Thursday May 14, 2009 at 10:50 pm
New direction
As of this week, I am 23 years old, which, as my roommate aptly put, is the year people begin to wonder what you’re doing with yourself. And on top of finishing college in ten days, after studying English for five years, I did what any reasonable person would do and put time and effort into redesigning my personal blog.
I decided to overhaul for a couple reasons, all of which centered around being generally bummed about blogging.
The first — There was way too much going on. I have a few screenshots of layouts I did when I was fifteen (eight years ago…HECK), and while the main reason for the minimal design was that I didn’t know much HTML aside from changing link color, all of that white space was sort of nice. It seems I’ve been attempting to appear more and more standard and professional with how I presented this place. Therefore, I wanted to draw and color most of the design by hand.
The second — Going back and reading past entries, I’ve been upset with how little they’ve reflected my actual life. I went to see The Phantom of the Opera for the first time last year, a play I obsessed over after seeing the movie during my freshman year of college, and I didn’t say much about it because I thought people would respond better to a discussion of the benefits of unsubscribing from cable. Granted, a post of OMG Phantom is SO AWESOME would’ve gotten less of a response than the 40-or-so comments I received hailing the benefits of not paying for TV, but what good did it do me?
I use the term “metal” to describe the things about the internet that are cold and icky and protruding with tangled wires, things like worrying more about readership numbers than actually writing about things that are important to me.
Suffice it to say, I added another section to this site as a place for what I affectionately refer to as dumb junk. It functions separately from the main blog so as not to clog RSS readers with gross amounts of little things I’d like to remember. I explained the changes a bit here.
Come on over! Refresh your browser fifty times!
Sleepy dog in pajamas!
Thanks for being here.
As of this week, I am 23 years old, which, as my roommate aptly put, is the year people begin to wonder what you’re doing with yourself. And on top of finishing college in ten days, after studying English for five years, I did what any reasonable person would do and put time and effort into redesigning my personal blog.
I decided to overhaul for a couple reasons, all of which centered around being generally bummed about blogging.
The first — There was way too much going on. I have a few screenshots of layouts I did when I was fifteen (eight years ago…HECK), and while the main reason for the minimal design was that I didn’t know much HTML aside from changing link color, all of that white space was sort of nice. It seems I’ve been attempting to appear more and more standard and professional with how I presented this place. Therefore, I wanted to draw and color most of the design by hand.
The second — Going back and reading past entries, I’ve been upset with how little they’ve reflected my actual life. I went to see The Phantom of the Opera for the first time last year, a play I obsessed over after seeing the movie during my freshman year of college, and I didn’t say much about it because I thought people would respond better to a discussion of the benefits of unsubscribing from cable. Granted, a post of OMG Phantom is SO AWESOME would’ve gotten less of a response than the 40-or-so comments I received hailing the benefits of not paying for TV, but what good did it do me?
I use the term “metal” to describe the things about the internet that are cold and icky and protruding with tangled wires, things like worrying more about readership numbers than actually writing about things that are important to me.
Suffice it to say, I added another section to this site as a place for what I affectionately refer to as dumb junk. It functions separately from the main blog so as not to clog RSS readers with gross amounts of little things I’d like to remember. I explained the changes a bit here.
Come on over! Refresh your browser fifty times!
Sleepy dog in pajamas!
Thanks for being here.
Another great addition to the site. Dig the hand-drawn stuff, too. However, it is very very true; nobody likes a 23 year old. I’ll see you next year.
Sometimes you just need to change direction. I really like the new header and other changes.
Looks great, I love the sketchy bits, especially the Rockwell-looking typeface for the navigation.
love it. everything looks great! and happy birthday!
That pic of the sleepy dog is just adorable! Belated happy birthday and congratulations on your upcoming graduation. Ah there are too many greetings going on here…
You just can’t have too many sleepy dog in PJ’s pictures. I think those should be on the front page so I can see them right away.
Happy Birthday!
I like the redesign – very fresh!
Happy belated birthday :)
Happy Birthday! Mine was last week. How great to find another person (born in May, yet!) as obsessed as I am over Phantom of the Opera, an obsession that was stoked by the MOVIE, not the play, though I did eventually go see the play, too. For a while, I thought I was in love with Gerard Butler, the kind of consuming infatuation that 14-year-olds feel, but while I enjoyed him in other movies (Dear Frankie in particular; he has lots of soulful screen time, and that slow, tender kiss), I realized after seeing 300 that it’s really POTO that I love. So please write about your obsessions! You will possibly be shocked how many share them. I really appreciate this post, and what you say about recommiting to writing this blog, first and foremost for you. I, too, need that reminder to recommit to my own truth (even when its corny or a downer). Congrats on your graduation! I’m happy to see you back, and love the redesign! Thanks again for your honesty.
Hey you,
I’ve wondered what you have been up to, and now I know. I tried calling you last week, but given the circumstance I understand. Now all the questions will begin w/in the next few days, congratulations. Glad to see that you are up and running again, don’t stress out over the small (minded) stuff. Isn’t writing a blog supossed to be all about you! If I wanted somthing existential I would read Whitman or Thoreau or Kant. This is your space, do want you want with it.
mdp
Love the new look! What a great way to celebrate 23!
Wee!
I love all the changes (they make me want to celebrate you!!) and Bello in pajammy-jams is excellence itself.
I adore you, your design, your philosophy, AND your sleepy dog.
That is all.
Your blog is cool. How are you such a design wiz?
And your DOG IS SO CUTE I almost puked.
Welcome to 23! Happy Birthday.
I love the new layout and OMG the sleepy dog? Too cute!
I am glad your back, and love the new site!
you’re back!
Love the site’s new layout! And your dog’s pj’s because, really, that’s adorable.
I’ve struggled with the exact same issue – what is interesting to the general audience vs. what is important for me to document and journal about. I hope you find the kind of balance that will feel perfect.