But wait. What was that? Did I spy a life-belt in that first paragraph? Yes, I did, I did, and here it is bobbing towards me through the waves, all glossily white with red letters saying 'SS Potty Diaries' along the edge. (Give me a break here, it's been nearly a week with no inspiration; I'm allowed to get excited when some finally turns up, surely?)
'Self-imposed restrictions', that was it. Let's talk about that, shall we? Let's talk about what they are...
1. No names, no pack drill. This blog is anonymous. (Yeah, right, unless you happen to have bumped into me at some blog get-together, heard me speak at CyberMummy, have contacted me directly, asked me to participate in some pr junket, or similar. But apart from that, yes, I am completely anonymous).
2. No photos. Well, none of my children, anyway. Or my Husband. Or, indeed, anyone other than me. And not many of those either - well, I really think it's kinder not. Especially since I only recently started waxing the oh-so-subtle hair on the (can't believe I'm actually admitting to this in print) upper lip and, of which when I look back at previous 'before' photos, I can see the alarming evidence...
3. Nothing that I wouldn't want the person that I'm writing about to read in front of me. I know, think of all the mother-in-law anecdotes I'm missing out on here (although of course dear mother in law if you should ever read this, there are none, honestly!), but the thing is that once you hit 'publish' on a post it's out there. For EVER. Oh, you might think you can delete it but somewhere, somewhere, it's out there. So as much as I might want to write about the time that.... (ha! Got you going, right?)
4. Nothing that might put my family at risk. I'm not talking necessarily about hiding our exact location; we all know that with ip addresses etc you can't run, you can't hide. No, this is more about not writing contentious stuff about our current country of residence or the people in charge of it (check the top of the sidebar on the right if you're missing my point) which might attract the unwanted attentions of those formerly known by 3 initials (and who in fact are still known by 3 - but now different - initials) and who scared the crap out of George Smiley. It's not that the Potty Family lead a particularly exciting life, you understand, more that we are surrounded by people who do and blast it, there are some damn good stories there that I can never tell...
5. Nothing that might attract the crazies. For the reasons above. Lord knows, once we get back to Blighty, I will have plenty to say about a lot of things (or will if my vodka-soaked brain can still remember them) but for now, no. I'm keeping my own counsel...
6. Nothing libellous. Goes without saying, really, but it does rather conflict with ...
7. ...nothing too boring. Apart, of course, from the odd post about self-imposed restrictions on blogging.
Jesus. Is it any surprise my blog mojo has given up on me as a hopeless case?
So there you go. I've shown you mine; what are yours?
I've just found out that a few teachers read my blog (and love it) but that places TONS of restrictions on me. I'll be writing a bloody travel blog before long. Pah!
ReplyDeleteNot dissing anyone I know, not publishing pix of kids, not talking about dirty stuff...!
ReplyDeleteI have to say Potty, it seems to me that you are blogging again, niet?
Yes, I try to imagine everyone I've ever known reading my blog (as if they'd be interested) then I use that to censor my writing. As a result... I write fairly mundane things. I have started having blog post conversations with myself when I'm gardening, or doing the laundry and they're all these amazingly controversial posts that I am just dying to write but don't dare!
ReplyDeleteI can see how you have a few more restrictions at the moment though.
I was really careful about what I posted in Bosnia, as people can be really sensitive about how their country is portrayed.
ReplyDeleteI know Mother and MIL read my blog which acts as a handy self censoring button. There are stories that would make marvellous blog fodder but really it is not worth the fall out.
The last one is how the boys might feel about reading a post when they get older. Most of the more embarrassing stuff is censored too - but occasionally some slip through the net. I see that as a parents revenge.
Don't care what your rules are I still love you and your little corner of the tinternet.
ReplyDeleteAnd i know what you look like . . . tee hee hee
And to think it all started off as a record of potty training...
ReplyDeleteI always imagine that the person I'm writing about is reading the post. That weeds out quite a few (though some sneak through). And good point, Pants, about the children reading the blog when they're older. I forget that one from time to time.
EPM, should I take it that's NOT your aim, then? (And you're welcome to post here about anything that you need to vent on!)
ReplyDeletePig, da. Kanyeshna.
Michelle, it's frustrating, isn't it?
PWN - particularly like the last one - although I already have the boys' school uniform (very 'unusual') in London as pre-emptive revenge...
Tara, oh no! I was the blonde one with a figure to die for and legs up to my armpits, right?
Iota, great oaks (ha!) and all that...
I have to censor almost everything....friends, family, father in law and husband read the blog. There is SO much material I just couldn't use.....
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, totally agree about children reading the blog when they become older.
I think you do a great job, though, PM, because you manage to keep to those rules AND amuse us. Which is so much harder.
My mother in law reads my blog and I hate it! Sometimes I want to write something but stop because I don't want her to read it. Complete strangers? Fine! Mother in law? No!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand where you're coming from.
Similar restrictions - some are 'subliminally imposed' by the fact that family members, creche teachers and the librarian have somehow stumbled across my little corner of the blogosphere. Some things are better left unsaid!
ReplyDeleteMine are very similar. And my mojo's not so good at the moment either. Probably because I'm having some trouble with actual people and none of the stuff I would want to write I would want them to read... Until that's out of my system, I find it hard to get inspiration for other topics.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the mojo, because I like your posts!
i often want to turn off my blog and start up a new one entirely anonymously so that I can really write what I think but it's really hard to let people know about your blog that way. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI keep meeting people IN Albania who say they read my blog. It always disconcerts me when it's people HERE.I don't know why, it just makes me feel a bit more inhibited (even if it's ex pats & not Albanians when I am having a moan abt their country) I usually tell people about my blog when I LEAVE that country! But I have all those same rules as mentione dby others. MIL & parents reading my blog, even at the ripe old age of 44, censors me ike a recalcitrant school kid!
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard isn't it. My rules are a little different from yours. For me I attempt a nom de plume but every knows who I am and my face, and even my parents in law looked up my blog by my real name, but it is an attempt. I don't name names. I don't name my children, though from time to time I do put their photos up, that's simply because they are old enough to either give me their consent or not. My daughters love being on the blog, my Son would prefer to not be. My Englishman also doesn't really like being on the blog. He sometimes draws the line at things he feels he wants to keep personal and only ours, and I try to respect that. I am unable to really tell the stories I want to that involve our life together because they, not doubt like yours, will need to wait until we have moved from this current position. That's a shame because there's a lot more going on in the background than may at first appear and they are great stories. Maybe when I'm old... I draw the line at smut, but I appreciate my definition of smut my not be my MIL's for example. I attempt to mainly not complain too much, not whine not depress. I aim to entertain, inspire and encourage. Even if the only person I'm encouraging is me! I love your blog Potty, and it was nice to meet you albeit briefly at Cybermummy. Would be even better to get to know you a little more. Vix x
ReplyDeleteSame as yours really. I started mine as a way to recommend wines for people like me (i.e. knackered and desperately in need of a glass of something good) but hadn't counted on the fact that I would meet people - albeit virtually - and really enjoy the dialogue I have with them. Don't go-a-changing, Potty x
ReplyDeleteThankyou NVG - as do you!
ReplyDeleteCL - as far as I know, my mother in law doesn't read this. But you never know...
HCM, the librarian? How on earth did you find out he/she reads it?
Mwa, yes, very similar indeed!
HOM, yes that's it; wouldn't it be great to keep your blogosphere readers but not... some of the others.
Paradise, I guess that not many blogs are written about Albania - and since yours is entertaining and interesting, of course the locals are going to read it!
Thanks Vix - and right back at you. Maybe nxt summer?
KM, will do my best...(and thanks for the continuing wine tips - even if the choice is somewhat limited over here, I can always dream!)
Hmm, self-imposed restrictions - I admit I struggle with them too, especially since I went public ...there's no easy way. But sometimes, things happen that are just too funny/interesting/sad not to blog about and then I do say, 'publish and be damned.'
ReplyDeleteAnd how about adding some more images? I don’t want to offend anyone, text is really great. But as I know visitors acquire info much more effective when they see certain useful pictures.
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Rather cool place you've got here. Thanks the author for it. I like such themes and everything connected to them. I definitely want to read more soon.
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