bear blog question challenge
thank you ava for creating this challenge! I used to love these games, it's been a while.
1. Why did you make the blog in the first place?
Towards the end of 2023 I was working three full time jobs and spreading myself far too thin. I taught by day and nannied overnight. After my kiddo went to bed, I would work on my art commissions. I was never home for more than a few hours at a time.
My intention in starting this blog was to catalog moments amidst the madness that reminded me of my own humanity. The first piece of writing I published here was written on a morning when all felt lost. I had stayed up all night working on my art again, unable to sleep at the home I nannied at, and the world was a haze around me. My partner had lovingly left a gift on the welcome mat the night before - a duck egg from someone's yard - I fried it up over easy. That morning I stood in the yard and ate like an animal - yolk dripping and nourishing both the ground and I. It was beautiful and indescribable... my heart felt full.
It's easy to lose yourself in the hustle of your early 20's - my blog is a testament to holding tightly unto the things that make us human.
2. Why did you choose Bearblog?
I can't say for certain, but I was visiting a friend for dinner when the topic of smolweb came up... we played on gemini.. discovered the midnightpub and some fun little text based adventure sites + forums... it was nostalgic and cathartic. Soonafter, I was on bear. I remember clicking through the discover page and feeling at home.
3. Have you blogged on other platforms before?
Yes! I used to run a Maximum Ride fanblog sometime around 2011? My friends and I were obsessed with the series and used to LARP our MaxRide OCS together while running around in the forest - I kept track of our adventures on my blog. I am now blushing as I write this... kids are awesome.
4. Do you write your posts directly in the editor or in another software?
I write directly in the editor! The font is easy on the eyes and the interface is pleasant. I have no reason to look elsewhere.
5. When do you feel most inspired to write?
Inspiration always seems to hit when I'm stuck at work. I keep a journal on me to make note of any interesting observations / interactions or fleeting essay topics. Then, I either expand apon the ideas there or cobble together multiple notes on a topic - and that's how all of my posts are made! Secrets out :)
6. Do you publish immediately after writing or do you let it simmer a bit as a draft?
I publish immediately and then go back and rework / spellcheck as needed. I've reworked posts from more than a year in the past before. Sometimes it takes about that long to come up with a word that fits just a little better.
7. Your favorite post on your blog?
Probably this one. It was another vibrant moment, like that morning with the duck egg, where I felt keenly aware of my own mortality. I had seen this neigbor of mine only in passing; then one day she was gone. I had the oppurtunity to rifle through the treasures she left behind - It was all that was left of her. One moment to the next.
7. Any future plans for your blog? Maybe a redesign, changing the tag system, etc.?
Not at the moment! I just recently redesigned my layout to better compliment my work - so this era has just begun :)
If you haven't done this challenge already, I'd love to hear about your journey on bear as well.
✧ eve
✧ tiramisu
✧ and you, dear reader :)