Yes, this dadgone blogging thing must be ripe for a decline seeing as how it has FINALLY caught my attention. You got it - the last guy on the block to get a color TV, computer, cell phone and IPOD is looking at blogging.

At the risk of starting its sudden demise, let me declare my interest in starting one. I'm looking for some honest feedback from folks who have a blog or, like me, harbor latent blogging urges that might result in bizare writing behavior on the internet.

But mere interest (sometimes called toying with an idea) is a darn far leap from serious intent and we all know that the road to hades is filled with cheap and easy good intentions.

So, just how does one get started? How does one "find his/her voice? What rewards are to gained? What pitfalls and dangers lurk out there? And last, but not least: How does a lazy, undisciplined cheapskate get the blessed thing rolling? Oh, and what monumental subjects should I write about?

Sites below are my only tangible contribution to this pivotal discussion. Feel free to add good sites about blogging and travel or chime in on my qustions above.

Please help teach an old dog a new, exciting trick. Together we just might have a little fun and make the world a far, far, better place.

http://www.blogger.com/

http://www.typepad.com/

Hello , you ole dawg you!

111OP does great blogs as well as Richardab. I think Marilyn will be blogging soon too...
I enjoy reading them but I am overwhelmed with ignorance about how to do them..
Good luck, I look forward to reading your degasblogs

I've never blogged, exactly, but I did a website on our Oaxaca trip that was a combination of blog-type journal, photos, and videos. (I think you saw it, Degas.)

For me blogging has a couple of disadvantages. The existing sites don't give equal weight to the visual media. (If there is one that does, I'd love to hear about it.) It does require a LOT of discipline. If you want people to read it, you have to blog at least every few days. And man, the competition is killer! There are so many incredible blogs out there -- well-written, funny, moving, etc.

Of course, Degas, you do have a unique voice, and you would undoubtedly attract a fan club. What have you got to lose?

I could never be arsed with blogging as I just didn't feel an urge to share a "message" per se.

But a lot of my friends blog and I ended up signing up to the same blogging site purely to be able to bookmark their IDs and keep track of their blogs. From there it was a short step to using the blog to add my own boring little updates on the life and times of yours truly.

Nothing I write would hold any interest for anyone other than my friends (and often, not even for them) but since many of us are spread out across the country it's a nice way of being able to keep up with the little things happening in each other's lives. The big stuff, we already keep up with but not the small stuff.

The fact it's out there for anyone to read doesn't bother me because, quite frankly, anyone bored enough to read the fairly dull ramblings I write, without knowing me, is definitely welcome!

Thanks for the encouragement.

Yes, the key seems to be able to provide new and interesting on a very regular basis.

You know, the flash, bang, wow, would you look at that, stuff. My LW says the same thing about our sex life! The intense pressure to perform might kill me!

Hi d,

Save your energy to keep the little woman happy.

Interestingly enough, most bloggers don't seem to have had much trouble &quot;finding a voice&quot; given the content of some of the blogs. What is truly amazing is the details about <b>themselves</b> which some of these people publish. Sometimes amusing, sometimes horrifying, and sometimes downright pathetic.

My only advice would be to go with your gut as to what you &quot;publish&quot; and I suspect it will work out well. After all, you never really know, for certain, what a lot of the reactions really are; sometimes that's a blessing and sometimes proof that blogging will never be able to replace a face-to-face conversation/encounter.

I am concerned about revealing too much personal information.

I don't intend to ever reveal that I am 6 foot tall, weigh 175 pounds, have thick wavy hair, rippling, but sleek muscles, bright, sparkling eyes that women find they can not look away from, make six figures a month, have knife-fight scars on my lower back, drive a $75,000 sports car and am consulted on a daily basis by business, entertainment and political organizations for help in resolving complex problems.

And wear a Speedo????

I think I'd be interested to read any blog you created, degas, but what I'm finding odd is why you would want to blog at all if the urge to do so doesn't just come naturally to you and you've already got your own &quot;voice&quot; and already have subject matter that interests you.

Your questions make it sound as if this would be a chore that you'd need a lot of input on - shouldn't it just be FUN? And if it isns't, why do it?

What ARE you going to reveal?

The truth?

Yes, a vert tight purple and orange speedo is my trademark, but I will not reveal the exact size except to say it falls somewhere between a 46 and a 56 waist.

A blog about your remarkable success in a wide array of money making scams around the globe would be interesting. Other topics might include &quot;cabin cooking&quot; and &quot;high fat/ massive calorie dieting&quot;.

46-56 INCHES?

Yes, 46-56 is right, but mere numbers never give you the proper persective. You have to actually see my body to fully appreciate its .... . well, its massive impact on society!

Bloat, I mean, Blog on

Seriously, I think your blogs will be fun. Do wear your speedo as you type away for us ladies.

Here is an article about blogging tools for those who are inclined to give it a try.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1403731,00.asp

Mrs_Slocum, I make it a rule never to allow myself to bloat or get gassy while wearing tight speedos. The results could jsut be too dangerous for man or beast!

As someone like yourself Degas, I too wondered what was up with blogging. Seeing my kids and their friends putting together these awe-inspiring websites dedicated to punk rock or computer games stirred me. I had these aspirations of creating the ultimate travel site full of my photos and tips for cheap, cheap travel. Once I started doing it I found, as Marilyn said, that there was no way to display all my photos on one of the free or really inexpensive blog sites. I wasn't about to spend $50 a month to entertain everybody else for free.

I finally went to Vitualtourist.com which allowed me to post a couple of my best pictures along with some of my recommendations. Halfway through the process of documenting my trip, I got bored with the whole thing. I really doubt too many folks are all that interested in reading about my vacation and why share my tips for cheap travel? If a bunch of folks start asking for the same discounts or start staying at the places I recommend, they might not be available to me in the future. I call it the &quot;Rick Steves Syndrome&quot;. By the time his budget travel books are published, the places he mentions jack up their prices because of the increased demand. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing!