Saturday, October 1, 2005

Thanks For Sharing, Mrs. L

I check out new journals all the time. That's why I ask everyone who leaves a comment to also leave me a link.

But, I notice, I've rarely become a regular reader of most of them and I think it's for some really stupid reasons.

First, I'm lazy. I will struggle with small type to see if you have something to say.  But mostly, I hate to find my reading glasses, so I prefer fourteen point BLACK type.

Reading the comments isn't included in this indictment, because they can't be over a certain length, which is manageable for reading, even with eensy weensy type.

I prefer AOL's fourteen point type although I don't think it's really fourteen point type.  I think the size skips from ten to sixteen here on AOL, even though one may be clicking on twelve or fourteen.


Also, while we're on the subject, the typefaces are equally annoying. I can click on Times Roman, a serif face, but it always defaults to some unknown sans serif face when it posts, so guess what?  I don't use it.

But I'm ranting about things AOL has heard complaints about for TWO YEARS, which means I'm wasting my time, when I could be boring you to death with my rationale for reading journals.

Okay, so I click on a new link -- say at Patrick's Place for the Saturday Six, or Scalzi's for his weekly assignment, or Judithheartsong's for the people who enter the artsy essay, or the picks for this week's Editor's Pick, which, by the way are usually pretty lame if you ask me. [With some notable exceptions.] And I was also an Editor once, doing the picking, too.

I check out the Other Journals listed in those journals I already read. In fact I go to other journals I read often just toclick on their links. That whole thing about being lazy again.

But, like I say, I rarely find new journals I stick with. Because of things like this: If I get to a journal I haven't read and the background of the page is black with colored type, I can't leave fast enough.  There's a reason why books are printed on white pages with black ink.  So you can read them.

Don't get too artsy fartsy on me. Design should be in service of the function, if you want some philosophy.

If you're posting art or pictures, go for it. But I'm trying to read what you've written. So long entries in yellow, green, lavendar and pink type suck for easy reading as far as I'm concerned. Unless of course IT'S BIG TYPE. Blue is okay, though.


On the other hand, color is okay when you're having fun, too.

Also, if there is only one long, uninterrupted paragraph for the first twelve inches of writing, I'm  gone. Help me here, I'm trying to keep track of what you're saying and after awhile it begins to blur. A little white space relieves the tension.

And then there is subject matter. I do not like religious, spiritual, or fanciful themes. Unless it's something funny. Like that ever happens.  

I am a woman of a certain age and I find that I don't like most of what other women my age write about. Here again, unless it's funny. Or there are pictures. I'm a little kid that way.

But, having said all this I will come back a couple of times even when I can't stand your graphics to see if I've missed the point or there's really something there.

I really feel bad when someone leaves a nice comment and I visit their journal only to discover that I don't like it.

Ultimately it's the writing I'm after. And making me laugh. I also love a good story.  Or useful information. Or sarcasm -- I love sarcasm, satire, general snarkiness.

Some people are such great writers that I will find my glasses and read all ten entries on the front page at once. Then go back and read them again.  I may not even comment.  Or I may comment on all of them. I'm such a liar -- I may comment on a couple.  I think I only commented on all ten one time, because every entry was so funny.

I also delete journals from my Other Journals if someone isn't posting very much. For instance, once every three or four months and you may be toast.  I want to be entertained, so let's get to writing people.

Having written all this I realize nobody but me gives a rip about this stuff, but I just thought I would share.  


19 comments:

Anonymous said...

DANG...missed your prune juice I see.


xoxoxoxo,
andi

Anonymous said...

OOPS!

http://journals.aol.com/artloner/SheSaidWhat/

xoxoxoxo,
andi

Anonymous said...

I have lots of journals on alert, but there are only about half a dozen that I never skip reading.  Yours is one of those.

I'm not a big commenter either, except in those 5 or 6 journals I read without fail.  (of course, two of those are my children's journals, so they really don't count.)

And it really matters not at all to me how many comments I get; I'm not a "comment whore" as my daughter calls it.

If nobody but my two kids and a few acquantances read my journal, I'd write the same stuff, because I just happen to enjoy writing.  It's cathartic for me.  As long as I am able to write, seasonal depression can't hold me prisoner.

Anonymous said...

How about all the current stuff with the games and links and things? No writing, just quizzes. What is that all about? I guess people come to journals for different reasons. I, for one, don't want to be told what to write about - so I don't do the memes generally.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

I agrre some of the journals have such small print i can't read either. Thanks for sharing hope all is well with you love the pictures:)

Essayons

Deb

Anonymous said...

As I am within a decade of your lofty age, I must concur. How can anyone dumb enough to post  a single neverending paragraph in a 10 point font, pink on purple, have anything important or clever to say?

Anonymous said...

I guess that is what is great about JLand is there is something for everyone. Everyone likes different things. Some like pictures, some don't, some like colored text, some don't, some like big text, some don't and what is "interesting" is as unique as the variety of journals who write them. There have even been every combination of the above that I have like and some I have not! Ha! Isn't it great we live in a world where we can pick & choose so much & everyone will find something that will please them! :-)

Anonymous said...

My God, why do you read your comment then? (small light print)  I guess this means I better get to posting again.  Trying to find humor in illness....it's there, believe me, the hospitals are full of it!  Anne

Anonymous said...

"If I get to a journal I haven't read and the background of the page is black with colored type, I can't leave fast enough."

Yep...

"Also, if there is only one long, uninterrupted paragraph for the first twelve inches of writing, I'm  gone."

YES!!!

"And then there is subject matter. I do not like religious, spiritual, or fanciful themes. Unless it's something funny. Like that ever happens."

What she said.

"I am a woman of a certain age and I find that I don't like most of what other women my age write about. Here again, unless it's funny."

I never read journals of someone my age. Ever.

"I really feel bad when someone leaves a nice comment and I visit their journal only to discover that I don't like it."

Amen to that. That does feel terrible.

I'm so glad someone else thinks that way! I love that you wrote this lol

~Lily

Anonymous said...

Wow, this makes your kind comments to some of my entries and our emailed "debates" on marriage (The institution, people......she and I weren't thinking of getting married) even that much more meaningful.  Thanks:)

Chris
http://journals.aol.com/swibirun/Inanethoughtsandinsaneramblings
http://www.bigoven.com/~swibirun

Anonymous said...

I'm still laughing.  You really do tell it like it is.  However, once I read the paragraph about deleting journals from your Other Journals is someone isn't posting very much, I thought "Bloody hell, I'm a gonner!"  Phew, I survived.

And the Editor's picks??  You ought to see the kinda rubbish they promote over here.....YUCK!

http://undeniably-me.blog-city.com/

Annie :-D

Anonymous said...

Personally, I do not judge a journal merely based on the color of its content.  I also consider the use of epiliepsy-inducing "blinkies" and number of jr. high school-ish shout outs.

tara :)

Anonymous said...

:):):) you are adorable. judi

Anonymous said...

i hope i can get my journals up to snuff--i don't have that biting humor yet--still wrapped up in myself===i did take another cat to the shelter..makes 3 adults, including one ma w 4 babies , and this latest, a  very young , sweet calico, male--so young and polite he didn't scatch my sofa-so little just wanted to follow me===oh well, hope he is healthy enough to be put up for adopyion..gwwz--this should be in the journal..if anybodybhangs in go to my journal and say something petless but petlover

Anonymous said...

If the calico really is a male it is very rare and worth a great deal of money.  Just thought you'd like to know.  Almost all calicos are female.  Mrs. L

Anonymous said...

I know my journal can make one start to mysteriously crave a scoop of Rainbow Sherbert , but I just got so excited when you showed me how to post on Firefox.  No more 12-point default font, what more can a Mac user ask for?

~Kris

Anonymous said...

Snarkiness rules!  So does 12-point black font.

~~ jennifer

Anonymous said...

I agree that journals that are hard to see will get little attenion from me.  I was getting nervous when you said you prefer black print on white until I read where blue was okay too.  Sigh of relief here.  It's good to alert other journalers about what may be distracting in their journal presentation.  Mrs. L is nothing if not helpful.
Sam

Anonymous said...

I am new to your journal but I liked you already!  Now, from reading this entry I realize why.  You are outspoken and I agreed with all of your sentiments.  But, I am just as sure you will be outspoken on some topic with which I completely disagree.  Bring it on!  I look forward to future words of wisdom.
Donna
Dust Bunny Protector