Hi, I'm Michael Mistretta, a student passionate about technology, photography, and design. Welcome to my online home where I write about technology, reviews, and my thoughts and opinions on technology-related matters. I’ve figured it out.
I’ve figured out what it is about blogging that makes it so intriguing. What makes it so frustrating. What makes it so challenging.
It’s like photography in many ways. Actually, come to think of it, it’s a lot like life. Always aspiring. Always dreaming. Always falling short of your dreams. And then getting back up and trying again.
I’ve figured it out. Blogging is a journey. That’s been my mistake all along. Believing that one day I would “make it” as a blogger, and get all the success and fame that comes along with it. That I would reach the finish line, and be called a winner. I looked and drooled over the stats. I tried copying other’s dreams. Little did I know. You can never reach the end of blogging. You can never reach the finish line, and call yourself a winner. Much like life, you just keep going. And learning. And failing. And trying again.
And that’s my problem with blogging. I can’t setup a finish line in my mind that I am running towards. No. Instead, I am running head-on into the unknown. Not knowing where this journey will lead me. Not knowing where this journey will end.
For the longest time, I thought blogging was about you. That’s what everyone told me. “Blogging is a conversation”. Not my blog. My blog is a place where I share my thoughts. Where I write what I want to write. Not for you. For me.
I may have fallen, but I’m getting back up. I’m continuing the Journey.
Right on. Also, when you do something for the joy of it, such as photography and blogging, magic happens. As soon as you start doing what you want to do for monetary gain or recognition, your art begins to suffer.
Comment by Daniele Rossi — March 19, 2008 @ 9:42 pm
Inspiring post, Mike.
Comment by Adam F. — March 19, 2008 @ 9:48 pm
On the contrary, happiness is achieved by completed small worthwhile achievable goals that are intrinsically connected to destiny. However, you are right in describing this movement toward ones fate as a process!
Comment by Anthony M. — March 20, 2008 @ 8:08 am
Thats the thing with blogs, once you “make it” you’ve got to work twice as hard to stay in the same position otherwise you’ll have to start at square one again. Some good thoughts here Michael. Are you going to be focussing on blog posts similar to this or continuing to do technology related items - or maybe a mixture of both!
Jonathan
Comment by Jonathan — March 20, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
Very true and very interesting post.
Comment by Adam Fisher-Cox — March 22, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
All the best to you.
Comment by Timothy Andrew — March 25, 2008 @ 9:32 am
I hope you keep going, cuz I just subscribed.
Comment by Colin Devroe — April 2, 2008 @ 10:40 pm
“My blog is a place where I share my thoughts. Where I write what I want to write. Not for you. For me.”
That’s exactly the way I think of my blog.
A lot of people think blogging is a way to acquire instant fame and fortune, its not. Blogging is not a tool you should use with the intention of gaining followers or subscribers.
Blogging is a process of self exploration, not self interest. Blogging is a tool for your mind, not your ego.
I really learned a lot about myself by blogging about things that really interest me. I’ve learned a lot about my interests, and even picked up interests that I thought I’d never be interested in; like photography, videography, and new media.
What most people who don’t use the internet don’t realize is that beyond all of the spam and all of the negativity online, there is an opportunity to learn so much.
The internet is one of the most important tools of our time, and I think that it will grow into something beyond our imagination as we venture into the future. One day, the world will be enabled in ways that would astonish even today’s society. There is unlimited potential, which will ultimately depend on how far we are willing to go; how far we are willing to push the boundaries and dream big; dream different.
Comment by Nick Humphries — May 9, 2008 @ 4:40 am