Friday, October 28, 2016

Fan or for favor

The web allows a really cool thing where you can talk about things for which you are a fan and maybe get attention from all over, or you can for favor promote something, like with an endorsement, which is for money. So I've been thinking can go simply with: fan or for favor.

And for me on the web being a fan has been it. And have a great time talking things over for which am a fan, and now am trying to figure out the for favor way so created a blog for that alone. Because it is so different from how I've operated for a LONG time on the web, I put commercial in the blog name. And just in case that wasn't enough still, I went ahead and just called this blog Seriously Commercial.

And have learned a lot. For some time now that focus has meant no mention of things other than my own as can do myself the favor of mentioning my own things but for others is not as simple. Even there I really have one day dedicated which is Promotional Tuesday. But see I also haven't settled on this day for one thing and it has both discussion and promotion labels.

Right now that isn't a big deal as so far nothing lined up. But yeah lots of reminders to myself! This blog has a purpose for which am figuring things out and I think much has been figured out. Lots more going on where on Friday give myself leeway to just kind of discuss things, or to promote! And this Friday was bit of both I think.


James

Friday, October 21, 2016

Still thinking on social media

So kind of making myself put things up on Friday and mostly free form without lots of planning as think is helpful. Though will note here not committing to it, in case miss a Friday. Where maybe is helpful as an update as still working on getting feedback from others, like a comment or other engagement things, but audience keeps going up.

Which is good. That's most important anyway, where am using indirect measures should note, which is somewhat to myself. Blogger stats only give some of the picture and you can get weird things. Figuring out audience takes multiple measures though should also note the list of most popular posts is necessarily driven by Blogger stats.

Am still doing lots of research and thinking. Lots of social media possible maybe, though I need to be on it. Will figure it out.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

My Facebook Page

So this promotional Tuesday will promote my Facebook Page as is a way to give feedback, and if I can get some Likes going on that thing would be cool. And informative! Right now it has 138 Likes.

My Facebook Page

There are a variety of social media am on, but now am looking more at ones where can get some discussion going. And am not picky. Switched the Page today from linking to my Beyond Mundane blog to this one.

And no worries if this path doesn't work well, like if you're really not into Facebook, will be looking at others. Was gratified with the impact of talking my Pinterest jstevh account where will link to it in this post. But doesn't seem to be much of a path to discussion there. I have other accounts where usually I do all the talking though without much feedback.

Oh, yeah, so I can see who you are with a Like which can give me a sense of the audience as well. But also could be a reason people don't want to go that route which is understandable if not interested in giving that information.

Friday, October 14, 2016

When quiet feels safer

Having readers to me is always good in and of itself, which it occurs to me is obvious. Clearly would want people reading the blog, but is still cool to state. And according to Blogger stats which are kind of a general kind of thing as don't catch everyone had visits to the blog from France, US and Netherlands from October 7th until October 14th which is today, in that order.

And no do not give numbers which are not impressive and it dawns on me, even if they were, should I? But reality with me with my blogs is I really look at countries anyway, as that's the one thing that almost always amazes me.

But other stats can be sort of strange to me, like low total visit number or I just wonder, like operating systems were Windows, Linux and Macintosh.

And yeah your web browser can give a lot of information, which is why these web stats can be so off, as more people choose not to give that info though I don't think that's really a huge big deal. What operating system? Is not a huge thing for your browser to blab, or your country.

Was not thinking in this direction for how this would go but am letting Friday be kind of free-wheeling and reminding that goal is getting to where others will be part of the discussion. And am studying lots of things in plenty of areas. Theoretically people could just comment, but that doesn't necessarily work well and I have a history where people haven't. I can do more about setting up an environment that encourages discussion am sure, and am working on it.

Will admit though this week? Don't mind not having it. Weighty topics being thrown around and while I took a very high road which was kind of abstract in talking equality, will admit it does feel...it's not a terrible thing to just get that quietly out.

Thanks for the readers with this blog still a work in progress. If you worry that lack of discussion SO far is not a good sign? Don't so worry. I know I don't.


James

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

With real equality boundaries will be respected

One of the most profound things for me to accept in the modern age with a thirst for true equality, including with gender issues, was the belief that gender has nothing to do with interest in sex. Which was to contradict prior training by society when growing up which stressed men as sexually interested with women needing to be pushed into sexual activity. But as a five year old child was actually sexually abused by two teenage girls who were baby-sitting will admit, as have long believed it better to talk out such things if can safely. So I knew different from a young age. Did tell my parents by the way should note.

Aiming to be more carefully personal in this post, as think is an opportunity to share information both useful and maybe continuing a catharsis for me begun years ago. I learned early to share such things, so have done so for decades.

When we get to true equality I think respecting boundaries is not about having to be specific to any of the divisive areas, as that IS equality when people respect the boundaries of others including physical boundaries so would not even think of abusing others.

I don't think abusers can respect boundaries AND engage in abuse.

And I think the reality is women facing the bulk of abuse often at the hands of men, but that's not the complete story. While focusing on respecting boundaries is simply human, and if done people can feel safe and be safe.

And societies are changing, as can understand better now my discomfort when watching movies where a male lead, presented as the hero, forces himself on a resisting woman, often with a kiss. And she melts in his arms as if rewarding the behavior! Of course that's fiction but consider the message.

There is a scary training where a pushy man forces himself upon a woman with the idea she needs to be conquered. Which is thankfully going out the window as unacceptable in our more modern society. Echoes of it are throughout older entertainment though. Or that a guy can say anything, lie or whatever to get a woman. Also echoes of that in fiction as well. I don't think that's ever funny.

Reality of mutual interest between adults of course is no force, and if accepted that gender is not an excuse, then is a matter of two adults interested in each other. Boundaries are not given exceptions in other areas, and the forward path is not to give a gender based excuse.

It is something for me at the age of 47, and never married to wonder a bit, but feel confident I made my own decisions as best I could. Still is worth noting that there were times with women where I realize now they could sense anxiety and distance, and not knowing the fear from past breaches of boundaries would get more sexually aggressive. Though usually would not and would drift away. The times women became more sexually aggressive, I think were about male stereotypes and thinking the easiest way to move forward if I were shielding myself was to push boundaries sexually more, which was the opposite.

Deep down guess wanted my anxiety recognized and accepted whether was understood or not. And feeling that someone feels you is so important so I don't think was wrong. I feel what I feel. Knowing someone is in touch with your feelings though is so HUGE, which would say, it will be ok, and you're safe with me.

As human beings feel can confidently state, we all have boundaries and all have a need to feel safe.

Sure people can test that, chase adventure and even danger, but everyone wants that safe spot somewhere, sometime in life.

It's rather basic really. And the more can focus on how to get there the better equality will be about a natural way of life. Nothing forced at all.

Maybe it can seem complicated, so I like to try to notice around me with the people who make me feel safe. With such people yes, can think about how they respect boundaries.

So I do believe, when we respect boundaries, we can simply be safe with each other.

Many of us have it really good in our times I think as vast amounts of information flowing where we can find relevant give us the option of knowing better than I was taught long ago, when women were presented as needing to be conquered.

The more we know about each other I firmly believe the better we know the boundaries that help all of us feel safe.


James Harris

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Musing on equality Wednesday

Recent events in American politics got me thinking more about equality, which seemed like a good thing to discuss on Political Wednesday so will be a scheduled post this week. But way I talk things don't expect specifics to recent events. I think that dates posts. I'd rather write ones that can just sit indefinitely.

Putting what I want to put out there in the subject of this post is a new move as before would give myself flexibility, but found it hard to find a subject when announcing scheduled posts.

Is an interesting thing to consider. Usually will have an idea what I want to write on, but feel wary at locking myself down, but if no clue given, how do I subject on Sunday?

Asking myself things out loud helps me process.

Friday, October 7, 2016

Talking the blog

Liking the idea of Friday as a much more general day to discuss, whatever. Where figured would talk some of the web analytics data I get, like from Blogger itself. And it says from Sept. 7 to Oct. 6 the blog has had visits from US, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Ireland.

And why those countries? Well bulk are from the US which doesn't surprise me, but can't say why just those others. Though that's for the people who actually show up in those stats which isn't everyone who reads. So if your country isn't listed and know you've visited during that period then you know Blogger didn't register you for some reason.

And not going to give actual audience numbers as is not necessarily accurate and besides is less interesting to me than the countries. And one reaction for me was to realize could put up Google Translate so did that yesterday.

Will be interesting to see if with that change will there be any difference.

Is gratifying to have readers though and do even like what I see as a rough indication from the numbers that registered. Am still working on engagement, so yes still talking about how to get talking going. Which is useful. And just something quick this Friday. But mainly to note, work continues.


James

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Getting a sense of the audience

Of course is very important for me to get a sense of the interests of the audience for this blog, where first step was a pool of posts to give a foundation and direction and see if that drew any interest.

Next I need a feel for what areas are natural zones for that audience where the list of most popular posts is the feedback actually that I need, as audience rules.

Intriguingly to me a post speculating on the oddity of the current presidential race, trying to explain registered Republican voters tops the list. But right behind is a post on comfort in dress, and then thoughts on managing risks.

And next is a post discussing flows of information in our modern age.

And to me have a good picture from where things stand now, as of course could change, so talking about what is there now on the date of this post.

Oh yeah, so information concerns are shared, and I do have a privacy page which gives opt out information for certain information gathering for this blog. Since is Blogger I think they may have something also automatically stated, but am not sure so am covered if they do not.

For those curious readily admit was briefly a registered Republican back in 2000, but didn't get who I wanted on the ticket, and that really ended with who got elected to the presidency. Was long independent, and then registered Democrat for a couple of years in California. And went back to independent since, though describe myself as a center-right conservative, which to me mainly means I lean more towards preservation of the nation than towards individual rights over that, but thankfully we get TONS of individual rights considered part of preservation of the United States. Which means I can look liberal in lots of ways, though am not. But also I have put out ideas for my own political party.

Such information is important so people aren't surprised and I don't think it would be surprising given how I've posted. If it is a surprise, um, well now you know.

And am fascinated with how we communicate as human beings, including with clothes. Human communication in and of itself is a huge arena which is of course so important, like in explaining yourself as best one can.

And that's information which is promotional in my opinion to help promote the blog itself, to fit with the day. Have structured the blog with types of posts on particular days of the week, and today is dedicated to promotion. Also helps me as consider what else might go on a promotional Tuesday. Anything would have to fit in with the direction of the blog.


James Harris