Thoughts After A Year of Blogging
Apparently most bloggers quit within a year.Today marks the one-year anniversary of the day I started this site. To celebrate passing that hump and 69 published posts, here are some thoughts to update my initial first Introduction post. And so you're not drowning in text, I'm interspersing photos I took of some beautiful locations in my neighborhood.
To begin writing I picked a date I would easily remember, in this case, my late father's birthday. Doing something positive on an otherwise sad day always helps balance things for me, and I know he would have enjoyed this site.
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| The Colorado Bridge - Pasadena, CA |
Looking back from this point, I tried to assess how things evolved and what followed the 'plan'. Reading back through my first post coupled with the light traffic analysis I do (to figure out what people like to read), it's interesting to see how my interests aligned, or didn't, with what readers like.
This blog is more of a 'lifestyle' blog with food as the focus. The surprise was that it began with an intention to document my mother's authentic recipes, and evolved more into sharing my foodie experiences - not many restaurant reviews, but experiences I enjoyed.
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| Colorado Bridge - Pasadena, CA |
With our 'day' jobs, it's been more challenging than I thought. And I might rethink this as a more cohesive body of work that I slowly make progress on but compile together. It doesn't lend itself to quick blog posts. Rest assured, I am still working on it in the background and it will emerge when it's ready.
In the meantime, to get my feet wet, I might do a few quick and easy posts on cooking recipes or simple techniques.
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| The Colorado Bridge - Pasadena, CA |
Because of the home projects, time for other design work slips through the cracks for now.Working on the always-in-progress house projects takes up most of my free (i.e. non-work) time and because I'm so immersed in it, I decided not to extend that time by writing more about it. Okay, so I'm a Libra and obsessed with balance.
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| Old water tank in the fog - South Pasadena, CA |
This past weekend, a longtime friend was visiting from Canada. We have been in touch over the years but had not seen each other for 20+ years. He's been to L.A. several times and didn't need to sight-see. Being a fellow foodie I struggled with choosing the perfect culinary experiences.
Eventually I realized that the the focus of our time together was catching up and having fun. So instead we went to places that were new to both of us and took the gamble. I struck out to some extent on meal picks, but that is not what each of us will remember about the visit, I'm sure.
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| Palm trees in the fog - South Pasadena, CA |
Writing and photography serve as great creative outlets and I don't want to pressure or limit myself into finding a 'voice'. I'd like to keep exploring what inspires me to write about, letting the voice develop over time. Like with my friend, let's explore new things together.
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| Trees in the fog - South Pasadena, CA |
As the aforementioned long time friend I actually appreciated sharing two totally new experiences with you. You may never return to either place but as you drive by you'll always remember who you ate there with.
A great meal needs to be put into perspective too. The food and experience is always better depending on the company you share it with.
Steve, very very true.
I didn't mention these places by name because I probably would not return and didn't feel the need to discourage others from trying it out themselves.
But I still look at them as great times and great experiences spent with you!
Thanks for reading.
Awesome pictures of the bridge ! I passed it so many times but never saw the beauty till I saw your photographs .. The street is so peaceful with the morning mist. Simply love it !
Yes, it's always rewarding to enjoy the sites we encounter on a daily basis. My Thanksgiving post shares more images very familiar to me, but still cherished.