Comments on: Categorizing blogs, and other games

By: Audacity

Audacity — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:27:28 +0000

“No implication meant that ‘geeky’ and ’sexy’ are mutually exclusive.”

Related, here’s 2005’s 10 Sexiest Geeks.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 18:22:48 +0000

Categorizing is just something we naturally do to make sense of the world around us. It’s the same reason why we stereotype, and it’s even why we think our iPods favor certain artists over others when they’re set to “Shuffle Songs.” In other words, this is how our brains work, so there’s no shame in the struggle over categorizing.

My solution was to try not to categorize by subject matter or location. Then again, my list remains remarkably underdeveloped, just like the rest of my site.

I do like your idea of putting asterisks by the people you know IRL.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 14:05:02 +0000

Dax:

Aw shucks. Thanks.

Tony:

I’ll get right on it. Maybe you can go in the “beer snob” category. Or actually, scratch that… you can go in the “beer and category snob” category.

Crypto:

I take your point.

Joesph:

It was probably the Spectrum Bloggers blogroll you saw me on. And why not? I was always in the gay/straight alliance in college.

Duane:

Girlfriend, you are too sweet! As for the lesbian thing, though… yeah, you must be projecting, because munching on carpet just ain’t my style. Didn’t think it was your style either, but whadda I know.

lefty:

Yeah, that’s always tough when the mom knows about the blog. My mom knows about mine, but insists that she “doesn’t read it because it’s too personal.” Well how the hell would she know it’s too personal if she doesn’t read it? Plus, back when I was writing about the juice fast, I got a concerned email that started off with “please don’t be mad at me” and “I really don’t read your blog that often, but I saw your juice fast post and am concerned about your health”… it was kind of cute, actually. Furthermore, when I was in Augusta this weekend, I was looking for a manual for her printer or something, and I came across a print-out of my interview at Grabbing Sand. Busted! But ya know, what’re you gonna do. When I first found out that she knew about my blog, I was kind of freaked out. But then I decided, we are both adults, and I can write about what I want, and it’s her choice whether or not to read it. I might’ve been a little more shy (although not much more) about my mom actually acknowledging that I have a sex life when I was 18 than I am at 26, but… I’m over it.

By: lefty

lefty — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 05:15:03 +0000

i’m not sure how to categorize your blog, but it’s great. i don’t remember reading one of your sex posts, but now i’ll keep an eye out.

also, i just noticed your *s for people you know in real life. is the author of eponymous male or female? i’ve only been reading it for a few weeks now, but i love that blog.

i would write about sex (not shy), but my mom knows about my blog and reads it. bummer.

By: duane

duane — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 02:38:55 +0000

I just think your blog is an Amber Rhea type of blog. I always hate those sites that you submit your site to that want to categorize you; I can’t be categorized, and you certainly cannot. That is in itself, a fantastic compliment; one I feel that many people couldn’t dream of sharing.

I think that if they had a non-conservative, cock-loving, lesbian-wannabe, smart girl category, you would definitely fit there. Except for that lesbian wannabe part; maybe I am projecting?

By: Joseph G

Joseph G — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 01:55:03 +0000

I’ve also struggled with how best to categorize my sidebar links, and ultimately decided to get rid of the categories altogether. People (and their blogs) are complex, and rarely fit into neat little boxes.

Semi-related note: I saw your site linked to on a predominantly gay blogroll, and pondered for a little while why they linked to you. Interesting that my perception of a particular site (and its blogroll) colors my expectations of what I’m going to find on the other end of its links.

By: Crypto

Crypto — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 00:50:25 +0000

For me, you seem to sit in a category of blogs that I call stream of thought. You have the Tech blogs, Sex blogs, Mommy blogs (which any of these blogs seem to morph into if the person becomes a mom), writing blogs, and “event blogs” among a few. The stream of thought blogs tend to be what the writer is thinking about at the moment they sit to write.

Although the stream of thought blog are harder to grow an audience (because you can go all over the map), the people who do latch on tend to be more loyal readers who will allow much more freedom in writing than a sex blog writer who wants to talk about a shopping trip.

By: Mr. Sir Tony Simon

Mr. Sir Tony Simon — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 22:04:20 +0000

Amber, I want my link to be in its own category. I’ll let you pick the category, but I don’t want to share categories with anyone else.

By: Dax Montana

Dax Montana — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 21:44:17 +0000

Categorizing Blogs is like categorizing music, it can’t always be done. Are the Eagles rock or country? You are who you are and your Blog is your Blog. I just categorize your Blog as Being Amber Rhea. I have found that that is enough. Just Damn!