Why I stopped and why I’m back
In September this year I wrote a post entitled “And so it ends for now” where I told the world of my decision to take a break from blogging. Well, not exactly the world per se, but the handful of people who make up my blogging world.
Since then I’ve had a number of people approach me at church (and on Facebook) to tell me how much they had enjoyed my blog and how sad they were that it had ended.
“Thank you so much,” I would respond, genuinely surprised and touched that my little blog was enjoyed by so many. “I will be back soon, though,” I would assure them.
Their next question would always be, “But why did you stop?”
Well, I’m pleased they asked, because it’s kind of a funny story, which includes why I’ve got back into it less than a month after signing off:
Honestly, blogging had just been taking up too much time and taking its toll on my “beauty” sleep. I was getting busier at work, preparing for a major new project that we were to launch in January 2013, and I was just plain tired. On top of that I found I was becoming less creative, and that the blog was just stagnating. And so, after over 500 posts here and 163 posts at my previous blog, I decided to stop – for all intents and purposes to throw my energy into my daytime job.
As difficult as it was for me, I stopped writing on 12 September. And on the 13th I arrived at work to be told that I was no longer needed – that my contract was being terminated. Oh, the wicked irony!
And that, I guess, leads me to why I’m kick-starting my blog again so soon – firstly, I have more time on my hands, and secondly, I’ve rediscovered the humorous side of life, and I’d like to share it. I considered renaming my blog Laugh with us Blog but that was taken. So here I am, plain old “Roobo” at « The Great Escape » sharing about my life from behind a camera’s lens and at a laptop.
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P.S. Does the grammar nazi in you also want to snap to attention and point out the mistakes when you see badly-constructed sentences, or clear misuse of words? “Vot vere you sinking?” I used to feel like screaming hysterically. Now, mostly, I just quietly guffaw to myself …
Like the mail I received from a client today thanking me for my “abrupt response”. I know I can be a bit cantankerous at times, but I think he may have meant to use “prompt” …
Last week a colleague asked us to leave the building by a certain time “in lieu of the event” taking place that evening. She probably meant to say “because” of the event that was taking place – leaving the building early instead of the event taking place just got my mind into a twist of illogicality.
But one of the most amusing grammar faux pas I’ve heard at work in the last week was when a (different) colleague was sharing about her weekend and she ended with, “but you know, at the end of the day, it takes two to tangle”. I decided not to seek clarity on what she meant.
What are some of the favourite grammar gaffes you’ve heard recently?
16 Comments on “Why I stopped and why I’m back”
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They called me weed
I have been blogging here since around April 2011 - my little place on the blogosphere to express myself creatively. As a teenager I used to write a diary - in fact, as a 17-year-old living in Belgium, I wrote religiously every day. Fortunately the Internet didn't exist back then because my ramblings as a teenager were ever-so-slightly dark, cynical and depressing. You won't find much of that here. Also, mostly, I try not to get too deep or philosophical in this forum - I'd like my photography to uplift and inspire, and, where I can, I try to bring a bit of humour into my writing too. I've been fortunate enough to travel extensively and have made many friends across the globe. This is my spot to keep in touch with them.
Not really a grammar gaffe…but I was cooking the other evening, and was using some rather..shall we say…’ripe’ cheese. Reece walked in and asked me if I was using the “screaming banshee” cheese….I think he hit the nail on the head.
Mr. Robin, welcome, we were homesick and sad, we turn now to rejoice.
Ha ha ha, thank you Jose…
What about when you get a reply to a letter telling you they will “revert to you” (come back to you) – as though to a lower form of life!?
I would hate anyone to revert to me (of all people) … Hopefully they would aspire after becoming someone greater (at least).
I do confess that at times, especially when you have so graciously left a comment, i wonder to myself how many grammar gaffes lie within my own blog posts and whether all the grammar nazis snap to attention and want to point out the mistakes when they see badly-constructed sentences, or clear misuse of words.
Alas. But, as Grace would have it, i’ve decided to pretend that i put them there intentionally, hiding reasons to quietly guffaw within the text, just to add another level of entertainment for my readers.
The tragic thing is that I too wonder if grammar nazis read my blog while quietly tut-tutting at my bad writing.
haha! so it’s not just me. i feel better knowing that.
Hi Robin! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment on 1camera1mom. Most of my visitors are from the U.S., so I was interested to check out your blog when I realized you were South African. I’ve checked out your about page and your cameras plus this post. Great stuff! And, that was really ironic to lose your job. God works in mysterious ways.
Did you know that I don’t have a decent camera and some of my photos were taken with my husband’s mobile phone? (There’s more on that on my about page and my first cameras page.) I try to encourage other moms like me to just take pictures. Photography is a lovely hobby! I’m going to start following you on WordPress.
Tina – mom of 4 and author of 5 blogs
Thanks for visiting too, Tina… I did notice that you use a very simple camera, but as I’ve learnt over the years it’s not the equipment that makes a good photo – it’s the photographer’s eye!
oh.my.goodness! I am the resident grammar/spelling/punctuation/andeverythingelseIcanthinkof nazi, and I got such a kick out of this! I just guffawed at the gaffes you mentioned, especially the ‘in lieu of’ one. Now that I can breathe again, I’ll say I enjoy reading your blog and appreciate your ‘abrupt return’ to the blogging world.
Oh some of life’s surprises aren’t always fun. I’m sorry to hear about your job. How about…when God closes a door, He opens a fireplace. No wait. That can’t be right!
Love, love, love this post!
Oh dear – to lose your job the day after you decide to scale back with your blog is really tough. Hope you soon find something else.
It´s not only grammar nazis – I have people criticising my spelling because I´m English and spell words in the English way. So to me, colour, honour, tyres and yes….criticising are spelled only one way. After all, it IS English so surely my way is correct, yes?
I figure the more I use correct English the better it is in terms of enriching American-English speakers!
Totally with you on that one!
one of my favourites was from a cooking blog:
“Without exception, salad appears on our table almost every day of the year.”
so….does it? or doesn’t it?
