On Tumblr
After contemplating for ages, I finally decided to get a Tumblr account and start a Tumblelog. I have to admit that I was partially driven by John Grogan’s comment in his best selling book Marley & Me, that how keeping a daily log of his life actually helped a lot in recalling things that he believed he had far forgotten. His entry on Jenny’s miscarriage was so detail and in depth that he didn’t do much editing to his log before publishing it as a standalone chapter in that book. That is the power of a diary – and I was convinced.
So on impulse, or rather, after thoughtful consideration, I conceived a Tumblelog. I decided to name it Soliloguy, because I frequently find myself engaged in a monologue with my inner self. It is an abbreviation of “A guy’s soliloquy”, substituting the ‘q’ with a ‘g’. It was actually decided on the spot since a quick check revealed that the ’soliloguy’ address was taken, apparently by yet another domain parker.
It’s available via soliloguy.tumblr.com or simply jotter.teddy-o-ted.com.
Ember was kind enough to warn me that I might end up killing this main blog. He uncovered by deepest fear and I have to admit that I did worry that the new Tumblelog will drain me of all my energy, ideas and creativity that is keeping this blog alive. However, I will try to maintain Soliloguy as a separate entity – a place where I write about my daily ramblings, thoughts and experiences. This blog will still remain, very solid-seated, as a photography and design site of mine. Photo journals, tutorials and other things I dig up from the Internet will still find themselves here.
After a three-day test run I am sold. Tumblr is indeed, awesome.
1. Tumblr keeps me thinking. I have committed myself to write a meaningful entry a day. It’s not an easy task to juggle, especially when my lecturers demand undivided attention and being a guy it’s hard to multitask *laughs*. I keep short notes on my iPod touch whenever an idea strikes me, and I try very hard to observe things around me. It made me think more in depth, to appreciate certain moments that are seemingly dull and bland, and to be aware of my surroundings. I actually kept a close watch on how my classmates reacted during a dissection of an unfortunate lab mouse today. I would not have done that if I didn’t task myself to come up with something by 12 midnight.
2. Tumblr takes my camera out of the drybox. There’s an entry about a person literally spraying excrement all over (not as if he wanted, I believe that it was purely an accident, a manifestation of, perhaps, an acute food poisoning) the cubicle right opposite my favourite shower stall in the communal toilet. I tried to append an image to every single entry and I actually made myself to take a photo of the cleaned toilet (no way I’m going to photograph a soiled toilet) – something that I wouldn’t even consider doing because I initially believed there’s nothing to photograph in a restroom.
3. Tumblr motivates me. In order to tell a good story, one has to have a good grasp of the language. Since I started Soliloguy, I have been actively combing through novels that I have read, and learned to appreciate how different authors describe certain scenes in detail. In White Oleander, Janet Fitch describe how moon light filtered through the window drapes. What a lovely adjective to use. In Marley & Me, John Grogan used words like “rambunctious” and “impudent” to describe the seemingly uncontrollable Marley filled with truckloads of puppy energy, and “torpid” to describe a lazy, lethargic summer afternoon. They seemed so foreign to me that I made myself to check up dictionaries and remember by heart how to use them when the context calls for it.
I guess that’s all I could say! I shall not kill this blog simply because I have started a Tumblelog. More updates to come, no worries!
Dear readers, if you have a Tumblelog, do leave your address behind so that I could follow you. Thanks!
i signed up for Tumblr the other day but just haven’t done anything with it. If I do, I’ll definitely come back and give you my address.
Wow, I applaud you for taking on another project — and even though it’s been a few days, you’re still keeping at it! With school, lectures, classwork, life, and friends… not to mention this blog, I don’t know where you find the time. — OH! I know, instead of getting 3 hours of sleep a night you’ve knocked it down to 1 right? :P Just messing with you!
I LOVE the idea. I’ve always wanted to keep a journal… I have a few, I just never keep them updated. It’s a nice thing to look back one day on past entries! To see what was running through your head on a certain date — I love the concept. I hope you do keep it up and don’t lose motivation for your blog here. :)
*hugs!* I hope the fun & excitement of keeping a journal-like blog continues! It’s a great idea and I love it. :)
Thank you so much for your support, Trina! The past few days were a testing period for my daily Tumblelog and I realize that I don’t really run short of things to write. I discovered that if I do pay attention to my surroudings, my mind will weave stories out of thin air by itself. So I’ll just have to be more observant, I guess :)
Nah, I’m back to 6 hours a night because I don’t want to start my semester looking like a sleep-deprived nomad, heh.
I used to keep journals in written form, each entry filling an entire A4 paper, back in middle school but when school work started to catch up with me in high school, I simply gave up and dropped the habit. Although many condemn the use of electronic journals, I find that it’s the only plausible way for me to keep a daily log :) to see it in another light, I’m saving pen and paper and probably the environment too *laughs*
All the best to you, for your new 365 project! I will make it a point to visit your photoblog more frequently too :)
Oh, definitely! Thank you for the support as well. :) It’s tough finding time to do the things you love and that inspires you. But I’m a very nostalgic person so I know years from now I am going to be so happy that I blogged so much. I love looking back on older entries just to see what all was going on that day and also witness how much I’ve grown as a person. I can see yourself doing the same some day. :)
Again, you inspire me. I don’t know how in this world you have time to do so much. And you still have time for great adventures with yours friends! I just love it. *cheer!* Keep up all the wonderful work & continue to enjoy life, Teddy. It’s always so refreshing to read your blog… I’m so eager to know what’s going on all the way over there! :P
*hugs* Have a lovely weekend!
Welcome to the Tumblr community! I have more posts on my Tumblr than I do on my blog even though it’s a whole year “younger”.
Mine’s at propagenda.org
Thank you, Ivy! I’ve followed your Tumblelog – it was one of my first follows since I know you do keep a Tumblelog, and it has been quite some time! Heheh.
Keep up the work on Propagenda and Nanyate!
Well. actually I was relating to my experience in juggling a Project 365 photoblog and a main blog – in which the latter suffered greatly in activity. I managed a grand total of only 13 posts for the whole of 2009 for my main blog! *facepalm*
But then I figured, you’re not like me, Teddy. I shouldn’t compare, heh. I believe you’ll do fine balancing the two. I’ve been following your daily Tumbles and I must say they’re quite a joy to read! =D If anything, we can now be treated to a daily dose of your highly-indulging writings!
So.. I’m taking my advice back, haha! I’m with Latrina – amazed at how you’re able to find time to post daily. Oh, since you’ll be attaching a photo to every entry, I can see this project doubling as a Project 365 too, haha! Ok, I shall stop burdening you with more projects but, keep it up! =D
Ah, I see. Hey, but at least you’re, (1) still updating your main blog occasionally and (2) have not let the quality suffer. Quantity doesn’t really matter a lot, really :) your writing is still superb and I’m learning be a great and engaging writer just like you are.
Awww, don’t do the you vs me thing. I’m not a lot different from any other people and I have 24 hours a day too. Your comment is very flattering and that’s really very humbling (how ironic but that’s really what I felt). See yourself as a great writer – my entries aren’t as good as compared to yours and you do invest significantly more time in writing. I blog using the tried and tested method, which is basically blog what I have in mind, keep words short and do a big fat photo dump :P
Sometimes I actually pen my entires in advance waiting for a writer’s block, and there are actually quite a few drafts stashed in that dusty WP drafts folder for contingency purposes.
It will be partial Project 365, not completely though – sometimes I couldn’t find photos in my archive to go with that topic of the day, such as the recent entry on the sacrification of the unfortunately lab mouse in the name of science :P
Have a great weekend, Ember!
hehe..welcome to tumblr family~~ i’m following your blog =)
Welcome to the Tumblr community. I agree with your point regarding the constant thought being exercised with the presence of a Tumblelog. While you use yours for shorter entries than the ones on your main site (which is unparalleled in terms of the amount of detail that you dedicate to it, especially in your tutorials) I can see there is a greater frequency in writing, which sometimes can be related to spontaneity and unleashing the full potential of creativity. Very seldom do I see people use their Tumblelogs for pure writing.
While I do not use mine for short entries, I do use it as an inspiration-dump, like a visual Delicious account or a scrapbook. It helps me be spontaneous as well. I am not worried about grammar or paragraph structure or wording. Most of all, I am not worried about completing my thoughts, which tends to lead to long entries, something I am very guilty of doing.
I really hope that your Tumbleog helps the development of your main site instead of the opposite. =)
Thank you so much for the warm welcome, Maria! Tumblelog has since been keeping my mind busy and my thoughts jogging. I couldn’t help to mentally draft out something that I will be writing that very evening/night to make it an entry and call it a day.
Actually, I think Tumblelogs should somewhat resemble what you’re currently having. Majority of the Tumblelogs that I came across actually double as an link/inspiration bookmarker and a holding place for some sporadic ramblings. Looks like I’m using it for a purpose that I have never envisioned Tumblr was initially made for :P afterall, people do serious writings on their main blogs, right?
Oh, and do drop me a note if you’re coming to Singapore so that we can meet up with Ivy for lunch, tea or something :) Take care!
I’ll definitely drop you a note when I go to Singapore, and I’ll definitely coordinate with Ivy for a lunch/meet-up when I go there. In fact, I have been waxing nostalgic about when I used to live there lately, and I do look forward to the time where I get the opportunity to travel and meet up with old friends and revisit old haunts.
Oooh tumblr, I have one too :D Though it was only a brief moment when I used it (at that time I was homeless on the internet and moved from place to place) and after reading your entry I might re-start it since my own blog is kinda dead-ish now and that since I’ve started taking a few design / programming jobs, I planned to somehow change my website… yet again.
I’m at chienyee.tumblr.com :) It’s dead now but once I find the motivation and time I’ll probably start… I think XD
*follows your tumblr*
Thanks for the follow, Chien! :) Nah, your other commitments are more important than your Tumblelog and do attend to them first, teehee. There’s no rush in reviving too – I’ll just tune in to your main site for the moment being, dropping by your Tumblelog from time to time.
Just followed you back so that I can see when you have a new entry :) hehe!
I have a few friends that use Tumblr, and I’ve been meaning to see what all the hype is. The problem is there just always seems to be more projects than there is time.
Nice review though, perhaps I’ll sign up soon
Ah, I see. Tumblr is definitely picking up recently – I believe that’s partially because Tumblr combined the best of both worlds. It allows one to post short snippets just like others do on Twitter (or slightly longer), and it is hosted on a central server that doesn’t require a web hosting service. It is a lot lighter and cleaner than WordPress, and more importantly, if you’re actively participating in the Tumblr community you will realize that you can make do without RSS readers.
I wouldn’t consider mine a review! :P It’s more like a one-sided opinion anointing how good Tumblr is, heh.
The best thing about Tumblr that i have found is that if you follow the right people there is always a stream of interesting content in your dashboard. I know you can do this with RSS for other blogs but Tumblr makes it so easy.
Indeed! That’s what makes Tumblr very interesting. And I realized that once I get hooked on to Tumblr, I no longer need to live with that dreadful RSS reader that is so clogged up with unread entries.
Wow your tumblr looks almost like your 2nd blog. I love your writing.
I also have a tumblr account but I rarely update it and even if I update, I only post craps. Maybe later I should share my tumblr link. =P
Thanks for the compliments :) feel free to plug your Tumblelog’s address. I’ll be more than happy to follow you to keep track of any updates! Heh.