In truth, my very first online journal was on July 25th, 2005, on a site called Livejournal (which is still running). My posts were sporadic--some months I would write nearly every day while other months might only have one entry in them. Many, but not all, were longer (yes, longer) than the ones that I write now--often to make up for the lost time between posts. On November 19, 2011, I created my personal website www.thelandoftheweird.weebly.com and started posting my blog entries in the "My Musings" section under the "My Life" heading.
While I Facebooking on April 24, 2008, it wasn't until September 7, 2015, that I started copying and pasting my blogs to Facebook as a way to connect more with my friends and family after moving to Alaska. Prior to that, I would only occasionally post links to my blog to my Facebook page. At this point, I get more readers on Facebook, but I still have tens of followers on my actual blog.
While I try to post daily, there have been some hiccups that have left a few gaps in my record. Most of them have been either during major life events (like moving to Alaska), days that we're travelling, days that I'm really sick, or days that we have company. I still write often enough that I passed my 2,000th blog entry last year.
As for my topics, I try to follow a few guidelines (they're not solid enough to be rules). One, I keep them true. While I'm not above exaggerations, and I certainly don't reveal everything, all of my blogs are aspects of my true self. Two, I try not to reveal too much about anyone else who has not given me permission to do so (or is already a public figure). Three, I try to stay entertaining ... for me. I usually try to add some element of wit to each post that is published. Four, I avoid repeating topics--this is not easy when there are already 2,000 out there--unless I am clarifying a previous post or providing new information. Five, I try to warn people in advance of posting something that might be considered controversial, political, disgusting, too much information, etc. Six, I avoid insults--sarcasm is fair game. Seven, nearly every Sunday post (and almost every holy day) is devoted to some aspect of my faith.
I often spend a while staring at the blank screen, deciding what to write. I have a document with over twenty unused topics (the number varies) that I can use when desperate, but some are too controversial or require too much time or research, so I usually cast back to what went on that day and try to get an idea to nibble. Sometimes, I catch something profound and manage to say it the way I want. Most of the time, I flounder through the mundane and just give insight into my thoughts and life. On very rare occasions is there a deliberate plan, but usually not.
Here's to another six years.