How May I Help You?

I’m a bit of a people-pleaser. Well, I’m sure I don’t please everybody all of the time, but it’s an innate concern of mine. It’s only natural, really. Wondering if you’re doing enough to help others. Wondering if what you do is worth it. Wondering if anyone’s listening and hearing and caring. It’s probably rooted in some anxiety and esteem issues, but that’s not what I’m getting into today.

What I am getting into is YOU. I’ve asked for feedback before, and even surveyed you. But, the focus was generally the blog. Yes, I want to improve the blog, and this post is somewhat related to that, but mostly, I want to know what I can do for YOU with this here tiny nook of the internet.

Here’s what I mean…

How May I Help You? - image 1f697-help on https://megactsout.com

What do you hope to see when you stop by Meg, Acting Out?

Why do you read? What do you get out of reading?What are your favorite types of blog posts (on any blog)?

How-to? Recipes? Life betterment/tips? Entertainment? Inspiration (if so, in what way)?What are your life concerns? Goals?

Do you prefer a different format from time to time, like video or podcast?

Overall, what would you like to see more/less that will benefit you and your needs?

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We’re obviously still going to share random personal posts, but I want to know that the time that I put into this joint isn’t falling upon disinterested ears. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy writing and would do it for an audience of one, but once in awhile I need some focus and to touch base to see what’s what. Does that make sense?So, if you have any responses to the above questions (or any further suggestions or ideas), please don’t hesitate to drop me a line in the comments. Or, if you’d like to chat further and more anonymously, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Blogiversary

How May I Help You? - image c80c0-cupcake on https://megactsout.comWoohoo! Happy Blogiversary to…well, me! Wow, how conceited. Sorry, I’m just a tad excited about the fact that I’ve been over-sharing here at MAO for two years. I’ve even reached my 200th post! (If you like to play mathematician, that’s approximately 100 posts per year. Hooray for easy math! And I really should double those numbers.)

Man, a lot’s happened in those two years! We got married (a better description of our wedding festivities can be found here)…our family grewthen grew s’morethen we got outnumbered (okay, it’s starting to get out of hand now)…and, finally, it’s baby time. And think of what’s to come – I’m turning the big three-oh (if I don’t write the numbers, it’s not real, hee hee) very soon, and riiiiiiiight after school lets out, we should be welcoming our new bundle of joy. HUGE life changes. And you’d better believe that I’ll be writing about it all left ‘n right.

There’s lots that I could do to “celebrate” the blog’s birthday. Look at the numbers of readers and squeal over the fact that folks from all over the world have stopped by (seriously, places that I couldn’t pin on a map). Bake an organic cake and blow out a couple of candles. Do a happy dance with the cats…although Jasper would probably be the only one who’d be down with that. Drool over the fact that I’ve had over 9,000 page views…over 600 in the past month (it’s the little things that impress me).

But I’d rather just take a moment to shout a huuuuuge “THANK YOU!” from the bottom of my heart, just for reading my musings, even when I’m in grouchy mode or don’t finish a bathroom redo for countless months or get on my all-natural high horse. I adore the fact that folks read, regardless. It means the world to know that I’m not just writing for myself – although I’d still enjoy it. I do loves me some writin’…or else I wouldn’t be doing it, of course!

So, beyond saying “thank you,” I want to ensure that I keep any readers and potential followers happy. That being said, I’d appreciate some Blogiversary Back-Talk. Call it constructive criticism. Call it a virtual suggestion box. Call it “what would I rather read” feedback. Whatever we call it, I call it a huge help as to determining the direction of the blog, and it helps provide some focus.

Here are some suggestions of questions/ideas that you can respond to in the reply section. If Blogger is being naughty (as it often is!) and won’t let you reply, feel free to leave a message or comment on my Facebook page. Whatever way that you choose to get information to me (I’ll keep an eye out for homing pigeons), it’s greatly appreciated!

– What are your favorite parts about the blog? Your least favorite?
– What topics do you look forward to reading about?
– How do you feel about the design, organization, and appearance of the blog?
– Would you read more if I posted more?
– How do you feel about baby stuff? How much/little will you want to hear when they make their arrival? (Same goes for cats…too much? Too little? Just right?)
– Do you just read for the amusement factor, or are you interested in green living or DIY (which I’m hoping to do more of) or what?

In the past, I’ve heard “Just keep doing what you’re doing”, which I appreciate hearing…but with a tad more information, I can streamline what I write and remind myself of reader interests. It matters! And it’s appreciated, lots!! So please, over-share as much as I over-share.

(On a side note, this week is my mom’s birthday…my niece’s birthday……and next week is mine! 😀 So, my blog’s in pretty good company. Fine ladies, fine ladies.)

Blog Cliches

With all the blogs I waste hours of my life reading read, it’s hard not to pick up some of the language that the ladies use. (Seriously, 99% of the blogs I read are written by chicks. It is what it is.) While I do my best to maintain my own language, it’s only natural to be influenced. And, honestly, I’m pretty darn good at mimicry. If I was actually a good actress, I’d be better than darn good, but I do what I can. 😉

So, let’s see some of these oft-used blog cliches that I happen to really like, which we will inevitably be snickering at in less than 12 months with the arrival of even cooler (ie more ridiculous) terms…

Evah. As in, “It was the best day evah!” I suppose these are all examples of just fun conversational writing, which I’m not necessarily knocking. I’ve read a couple of scathing, over-indulgent blog posts shooting down much of what I truly love about reading and writing blogs. I want to hear the person’s voice. If they’re spelling correctly (or mis-spelling for the sake of silliness, as in “evah”), I’m happy. Heck, I even love one blogger who is notorious for accepting and self-deprecating her misspellings, which I respect. I’m not reading your blog expecting a professional journal, but if it’s filled with these cliches, I think you’re trying too hard. I know, you want to (not “wanna”) be the best blogger evah, but I’ve officially tuned you out now. :-\ I hope my readers don’t do that!

Wop wop. In case you don’t know, this is supposed to be the trombone sound that’s played when a bummer happens. This is another creative visualization that I actually appreciate. Anytime there’s a musical enhancement without having to throw in a YouTube clip, I’m all over it! And much more interesting would life be if, say, you burn the roast, take the lid off, look, then turn to some unseen camera with a “wop wop” sound in the background? A lot more, I’d say.

Lurve. Yes, readers over the age of 40 or 50 (particularly male), I am aware that “lurve” is from Annie Hall (a movie which I’d like Santa to deliver, if he reads this…). I’ve been told this on more than one occasion. Believe me, I love…lurve…classic film, and I consider it to be on that list. However, why do I doubt that a majority of the bloggers that use the term are aware of the usage history? I guess it doesn’t matter where it starts; it’s fun to use! As Woody Allen says, sometimes it’s necessary to come up with a new word when “love” just isn’t strong enough…

Wait for it. Hee hee. I enjoy this one. It’s so silly. You’re obviously not waiting, because you’re continuing to read. The next line will tell you exactly what you should be excited enough to “wait for”. Example: “We went to…wait for it…Vermont.” You can SEE the word in your peripheral! Hee hee. On the aforementioned nasty blog that slammed some of these phrases, it compared “wait for it” to stage directions in a play. So true! Oh, which reminds me – “Exit, stage right” needs to catch on.

Periods to articulate terribly important pauses. I do this all. The. Time. And, strangely, I like doing it. Obviously “The.” isn’t a sentence, nor is “Time.” And “I do this” is incomplete, as well. Yep, the grammatical inconsistencies (or downright errors) are palpable. But who cares? It’s fun, it breaks up the entry and adds a bit of flourish.

Awesomesauce. This is my current favorite. What’s better than awesomesauce? We’ll see what the future holds, shall we?