ve learned, though, that having the different things to put up gives me a wider variety of possibilities, reducing my inevitable writers block. I even made sure there was a category that is completely irrelevant to everything else I have just in case I have something “awesome” I “need” to put up and it doesn’t fit into any category.
2. I’m not nearly as awesome at this as I want to be. Don’t take this as a negative. It’s a work in progress. My beer reviews are okay but they need work, and my palate needs improving. My Sin Series is getting better as I approach tougher topics, but they aren’t to the level of an actual author. My cooking is good – that never was in question – but my visual presentation, both in actual appearance and photo quality needs work. I’m in need of growth, and that’s a good thing.
3. I still have no idea how to drive traffic. Wanna help me?
4. Hearing myself preach makes me feel gross. Ever had bugs crawl on you? I’d rather have that than hear myself preach. It makes my skin crawl and I want to curl up in a ball and cry.
5. Writing is good for me. You want to know how amazing it feels to actually be writing daily, and having someone – anyone – read it? Imagine a relaxing massage, a cup of espresso, and [CENSORED] all wrapped into one. It doesn’t replace those things – at all – but it feels awesome to actually be doing this and actually getting a little bit of traction.
6. Strangers reading your work and liking it is an odd feeling. I love it – and I long for it – but it is so weird to put something out into the universe when you have serious confidence issues and to have the universe send it back to you with at least one stamp of approval that you can’t explain away by saying they have to like it. The internet is vicious (Reddit, anyone?) and to have people follow me, like my posts, and even comment occasionally is so odd – and awesome!
7. I am not a web designer. I don’t think I have any understanding of color-theory, either.
8. I think this was a subconscious excuse to buy expensive beer. Do I really need to explain this one?
9. Beer really is great. I’m not even going to talk about the enjoyment I get out of drinking it. There is a certain wonder that I see when I look at what craft breweries are doing. Even in visiting a larger brewery like Lakefront, I can see a love for the craft there that I don’t see in a lot of other industries. Even in ministry, there are things and times when we forget the crafts of our trade and forget the love we have for them and we just let them slide. If nothing else, I find craft beer to be inspiring for my preachings; it is my craft, my art, and I should be putting as much care into it as the craft breweries put into their beer.
10. I enjoy this, and I want others to join me. I know the blogging revolution is long past, but I think there is something to putting your thoughts out into the internet and letting the world see them. If I could create a community of bloggers on one website – or join such a community – I would consider myself successful. As with most bloggers, my goal is to eventually be able to monetize so I can not feel quite so bad about blogging when other work is calling me, but I think I would get more fulfillment from creating a community where ideas can be shared and discussed.
—
So what about post 100? I think my goal is to have a guest post for post 100. I really don’t want to be autonomous; I love community, I think it is the call of scripture, and I don’t want this part of my life and career to be separate from that.
So, if you have a blog, want to start blogging, or just want to contribute something, I’m looking for contributors (and I would love to contribute to your works, too). Send me an e-mail if you are interested and we’ll chat. And keep on reading what I put up here; even if it doesn’t go anywhere but the 30 or so people of follow me, it’s still good.
To realized goals and new adventures!
– Robby