I've been at this blogging thing for quite some time. One of my longest-time followers and someone I consider a good friend, even though we've never met in real life, is George Simmons.
If you have not read his blog Ninjabetic, go check it out. I like to think that I had a hand in helping him rename it from just 'The B.A.D. Blog' years ago, but I'm sure that's probably up to him to acknowledge.
George is a fun-loving, optimistic, musical dude. I am hoping that maybe I can make it to FFL in 2013 and meet him (and a lot of other Diabetes Online Community friends) in person.
Why am I blogging about my favorite D-Ninja? He's having some tough times lately. I think he's a solid dude, and he will make it through. But seriously--he's had to have emergency heart surgery, his sister has just undergone a double mastectomy, and his stepmother has passed away. This has all been in less than the last two weeks or so.
What does it say about this world, this universe, this life, that things can be going bad for one person at one time while another person seems to be celebrating nothing but victories?
If you know George, even if you don't know George, check out his blog and Twitter. We all want the best for our friends and loved ones, and one of our own needs our support right now. Sending tons of hugs and good vibes to California, my Ninja pal.
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Over a decade of high levels of glucose and geekery.
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Monday, December 10, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The Whys and Hows of Dorkabetic
On Mashable.com a while back, I discovered an infographic that piqued my attention. It is a reference for job-seekers on whether they should or should not share something via social media. If you want to see it, it's pretty neat.
I had to pause for a moment, though. One of the chart questions is "Does it contain details of relationship woes, a doctor's visit or bathroom troubles?" When you answer yes, it leads you to the opinion of sparing other people these details. I don't want to tell everybody about whether I have a problem which may require consuming a lot of Jamie Lee Curtis yogurt to reach a solution, but doctor's visits? I blog about diabetes. I blog about my depression struggles. I blog about my doctors, my endocrinologists, CDEs, medical supply companies, health insurance, issues with needles that poke into my skin, stories about blood--my own blood!--gushing from some part of my body after removing one of many aforementioned needles.
So am I chasing away potential employers reading this blog? I certainly hope not.
In my everyday life, I am the master of saying "I'm fine." I'm perky; I'm happy. I try not to show people who are not my closest acquaintances that I am struggling, because I feel like other people shouldn't be worrying about me. This blog has given me an opportunity to be honest, to share my struggles with the world, and to feel like my writing actually means something to those of you reading out there.
I sometimes post one-word Tweets or cryptic quotations/song lyrics in my Facebook status. Does all of this make me any less employable? I enjoy saying all the fucking curse words sometimes. Does that make me unprofessional?
My personal Facebook page is not public. I make it a point to not friend my co-workers. My Dorkabetic Facebook page is all about my blog and diabetes. My Twitter account is public but I try not to be nasty or overly controversial.
I guess what I'm getting at is this--at the same time, I am my blogger persona, and I am not.
Am I enthusiastic about healthcare communications? Do I love helping others with diabetes? Absolutely!
Am I defined exclusively by being a diabetes blogger? I hope not.
Does my diabetes make me any less employable? It shouldn't.
I don't think one blog, or one Twitter account, or one Facebook page can or should account for the very three-dimensional aspects of someone as a person.
Sometimes I am afraid that using my blog in my resume or as part of my writing portfolio is a bad idea. I have wrestled with the fact that I use my real name. I worry that I could be pigeonholed as a diabetes writer.
But why do I stick with Dorkabetic? Why do I love writing here? Why did I make up all those business cards to hopefully bring people to my site? It helps me stay sane. It helps other people by sharing experiences. It allows me to stretch my writing skills beyond the daily drudgery of emails and memos.
I love being a diabetes blogger. Even though I may not update as regularly as some folks, I am always here. This is my voice in this community. My continued hope is that by always using my voice and my honesty, my next great opportunity will be something really special.
I had to pause for a moment, though. One of the chart questions is "Does it contain details of relationship woes, a doctor's visit or bathroom troubles?" When you answer yes, it leads you to the opinion of sparing other people these details. I don't want to tell everybody about whether I have a problem which may require consuming a lot of Jamie Lee Curtis yogurt to reach a solution, but doctor's visits? I blog about diabetes. I blog about my depression struggles. I blog about my doctors, my endocrinologists, CDEs, medical supply companies, health insurance, issues with needles that poke into my skin, stories about blood--my own blood!--gushing from some part of my body after removing one of many aforementioned needles.
So am I chasing away potential employers reading this blog? I certainly hope not.
In my everyday life, I am the master of saying "I'm fine." I'm perky; I'm happy. I try not to show people who are not my closest acquaintances that I am struggling, because I feel like other people shouldn't be worrying about me. This blog has given me an opportunity to be honest, to share my struggles with the world, and to feel like my writing actually means something to those of you reading out there.
I sometimes post one-word Tweets or cryptic quotations/song lyrics in my Facebook status. Does all of this make me any less employable? I enjoy saying all the fucking curse words sometimes. Does that make me unprofessional?
My personal Facebook page is not public. I make it a point to not friend my co-workers. My Dorkabetic Facebook page is all about my blog and diabetes. My Twitter account is public but I try not to be nasty or overly controversial.
I guess what I'm getting at is this--at the same time, I am my blogger persona, and I am not.
Am I enthusiastic about healthcare communications? Do I love helping others with diabetes? Absolutely!
Am I defined exclusively by being a diabetes blogger? I hope not.
Does my diabetes make me any less employable? It shouldn't.
I don't think one blog, or one Twitter account, or one Facebook page can or should account for the very three-dimensional aspects of someone as a person.
Sometimes I am afraid that using my blog in my resume or as part of my writing portfolio is a bad idea. I have wrestled with the fact that I use my real name. I worry that I could be pigeonholed as a diabetes writer.
But why do I stick with Dorkabetic? Why do I love writing here? Why did I make up all those business cards to hopefully bring people to my site? It helps me stay sane. It helps other people by sharing experiences. It allows me to stretch my writing skills beyond the daily drudgery of emails and memos.
I love being a diabetes blogger. Even though I may not update as regularly as some folks, I am always here. This is my voice in this community. My continued hope is that by always using my voice and my honesty, my next great opportunity will be something really special.
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