Don't mean to get all bitchy up in here, but.........

I try not to be negative on my blog.  I try to keep the focus, the posts, the highlights all positive.

But.....

I found myself venting this week about a few "bloggy" topics.  I want to share and vent here too.  If you want to avoid my mini-tantrums, feel free to stop reading now.

Photo Source

Blogging Pet Peeves:

Not replying to my comments:  Most people are busy.  If you find time to blog; find time to show appreciation to those who enjoy your blog.  If I've taken the time to read your blog and comment, then a reply would be nice.  It doesn't need to happen all the time.  It really doesn't.  But, if I read and comment on your blog more than five times, and I've received no response from you ever...this is what I'll do:

• I'll check to make sure I'm not a no-reply blogger (I know I'm not); I have no-reply bloggers comment on my stuff, and I feel TERRIBLE if I can't respond to them.  Sometimes, I'll go to their blog and try to find their email, just so I can respond, so they don't think I'm rude or don't appreciate them.
• I'll check to see if I missed an emailed response in my trash files (or gmails "Social" or "Promotional" files).
• I'll re-visit your blog to see if I missed something that you responded to directly on your blog.
• I'll check to see how many comments you received; There are several bloggers who receive 50+ comments, but still find the time to respond to me, but I get it...if you've received 150 comments, you may not have time for little ol' me.
• If there seems to be no good reason that you haven't replied to me, I'll question if I want to continue reading your blog.  

Okay, so I don't do those things every time.  Obviously.  But, I have done everything listed.  I try to give the blogger the benefit of my doubts that there is a reason that I'm not hearing back from them.

This is especially bad if I read/follow your blog, follow your instagram and/or twitter, if I've liked, commented, or retweeted your tweets/pics.  If I am supporting you like that, I think you've got some great content.  But, if I feel you aren't really appreciating me...it's difficult to keep that support going.

So, like, talk to me, okay?

Participation in link-ups or blog hops, but not showing love to the others that are linking-up:  Everyone has their reasons for participating in a link-up.  Mostly, you're sharing yourself, your thoughts, and/or common interests.  Plus, you're trying to gain some exposure.  Link-ups are great for this.  So, support and show love for the other link-up participants.  Of course, not everyone is going to have the time to do it every time (look at the other linkers), but if you participate regularly in a link-up, then I think it is absolutely rude not to support the others.  By support, I mean: go read what they linked, comment if you are inspired to do so, even take a look at other blog posts or their "about me" if you really, really like what you see.  It's kinda like breaking the golden rule.  Treat others the way you want to be treated.  Well, if you want others to read and interact with your blog, then you should read and interact with theirs.

Amanda at Meet @ the Barre hosts a super popular Friday Favorites link-up.  As I type this, there are 96 links on one of her FF posts.  That's a lot of links. Again, it takes time...and you're not going to have enough time to read every single link for every single link-up that you participate in (that is, if your participate frequently).  I try to tell myself to at least read 5 other links.  Five.  That's not too much to ask is it?  And, if I am having a crazy busy week, well...I forgive myself and just make sure I read 5 next time.

I'm not encouraging you to write a bunch of comments filled with insincere crap.  But if you're picking up somethin' that I'm laying down, then let me know.

(This has nothing to do with this post except it's probably breaking a blogger rule for using it when it doesn't pertain to the post...but I was searching for another usuable gif, saw this, and had to use it immediately.)

And, I thought the whole point in a blog hop is to "hop" around other blogs and find some new blogs to read and interact with.   Well, I participated in my first blog hop, I linked back to the host, I read ALL the posts on the link-up and commented when I was inspired to do so, I even shared more in the blog hop post that I had to (I think), and I was supposed to link a "content" filled post - I linked this post about equality.  I have not received ONE comment from any of the blog hop participants on this post.  #bloghopfail  (The comments I did receive were from people who already read my blog - thanks girls!)

If you participate in a link-up, mention and link back to the host:  I don't think I even need to explain myself on this one, I just think it's the right thing to do.   

Blogger shaming:  I don't follow very many blogger rules.  I'm okay with that because my goals with having a blog are not necessarily the same as others.  They don't have to be.  So, don't shame me if I don't follow all your blogger rules.  (It's happened.  Once.  I got an email "encouraging" me to change some things about how I blog in order to follow that person's blogger rules.)  I admit that I don't have many followers, I don't have much structure or focus, so I don't have to follow the rules.  Damnit.

I blog to maintain another line of communication with friends, family, and loved ones who live far away from me.  I blog to share some of my personal interests with others who have the same interests.  I blog to let myself have an outlet to write, or converse, or let go of a stream of consciousness rolling around in my brain.  Also, I enjoy the almost entirely positive and supportive blogger community.  I have immensely enjoyed the interaction that I've shared with some other bloggers.

You're not going to connect, be inspired, laugh, or be motivated by every post or every blogger.  No way.  But, you may just find something inspiring, or funny, or motivating, or a new blogger connection, that is a positive addition to your life.   That can be a wonderful thing.  I'm all about wonderful things.  And kindness.

Rant over.

Now...tell me...do you agree?  Disagree?  Do you have any blogging pet peeves?