Blogging these days isn't exactly free of hiccups along the way (major samples of said hiccups including storms that blow out my Internet cables and, at college, a firewall that won't let me see this blog because evidently, it contains 'forbidden'- read pornographic- material). It's also sometimes tough just to tear my eyes off what feels like the half-zillion other things I do online (thankfully, I'm too old to really be into Facebook etc- being glomped by zombies doesn't bother me) , or to stop reading other blogs long enough to post on my own.Which brings me to the point of this post really, the point being just how sad it can be when a blog you read shuts down. It's not that I disagree with anyone's right to stop blogging, but it's still downright depressing that no less than four of my favourite blogs have been deleted, discontinued or gone underground in the last two months, or are headed that way in the near future (namely Style Bytes, LibertyLondonGirl, and Mrs Fashion respectively, with LC of Fops and Dandies shutting down soon because she's headed to law school in a matter of weeks). I don't mean to sound whiney or ungrateful, because heaven knows a new job- in LLG's case- and law school- in LC's- are time-consuming things and blogs can be tricky, privacy-wise, but I guess all I really wanted to say is, I miss these blogs rottenly (or I will). One of the best things about having a blog is getting to know other bloggers and their thoughts- if I were to liken the round of blog-visiting and commenting to anything, it would be a series of pretty tea parties (though someone I know compared them to slumber parties, I think a fash-blogger interaction would be slightly more dressed-up). Either way, I'm grateful to Agathe, LLG, Mrs Fashion and LC for letting me in on their take on style, even if it was just for a bit. And if any of them do start writing again, I'd be a very very happy girl indeed...
*header images from Libertylondongirl and Fops and Dandies.
*header images from Libertylondongirl and Fops and Dandies.
13 comments:
I feel the same way. I read all these, and was sorely disappointed when they went off the air, so to speak. I realized that I really looked forward to the writers' voices and presences in my life. Who knew?
I wish them all well.
Good post. But this is why personal "reporting" will never replace traditional media, IMHO. There's no continuance, no institutional memory -- everyone comes and goes as they pleases. At least Vogue comes every month, right?
Ah, for a moment that title gave me a scare! I agree, it is certainly sad see to see these go/gone, but I guess it shows just what an odd space blogs occupy in our consciousnesses... stranded somewhere between private and public spaces...
Style Bytes was one of the first fashion blogs I read and it was definitely surprising when she simply disappeared (though of course she has every right to do so). Surprising and definitely a little sad, too.
what you are feeling is an offshoot of globalisation...20 years ago it would be absurd for someone in bangalore to miss someone's diary half way across the world...so kudos to the flat world and the emotions that come with it....
Top post. So poignant lately with these bloggers leaving. They were such good blogs too. It is sad cos there's a big ol' hole in my bookmarks but they blogged beautifully. "Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all". At least there are still quality blogs out there - like this one.
Love to the bloggers. Modareina xx
It does seem like there is a wave of blog disappearances.... but life unfortunately doesn't revolve around our beloved blogs and other stuff comes up.... it gives me a lot of food for thought I must say...
The blog community is wonderful. All these shutting down for various reasons makes me wonder if there is some sort of taboo or stigma against blogs and their bloggers...Do certain employers dislike blogs because they fear we can't be discreet? It is all very puzzling.
I know that feeling, and it's saddening because you probably won't have the chance to read these folks anymore.
HapiBlogging to you my friend! Have a nice day!
Phew - for a minute I thought you were leaving us!
I agree with you - I miss these blogs too, and only hope I won't have to dissapear any time soon!
Yeah, I hate it, it's like your favourite magazine folding. You get so used to it and in the case of bloggers who post frequently, you really look forward to their voices and opinions. What would I do without Style Bubble and The Sartorialist? No-one does what they do better! (Face Hunter isn't my bag.) Yet, realistically, even those two can't stick around forever :(
ENC: Yes, it's disappointing, but still, real life must come first- like you, I hope they're all doing well.
Wendy: True enough, though I've never thought of blogging etc as a replacement for traditional media- just a cooler, more truthful/unfettered alternative.
Headmistress: Oops, I didn't realise the title could be read to refer to this blog! But yes, it's funny to think of all our well-beloved blogs that way- ultimately the impetus to write them comes from one person (or two, sometimes).
The_undead: If this is globalisation, I'll have some more of it, please. And I'd rather be reading the diary of some person halfway across the world than, say, the Times of India.
Modareina: I agree with you, they were excellent blogs indeed. And thank you- I'm glad you think this blog is a quality one :)
Susie: What you say is true, sometimes it gets tough to do things as regularly as I'd like, i really wonder how the more frequent updaters- like you- manage to fit it all into your day..
The Clothes Horse: It's mysterious all right, but I think it's a combination of an anticipated increased workload (LC), plain old tired-of-blog-ness (Agathe, possibly), and workplace discretion (LLG and probably Mrs Fashion). Some employers don't like blogs, that's true (I know a couple of friends who has to sign confidentiality clauses at their workplaces that included the subject of blogs- though these are lawyers), but ultimately we'll never know everything..
Allure: I know, it's sad indeed.
Elisabeth: Ack, no, I'm not going anywhere! And I really do hope you won't have to disappear either- surely being anonymous and referring to everyone in your life under pseudonyms is enough of a precaution?
Rollergirl: You're right, they can't all continue into infinity, and I'll really miss the blogs I love most :( And at least with a magazine there's a chance that something like it might pop up again- with a blog, that's so personal that it'd be tough if not impossible to replicate.
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