Ten Questions with Mark of Blogitude

1. Describe your blog in five sentences or less.
Our banner says, “Can’t laugh at yourself? We’ll do it for you.”Although we all enjoy at a good laugh (notably, at our own or others’ expense a lot of the time), it’s never restricted to just that. It could all be summed up rather easily by saying, “This is what happens when you put eight idiots on a blog.”

2. Link us to one post from your blog that best defines who you are.
This is probably the best post I’ve ever done. http://www.blogitude.com/2003/02/13/terrorism/

3. What sets you apart from other bloggers?
Erm, I can’t think of anything, really, aside from my astute sense of sarcasm, and the fact that I’ve been doing it longer than most. Of course,
neither of those things make me any better — I am what I am: a hack of a writer, anyway. But, I do get out of the house more than most. *evil grin*

4. When and how did you first discover blogging?
I dunno … I’ve been “writing down crap” for public consumption for around 25 years. I started my “blog” in 1994.

5. What is your biggest pet peeve related to blogging or the internet?
Many people use their anonymity to act like idiots. Me, I’m never anonymous — I’m up front about my stupidity. And I’ll *never* say anything online that I would say to someone’s face.

6. Name one plugin, blogging widget, or service that you can’t live without.
I use a *lot* of plugins … too many, in fact. But the most helpful for me are Bad Behavior, cForms and Ultimate Tag Warrior … but only because I’m a Wordpress dork. As for services — Technorati’s pretty invaluable.

7. If you could choose anyone, living or dead, to write a guest post for your blog,who would it be and why?
Benjamin Franklin …I have nothing but respect for him, but he certainly had a twisted sense of humor. Somehow, I feel like he and I would’ve been great friends…

8. How has blogging made you a better person?
The more public the blog’s become, it’s pretty much forced me to sit back and laugh at what’s going on around me. It’s a huge relief when you
get to the point that you don’t take life so seriously.

9. What are your tips for becoming a better blogger?
Write. Write often. Don’t bother with what it looks like, how it comes across. Just do it.

10. Name one great blog that you read on a regular basis. What makes it unique?
Back in 2001, I ran across James Lilek’s Daily Bleat. Though I read it regularly, I have to admit that I don’t read it every day like I used to. The reason I mention this one over my Daily Reads (see the blog roll: http://www.blogitude.com/links/ — especially the Knoxville Bloggers, one in particular who I won’t embarrass right now) is because of the way it stands out in my mind. Lileks is a brilliant writer … family, life, love, happiness … nostalgia of days gone by… with humor, wit and wisdom similar to that of Garrison Keillor. Great stuff.

Categories: Personal, Ten Questions