It is fascinating what elicits comments. Some entries I read (and write) receive no comments, while little blurbs or impromptu thoughts of no importance can release a torrent of comments. Blog-land is a source of mystery and surprise.
The Board of Directors Here at Spo-Reflections is forever counting beans (and splitting hairs) about what type of entries brings in comments. They recently gave me a report on the subject; a tiresome booklet without pictures and there was not an exciting page in it. But I can not deny there are ‘blogger bombs’; topics that consistently meet with polite silence:
Poetry.
Newer Spo-fans don’t remember I used to post poems. Only a few people would leave comments (and some of them I dare say are just being polite). Too bad, for I rather liked the poems. I’ve fancied publishing a “Spo Poems” compilation but TBDHSPR won’t have it.
Random Thoughts.
Perhaps they are too tangential; perhaps they are uninteresting. Perhaps my Random Thoughts Cheerleader is a turn off. Whatever: these entries get little reaction.
Shirts
The Board politely requests I quit posting shirts on the grounds I’ve made dozens of them and no one wants to see another and how will be ever advertising and the photos aren’t very good anyway.
I am in the process of writing a firm but polite rebuttal to The Board that this is my blog dammit and I can post all the poetry, shirts, and random thoughts I wish. The point of blogging is my artistic expression, and not to rake in the chips. This won’t go over well. No doubt the cacophony at the next board meeting will resemble an orchestra of scorched cats. But I will stand my ground.
And if push comes to shove, I will don my most hideous Spo-shirt and recite Vogon poetry.
19 comments
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July 25, 2012 at 8:34 PM
Jay
Go for it! Do what you want. Sing some Grand Opera for us…hmmmm.
July 25, 2012 at 8:36 PM
Aunt Barb
Whatever! My comments receive no feedback either
July 25, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Erik Rubright
I prefer the poetry of Paula Nancy Millstone Jennings over that of the Vogon. But no one recites me poetry anyway. Ooo… idea: YOU should do video posts of you reciting poetry in your Spo-Shirts of Awesomeness while interjecting the odd random though.
July 27, 2012 at 9:07 AM
Jim
…while dropping trou
July 25, 2012 at 9:24 PM
Old Lurker
I enjoy your random thoughts, and your shirts. I don’t think I am enough of a Spo-fan to remember the poetry posts.
If you wanted lots of comments you would be listening to the Skanks, not the Board of Directors.
July 25, 2012 at 10:35 PM
anne marie in philly
do what you feel and feel what you do!
July 26, 2012 at 2:43 AM
Buddy Bear
I love seeing pics of you in the Spo-shirts, although I admit, it’s the man who is filling them out that’s of most interest to me. I could do without poetry but the “Random Thoughts” often make me laugh out loud. I think it’s their randomness, the A.D.D. nature of them, which I love best.
Now, to the tune of “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to”, how about a video post of you singing, “It’s my blog and I’ll write what I want to?”
July 26, 2012 at 2:51 AM
Cubby
I learned this lesson in blogging: posts that are too serious or long or both (worst!) repel readers, and if people are not reading, they’re not commenting. If you want a lot of comments, post chest pics of yourself. That never fails, and you know I’m right.
Guessing games always seem to do well for comments. Here’s a suggestion for a game, Spo… Pick an area of skin on your body and take a close-up pic (make sure it’s in focus), then crop and post it and let us guess from which part of your body it came.
No one is tired of your beautiful shirts. They are like works of art. I love my Spo-shirt like none other. In fact, I’m wearing it this weekend to my first social gathering among my co-workers at my new job. I can’t wait to tell them all about the shirt and its worldwide travels.
July 26, 2012 at 5:14 AM
Rick
I think a weekly post of “Spo reads poetry in the nude” would be most popular among your readers.
July 26, 2012 at 5:41 AM
Daryl
I don’t always comment but lurk and wait for a new post. I enjoy all that you write! Keep up the good work!
July 26, 2012 at 7:52 AM
Mark
It’s the big words that turn me off. wink!
m.
July 26, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Cameron
I counted the comments on your last ten posts (including this one) and it’s as follows: 10, 13, 12, 15, 17, 17, 20, 21, 13 and 18.
That seems pretty consistent to me. Getting a minimum of 10 comments ain’t bad!
I’ve noticed that blogs are sometimes used for “thinking out loud”. People tend to not comment about these ruminations, but it seems important for blog authors to share them anyway.
Blogs are like life. Sometimes people don’t respond to the things we say. But that doesn’t mean they ignore them.
July 26, 2012 at 2:15 PM
jason
I love poems! There, I admit it.
July 27, 2012 at 12:05 AM
Raybeard
Jason, above, has beaten me to it! Here’s another poetry-lover. In fact, the first thing I read EVERY morning is six poems – three from one of my several anthologies, and three from the works of a particular poet, currently W.W.’s ‘Leaves of Grass’ – and I’ve done this since my mid-20s.
So, you can be sure, Dr Spo, that if you do post further poems as I hope you will, they’ll be read by at least two (three with Erik) of us.
July 27, 2012 at 12:43 AM
Tai
You can post pants on the ground instead
July 27, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Mitchell Block
Well, I think you should write and post about whatever you feel like writing and posting about. It’s not all about the comments. Sometimes I don’t comment on blogs I follow simply because I don’t have anything to say. I love poetry blogs, but never really know how to comment. “Beautiful,” “Fascinating,” and “Well-said,” get old! And, I enjoy reading your Random Thoughts, and everything else. Write for yourself and enjoy the response… when you get one.
July 31, 2012 at 8:01 AM
Ron
Now you sound like me. “It’s my blog and I’ll post whatever I want to!” Having said that, I’m no fan of poetry (much to the frustration of my good friend Larry who insists on posting his poetry almost exclusively to his blog and wonders why I don’t read it…..ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Emily Dickinson he ain’t. I do love our rambles though. And I can never get enough of your shirt postings. and your videos are always a special treat. They remind me of my “Mr. Rogers” days of guiltily watching TV when I knew it was a children’s program but watching him doing mundane things just made me feel good. You make me feel good Dr. Spo. Never stop blogging, even the poetry.
July 31, 2012 at 8:04 AM
Urspo
Did you know the fellow who played Mr. Rodgers was a Navy Seal, and h/o killing men in hand to hand combat? Awesome!
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July 31, 2012 at 8:01 AM
Ron
“YOUR” rambles that is.