It is not often that I edit posts, I usually just log in and waffle on but I have rewritten this massive apology three times, I have explained and spelt it out and put up a pretty good argument in my own defence............ but all I really want to say is this.
I really really suck at the whole tags, awards and memes thing. I am sorry.
I mean , it is not that I don't appreciate them. If you have given me award I thank you.
I would have read it and probably got a bit embarrassed and then started to think about who to pass it on to. I would have started to worry about who to include and then worried even more about who leave out. I may have even jotted down a few people only to find out they had already received it last week.
I mean , is it like a birthday party invitation? you know.... like in grade three when the really mean girl who stood on your lunchbox invited you to her party and even though you pretended you were sick and didn't go, your mum still made you invite her to your party in return (not that any mean lunch-box squashers have tagged me of course- just nice bloggy people).
Do I just pass these things on to my real life bloggy friends so they feel obliged to join in?
Is it a huge bloggy faux pas not join in? Will I be struck off the giant nice-bloggers list and put on the naughty list? Will there be coal in my stocking this year because I am so hopeless? Do I appear like a Mrs Big Head if I don't play?
If this is a craft blog (and I use that term loosely) do people really want to know what I had for breakfast or what I was doing twenty years ago ? Could I remember what I was doing twenty years ago?) I can't remember what I did yesterday.
What was I doing twenty years ago?
Miss Eloise and I have been discussing this all morning, and I have to say things got a little heated. I am not proud to admit that I may have actually pointed out to her in a rather unpleasant tone that as she is actually Eloise NO-BLOG she couldn't possibly understand the extreme pressure and stress I am under, and as such had no right to comment !
So Miss Eloise yawned and went off to play with her sequins.....and you what?
When faced with those things bigger than ourselves, the existential thoughts, the big questions of life the universe and blogging, when all our problems seem insurmountable (after 6 nights with very little sleep) and the questions unanswerable......
I think yawning and playing with sequins is as good an answer as any.
Hi Jodie, I think Eloise is right. i'm no good at those things either. i had the same feelings running through me when i was tagged a while ago. What do people think when you don't join in? But then, who really cares if you don't? I wouldn't lose any sleep over it if I were you!!! Have a great weekend, Kathryn.
ReplyDeleteWell said, allelujah and all of that!
ReplyDelete....bit like chain letters really!!!
hugz,
Dido. Its had to chose and not leave anyone out. Everyone should get one, they are all great and have great ideas they share with blog land.
ReplyDeleteKez
Oh, don't worry Jodie, its all meant to be fun .. just like playing with sequins! Sooo cute. I think you have given us bloggers enough laughs, ideas and free tutorials to not worry about those little things. x
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way :-)
ReplyDeleteyes, what they said!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand and agree ^-^
ReplyDeleteSmmoches to you sweetie !
I feel that way too!! I don't want anyone to miss out and be upset!!!
ReplyDeleteMiss Eloise is so sweet. Cats just don't care about our little problems, do they!!!
Life''s too short to do anything you don't want to. Plus hose survey things take away craft time!
ReplyDeleteI think it is totally fine not to do the meme's and awards! It is only meant to be fun, so please don't loose sleep over it!!
ReplyDeleteI also know lots of bloggers who do the meme, or the award, but don't pass it on. I think that is a good way to do it too...
Either way, don't stress over it, just do what feels right to you.
dear missy ric-rac,
ReplyDeletewhile i thank you for all the laughs and genera stitchiness over the months obviously I am now refusing to read this blog any longer b/c of the whole issue! Or not! ;-)
No-one really minds about the awards thing or answering memes and if they do? I have a nice plate of stick-y cake and twiggy tree sitting waiting!
I am hopeless about the awards thing and don;t think I have ever posted the ones I have received. Shall we start a 'bad recepients award' to have on our pages?!?!?
You crack me up!
ReplyDeleteThere should be absolutely no pressure to play along...we're all just trying to have a bit of fun!
Keep up the craftiness....especially when it involves sequins.
amen and goodnight! i am so with you my love.I dont have enough time to write commen....
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs - I have received a couple of awards recently that I have acknowledged in the comments boxes of those giving them but left it at that. I am incredibly grateful to receive them and am pretty confident that the lovely people giving them were happy enough with that response.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone wants them to become a burden - so put that guilt away and get ready for a big sleep soon!
Yawning, playing with sequins and looking generally cute is a great response and always ensures you win the argument too. I may have to try that next time.
ReplyDeleteEven certain ginger cats have a blog - wethreecats.blogspot.com
which admittedly they share with a tabby, two dogs and a new puppy (Rosie). So you have a point.
I agree with you and especially with what Fran said. It's like chain mail and loses it's specialness because you are forced to pass it on. If you want to clap someone do so but don't feel forced to. Cherrie
ReplyDeletea while ago, I blogged about not wanting to play when it came to passing on awards. At the time I was worried that I appeared to be grumpy and ungrateful - but I just don't go for those kind of things, it's just not me. I see these thinks a bit like a chain letter, and faced with something like this I almost go out of my way to break it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems everyone agreed that I was grumpy and ungrateful and no one has sent me an award since. I'm honestly just happy if people leave me comments, that makes me happy.
I couldn't leave without saying that your kitty is just such a sweetie - a really pretty little thing. ahh.
Monda
x
We can learn a lot from our pets-Eloise has it all sussed out for sure!!!Nice to read your refreshingly honest post-enjoy your weekend and catching up on your sleep:)
ReplyDeleteLife's to short to sweat the small stuff....yawn and go play with the kitty.
ReplyDeleteI have retyped this three times because I just can't put it the right way. I so agree with you. I think we are all different too. I like to see what other people write and take photos of but don't have a lot of time to do the memes or 'on my desk' type challenges myself. Blogging for me is a way of expressing myself creatively and personally and if I feel the pressure to respond to something I worry. I'd like to think that the very lovely bloggers in our crafty blog world will understand that we're all pretty busy. Thanks for a great post!
ReplyDeleteDon't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way - I love getting those awards but I usually drop the ball on them. Your kitty is so adorable. :)
ReplyDeletestruggle with this same dilemma...don't want to be rude...really don't have the time...try to blog without obligation...but i feel obliged...love how you handled it with humor and grace
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you on this one....and I get all hung up on not replying to those chain email things....I'd rather play with my sequins too :)
ReplyDeletexxx
Oh, Jodie! I've been feeling guilty about tags and awards for countless weeks (I know, I'm terrible, right?!)... can I just put up a link on my blog directing people over here? :0)
ReplyDeleteIts nice to be thought of. People mean well but its hard sometimes to do it and then choose someone else. I find it a bit difficult myself and I don't like to seem too snobby to reciprocate. OH well.
ReplyDeleteMost people get it that these memes, awards and tags are just a bit of fun and if you don't want to join in...then that's OK. I for one am not bothered one way or another if someone picks me or not or plays along or not...it's your blog and it's up to you what you post!
ReplyDeletePersonally I dread when someone tags me...it usually involved sharing 7 weird and wacky things about myself and after the third time you realize that actually you have 21 weirds and wacky facts about oneself and that's just too embarrassing!
amen to that!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be thought of, but I don't really like tags either. But my real pet hate is giveaways where you're asked to post about their giveaway on your blog - no thanks! It's my blog!
ReplyDeleteyep don't have to convince me........there was a bit out in blogland awhile ago about it.........I did a post also and they seemed to "die" for awhile........but they have been back again for a little while now and most people only do them I think as they feel "they have to" ........I sometimes acknowledge it in their comments but nothing else even have it in my profile......."just don't tag me".........
ReplyDeletei totally agree!, it is a tricky one, while it's lovely and very flattering to be given a bloggy award, i find them hard to mention on my blog myself as i've already made the decision to aim to keep it craft related and not so personal. it's even harder when it's a meme that requires passing on, i worry that someone might be offended if they felt they were left off the list.
ReplyDeleteI've been such a dunce since I had the baby that at first I thought a 'meme' was a story acted out with crafted toys a la monkee maker (like a mime)!
ReplyDeleteI'm so new to it all that I'm a little baffled by the meme/tag thing too - I just posted a tag as it was the first one I'd ever received and I didn't want to ignore it. I was rather honoured and I made sure I had fun doing it but I NEVER passed on chain letters when I was little so it was a bit of a dilemma.
I'm afraid I'm with the others really - sequins rule.
I rarely do memes or tags (I think I did a few when I first started blogging, but now don't have time). I reckon that people join in if they want to, and don't do them if they don't! No pressure at all. Same thing with giveaways - generally if I post about someone else's giveaway it's just because I think it's great - not because I've been asked to. I actually still think that your retrospective giveaway is one of the best ideas I've seen! Don't sweat it Jodie - just go and play with the sequins! And you know that we love you (and we know that you love us)!
ReplyDeleteI thank people who give me awards but I have stopped passing them along. I would rather be quilting.
ReplyDeleteRead for craft content,
ReplyDeletenot really interested in the rest,
unless it is really interesting.
I love your blog, especially when the 'children' write it! They are so mischievous.
ReplyDeleteI had such a revelation when I stumbled over "blogging without obligation" - I could free myself of the opinions of others and just do what I want, when and if I want. It was a wonderful release.
Hear, hear, Eloise! A Wise Cat you are. I will continue to yawn and play with sequins in solidarity.
ReplyDeleteplaying with Eloise and sequins is much more fun than telling random weird facts about yourself.
ReplyDeleteDitto to everybody above!
Well at least you get them.
ReplyDeleteNo one sends me anything. It might be because I am a shop.....but I am a real person too.
em (feeling a little sorry for herself...he he he)
I haven't been tagged for a long time, and I was feeling a little left out. I've never received an award!! I was starting to get worried (lol), does no one like me. But at least everyone saved me the trouble, for I find it hard to do the chain letter thing, who do I pass the meme on to, as I don't want anyone to miss out and be upset. You expressed exactly how I feel about the meme/award thing. But I do want to say, I love it when people leave a comment behind. It is nice to know others read your blog and like what you write about. Glad to have come across your blog. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI so agree. I know there where someone making a badge about this but can't find it. If I find it I will put it on my blog. I've been given the same award from a lot of people....have bloged about it............and then the award starts coming back..........I cant and will not blog about it over and over again. I have thanked the ladies that have given me the awards, but I will not blog about it again.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with this...
ReplyDeleteGlad you brought it up ...we all do need to think these things over!!
I don't think there are any "good" or "bad" lists! lol But for those who worry, I have seen others accept the award on their blog (or do the meme or tag) and then say "and I love you all so much that I tag you all - if you would like to do this."
ReplyDeleteIf you are not worried just leave it. We all need more time to craft, (and play with sequins!) all of us ought to get it!
I have been tagged twice and although I'm flattered people enjoy my blog I secretly hoped it would never happen. No offense to anyone...it is a bit like chain letters and high school and I've also pondered what to do. So I "played" along with one but did not pass it on and just let the other slip. A bit awkward I tell ya.
ReplyDeleteNo one will be upset if you don't play along. I think most of us who do thinks it's a bit dorky and do so with our tongues planted firmly in cheek. I passed an award to someone and they sent a lovely email saying they appreciated it but they didn't participate. I didn't feel slighted in the least. But you know, the part of me that thinks like a 14 year old boy wants to shower you with memes and awards! Don't sweat it.
ReplyDeleteI agree too - sequins all the way! I have huge guilt about the awards and memes and tags that I have received and not blogged about - I try to remember to say thank you to whoever has sent it but then I know I sometimes forget - and I never get round to passing them on (and always make my children destroy any chain mail letters that they receive so would be hypocritical to do them myself)
ReplyDeleteWell done for raising the point!
Lucy x
Jodie, firstly congratulations on having raised SUCH a talented daughter!!! Secondly, I think sometimes you worry too much. Thirdly, I am always amazed at the responses to this topic, then they all keep coming around. No-one really bothers me with them, as they probably realise that I just don't really take much notice of them. I will read etc, but to play, is just all "too hard" and like others, I would prefer to be sewing. I like finding out about people, but I don't feel compelled in any way to say or do anything in this forum that I don't want to. Just pat your pussy and get some sleep.
ReplyDeleteyep yep and yep...
ReplyDeleteI have about 2000 sequins and seed beads to play with at the moment, have to wait until Ba$tard cat is asleep to get them out :O) he loves his sequin belt too...
Lissa
I love the blogs for all the creativeness....not for who is popular and who is not. I was not good at that in school, and no need for it now!!! Great post and spoken very well.
ReplyDeleteOh Jodie I totally relate...lately I have been such a terrible blogger,I just find myself too busy doing anything.But still I do feel the pressure of 'the blog'everytime I pass my computer.I urge myself to stop and smell the roses...this should be FUN and NO PRESSURE and I always see that other people think of it the same way.It is me who is making it into an issue here....So here is to NO PRESSURE BLOGGING hear hear!!!thank you for sharing and making me feel better about the whole thing!huge hugs Dees
ReplyDeleteThe cat is gorgeous. Don't worry about all those games. At the end of the day there are only so many hours in the day and we need you at that machine sewing and writing. Okay? Hope you are well.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is meant to be fun and if any part of it seems like work and causes anxious moments then I say just don't do it, do what you enjoy! If people get upset about not doing tags or awards etc then that is their problem. You wrote it so well! Eloise is a gorgeous helper!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing post!!! I second everything you've written.
ReplyDeleteJodie :)
I pass awards on sometimes, other times I don't. I'll do memes I'm tagged for it they tickle my fancy, or not. I usually break the rules of every award, meme that I do. Blogging is about fun, it's not about rules and obligation.
ReplyDeleteRest easy.
I did this a while back so no argument here....one doesn't want to seem ungrateful when given an award...I just hate the pass it on bit it's like picking teams at school...
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy that I don't even understand the whole tag and memes
ReplyDeletejargon.
It just makes me so happy to read your lovely little blog space and some others.
Guess that's why I'm just a reader,
maybe I shouldn't even be allowed to make a comment bout this.
Miss Eloise is so dear. Think her answer was as wise as any.
I am enjoying blogging just for the sake of getting the thoughts "out of my head". I know my friends read it and get comments, too, from others who stop in. Have never felt like I had to blog. It's just something I want to do and I only wish I was a little more knowledgable about the whole thing but that will come with time - I hope!!
ReplyDeleteLOL girl, that was FAB! Oh - and Ditto your sentiments.
ReplyDeleteJanelle ;-)
Well said. My feeling is always-"all appreciation, no obligation"
ReplyDeleteWhich means i seldom now do more than email a thanks, tracey
Jodie I passed on the tree of happiness to you, hope that was ok.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with you .....
ReplyDeleteIf all these blog awards didn't come with the instructions of nominating 6 others then they might mean something....if you get one does the person dishing it out really want you to have it or are you just making up numbers?
ReplyDeleteI don't respond to them for those reasons but I do think it is a nice idea to occasionally writing a post dedicated to a blog that you really enjoy or perhaps a post about a blogger who has done you a good turn.
Lovely pussy cat by the way:)
I haven't gotten any of these awards because I've only been blogging since June 2nd, but I'm glad because I Don't want to have too much personal stuff on my sewing blog. I do, however, have a link to my personal family blog on my "About Me" page if anyone really wants to know about my personal life. I also agree with not forcing people to post a link on their blog just so they can enter a contest, or giveaway. my blog is mostly all about what I make, and helpful information that (hopefully) will keep people coming back and someday buy my stuff. I'd say it's OK to say you got the award and leave it at that!
ReplyDeleteMissy
I couldn't have said it better than either you or Eloise.
ReplyDeleteDo I dare ask - what is a meme? I have only received a couple of "tagged" e-mails and I deleted them because I don't do chain letters via snail mail so why would I do it via e-mail. I love blogging and am happy to see a comment because feedback is always nice. As long as even a few people read my blog that's all I need. I have wanted to do a blog for so long and just glad I finally got up the courage and jumped into the Blog Pond!!
ReplyDelete