Readers can be an insistent bunch. We want this! We want that! And if you don't provide, we'll go somewhere else!
One reason I welcome comments is that I want this blog to reflect reader demands.If I turned off the comments, let's say, all you would get is my idea of what a blog should look like, but nothing more.
If you ask for something and I provide it, the blog reflects more of what readers want, not just me.
I posted a fluffy piece yesterday about ear drops; then, at the request of a reader, included a brief description of my latest argument with Maiyuu.
That's not the post I intended to leave, but it looked better as a result.
There are limitations, of course. I won't drop the boyfriend, just because a few disgruntled readers from Silom's blog, for example, may not like the sound of him.
I suspect I have annoyed more than a few farang readers with my stories about Maiyuu. They are used to getting their way with Thais, perhaps...or maybe they just seethe with the rankling injustice of it all.
This unpleasant set invariably posts under the anonymous label, despite their supposed bravado.
I want to bring you one reader comment - anonymous, needless to say - which someone left on this blog in response to yesterday's post. He's responding to my remarks that I seldom get to meet Maiyuu's relatives.
Earlier, I said the profusion of new Thai gay bloggers has given me the ability to say 'piss off' to hostile posters with impunity.
Even if I lose one reader today, I am likely to pick up another few passing their way through the other blogs. We all link to each other after all...
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''Very suspicious that the 'love of your life' doesn't let you meet his relatives; but you probably fund them anyway.
The 'power' that comes with a 'real blogging community?' You're off your meds again, mate.
If your blog becomes nothing more than a sparring match between Maiyuu's cooking and Thai fashion-chickens, your blogging goose is already cooked - there are only so many times that you can rehash all of those old stories.
Incidentally, you might mention to Maiyuu that you make more money when you give details on the blog- I suspect his opinions are highly influenced by that particular issue, no?''
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I deleted the post from the comments section when it appeared, but am reviving it here, because this reader deserves his moment in the sun.
Why is he so grumpy - can't he just enjoy the wonderful guys illustrating this post like the rest of us?
PS: When I told Maiyuu that readers like hearing about our domestic dramas, he put aside his usual reluctance to have me publish personal matters in this blog.
Maiyuu told me to go ahead and publish whatever I like. Happy blogging days ahead!
10 comments:
ReplyDeleteRotsedammer28 May 2009 at 02:06
Those demanding readers should start their own blog. I don't read your blog for their comments. If it's your blog , it's YOUR blog. No cook can create a meal for all mouths to enjoy. For those grumpy commenter's: Get your own life!
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neil28 May 2009 at 06:47
I asked about this before. Do you think the boyfriend is having someone translate what you type here via his new phone? Reading your lovers diary is sinful, but we all do it. Especially if they leave it out in the open, under the bed behind, the quilt, inside a box, zipped up in a cosmetics pouch for all to read, then we do. (I was looking for tweezers, okay?)
Since you relationship is bared to us all, what queen (or princess, sorry Maiyuu) wouldn't want to know what the other one the relationship is thinking? Test ti out. Write something about how you like...? ... donuts? And see if he makes some.
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Kevo3328 May 2009 at 07:51
"contrary to his wish that I keep personal matters off the blog, Maiyuu told me to go ahead and publish. Happy blogging days ahead!"
Lol...how Thai. Money talks you know.
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Bkkdreamer28 May 2009 at 08:17
Zomaar: I agree they should get a life. That, or stop being so negative for the sake of it.
Neil: I don't think Maiyuu could be bothered keeping a diary, and I doubt he regularly reads this blog. Sleeping, and looking after me have priority. But thank you for the funny response.
Kevo33: Thankfully, money does talk, or I may as well stop the blog!
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Anonymous28 May 2009 at 10:20
Enough about you and the boyfriend. How about some photos of Thailand?
Did you ever post a photo of Mom's place, or your old soi? How about some photos of eateries, or parks? You could show several photos of what you saw in the flea market.
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Bkkdreamer28 May 2009 at 18:34
Anon: I am hopeless with a camera, but thank you for the thought. I have not been back to the market where I lived since I left it, and stopped going to Mum's place at the same time.
However, I have considered inviting a friend to accompany me on a trip back there, and asking him to take pictures.
As for pictures of eateries, parks and so on, can I suggest you try Kawadjan, or the Bangkok Bitch blog. Those two guys take excellent pics, and put them up regularly.
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Anonymous28 May 2009 at 20:22
ReplyDeleteHi BkkDreamer,
I love your blog and been reading daily for a long time now and I hope you keep blogging stories of both mundane grocery shopping and your life experiences with Maiyuu.
Its your blog and you should be the one that has control on the contents and you should not disclose or include any information that you do not feel comfortable with. I also enjoy reading BB and Kawadjan so if readers do not like the contents of your blog then they should go somewhere else as there is plenty of drama / made up stories on the net!
I am in an East/West relationship and my partner and I also encounter 'cutural difficulties' as you mention in your blog. You often have me questioning how I should respond to my partner if a similar situation arise so its kind of like an 'agony aunt advice'
and sometimes the comments from anonymous readers are just rude so you should just ignore them!
Keep up the good work and stay true to your own thoughts!
Your faithful reader, Ommi: sorry I dont have an identity so have to use the anonymous tab!
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Bkkdreamer28 May 2009 at 23:59
Anon: Thank you for the positive comments. I will take a firmer approach to rude comments...unless they add something, I shall delete them, as they lower the tone.
I have thought of starting an Agony Aunt column, though I fear it would end up like so many so called 'lifestyle' blogs on the net.
The author, who usually offers bugger all observations about his own life in Thailand, drags in some Thai (usually a woman) to answer reader questions as if she is the font of Thai wisdom.
Oh, shit, spare me. I'd rather carry on relating simple stories of everyday life with Mr M, and have readers respond and ask questions as they see fit. It's more natural, and normal.
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Anonymous29 May 2009 at 01:04
Hi BkkDreamer
Yes, just blog about your day to day stuff. If I was interested to read about mischief gay enounters then there lots of blogs out there for this sort of stuff.
I am more fascinated with your normal day to day interactions in Bkk (its like a more normal version of Big Brother TV!)
Keep up the good work!
Ommi
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Bkkdreamer29 May 2009 at 08:30
Omni: Thank you for the blog praise. I would like to interact a little more with Bkk; at the moment, I spend most of my days at home, so I hope you don't get too bored reading those tales.
Below is a message which another reader tried to post here. In the end, he emailed it to me instead after the comments page rejected his entry:
'We have corresponded before, I greatly enjoy your blog, As you may remember I also have a Thai BF going on 6 years now, we have always spoken Thai at home unless I am helping with some word or phrase in English.
While we are currently living in the US we make trips to Thailand every so often. Love the stories, insights, cute pix, and Thai music. Keep up the good work!
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