Wednesday, May 25, 2005

benefits of blogging

I have blogged about this before but I would like to blog it again. I am glad I have discovered blogging for I am continuously benefitting from it. I am not a real writer and I have never written as thoroughly as I am doing after I discovered blogging. The only written document I've done before are letters to parents of my students, to superiors and occasionally to some friends. Oh yes, I have done some research papers but not the full-blodded academician that i should be, I only produced boring, up to par term papers. Had I started blogging then, I know I would have come up with something more decent.

But that's not all! Much to my surprise, I have befriended wonderful people for only a short span of blogging. Before I go deeper, I'd like to reiterate that my purpose in blogging was two-fold. First, to have an online journal, hence, it can be said that I am doing this for self-gratification only, and later on, to leave something behind for my children and theirs, so that they would know what I thought of, how I reacted in different situations and why my decisions at certain issues had been. Gaining friends was a wonderful fringe benefit, so to speak. I started out with my Soft Grumbles which was really a trial blog where I intended to put yet another of my experiments which was writing poetry. Not computer savvy as the average blogger, I had to find my way like a blind man using his stick to feel his way. Slowly reading the instructions at blogger, I learned, albeit with a lot of heartaches, how to add links inside and outside the text. I learned how to manipulate my template, and most of all, bloghop.

It was through bloghopping that I realized how inferior my writing was. I envied blog titles which were really catchy and captured the essence of their contents. I was voyeur of some sort as i read and read different blogs trying to find a pattern. And then I chanced upon Batjay's kwentong-tambay. I was so impressed at its uninhibited content, honest and down-to-earth that I literally checked out all the entries in its archives. After some time, feeling that the owner of the site was approachable, I dared myself to put a comment. And lo and behold, he responded! That emboldened me to put more comments on every entry until we were exchanging emails. AFter some time, he encouraged me to put up a teaching blog and Mga turo ni tito was born. He is the loving husband of the sweet Jet whose writing style is flawless. BTW, the two just celebrated their 14th year anniversary as a couple.

Next was the Sassy's house on a hill. Now, this was my model of what straight writing was all about. Just like what I did with Batjay's blog, I kept coming back to look for patterns on how to compose my thoughts into a cohesive, understandable text. Amd as before, I started out as a lurker, trying to get a feel of what the owner would be like. If you take a look at the archives in this blog, you will discover that I was not putting a link in my blog yet during the first few attempts that i tried commenting. I feared that Sassy might go to my site and realize how poorly written the contents in my site were.

Slowly, I learned how to kick my blog a notch higher and people started coming and leaving comments. I then discovered the sites of The Ca t and Doc Emer respectively. These two sites provided me with more models of writing. The Ca t was writing like Batjay's but in a different style of her own while Doc Emer was like Sassy's albeit this time, it was about medicine and health. By this time, I had already grown confident both in writing entries and commenting in other people's blogs.

From thereon, I have been continuously in touch with these guys. Not only were We putting comments on each other's site but we constantly exchanged emails that gave Doc Emer the idea of forming our own google group called the bloggingberks. This group finally decided it was time to put up a blog of our own and blogkada was born. From the original seven, we grew to a whopping thirty three that we decided to stop at that number or we would be having a hard time maintaining it. I have never seen a group that clicked that well. Members include food connoisseurs Ting and fellow rocker Zennor. There's the analytical Jardine Davies who could tackle any issue just like Sassy, who got me involved with pinoy poets, the blogkadahan twin towers and super models Mari and Ajay who did a very good review of my blog in manila Bulletin, voluptuous Mec who's about to tie the knot with a former student of mine, the beautiful TinTin from Fort Worth Texas, Durga from New Jersey, Cerridwen who lives in California, proud mother JMom also residing in the States, strong-willed Svelte Rouge, academicians Ruth, co-teacher Joyce, the cute Ate Sienna owner of Pansitan and designer of my template, beautiful MrsPi, petite tanya, irresistably beautiful and kind Toni, proud mother Sachiko who lives in Japan, sweet Kiwi Pinay from where else but New Zealand? and the youngest of them all, bunsoy Karla.

Not to be outdone are master story-teller Bong K, master computer manipulator, Polo, kind-hearted Watson, student activist Apol, and inspiringly handsome Tatang Rome.

36 comments:

batjay said...

great.

a positive blog about blogging and bloggers. this is a great entry - it made me proud to be a blogger again

thanks for the special mention tito rolly. and thanks for the anniversary greetings.

i will never forget the fact that you and your wife were the only people from the blogging community who visited me when i was in the hospital. that showed great character. from then on, i knew that you are a great person and a true friend.

poppycock said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
poppycock said...

blogging should not cease to be pleasurable, even a learning experience. and it is in blogs like these that you get to know more about people from outside of your own sphere, what makes them tick, and how they can possibly inspire you in their own way, and leave you all the more richer for it.

thanks tito rolly and keep blogging!

misispi

vonjobi said...

i started as a bloghopper and ended up becoming a blogger myself when i realized how easy it was. i hardly ever left comments at first--even to reply to comments on my blog--because i wasn't quite sure what to write. but after finally meeting other bloggers at iblog, i found the courage to expand my horizons and now i'm actually communicating even with bloggers who were not present or whom i did not meet at iblog... like tito rolly =)

BongK said...

had it not for blogging, i would have not met you guys...

am proud to be a blogger :-)

thank you Tito Rolly for continuously supporting all the bloggers around the world...

{illyria} said...

i think blogging has opened a lot of avenues for creativity and communication to people who would, otherwise, not give a rat's ass about art and online relationships. but you are right. blogging, in its truest essence, is a great tool for self-discovery and self-improvement. thanks for this great post, rolly.

ajay said...

Hi tito. Knowing you and the rest of the berks has been one of my greatest online accomplishments. You make me laugh also (not because katawa-tawa ka but because nakakatuwa ka, hehehe)

Mec said...

you were doing fine before you met all these otehr creative people...

your writing...your passion... werent inferior at all...

but i believe you'd share my sentiment that because of our blog friends... greatness (in any form) seems easier to achieve :)

rolly said...

batjay Thanks for all the help you unselfishlessly given me during my starting years.

Mayamaya said with a lot of wisdom.

vonjobi seems like we started the same way, inhibitions and all.

BongK And I'm glad I've met you, good neighbor!

transcience you always show a lot of class, girl. I'm glad I've chanced upon your blog. Your style of writing is next on my agenda. haha

Ajay I'm glad we have a contribution to your achievements.

Mec You rreally think so? That's nice to know.

santi said...

Hi Tito Rolly,

"Sorry sir for being absent for a very long time, I should have brought with me an excuse slip."

I am also one of those who wants to thank you for the inspiration and interesting thoughts, etc. that made blogging enjoyable.

I wish I could have more time to enjoy blogging again.

Nick Ballesteros said...

Tito Rolly! I remember you were the one who shouted out "Watson!" when we all met last December, and I immediately recognized you as well. You were all smiles, as if we have known each other for the longest time. I will never forget that. It feels great knowing you and the other bloggers!

Ate Sienna said...

This entry made me so much more proud to be a blogger! And i've been so much blessed to be your friend. Since we've started to know each other, you've begun to have a tender spot in my heart. Malakas ka lagi sa akin, Unkel TROY. :)

thank you for this entry.

cathy said...

titorolly,
dapat rolemodel ka ng mga titser. walang malice, walang masamang tinapay.

i salute you for that.

tintin said...

We do click well together don't we?!

Svelte Rogue said...

hmmm strong willed!! bwahahaha a very concise epitaph for when i die from the poet of blogkada. i'll work on being remembered as a teacher who loved life :)

and what can blogkada say about tito rolly? that he was a peace maker...

Romesez said...

Tito Rolly, such a concrete testimony of how grateful you are with the group. I share the feeling and I'm truly inspired by all of you. Never that I have seen a group or an organization with such a perfect recipe. BLOGKADAHAN, that is!

rolly said...

santi Haha, hanggang dito ba babasa pa rin ako ng excuse slip?

I'm glad I had been an inspiration to you. Just keep on bloging.

Watson I am happy that even that you would find that significant.Talagang little things mean a lot, no?

Ate Sienna I am the one who is proud to be your friend. I know how much you've contributed to the blogging world.

Cathy I have a very simple philosophy in life. "Man is basically good." Nasa akin na kung magiging masama siya sakin o hindi. If I show him/her kindness, chances are it shall be returned. If he/she doesn't, I go someplace else.

Yes, walang masamang tinapay sakin. Matakaw ako e. ehe!

Tintin Oh yes, we do.

Svelte Rogue Bakit naman was? hehe, I will always be working for peace. Pangit yung may war. Nakakatanda. hahaha

Romesez Yes, I am so greatful that I've met the group. That includes you, for your inspirational messages in your blog and the daily discussions we have.

Svelte Rogue said...

ay pasensya na, tito rols, i was not thinking when i wrote "was"... kasi topic ko sa previous lines ko was epitaph... so tinuloy ko lang yon, parang projection/imagination choo choo. marami pa akong di alam tungkol sa iyo pero dahil sa ibang tao, nasusulyapan ko kahit konti ang iyong pagkatao. :)

Jet said...

Wow Tito. That's what I would have found difficult to do... to find the right adjectives for each and everyone.

Thank you for the greeting. And most of all, thank you for the friendship. I will always be grateful for having known you.

rolly said...

Svelte hahaha I understand. Niloloko lang kita.

Jet No, I am the one who has to thank you and Batjay for your unending support and valuable friendship.

Apol said...

naalala ko nung nagcomment kayo don sa blog ni c at tungkol don sa mga demostrators ngayon. nagreact ako sa comment nyo kaya nag-email pa kayo sa akin thinking na naka-offend kayo. don pa lang alam ko na you are a true gentleman at sincere na tao.

natutuwa rin ako at nakilala ko kayo ;)

Jhun Billote said...

hello tito rolly...nice to read something about blogging again. bloggers have their own style in writing. But writing like manners can be learned in many ways, and by writing and reading a lot would greatly help in polishing th style.

Bloggers, in my opinion, also have their peak time in writing...there would be instances when you can't even think of anything to write.

what i really dislike, are those bloggers who don't even care replying on a comment... no reaction at all. For me, answering back is an appreciation, enabling dialogues. Un-answered comments seems like an attempt to control the conversation, not giving an upportunity to respond.

and i thank you tito rolly for your responses to the comments on your posts (not only for me but for the rest)...it shows great respect and recognition to each one who visits your site.

A blog really isn’t a blog without the interaction...best of luck!

ting-aling said...

I can appreciate what metal has said..oo nga naman, kung wala man lang response sa comment mo, parang wala kang kausap..one way process..

Pero on the other hand, minsan kasi metal, halos wala na ring panahon to pay back a blogger's visit eh. But I shall keep that in mind.

If said that way, magandang pakinggan ano?

ting-aling said...

Louisian yata yan, ano metal? Oooppsss, may stalker si metal.

rolly said...

Apol Naalala mo pa pala yun. Oo, hiyang-hiya ako nun kasi mukhang derailed nga yung comment ko sa post ni Cath. Medyo insensitive ang dating pero hindi naman sadya.

Metal As much as possible, I respond to my commenters for after all, they invested time to read and comment. I also visit the link provided by the commenter not to return a favor but to discover what kind of blog he/she keeps. We always learn from the interaction. There may have been instances when I fail to but that was not intentional. It's just that work gets in the way.

tingaling oo nga, e. Minsan din, natabunan na yung entry ng bago, nakalimutan mo ng meron ka pa nga palang hindi nasasagot, no?

JMom said...

So strange, that you mention following in the tracks of Batjay, Doc, and Sassy. You are among those whose tracks i followed. I started finding all your blogs starting with Sassy's, and yours was one of the more captivating ones. One thing I noticed was how down to earth you were, and I felt immediately comfortable leaving a message. Just like talking to an old friend :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi again Rolly - first things first so I won't forget. Am asking permission to link with your blog ha. Yan! I've come several times with that intention but each time I get entertained by your post, I always forget and I leave without asking.
The best thing about blogging is that we're able to learn a lot about other people - the blog owner, the commenters, etc. Kaya ako, I also think that the comments are worth reading (and answering). Half the fun is there, di ba?

rolly said...

JMom Well, we just have to start with something and this was how I did. I probably started earlier than you did.

Bugsybee Of course. I'd like that. Let's exchange links. Yes, I read all the comments and try to respond to them as much as possible.

SamanthaTirthdas said...

Hey Sir Rolly,
Sorry wasn't able to drop by in a while was just so busy lately. I barely even had time to update my own blog up until last week. But as you stated in your article, blogging can really hone one's writting skills. So here I am getting into the blog scene again hehehe :) Anyways, was just dropping by :)
-sam t.
P.S. Are you going to go back to teaching again this year sir?

rolly said...

Samantha So, you're blogging again! That's great. Ihave always urged your teammates to do the same.

No, I don't think I will be teaching again this year. The position they assigned me to is too hectic.

Singa Mama said...

awww! this makes me feel all the more lucky for being part of the berks, tito rolly, and having gotten to know you more ;)

Toni said...

This is great, Tito R. I'm glad to have met you. You are ultiamtely one of the very few sincere people I've met online. I'm a lucky lucky girl to have met a great teacher and a great friend in you.

Zarah C. Gagatiga said...

hi! makikiTITO na rin po ako.

tito rolly, nadalaw ko rin ang blog mo. nababasa ko ang mga comments mo sa blog ni dean alfar. at natutuwa po ako na isa kayong guro na nagboblog. natuklasan ko rin ang interview ninyo sa manila bulletin kaya bago ko po i-link iyon sa aking blog, humuhingi po ako ng paalam.

ito po ang URL ng aking mga blogs - http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com at http://sumatrawoman.blogspot.com

salamat po.

rolly said...

Ruth I'm even gladder because I've known you through the berks.

Toni You're making me blush, hehehe You are the one who's nice and kind.

Eruannie Sorry ngayon ko lang ikaw nasagot. I've been to your blog and read your entries. maganda. Dalawa na kilala kong librarian na nagba-blog. Keep it up.

No, I wouldn't mind you linking with me. That would be my pleasure. Thanks for asking.

Anonymous said...

SIR!?! kilala nyo p ba ko? lagu.

sobrang true ung sinasabi nyo. i have many blogs before but i never really wrote on it. ngyon k lang tlga na-feel magsulat at magloko-loko sa pagblo-blog.

visit me ha...
ilagunilla.blogspirit.com

Anonymous said...

Lagu Syempre naman no. Kamusta ka na? Sige puntahan kita sa site mo.