My PR paper: Blogster

When we were given a task to write about “What’s cool today?” I found myself excited, but as to what was beyond me. I knew there were lots of things I could write about, this meaning that what I usually do is actually cool. So I reflected on my regular day and what I regularly do. I have org work, but I find it more an obligation than an interest. I wanted to write about doing community service, but that seemed too desperate to be tagged as a true well-bred Atenean. So while I gawked at my computer screen I decided to connect on the Internet. Automatically, I log on to my e-mail, my Friendster account, and my blog. Suddenly I was taken back. That sudden jolt made me realize what I’ve been keeping myself busy with for the past few months—my blog.
After the advent of Friendster, I found a new type of connection with my peers—blogs. At first, it was an invite to be able to write along side my barkada. It was a way for all of us to keep in touch and to see what’s new in our lives. For me it was a way to be kept up to date with the latest gossips around. However, being invited to join required me to sign-up for my own account. Thus, the website AveragePsycho was born. Interestingly enough, my friends from the green corner weren’t the only ones interested in blogs. Soon, my friends in Ateneo started asking me to link them up. They wanted me to put a link to their website in my own. This was the new Friendster connection series. Now, not only can you view their profile, you can actually view their thoughts.
Let’s define first what a blog is. A blog, according to www.marketingterms.com, is “a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links”. Simply put, it’s an on-line diary. However, instead of isolating it by hiding it under your bed or behind your dresser in lock and key, it takes on a more… prima dona attitude. You write about your thoughts and ideas no matter how insignificant or deep, thinking that the whole world will be able to read it and talk about it. There are web hosts that give this free service like LiveJournal.com, Kuwaderno.net and my home blog, Blogspot.com. More and more of my friends started sharing that they too had their own blogs and wanted to link up. If in Friendsters users we’re called “friendsters”, users of blogs are now called “bloggers”.
But what’s in a blog? There are a lot of different things you can do to personalize your blog. First, there is the template or the overall background of your web page. Next is of course your blog’s title. In my case as mentioned is AveragePsycho. You have your usual entries posted. If you have been a user for a while, you would have links to your previous entries on the side. Each entry is automatically dated so your archives are actually organized. After each entry is a link for all the comments to be posted. This will give your readers a chance to air off praises or complaints. If you are serious about your “blogging”(the act of using your blog), you will do what most bloggers would do—you will get your own tag board. A tag board is basically a message board for your visiting guests. They could leave their praises or complaints here as well. Your profile with a small picture (if you so choose to post it there) can be viewed so the readers can see who owns that blog, but being the diva that I am, I posted more pictures of me on the side for all to see.
I have always fancied writing-- from poems, to essays, to nonsense writings of my ho-hum existence. In “blogging”, I am able to write about interesting details about my day. All my thoughts, rants or raves, are posted on my blog. Sometimes when I am inspired, I post short poems like the one I wrote in my history class the other week. If there are photographs taken with my friends, I am able to share it with others. I’ve already posted pictures of my friend’s baby shower, our “girl’s only” trip to the beach as well as my newly born inaanak Stefano Nicholas. Other “bloggers” post their artwork on their blog while others include Media Players on their blogs so visitors can enjoy their favorite music while reading their posts. Others even have short movie clips to share.
People write about a lot of topics in their blogs, though I must admit that there are some who writes just so they can say that they’ve posted something. They write a critique on movies they’ve just watched, books they’ve read, restaurants and the food they ate and events or parties they’ve been to. I wrote an opinion about a local film called “Feng Shui” where Kris Aquino was the leading actress. I would say it was quite detailed which made that entry longer than expected of a blog. However, I was surprised when someone commented on my positive approach to local films. My visitor was a Filipino located in Dubai. He praised the way I gave an unbiased review. This is maybe due to the fact that I mentioned liking the film even though I wasn’t keen on seeing Kris’ acting skill. His comment was astonishingly as long as what I had written. The following days, another visitor left his praises for it. Not bad for a first-time critic.
Blogging also gives you a chance to be able to meet new people. Those who view your entries and comments are able to interact with you. They sometimes leave their e-mail address or their Yahoo Messenger i.d. Other bloggers leave a message on your message board saying how much they enjoy your blog and asks if both of you could link your blogs. From here you are able to broaden your connections. They not only get to learn from you, but you are able to learn from them too. I actually met a 13- year old girl who was related to our President. The fact that she was a Macapagal didn’t startle me, but the fact that she was only 13 years of age and her blog was so extravagant as compared to mine put me in my course to shame. Another is actually a course mate of mine. He’s as brilliant as his uncle, only nicer. Nate Dy-Liaco’s blog is definitely for the truly political and intellectual Atenean. Entries are always written with such vigor that sometimes it’s scary to read it. Another one is my blockmate Roel. His is actually a live journal. If you want to read about bitterness or angst, his is the entries you read. There are so many others to share but it would take forever to describe them. Only know that each blog is as unique as its users. Their very attitude, their very personality is extended to their blogs, which makes it more interesting to read.
Having a blog can actually be regarded as prestigious. This is due to the fact that (1.) you need a limitless Internet connection, (2.) you have to be intellectual or at least sound like one, (3.) and you are informed. The first one is due to the fact that in order to regularly check your blog for new comments or messages and be able to post entries you need to have an Internet connection. This can cost a lot of money, and people know it so when they see that you have new posts everyday they’ll think you’re actually well- off. For Ateneans, a simple visit to the various computer labs during break time gives them an upper hand on this factor. Secondly, having a blog that people would actually like to read requires an effort on the user’s part to provide an entry that’s enough to stimulate or at least excite their readers. Witty remarks, a political stance or my favorite sarcasm are just some of the many ways you can present your thoughts. You have to admit that there are still some things you can’t disclose to the worldwide public. Lastly, but definitely not the least is information. As the cliché goes, “Information is power”. Being able to “blog hop” (going from one blog to another) enables you to view what’s been happening to people especially your friends or even acquaintances that you get to see around. Without even asking them, you can get a glimpse of their thoughts or read about their experiences. You are up- to- date, well informed. Another way of looking at it is you are able to show people that you are up- to- date by citing movies or events you have been to. Other bloggers get to read about it in your blog and they know it came from you. Call it a newsletter about your life and what you know about others too. The cherry on top of it all is when your peers talk about what you’ve written. I’ve had a couple of block mates actually asking me the next day about a then previous rant entry about a classmate. That was actually the time I found out that they do read what I write!
In a way, people with hints of narcism find blogging pleasurable. In this day and age where people constantly sell themselves, blogs can give you that extra exposure and attention you need at the start or end of the day. Besides, who doesn’t want to be paid attention to right? Well I guess I just finished my entry for the day. Now if I can only write my paper…

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.