A Virgin No More

It would seem I’ve been put on the hit list for this “Chain Mail Meme” by my friend Sky Windows. It’s just called “chain mail” but not like the kind I’m used to seeing (chain letters). It doesn’t promise me good fortune, good luck, wealth, or anything like that. Nor does it threaten misfortune, bad luck, or the death of a pet if I don’t follow through.

Perhaps the original author should have come up with another name like “5 blog Q&A’s”. It didn’t even specify how many people to send it on to. I swam back up stream to see what others did, and three seems to be the favored number. I will take this into consideration.

I’m sorry if I’m being critical, but this is my first meme, and I’m nervous. That’s right, my first one. I was a meme virgin until now. Forgive me if I’m a little scared and ramble on about nothing. Well, I guess I better get on with this:

1. How long have you been blogging?

• My first post was published on October 29th, 2007.

2. What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?

• I had just reunited with a friend from high school who was MIA for just shy of 20 years. I ran into her profile on a popular networking site and had to say hi. On her profile page was also the address to her blog. She started her blog in response to her daughter being diagnosed with cancer, and dedicates the blog to her. I started reading it, found it educational, entertaining, and fun. It was my first encounter with a blog. It occurred to me that having a blog of my own could be fun and entertaining, so I started my own.

• I guess Sky Windows is my mentor. When I have questions she’s the one I ask. Other than her all of my other influences have come from four other blogs I read on a regular basis.

3. Are you trying to make money online, or just doing it for fun?

• I’ve only been in it for the fun so far, but making money would be pretty cool too.

4. What 3 things do you love about being online?

• The connections I can make with people. Reuniting with old friends, keeping in touch with friends and family, seeing how much I have in common with someone on the other side of the world, or how little I have in common with someone right next door. In the real world I’m a bit of a recluse.

• There’s always something new to read or watch. Every time I get on it’s a new adventure. The whole world is at my fingertips.

• Being able to put a little of myself out there for the world to see. I’m finding my voice here, and amazingly it can be heard around the world.

5. What 3 things do you struggle with online?

• Online I do alright, it’s the getting online that can be a challenge. Just yesterday I lost my regular computer to the blue screen of death.

• Normally my only problem is getting a connection and keeping it. I travel all over the United States as a truck driver, and when I get connected to the internet it’s spotty at best.

• Once online the only trouble I run into is maybe finding my way back to something I wasn’t smart enough to bookmark the first time. I hate finding a nugget, only to have it slip through my fingers.

My turn to interview some folks. Let’s see, how about:

Brahnamin @ Juggling Cats

Red @ Dr Pepper Is Good 4 The Soul

Abarclay12 @ The Leaky Brain

And

Romi41 @ Year Of The Chick

The four listed above are my other mentors, but until now I don’t think any of them even knew I existed. I spent the last three months getting comfortable with my blog. I’ve made few to no comments on other peoples blogs, and none of the above blogs. I’ve only lurked in the shadows, watching, waiting, and now the time has come. Thank you Sky Windows for coaxing me out of my shell with this meme.