Blogging Non-Anonymously

I was talking with Jeremy and Ernie the Attorney and Matt about blogs on Sunday night.  Ernie told a story about a blog reader sending Ernie a very expensive camera from Ernie's Amazon.com wishlist.  Unfortunately the reader did it by accident, and he asked Ernie to cancel the order.  I said, "none of your blog readers have ever sent you presents?"  No, they all said.
 
Then, via Rob Hyndman, I read this article about how to blog anonymously.   I think it's worth reading.  I've had a little bit of negative fallout from this blog.  Sometimes people don't know what to make of it.  There are lots of things I don't talk about here, that I have thoughts about, because it's not anonymous.  But if I were starting over again, I still wouldn't choose to blog anonymously. 

It got me thinking about all the good things that have come into my life since I've been blogging, non-anonymously.   I guess I'm extra lucky.

I've received 6 or 7 letters or cards from blog readers.
I've received a book in the mail from a blog reader.

I've received tea and cookies in the mail from a blog reader.
I've received rose-scented handcream from a blog reader.
I've received 5 CDs from blog readers, plus a handful of mp3s.   Good ones, too!
I've received poems and pretty pictures, even a homemade tarot card. 
I've been reassured and comforted, in person, by email, and on the phone, when I've been scared or sad or confused. 
I've gotten a couple of job offers.
I've gotten mentioned in several ABA publications.
I've been interviewed by three people, with two requests pending.
I've been to Chicago, and met 50 interesting, smart, forward-thinking folks, and had a day of great conversation and idea-generation with them. 
I've started a company with two people I'd never met face-to-face, with whom I'd built relationships through this blog.

I've learned how Google rankings work, and how to show up high on a Google search.  This is a useful skill.   
I've had lunch, dinner, and drinks bought for me by blog readers. 
I've made a whole bunch of friends, by email and in person.
I've been linked by some smart people.
I get advice, feedback, compliments, and challenging questions from people all over the country and the world, on a daily basis.   

My cup runneth over, it really does.  I have gotten so many gifts, tangible and intangible, from doing this.  It makes me feel lucky.  I really like having this vehicle, through which I've found so many valuable connections, tied to my flesh-and-blood self.  It feels much more real that way. 

Comments

[Evan]

And you've been mentioned in an article in the May 2004 issue of the Illinois Bar Journal. You're a star in this state! (Assuming anyone read the article.)

[gibarian]

And you show up in Google News. At least in my customized "blogging" section.

[Andrea]

@gibarian: that's where I found that too!
Hey, what's so special about you, that they send you hand cream and cookies? I'd love cookies too!

[Denise]

I tried to comment on this a few days ago, but my new Norton Internet Security software prevented me (I've only just learned how to get around it -- I hate being freakin' illiterate).

Anyway, I just wanted to say -- Wow! All things being equal, I can see where being non-anonymous has had its advantages for you! The only things I've ever received as a result of my blog have been random people comimg up to me and saying, "Oh! I read your blog!" :)