And so the journey begins...

Now this is definitely something i never thought i would do; start a blog.

For years i have proclaimed to the world (which really only encompasses a handful of friends who are still willing to listen and a couple of random people on the street who probably don't know what the 'Internet' is anyway...)

"I will never start a blog and i most definitely will not join a social network site!"

opps, i guess I've now joined the count less millions world wide who use such services to "have their say" and to show the world how "unique" they really are. Oh, yeah, i shouldn't forget the most important reason! To "network" with other people!

What does "Networking" even mean? Is it no longer cool to just "make friends?" or to "meet new people?" lol, i guess i must be behind the times or maybe just not that easily influenced with the latest crazes and trends.

Like all trends, they eventually fade away and become replaced by new ones. I can't see blogging being any different. Well, i guess there will always be blogging, but its popularity will decline as new technology pushes new and engaging concepts.

Now that I've gone out on a limb, here is a list of suggestions for any up and coming bloggers out there (*warning the following list may be inappropriate for some younger readers*):

1. Beverages: siting here writing for so long is taxing. It's only just occurred to me just how thirsty i am. i guess it's time for another beer...
   
2. Comfort: a comfy chair and a good quality keyboard is a must. I suggest a back lit keyboard for those long nights blogging. Either that or some lighting, which subsequently helps to avoid spilling the aforementioned beverage all over your desk, mouse, keyboard, computer, lap and good quality high back leather chair...
3. Uniqueness: for most bloggers, making your blog stand out in the sea of spam is a must. I for one couldn't care less, but if becoming a blogging superstar appeals to you, have a signature trait of sorts which you use across all your posts. Wh3th3r it b3 r3placing 3v3ry "e" in your posts with a "3" (not r3comm3nd3d), or something a little more original, having that strange or unique factor can be the difference between a bland blog and a popular blog.
4. Styles: theres nothing worse than reading a page thats in a size 12, times new roman font on a white page...brighten it up! with so much css and html intergration plus a copious number of themes available, its criminal not to have a bash and google some code to give ya blog some bling. Its also a criminal offence in 32 different countries to over use fonts, colours and styles on websites, but its a blog! its "you"! jazz it up and go nuts! (refer to point 3, oh and yeah im not going to reference that statement as i have no concrete evidence to support it, which is often the case for most of my arguments...lol)
5. Readership: even if you have no friends, blogging can be a great way to create some! whats the point of slugging it out in front of ya compy when no ones going to read your rants! make your blog live to the public, post it on appropriate blog exposure sites. try this link for a start: http://www.howtomakemyblog.com/how-to-set-up-a-blog/get-traffic-by-building-your-blog-awareness. You know you have succeeded when you start getting truck loads of spam comments on your blog as well as the occasional stalker trying to steal your identity. Better still, if you cant find any friends blogging, do what this guy did: http://namb.la/popular create your own! >.>