Struggling Back to Blogland

I have a confession to make. It's hugely ironic coming at a time when apparently there is quite a bit of debate going on about the "politics of blogging" and the role of popularity (as measured by site hits, comments, etc.) in the blogworld ... (a debate which might well have passed my completely as I'm so out of the loop about such things, except for one link which led me to another and another) ...

But it's time to confess.

I was kinda crushed that I didn't get more comments on my carefully written and (I figured) thoughtful last post on the Montreal school shooting. For once, I blog on something topical and possibly even debateworthy ... and there is near-silence. Mind you, seven comments is quite good for my little corner of the blogosphere, but when you consider that one was kind of irrevelant, one was me replying to someone, and THREE were from my best friend (bless her!) who posted three times ... that's basically three people who commented on what I said. I don't know, I was just hoping for a little more feedback. I really do try not to measure my self-worth by my blog-comments (especially given how often I read other people's blogs, think "That's really interesting!" and then don't comment). But I do like to get feedback and know what other people are thinking about the things that interest me. Thanks to those who did comment.

I am getting over the pain and getting back to blogging. Oh, speaking of pain, did I tell you about the SIX PEOPLE who came to my reading on Sunday? Thank you, I love you all, you are gods and goddesses ... still it would have been nice to see a few more faces there. Wow, there's nothing like being a writer for boosting one's self-esteem is there?

Is it possible I'm just feeling a teensy bit underappreciated right now? It's apparently not enough for me to have a book published ... or to have a blog ... what I really need (apparently) is people to line the streets chanting my name and showering me with rose petals.

I WILL STOP WHINING NOW I PROMISE!!!!!!!!

What better to cheer me up than pictures of my children? Here's one of Emma that raises an interesting (perhaps comment-worthy? I can only dare hope!) point in and of itself. Because I am one of those moms who strictly rations TV and video and computer time, and I will fight to the death for my belief that watching TV stifles creativity. And yet ... when I put on a video for the kids Sunday morning while Jason was still in bed upstairs, and I went out for a walk ... this is the scene I came home to a little later:

Yes, the TV is still on over in the corner somewhere, outside the frame of the picture. Kinda makes me scared about how creative (and messy) she could get if I didn't have a video on. OK, I'm not going to go into any deep thoughts about kids, TV and creativity ... a picture is worth 1000 anyway.

So for my next 1000 words, here's Christopher playing the violin:

Note how, with the superhero mural in the background, it kind of looks like The Thing is sneaking up from behind to attack Christohper while he's playing? If you've ever had an eight-year-old violin student practicing in your house you may feel some sympathy with The Thing at this point ... poor guy probably just wants some peace and quiet. However, getting Chris to practice is such a struggle that whenever he plays anything at all, it's music to my ears.

Oh, for anyone who's keeping track? My foot got completely better, all on its own. So, that's a good thing.