Nothing says happy Veteran's Day like going to Hometown Buffet to celebrate your Mexican mother-in-law's birthday. Right? Well, that's what we did last night. My mother-in-law wanted to go there because she thinks Diego likes it, which is nice. But I can tell how much she and my father-in-law hate it. I don't love it, but I must admit I like their greasy fried chicken and their macaroni and cheese. Plus (shhhhh, don't tell) I ate some shrimp there. I know, I know, I know, it goes against my fishvorce, but once in a while it's nice to slip in a meaningless one-nighter now and then. IF it involves cocktail sauce. Which I love. I adore cocktail sauce.
I also enjoy A-1. But now that I haven't eaten red meat for almost a year now, I don't have it much, although I have put it on grilled chicken.
What condiments do you like?
All right, all right. FINE. I will talk about it. The elephant in the room. The one that I said I would never discuss because it annoyed me so much when others would blog about it. Here I am trying to fill space with condiment prattle, but the truth is, I have lost my blog mojo. It used to be such a vital part of my day. I would spend the day thinking about upcoming posts. I would create things to post about. I loved it so much because The Jason Show was a marvelous place for me to channel my creative energy. Lately, though,
I also enjoy A-1. But now that I haven't eaten red meat for almost a year now, I don't have it much, although I have put it on grilled chicken.
What condiments do you like?
All right, all right. FINE. I will talk about it. The elephant in the room. The one that I said I would never discuss because it annoyed me so much when others would blog about it. Here I am trying to fill space with condiment prattle, but the truth is, I have lost my blog mojo. It used to be such a vital part of my day. I would spend the day thinking about upcoming posts. I would create things to post about. I loved it so much because The Jason Show was a marvelous place for me to channel my creative energy. Lately, though,
every time I open up Blogger to post something, I stare at the blank screen and then just say to myself,
"Ahhh, I just don't feel like it." Part of the reason is that one of the biggest things I want to write about, I can't write about. The other problem is, I'll admit, I've fallen into some of the mind numbing Facebook games, and even moreso, Words With Friends. I won't call that game mind numbing, but it certainly is an excellent distraction!
Do all blogs just run their course? Is that why so many people I have known through their past blogs are no longer doing it? Many of my very favorites have fallen by the wayside. Which, of course, is fine, but The Jason Show has been such an important part of me over the years that I would hate to see it end.
Bossy still pumps out posts. I'm sure The Pioneer Woman does, too. Not that I'm trying to equate myself to either of them. And chances are if you're reading this, you still post things regularly as well. And thanks for sticking with me. You know who you are.
Maybe I just need to take it into another direction.
What do you think?
"Ahhh, I just don't feel like it." Part of the reason is that one of the biggest things I want to write about, I can't write about. The other problem is, I'll admit, I've fallen into some of the mind numbing Facebook games, and even moreso, Words With Friends. I won't call that game mind numbing, but it certainly is an excellent distraction!
Do all blogs just run their course? Is that why so many people I have known through their past blogs are no longer doing it? Many of my very favorites have fallen by the wayside. Which, of course, is fine, but The Jason Show has been such an important part of me over the years that I would hate to see it end.
Bossy still pumps out posts. I'm sure The Pioneer Woman does, too. Not that I'm trying to equate myself to either of them. And chances are if you're reading this, you still post things regularly as well. And thanks for sticking with me. You know who you are.
Maybe I just need to take it into another direction.
What do you think?
28 comments:
I've lost my mojo too. I keep waiting for it to come back. For me, part of it is feeling like I can't blog about the things I want to due to the fact that everyone now knows who I am. Also, my photography has really, really, taken off and that leaves me less time and energy. I am, however, doing a blog redesign right now. (If my web designer EVER finishes ... I thought it would be done in September.) I'm hoping the mojo comes back .... I think I'll kind of slide thru the end of the year and then try to get re-motivated for the new year. xo
I think it's just natural for the blog mojo to ebb and flow. I don't understand the pressure to post often. Just post when you feel like it and don't when you don't. :)
Oh yes, and just smelling A1 makes my mouth water.
First of all, you can't leave me. I've already been missing you so much, I don't think I could handle it if you were gone for good. :(
Second of all, on the days you don't feel like writing, you could always just post cute pictures of Diego, since who doesn't want to see that?
I get you, though. This past year or so, I find myself censoring a LOT of what I write, or more accurately, WANT to write. In the 4 years since I've been writing my blog, I actually feel like I've gotten to really know my bloggy buddies, and on some weird level, I think of them as truly my friends. Because of that, I find myself keeping things to myself, just like I do with my IRL friends. Back when I first starting writing, and nobody knew me, and I didn't "know" you guys, I didn't give a rat's ass what anyone who read my blog thought of me. Now that my "friends" read my blog, I'm afraid of what they think of me, and/or how they'll judge the things I write about. I guess that probably sounds kinda silly, huh? Maybe if I could just get past this, I could finally write The Post.
First of all, Jason, I *love* your blog. I love your sense of humor, your students, you. I check it every day, and love it when you post. Secondly, I understand not blogging. my daughter (Whatever Katy) has stopped posting, pretty much, because she is now student teaching (7th grade,) is working on her masters and has no time. She has a busy life. So. Know you'll be missed...and I'll keep checking...just in case you find your bloggy mojo.
For some reason, it is energy draining to not be able to say the things you want to say. I know that one well.
I hope you keep blogging.
I agree with the others who say that it ebbs and flows. Some imporant things need to be private for important reasons. I think it's just a conversation with friends...no expectations, just joy when it happens. But I hope you won't close up shop, Jason. I love your perspective and I enjoy reading your thoughts. Just take it as it comes, and we will check on you now and then - no pressure, just "unconditional positive regard!"
Don't give up! We'd miss you. But it is hard to censor yourself...I omit a lot of private stuff from my blog because I just don't want to air my dirty laundry in public. Not that it's very dirty. Just a little dingy perhaps.
Worcestershire Sauce! My secret ingredient for stew and meatloaf.
For me, the best thing blogging did was hook me up. With you. And our other spouses. And some really great people who we haven't married. Yet.
That's all I have to say about that.
ILY. AAL.
Jason, when my blog first came Out(when I made it public), you were one of the first bloggers to find and visit me. So when I think about the blogworld, I think of you. And sometimes when I write, I think to myself, "Would this make Jason laugh, or blush"?
Over the years, I've taken breaks and just recently, I've taken a three week one that I really needed. What keeps me writing is that I promised to keep a journal of the kids growing up.
I have no advice for you on how to get your mojo back. Although, I bet, if I go back and look for when I was losing mine, you probably gave me great advice.
"Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again"
Your Friend, m.
I too have been in a blog funk, not quite sure what direction to take. Welcome to the club.
You MUST keep blogging.
MUST.
I LOVE YOU although mojo is not one of my favorite words. It annoys me like rubbing my 'fur' the wrong way. ;)
I don't want to be a weirdo. Since I'm still writing every single day.
And in an apparent, last ditch effort to get me to say things differently, the word recognitions is 'amend'
You have said what I've been feeling as well--my solution has been to post less frequently.
I can't bear to let go of all the friends I've made through blogging and I every once in a while something comes up that sparks a post. So I keep plugging away.
That is when I'm not making a move against you in Words.
I hate buffets.
I dislike most condiments.
I love words with friends.
I often think of dropping the blog....mostly because so many other people have. But then again, that would make me a quitter.
YOU are not a quitter. So don't quit. I would miss you terribly.
Of course it's normal to feel like your blog has run its course. We've all been there. And it's normal to hit it more than once. Don't worry! People will still be here. That's the best part about following/Google Reader! Once you post, people see it and come back! :)
Besides, you're walking in the 3-day next weekend! Training, baby!!
And let's face it...PW and Bossy are making $$ off their blogs. They can post about the classic argument of TP going over or under the roll and 1000's of people will read it and comment.
I'm not going anywhere...and you better not be either. :)
Ebb and flow, my friend. You can't quit cause you made me do it. And although I'm down to about 1 post a week and usually only about my kids...I love looking back on it. It has become the only thing I do for myself.
I have no advice, having lost my mojo too! I don't think that I've given it up, yet.
Considering the reason I started blogging, (bad things), it might be a good thing that I don't feel so tied to it anymore. I don't know. It's still important to me, as well as the connections that I made along the way!!
Life is a journey.
For me, the energy that I focused for my blog is no longer there.
My purpose was to have an outlet for expression & creative writing. I found that over time whenever my life energy was low or needed to be refocused, creative outlets were the first things to go.
Which sounds silly, doesn't it? Especially if one is creative and recharges one's energy through the creative process.
The thing to remember is for you to be in charge of your blog and not vice versa.
Don't stop...ultimately this blog is for you and you deserve it. The personal growth one experiences through journaling is worth a dry spot here and there.
I love Facebook AND ESPECIALLY WORDS WITH FRIENDS!!! Is there a way to give out our real names and be FB friends? Because I would love to whoop your CA butt in a good game. ( :
I feel like I have no real authority to make a comment since we have never met, but your blog is the only one that I have stuck with over time. We've never met and some of my friends thinkthat it is creepy to read about someone else's life that you don't know, however, I really enjoy your stories and feel that at times, you have helped me understand and grow a bit on certain issues. You have a wonderful talent in writing and I would be disappointed if you gave it up forever. I check each afternoon when I get home from work, hoping for some new story. No matter your decision, I wish you the best in the future.
Do what works for you. I've lost my mojo as well, haven't posted in over a month and it has been exceptionally sporadic before that.
I would hate to see you go...and would love a rare post instead of no posts, definitely!
<3
I'm with you - the blogging mojo ebbs and flows and seems to be ebbing more than flowing lately. I've been mentally wrestling with the issue of self-censorship - how much to reveal, how much to keep private. Sometimes that just stifles any creativity.
But please don't stop blogging, Jason!!
I've only been to a Hometown Buffet once - while on a road trip with two ten year old boys. I thought they'd like it, as I was being nostalgic about the good old Southern buffet-style cafeterias I remember from the past. But as it turned out, neither the boys or I enjoyed Hometown - very bland and gross.
I think I need to go back downtown to Clifton's for a taste of the nostalgic cafeteria.
Condiments? I am a mustard fiend. There are usually at least half a dozen different mustards in my fridge.
Mustard is my favourite condiment!
Now what could you do?! I too have been thinking about taking my blog in a different direction. I think blogs reflect what is happening to and in the lives of it's creator. Jason, I think you have 'outgrown' your present blog and feel it is no longer relevant to your needs to do so.
May I suggest you take it in another direction or 'let it go' completely.
Whatever you decide Jason, I wish you the best in whatever you do.
Jim
I am so with you...but for a way longer time than you. I can't tell you how many times I have opened up blogger just to blankly stare at blankness...and I used to think in blogger. I used to walk through the store narrating my latest blog about the store to myself and stoked to finally get it down on paper. I feel pathetic coming back after having not done it in so long...so it just sits there. A desolate, once thriving community. Now, a wasteland.
Me too. Also - I'm Jewish and therefore my favorite condiment is ketchup.
So I recently hinted that I might not be blogging so much anymore and THREE PEOPLE commented, which I took as an indication that maybe I had truly and yes-indeedy lost my mojo. I always wonder if I should just shut 'er down - but as long as there's even a remote possibility that Rick Perry could become president I have a moral obligation to poke fun for the reading pleasure of my 2 dedicated readers (HI MARK AND AMI). I also find that the fact that everyone and his dog now has a blog makes me less excited about blogging - kind of like I am now not as thrilled to death with my tattoos because everyone and his dog now has a lot of those, too! It is tough being a trendsetter. But I will miss you if you close up shop.
Return to your original goal - why did you begin in the first place?
I agree, it's normal for interest to fade and then come back again. I love reading your blog and I wonder what it is that you want to blog about - but can't.
Did you know that A1 has raisins as a main ingredient? Go figure!
Don't go, Jason. I for one would miss your stories terribly.
I echo what others have said...blogging mojo ebbs and flows. I, too, go through periods where I have nothing to blog about. Truly you have a large following, Jason, and even if you just post mindless blather for a few posts, that's okay. We love hearing about you and the big stuff as well as the mindless blather. I hope you stick with it. I'd miss you. *hugs*
We spend so much time doing required things we don't care for, why pressure ourselves to do optional things we don't care for?
If this isn't fun anymore, stop, or change the rules, or take a bloggy vacation and re-evaluate.
I love you and your stuff, but you don't owe me anything. :-)
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