Thursday, November 20, 2008

Blogaddicted?

My Gym-friend thinks I have "become very boring!" Yesterday, she demanded I pass the phone to my daughter because she is not interested in discussing whether Rahul Gandhi is the Obama for India or Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh. (Is that possible?)
She concedes, "Now ask me if Obama is hot, that I can tell you!"

But that I already know. Shobha De told us on her blog.

I asked Daughter, if she thought she was being neglected because of the time I spend on my blog? She promptly gives me a hug and says (sings) "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad!
And I know the thought that unrepentantly creeps into the mind is, "This is a blog-worthy moment!"

Earlier if the cat, the only baby in the house, woke me up, I tried to go back to sleep. Now even at an unearthly 5 am, the laptop is sneaked into the kitchen, and while the morning cup of tea gets cold, the mail is checked for comments.

Recently when there was an internet connection problem, the World (Wide Web) had come to a stand still.The biggest regret was there were no blog posts, kept opened in Firefox Mozilla tabs, to read :(

During the day, when the Incredimail notifier announces "You've got mail!" it can be heard all over the house ... and that's reason enough to drop whatever is being done and run to check if there's a new comment, or an email from the blogosphere.


Of course some days are really busy, and there's hardly any time to do anything. But publish the comments received, one must.

I wonder how much time other bloggers spend in the blogdom ... four hours a day? Five? Or do you only look at your blog once a week?

When can we say we are addicted to the blogosphere ?

60 comments:

Sashu... said...

I agree totally...publish recieved comments, one must! lol...therez this urge to peep in for comments, most times!! n yea, 4-5 hours can stretch upto 7-8 even!! nice post! :)

moon said...

The moment we start writing blogs, we become blogaddicted na..

Mampi said...

Hohoho,
You are not alone. I guess I spend at least 2-3 hours reading blogs and commenting. Its such a fun thing to do. But once the kids are around, my activity is restricted, hehehe. Otherwise I know yelling matches will erupt.

my space said...

all of us are sailing in the same boat!! no i am not that addicted but yes do chk in twice sometimes thrice at times 4 times.....

Anonymous said...

When I was on leave, I was addicted..was spending a lot of hours...and I mean really a lot of!
Now that I am back to work, I just about manage to catch up on blogs I really enjoy before I doze off!

Indian Home Maker said...

@Sashu Nice meeting you :) I spend many, many hours on the net ... and pushed with guilt, head for the gym to undo the damage :)

@Sunder Ya, totally addicted! You have had more experience in this Blogistan!

@mampi I almost look with relief at any forced interruptions, because if there is nothing else to do, I stay glued to the Comp.

@My space LOl @ 2, ... sometimes, ... 3, sometimes ... 4 times :) BUT that's better than my sometimes 4hrs, sometimes 4hrs, sometimes maybe more hours :)

@preetischronicle What is it about blogging that gets us so addicted?
I hope this is also one of those blogs you enjoy :)

Usha Pisharody said...

It like that moment when an alchoholic has finally recognised his self [decided not to use any other negatve word, lol!], and he goes to AA and says, I'm an alchoholic!!!

I have become a blog addict, I know.. for the self same reasons so beautifully articulated here! Checking mail, switching on the computer with the first cup of tea, having certain withdrawal symptoms like yesterday when the server here went and crashed.. :D!!! So much so my son had to keep reassuring me that all would be well by evening, :) He, actually , was smirking.. :D!!! How I find the time for it, I do not know, but I do.. :)

And the joy of publishing those comments, Lol!!

Indian Home Maker said...

Usha Pisharody rotfl :)
It's nice to see other addicts confessing at this AA session :)

Anonymous said...

I now have a phone with pretty fast speeds, so I check mails on the road, at the playground everywhere. I need to enroll myself in a 10-step(or is it 12)programme.

PS:I just posted pictures of my cactus and succulents on my blog and thought of your deathly warning. They are all in the house and I did think twice but could bear to get rid of them :)

Indian Home Maker said...

@asaaan LOL :)AA has such programmes? Then only a customised 14 steps programme will do for you :)

You know cactus really bother me. I didn't even keep artificial cactus at home. Will take a look at your pictures :)

Anser Azim said...

There were 50 hits to your last post. And if we give 30 min to each post it comes out to be 25 hours. That means three days of working hours!!. Though mostly yours, but I will admit that time is worthy and was an educative discussion.
best
anser

Praveen said...

tht was just a reflection of the mind of a typical blogger..:D
and a blog addict at that..

OG said...

@IHM and Usha Pisharody,
yeah, i have to agree with usha on this one....
you realize you are addicted when u get that "Self realization" :)
and not when others tell you...
I am slowly getting there...
checking this post at 0:37 AM should come in that category... especially when I have a meeting at 8:00 Am tomorrow (oops.. today) morning......

vimmuuu said...

Me too. Ever since I started blogging, I have been a total addict. I dont read books at all, but I make sure I read all my fellow bloggers post, however long they are! Its a special feeling when you find a new comment in your inbox, rt? and yeah, also when our comment gets replied.

and guess what, I spend most of my office hours in the blogosphere :D

Anonymous said...

here is a link which gives u links to find how addicted you are :)
I have to respond to my comments, but I did figure out that I am not that addicted. I read a lot of blogs, comment on almost every entry I read - but I definitely can live without blogging :)

Anonymous said...

My blog is the first thing I check when I get up - even before I brush my teeth. Followed by Google reader for all other blog updates of course. :) The husband is convinced I am addicted!

Indian Home Maker said...

Anser Azim Yesterday I spent too much time on my blog ... some arguments never serve any purpose, the post had made a point and I should have left it at that.

Indian Home Maker said...

Praveen Welcome to my blog :)
So your verdict is, 'I am an addict?' :(

Indian Home Maker said...

Ajit ROTFL @ '8:00 Am tomorrow (oops.. today) morning......' internet does take us into a world without any time boundaries ... there's always broad daylight somewhere!

Indian Home Maker said...

Vimmuuu This no-time-for-reading-anything-but-blogs is happening to me too, after all there are only 24 hours in a day!
And now when I do read I am thinking, "Must write a review on my blog!"

Indian Home Maker said...

myheadtrip I think I am also not addicted, I spent an entire day without blogging when we had some connection problem :)

Devaki Blogging before brushing, is a sign of blogaddiction :)

Bones said...

I'm like you-totally addicted to blogs (more reading than writing)...I hate weekends 'cause I have to fight my husband for computer time...

Mavin said...

Blogging is very addictive...

You relish the freedom of being able to publish your thoughts without restrictions.

Second, you get a high when others unknown (personally) persons read and comment on your posts.

Is'nt that a heady cocktail.

I am just six months into blogging and I saw myself slipping into this addictive pattern.

I have to make conscious and herculean efforts to restrict myself to an hour a day and a max of three hours through the entire weekend.

Thanks for the post IHM - I know that I am not alone though I know that others are far more serious about blogging than I can ever imagine.

Does it matter said...

Oh yes, it happens to most (all?) of us..

:)

Z@ki-R said...

M'm if you are an addict, it's good for us who like reading your blog. m not a bloggaddict. i attend office meetings and where i don't need to speak and subject is not interesting, i sit in a corner and read blogs (thanks wireless connection). my manager complains, i m shy that's why i sit in corners:-). I only spend 4-5 hours on off days reading blogs. I cann't call me addict.

Anonymous said...

Blogs are more addictive than heroin.

Somedays, I spend up to 8 or 9 hours either blogging or reading blogs. A more typical day might be 4 to 6 hours.

Nevertheless, I have very few demands on my discretionary time, so even when I spend 9 hours in blogistan, I am seldom taking time away from anything else I should be doing. To me, the time I spend in blogistan would only be dysfunctional if it interfered with something more important, such as eating.

Gauri Gharpure said...

:) addict, eh? I have purposefully resisted subscribing to comments / updates... wud make me a pakka addict, i think. SO I just check the blog 2-3 times a day for short intervals, and surf those on my link randomly.. suits me better tht way.. but yes, checking and re-checking the blog for reader views is a big temptation..

Anonymous said...

While reading your post it reminded me of what I went through. I was in a similar state such as you and about 6 months back it went into overdrive when my real life started to suffer. Therefore consciously I have taken a step back and now give priority to my real life.At one I used to blog 4-5 hours a day (including replying to comments), but not any more. This crept upon me slowly because when I started getting more comments and replying to them, it took time and I tried to continue writing at my own speed. this meant that either I had to stop replying to comments or reduce my posting. I chose the latter as communicating is very important, particulary so because I write about subjects close to my heart. Right now there are about 5 posts desperate to get out of me, but I have no time to write them! I just put them in my draft folder, and then if the subject hasn't gone cold, I might take it up.
But as to talking about current issues with friends, thats what I talk about with them, most of the time. Even with my husband and daughters, we discuss current issues, and important issues. That's how I was since I was a kid. Even at 15 I used to have heated arguments about some issue or the other with my friends, or an uncle or my brother or whoever. That is who I am and my friends are like me. And I am being true to myself by writing my blog.
Would love to meet you one day IHM. :)

Indian Home Maker said...

Bones The consolation is I have learnt a lot through blogging too ... like I had no idea my cat walked with his tail upright to show he is not afraid of my dog :)
But on a serious note, what's addictive is finding people you have never met, who know nothing about you, and finding you feel strongly about the same things!

Indian Home Maker said...

@mavin You are right, I have made some similar resolves - no missing gym, no blogging when the family is home, and no telling friends "I'll call you back" because I want to finish reading/writing a post!
I will still have plenty of time :)

Indian Home Maker said...

Does it matter Some of us are more prone to addictions. I am one of those :(

Indian Home Maker said...

z@kir R Thanks :) And comments and readers are what keeps a blog alive!

LOL @ reading blogs in boring meetings! When I used to take my daughter for some classes I used to keep some favorite blogs opened in tabs (don't have USB or mobile connection) and wait peacefully in the car, for two hours, guilt-lessly reading blog posts :)

Indian Home Maker said...

Paul you are right, you are using your your-own-time, in entertaining and educative (quoting Anser Azim) recreation.
It's like reading what's going on in the minds of thousands of people from all over the world!

Indian Home Maker said...

Gauri Gharpure You know, you have been blogging! I made some resolutions too. So went to the gym today and am going to feel great all day :)

Monika said...

oh thats so like me too.... :)

Indian Home Maker said...

Nita Gosh this struck a chord!

My passion for discussions and tracking politicians started during the elections after the Emergency, don't know how much we understood then, but those were important elections and were discussed like cricket scores everywhere!!!

Nita, all my friends don't like heated discussions, but I don't mind, we do have other things in common. I wrote a post on 'How many friends does a woman need?' here, http://lifeofanindianhomemaker.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-many-freinds-does-woman-need.html

But what most struck a chord in your comment is the fact that I need to prioritize too!

Monika said...

I am totally addicted. I am at it the whole time I am at work at my desk. Now don't tell that to my boss.......lol.
So, u r not alone there :)

Mama - Mia said...

:)

totally addicted! though i rarely get online over weekends when its hUbby and cubby time!

in office perinially blog hopping! :p

cheers!

abha

Anonymous said...

When you start reading blogs and completely forget the rice on the gas...which results in the throwing away of the totally destroyed cooker...that my dear friend is called addiction :)

Anonymous said...

ive never seen my husband grow this jealous with any men i meet in life ;P he gets furios when in the middle of somethng i sneak to the pc and check if i have received comments. At office the role is taken up by my TL! So in short when there are too many watches you have a thrill in jumping...and thats what i do. Sneak in nytim i can ;P

Kush said...

'World (Wide Web) '
Wow. That was a great expression. Just summed it up. Very funny post. Liked it a lot.
Sometime back I wrote a post wherein I summed up the laws of blogging. Even though they were written in the context of another Indian blogging community (rediffiland), they do have a universal appeal to them. Allow me to relate the more important ones, here:

--> You must blog happy. That is, irrespective of any factor, you must necessarily feel profoundly happy for and proud about what you have posted last. It should necessarily, working as panacea, lighten your days and soften your nights, irrespective of the burdens you carry in life.

--> You must post crap every once in a while. Like they say, adversary is the best teacher. It is imperative that you post crap every once in a while. It will teach you that no matter how hard you struggle, you can’t be successful all the time. Despite what point two says, your blog can’t ever have much of a bearing on your real life, nonetheless, the lessons learnt during blogadversity will surely see you through your worst times in real life. Besides, this will also bind you in a cord of sympathy with your fellow bloggers who blog crap all the time.

--> You must post something worthwhile every once in a while. Just like you fell in love with your spouse in those first days, and the rest of your days were spent finding and feigning that love you once felt, you must blog something worthwhile every now and then, so that you search for its shadow for the remainder of your blogging days (term of virtual life), and keep blogging in that false hope.

--> Most importantly, you must believe in blogging. The German philosopher, Fredrick Neitzsche wrote in his book, Beyond Good and Evil: "...as soon as ever a philosophy begins to believe in itself. It always creates the world in its own image..." This essentially obliterates truth or any conflicting opinion in the interest of survival of the species. Therefore, you must believe in the higher philosophy of blogging and let the world around you -- all of it: your marital life, your professional life, etc etc -- be created in its image.

--> Blog and let blog. must understand that just like yourself, others too have a right of writing and posting crap. You must respect their right. You must feel happy about your blog and let others feel happy about theirs. This in turn means that you must willingly and cheerfully post false, flattering comments on others’ blogs so they can in turn post false, flattering comments on yours, which you must accept gratefully with a swelling of your heart. This will further encourage feelings of universal brotherhood and love for all, making the blogosphere a peaceful and happy place to blog in.

Reema said...

Very true but I guess this addiction lasts for one or 2 years..after that one becomes normal. Check out my post from my early days in blogosphere
http://opinionsandexpressions.wordpress.com/2008/06/01/blogging-truth-cws/

Jira said...

Blogging is like a second job, only it doesn't pay me money! It is almost theraputic, gives me the much needed break from work, and (ok i'll admit it ;) ) an addiction!

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

I just read your comment on mad momma's recent post and wanted to tell you that the first time I read you (have no idea how I landed up here), I thought the two of you were a lot similar too (I really did!). But I think most of it was the fact that both of you had strong opinions despite staying at home and you were totally in touch with whats happening outside and way smarter then a lot of women who work outside. Also not everybody who is smart and intelligent can write so well so that was another commonality.

Catarina said...

this place is amazing!

Arun.N.M. said...

After 12 hours of work, blogging takes away a lot of .my sleep time Fortunately [or unfortunately] I have few comments to reply to.
Hey do anybody know how to reply to posts in Blogger via cellphome?I can reply in wordpress but not in blogger

Unknown said...

http://www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test.htm ..go through this when you get time.

And if use Mavin's words" this heady cocktail" saves me from a hangover every morning, and very economical, yet worthwhile.

Now I don't talk about all my opinions..reserved for my blog and comments.
forever i have addressed the questions - How do you know this? And you have an opinion on everything ?
It has also made me a great listener..i only see more advantages.

Sanjai Gandhi said...

i wud hav giv u a link of a blog if u knew tamil.. :) one of my friends have written on this topic. :)

and u can check ur blog addiction here : http://www.oneplusyou.com/bb/blog_addiction

D said...

I am SO addicted to blogging! It's worse than any caffeine addiction... The only reason why I'm not getting myself a Blackberry is because if I am able to access my mails anytime anywhere, it's going to be the end of my real life to live my virtual life. I keep making plans to ration my time on the net (read blogging) but it never works out!

Jay said...

True. Blogging is so very addictive. On the extreme. You need to read a lot first.

Regarding writing, you either have an opinion on debates going on in other blogs or you start one of your own. In between, humour and posting for fun works too.

It's a lot of fun, whatever people say. I get to know so many new people. Being an introvert, I am even able to express myself much better in this kind of "world".

Cheers.

Indian Home Maker said...

Monika We all seem to be in the same boat :)

Monika Ansh LOL :) Won't tell!!

Abha It's okay in the office, you are anyway on the comp, might as well read a blog or two :)

Homecooked And if the rice is totally burnt but the blackened cooker can be scoured clean, is it still addiction?
LOL :)

verbivorehere LOL :) Obviously because no guy could have the affect the blogworld has! Sleepless nights, always on your mind ....

Rhett Blogosphere is full of interesting, often amazingly brilliant people.
There are also those who provoke you into angrily hopping to their blog to see who made this outrageous comment.
ROTFL :) Sometimes they land on very talented blogs :) Genuinely am in awe of your poetry, though sometimes it goes over my head!

Reema Loved your post, and went thought he links on it :)
It will be good if instead of being addicted one could be disciplined. I can easily spare a few hours at a stretch, but since I am never off line, I end up snatching moments all day - and no really sitting peacefully and reading/writing :(

Jira A therapeutic addiction :) I feel the same way.

Indian Home Maker said...

tearsndreams Thanks and Honored by the comparison :)

Catarina Thanks :)

Charakan ASAAAN above can tell you, do hop over to her blog, she uses a cellphone for reading/replying comments.

Anrosh Yes these are the kind of questions we all love to answer! We can talk and we have opinions :)
I too love long comments and discussion in my blog!

Will take a look at your link - I found one site, from another link here too, and have added a widget at he bottom of this page, it seems 'My blog owns 50% of me' :)

பொடியன்-|-SanJai Will check your blog addiction :)

D Exactly what's happening to me! It's amazing how some people are just not interested and others are totally obsessed with blogging ... or maybe those who are not interested are only uninterested until they start :)

Trailblazer Yes you are right. I had started blogging, thinking it would be an entirely personal blog, but now realise it is such a lovely place for serious or heated discussions also. I know sometimes people argue without meaning, for the fun of a debate, and that's fun too. But I am always serious, I mean what I write. How then can it not be addictive?

Soumya said...

Usha ma'am suggested to me go through your blog and I knew its gonna be another new experience.

Right from the name to the posts you post, they are so very close to normal routines of life and that is perhaps why they read so good.

I spend 10-12 hrs a day. because that is my 'job'. but on technology.

And I blogdom never brought in boredom for me. yet.

Keep sharing.

Deeps said...

Hi IHM,first time here..got here through doesitmatter
I could totally relate to your post here.blogging has become quite an integral part of my life too.
In fact I've published a somewhat similar post myself in here http://deeps-speakingup.blogspot.com/2008/10/blogging-quite-enjoyable.html

do read as and when possible

BTW,I love the way you have introduced yourself. I'm even prouder to say that I'm a homemaker...will look forward to reading more of your posts
Happy Blogging:)

Anonymous said...

I identify totally with this blog. I am sure my family feels totally neglected coz of my blog-addiction!! But I think they'd gladly suffer that 'neglect' rather than have me chattering nineteen to the dozen with them. I am safely off their backs from the time I started blogging, inflicting whatever I have to say on strangers who slowly become blog-friends!! Lol.
I am either reading blogs,posting comments, checking for comments.... the works! Yeah I get panic attacks if the net connection goes off... as if I am shut off somewhere in some lonely corner of the Universe with no ways of communicating with anyone.

Anonymous said...

@IHM: That is a beautiful point you made about reading the thoughts and opinions of people all over the world. I think the excitement of being connected in some small way with so many people from various nations is a major factor in what keeps me blogging.

1conoclast said...

The wife is pissed!

Anonymous said...

See that's why me break take from blogging :) I love reading your posts which I do now too, but its like blog is third priority for me, rightnow.

But its additive and beautiful, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

1conoclast said...

Chirag,

I agree. Well put. Am still striving.

You the Chirag from the IM blog?

Imp's Mom said...

living in my parents home, have to follow the rules of the house! If it had been only me, I would have been surfing blogs day in and out...hehehhe.. been doing it for years... so yes I am addicted.

p.s. was away for abt 10 days thnks to weddings in the family and all I could think about was the posts that I was missing reading and writing :P