Normally, I would go down to an eatery close to our condo to buy food. Yesterday, I didn't have to, as dear Maiyuu had made steak instead.
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It's pay day, and all is merry in the land.
We've been looking forward to this day, as we do every two weeks. 'We'll be rich again tomorrow,' Maiyuu joked last night.
One of my favourite rituals about pay day is one I am never awake to see. Maiyuu rises at 5am, and goes shopping, to avoid the crowds and traffic.
He stocks up on regular supplies and buy a few goodies as well.
I am asleep when he rises to go shopping. Often, when I rise a couple of hours later, he is still out.
Sometimes he goes out and comes back again several times, especially if he is shopping at different places.
Today he has been out twice so far, to buy grocery items; clothes (underwear for wearing around home, for him and me); and bakery.
This afternoon I want to visit the Carrefour megastore on Pra Ram 4, to get my glasses tightened.
We are likely to go together, so we might do more spending over there.
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Talk to me!
Please allow me to issue another appeal to readers to respond to blog posts.
The last time I issued such an appeal, a few months ago, you honoured me with plenty of feedback.
Readers offered plenty of comment on the blog, and respond to each other's remarks too.
23 comments:
ReplyDeleteAnonymous29 June 2009 at 21:53
If you want your readers to leave comments about your posts.. you should make them more interesting. While I'm writing something that I hope will engage my readers, I ask myself if I'd want to read more. Frankly, I like your situation, and it seems like it could generate an unlimited number of stories and observations. So I don't understand why you stick to the same old stuff.
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Bkkdreamer30 June 2009 at 00:03
Well, what is it that you want?
Before you start, I should add that over the three years-plus that the blog has been running, I have tried bringing different types of posts to readers.
1. I have tried the flesh blog approach; I grew bored with that (mainly pics). I believe readers want posts of more substance anyway.
2. I have written up Thai stories which had no gay content eg the long-running tale about the physics tutor Prakitpao duped by his former students, which was front-page news in the Thai dailies a few years ago but which the English-language papers barely covered.
Hardly anyone responded, because the posts were too long and intimidating.
3. I invited a Thai gay guy I knew to write a regular column. He sent me more than 60 pieces in Thai, which I turned into English. While the response to these pieces was better, many readers decided they did not like the sound of the young man, so the series did not take off.
So, I ask again: What do you want?
Come up with some suggestions, and I will tell you whether I think they will work or not (or whether I would be able to write them).
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Lino still stuck in NYC30 June 2009 at 04:17
The problem BKK is not that what you write isn't interesting its just that in many cases people may not feel they have anything valid to add.
Do you really want a series of "right on-s", "i hear ya" and "so true" -wasting your space?
-Alot- of your observations ring true to my limited experience with Thailand and indeed my other friends from third world countries, but I don't really have anything to add..so why comment.
Lino
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Ray30 June 2009 at 05:02
Who is that gorgeous guy in the final picture of this post?
I really like reading your blog Bkkdreamer but I agree with Lino that I will only comment when I have something to add. Or to ask a question.
Q: Why don't you tell us a little about the people in the pictures? A simple name and location would suffice. More may be better.
I like to read about your observations, stories, and general news. I never got to read the translated blog of the Thai guy. Missed it.
Keep up the good work. Hope to read more from LoS
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Bkkdreamer30 June 2009 at 06:03
ReplyDeleteLino: Thank you anyway, Lino. The thought was there at least.
Ray: In some cases I do not know who is in the pictures, so I can not comment. But thank you for the positive words.
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Anonymous30 June 2009 at 06:22
Greetings from Singapore. I read all your post...almost all.
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kopichai30 June 2009 at 06:30
Remember when you asked someone to leave your blog when that person commented that your blog was getting not interesting?
I got scared leaving any comments now.
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Was Once30 June 2009 at 06:37
Watch out for Maiyuu! He might get kidnapped by a fat farang...drooling over his cooking!
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Bkkdreamer30 June 2009 at 06:37
That remark was aimed at that reader in particular, who always posts under the anonymous tag, and rarely offers anything but bitchy, critical remarks.
I suspect it is the same 'anonymous' who left today's comment asking why I keep running the same old boring stuff, whatever that means.
I have replied, and we are now awaiting the Great One's response.
Kopichai, there's no need to feel scared about posting anything, especially if you are willing to put a name to your remarks, as you do.
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Anonymous30 June 2009 at 08:59
... to quote you, ' Nothing looks worse than a blog post with no ( without ) comments. It shows the blog owner has failed to interest his readers sufficiently to draw out a response. '
Isn't that what I wrote, that your stories weren't (sufficiently) interesting ?
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Aaron C. Yeagle30 June 2009 at 08:59
Firstly, I am totally in love with the young man in the last picture. It astounds me how some people are so perfectly beautiful. He is one such person. Of course, someone that beautiful would have nothing to do with me but ..
On the note of comments and blogging. When one is the owner of a blog it is nice to see people engaged in what you are writing and giving you feedback. But, you have to think, who is this blog FOR? You? or other people? Is it personal? or is it for business? You can go to my site for this article: http://www.transmutationsciences.com/articles/top-ten-guerrilla-blogging-strategies-1/ I am somewhat of a blogging expert.
I write article for my site for me, for page rank, for SEO to get me business. I would love to have folks read and comment, but my audience is typically my competitors so they won't comment.
BKK ... I believe you should write what you want to write regardless of topic and commentation. What you feel you need to say is what should be written. People will read or comment as they will.
And, until anonymous stops being anonymous and gets his/her own blog anything they say should be taken with a grain of salt.
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Wilko30 June 2009 at 09:12
ReplyDeletel love your blog because it's a 'normal', everyday insight into Thai living and life.
lt's funny, informative and easy to read.
l suppose people post on articles they can relate to. You have a good variety l think and you get lots of comments.
As l said before 'you cant please everyone all of time'. You can only do your best and you do that well. ;)
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Wilko30 June 2009 at 09:21
Just read the new posts.....maybe people who try to 'wind you up' are best ignored or deleted.
As Aaron put it so well, this is your blog, you do it your way and those who say its not interesting still seem to come back everyday????
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Anonymous30 June 2009 at 09:34
I think you're becoming paranoid again- but after all, I did (not the previous anonymous on this message list) post a few times recently telling you that no one was interested in reading a cooking blog here. You chose to call me cynical, bitchy, etc., but basically I am (as usual) correct. I am only posting now to say 'I told you so.'
Good luck with the recipes; I don't bother checking in every day now.
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Anonymous30 June 2009 at 11:02
Although I read your blog daily I have little to add, so why leave a post? As to what to write about, I believe that the majority of readers are interested in the daily life of Bangkok. For those of us who live in Farangland nearly EVERYTHING you see and do daily is different and unique to us. When I am in Thailand I feel like I am on a different planet. If you write using a little descriptive style, I believe virtually anything about life in Bkk holds interest. Your just used to it, so you can no longer see it.
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Anonymous30 June 2009 at 14:41
BKK, you do not have to worry too much, most of the time I like what you write. Sure sometimes I get a little angry, because BF should work and not only do cooking, but it is your choice and I repect that. See that is so interesting you live in a totally differt world then we do. Like payday for me is nearly every day payday, but that does not mean that I am more happier than you are, sure I have also my problems. And I am not so interested in the boys pictures I prefer the girls, for a change you could put some Thai-girl picture in it, just one time for the fun.
Keep writing about Thailand the way you do, and by the way "anonymous" is a pain, I agree with Wilko in this.
Fryslân
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Anonymous30 June 2009 at 18:40
Hi, I tried to post this before,I just wanted to introduce myself and congratulate you on your great site.
I was in the US Army in Sattihip in the 70s for 4 years. I worked as an interpreter and as a technical instructor with the Thai Army. Fell in love with Thailand and its beautiful people. Since then I have been back many times, I currently live with my Thai partner of 6 years in Reno Nevada, I work at the University here while he is a Nurse at a local senior care facility. We just bought a house in Ban Klang near Wat Chinwarara. I will be retiring there part time in a couple of years. I love your stories and insight, as a 50 ish GWM I can relate! Although when it comes to preferences in Thai men we would not be in competition as I tend toward late 30 to 40s in age and the more muscles and or definition the better 555. But I do love the hot pix on your site anyway. Because I speak Thai fluently I have had many enlightening experiences often at odds with those described on many bitter Expat web sites. You seem like the type of guy that would be fun to get to know and swap stories. Please ignore the trolls and keep up the great work!
Wishing you the best, Bill Brinsmead
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ReplyDeleteAnonymous30 June 2009 at 19:48
Dear BKK,
What to write about? that IS the question. I have been following your blog daily for more than two years. Then, after you moved to your new place, I started to notice changes and, little by little, I started to lose interest in your posts. I keep telling myself to forget about coming back, but I keep checking (less often now) hoping you will find again whatever it was that made your blog interesting. I am saddened to say, I still don't see it.
All I can say is that maybe you should get out of the house more often and explore your surroundings and take us along with you.
Good luck!
Kriz
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Su30 June 2009 at 20:29
Hi Bkk.. I stumbled upon your blog not too long ago.. and it has become one of my favourites.. I love Bangkok and I find it interesting to see life in Bangkok through your eyes.. :)
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ReplyDeleteinbkk30 June 2009 at 20:33
A blog in which a big part of the content deals with Thai versions of Martha Stewart recipes (which are mostly laughable anyway) is not what I call a gem of a blog...
I stopped checking your blog on a daily basis now, and when I check it now I try to scan through the dull banter on cooking, which seems to be more and more difficult these days...
I live in Thailand myself, and I like to read about other farang experiences.
I see some new interesting blogs sprouting and some others loosing steam...I am sorry to say yours is not in the first group...
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Bkkdreamer30 June 2009 at 21:07
Aaron:
I looked at your guerrilla blogging tips. I agree that a blog has to stay focussed, although occasionally it can morph. For example, this blog started out with simple stories; it morphed into a flesh blog; and now it has become mainstream again, but with a broader focus (the including also stories about the BF, food, films and so on), which is where I want to keep it.
You ask what kind of blog it is...it is a personal (as opposed to business) blog, but with a commercial orientation, in that I make money from it.
It changes over time, depending on what I think works with readers.
A fellow Bangkok blogger, for example, once advised me to stick to one post per topic. I used to swear by the same rule, but in recent months have started to break it, as some posts, if I adhered strictly to the one post per topic rule, would lack weight and substance.
I like diary-style posts the most - short snippets of information or comment, layered on top of each other.
If they cover different topics - food, the BF, Thai stars, music - then even better, even if the categories don't seem to go together (Thai stars, the BF's cooking) - as long as none of those topics is weighty enough to merit a post of its own.
If any post is strong enough to stand on its own legs, it still should be allowed to do so.
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Wilko:
--'As l said before 'you cant please everyone all of time'. You can only do your best and you do that well.'
Thank you, dear. You would be surprised at how many things appear not to work in a blogging format, if the topic falls outside what readers expect.
I found a story in the Thai press the other day about a Thai big-band composer from the 1940s, Eua Sunthornsanan, whom the government has proposed for significant personality status (or somesuch) with Unesco. Now, I could write it up, and post a link to some of his music, but would many readers be interested?
I suspect not, as most readers would expect to find such stories in newspapers, not a blog. They expect mainstream papers to cover the serious stuff (as 'journals of record'), and for blogs to be mere diaries.
--'As Aaron put it so well, this is your blog, you do it your way and those who say its not interesting still seem to come back everyday????'
Yes, it's funny, that. If they don't like it, why do they keep coming back - or do they come back just to bitch and moan?
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Anon 1
--'You chose to call me cynical, bitchy, etc., but basically I am (as usual) correct. I am only posting now to say ''I told you so.'' Good luck with the recipes; I don't bother checking in every day now.'
Why not disappear altogether - or should I not treat loyal readers like yourself in such a brutal fashion?
(see more responses to reader comments below)
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ReplyDeleteBkkdreamer30 June 2009 at 23:54
Anon 5 (Fryslân):
--'And I am not so interested in the boys pictures I prefer the girls, for a change you could put some Thai-girl picture in it, just one time for the
fun.'
I write about Thai stars, including women stars, for another outfit. Would you be interested if I put up those posts, with pictures?
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Anon 6 (Kriz):
--'All I can say is that maybe you should get out of the house more often and explore your surroundings and take us along with you.'
I agree. I should.
I still believe that a story about a visit to the doctor (say), well told, is better than yet another humdrum post taking you on a tour of some part of Bangkok.
I am more interested in people, and what makes them tick, than I am in places, and I suspect most readers are the same.
Inbkk:
ReplyDelete---'I live in Thailand myself, and I like to read about other farang experiences. I see some new interesting blogs sprouting and some others losing steam...I am sorry to say yours is not in the first group...’
I am sure you do. Let me guess: Another cynical tale about Thai bureaucracy at the airport? The hopelessness of Thais in the classroom, as seen by a foreign teacher?
Why do so many foreigners living here just want to hear about other foreigners and their experiences of living in this place?
I would rather hear about Thais, thanks very much - I don't know about you, but that's why I'm here.
Many foreigners who live here are on a tourist visa, endlessly extended. Do they have much commitment to the place? They never know from one 90-day extension to the next how much longer they can stay.
Even those foreigners who work and live here legally are but migrant labourers. We are cut off from Thai life. Most of us get to meet few people of any note.
Be that as it may, foreigners who 'fit in', or who lived here a while and are happy with their lives, might have less to say. Maybe I have been here too long to contribute anything much more to a blog. Time will tell.
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Su:
Hi Bkk.. I stumbled upon your blog not too long ago.. and it has become one of my favourites.. I love Bangkok and I find it interesting to see life in
Bangkok through your eyes.. :)
Thank you Su, and I hope you continue to be happy here.
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Kevo331 July 2009 at 19:37
I havnt been reading/commenting as often as i'd like because im so bust with my house project. Summer is always so busy! I check in every few days and catch up :)
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