I see myself as a humorist who sometimes dwells on the serious. Bordering on motivational, though realistic enough to know I’m not making a big difference… yet. I’m still new to blogging in this avenue, so I’m still finding my way. Hopefully, it doesn’t show too much.

From my limited time visiting your site (found through Writer Dad), this is my impression: I see you as a mother-hen (without the negative connotation), kind of how you described yourself. Kind, there for others, finding joy in helping and teaching and sharing in the successes of others. Wise, but also a student, willing and eager to learn from others.

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Hi Hunter,

You’re welcome

I remember that post of Steve Pavlinaa. It was quite interesting.

The three words I would use to describe you are: unconventional, appreciative, and humerous.

Hi Blogger Dad,

To carry on with Hunter’s idea of three words that describe those who visit BWAB, I see you as being a teacher, a proud father, and most of all, a writer.

You’re much too hard on yourself. By sharing your words you’re making a BIG difference. Although you’re new to blogging, you’re not new to life. I’m guessing you’re touching dozens of people positively with your words, wherever you go.

***smiles*** I don’t mind being called a mother hen (without the negative connotations). And yes, I am and always will be a student. Thank you for your kind words.

Hi Scott,

Thank you.

You’re right. We don’t need a blog to have an online presence.

In addition to your description of yourself as thoughtful, community minded and helpful, I also see you as being supportive, intelligent and analytical.

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Hi Ajith,

Thank you. Yes, I am almost always a cheerful person.

I agree, you do write about topics from a different angle, however, I disagree that your writing skills are not the best. All of the posts I’ve read of yours were well written and filled with value.

The three words I would use to describe you are generous, inquisitive, and a team player.

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I wouldn’t be where I’m at without you, Barbara! So, I see you as the proud mother, or proud teacher. You give us (me) wings - and then check in to make sure we’re flying ok. It’s weird, but I find it comforting when you visit me, and I also feel like I don’t want to let you down, after all you’ve done for me. I guess it’s like going back to visit a favorite teacher after you’ve been for for a while - you want to be able to tell them something positive that’s been going on.

How do I see myself? I see myself as positive and affirming. And helping people to live their life on their own terms. I also see myself as conversational - as in the comments section plays a very important part of the whole discussion going on. It’s been a learning process along the way, and one in which I’m really enjoying the journey.

Lance’s last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day

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I think you accurately described how I see you *smile*. I come here each day because I am know I am going to find out how to improve my blog, but in a totally non-preachy, non-guru-ish, sort of way.

As for how I see my blog? It’s like the Lion’s and my actual house. People walk in, kick off their shoes, pull up a stool to our huge island, drink wine, eat munchies, and just start talking and laughing. Ideas are exchanged, humourous anecdotes are told, and friendly bantering occurs. And when it’s time for them to leave, big genuine hugs are exchanged, and promises are made to do it all again soon.

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How do you see yourself in blogosphere? I see myself as someone who likes to share, encourage, think, teach and LAUGH, I’m a closet comedian. There’s a naughty side, I try to hide, but she slips out every once in a while. Just as in real life, I CAN get along with anyone

How do you see me? Just as you stated, mother hen, supporter, helper, teacher, friend in my head.

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Barbara, I love your description of how you monitor your friends’/students’ blogs. You sound like a fairy godmother, who stops by to sprinkle a little fairy dust as needed. It’s nice to know you’re out there.

I’m still trying to figure out what my presence is and if it syncs up with who I am in person. I’m very laidback and friendly, and I wonder if that’s how I come across in writing.

And thanks for mentioning my blog; I *love* reading people’s responses to those Friday questions!

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Barbara,

Two more great questions:
As to the first, I personally DON’T see myself in the blogosphere. What my commenters write on a day-to-day basis are my self-defintion.

As to the second: You are warm, giving, full of advice and encouragement for both the new blogger and the “seasoned” blogger. When I read your blog, it’s the closest I’ve ever felt to sitting down to a big family dinner. Regardless of numbers, you are the Queen, and I’m proud to feel like a hand-maiden to the Royal Family.

Fondly,

Rita

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Hi Barbara - I also see you as a great teacher, loyal supporter and friend. Also - a great community builder, as well as an honest blogger. So many people who teach about blogging focus on how to make folk rich online, even though they haven’t done it themselves. You don’t do that - you focus on helping folk build a great blog.

As for me - I hope people see me as a worthy mentor. I’ve had three full-time businesses and I’m in the process of launching a 4th, so I hope that qualifies me as experienced enough to help others. I see many people blogging in the same niche as me who have no previous experience and I do shake my head sometimes in wonder.

Also - I hope people see me as honest. I share my mistakes - even the bad ones, like the one business I sank.

And lastly - generous. I link out to my community and other bloggers regularly and I encourage new bloggers. Also, if folk ask for help, I try my best - although I’m not always able to deal with all requests quickly.

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Hi Barbara,
I’m smiling as I read and write because although I may well be older than you, I do think of you as a mentor/parent figure in our blogging community. And I’m often in the position of being quite a bit older than other moms around me, but they have lots more parenting experience than I do (one of the reasons I’m writing Vintage Mommy).

What I love about you and your blog is the lack of HYPE - so refreshing - and the genuine friendliness and support I always find here, and in the comments you leave for me.

As for my presence: in “real life” I’m very friendly, open, and empathetic to a fault. I also have a (sometimes) sharp sense of humor (which I don’t think comes across in One Bag Nation very much). I wanted One Bag Nation to be a place where the organizationally-challenged could find support from someone who is living the struggle (not an expert), and I hope I’ve succeeded in some small way.

As for Vintage Mommy, I’m still finding my way there . . .

Thanks for an interesting post to start off the week! Back to paid work . . .

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I see you as a Kin Keeper. This is the one who keeps the connections strong in a family. Kin Keepers have a knack for networking, supporting people, rallying the family to help another member, and being the go-to person for information.

I see myself as … well … SpaceAgeSage — not quite at home in the more recent the computer age, but long-lived enough to have some nuggets of wisdom to pass along.

SpaceAgeSage’s last blog post..Five things 15 years of marriage have taught me

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Hi Ulla,

Welcome to the BWAB community.

Thank you for your kind words.

I like how you described yourself, and your blog is a great reflection of that.

As I read a few of your posts and admired your beautiful photographs, based on what I’ve seen thus far, I see you as being grateful, open minded and courageous.

Hi Lance,

You’re so sweet. Thank you.

Yes, you are positive, affirming and helpful and it shows in the conversations of your blog posts as well as your comment section.

I see you as being compassionate, trustworthy and humble.

Hi Alex,

Thank you.

In addition to you being a helper, patterner, and empathizer, I also see you as being respectful, creative and sincere.

Hi Urban Panther,

Ah ha, we have brother and sister commenting back to back.

You’ve described your blog to a “T”. Your blog is very welcoming and the conversation is always unpredictable. In addition to that, I see you, as being a person who is enthusiastic, confident and trusting.

Hi Evelyn,

Thank you. Now it’s your turn.

Having read your blog for some time now, I see you as driven, inspirational and as a visionary. You always get me thinking.

Hi Natural,

Thank you

I like that, you see yourself as a closet comedian. Your blog is bringing that side of you to the surface.

In addition to you being a teacher, I also see you as being considerate, energetic, and caring.

Hi Stacey,

Thank you.

You’ve described yourself very well. Equality with our readers is important, isn’t it?

Having reviewed your blog and some of your older posts, I see you as being focused, responsible, and outgoing.

Hi Sara,

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I’m “out there”.

Your laid back and friendly personality does come out in your blog posts, and I also see you as being inquisitive, courteous and unpretentious.

Hi Sunil,

Thank you. It’s an honor to be considered as a mentor.

And, oh my gosh, don’t ever feel like you’re no one. You’re a very important person in this world (and in blogosphere). With your blog, you are not only an educator, you’re honest, unselfish, and kind.

Hi Rita,

Thank you for your kind words, however, I think of myself as a hand maiden, too. One who is on the same level as each and every one of you, learning as we go.

I know I’ve described you as feisty, but I also see you as being observant, persistent and thoughtful.

Hi Vered,

Thank you.

In addition to being the “Kool-Aid mom of the block (or is that blogk?), I see you as being influential, generous and practical.

Hi Catherine,

Thank you. You’re right, I am not the person to ask how to make money online. If I ever get that figured out, you all will be the first to know.

You do see yourself correctly as you are a honest and generous mentor. I also see you as being a great friend who shows perseverance, loyalty and resourcefulness.

Hi Writer Dad,

Thank you.

I agree, you can be like a class clown, however, you are also a proud family man who is grateful, sincere and creative.

Hi Ann (Vintage Mommy),

Thank you. ***smiles***. Although getting older often feels like a race we don’t want to win, I have you beat.

Now that you’ve added a second blog, more of your personality is showing. I not only see you as being a helper, but I see traits of compassion, patience and trustworthiness.

Hi Linda,

Thank you. As for letting me down, I doubt any of you could do that. Even if you were to quit blogging, I know all of you would continue doing great things in the world by extending a hand and helping others.

Your blog shows you honestly care about elder care and give it your all. I also see you as being sincere, considerate and affectionate.

Re: a picture. That too, will come, however, I think it’s important to realize it’s not what we look like, but what we emit with our words.

Hi SpaceAgeSage,

Thank you. I’ve never heard of a “kin keeper” before, but I like how you defined it.

When I first saw your “handle” of “SpaceAgeSage”, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was when I visited you, I realized you are wise woman who is grateful, supportive and adventurous.

Hi Mark,

Thank you.

I love your description of yourself. Although we all know you’re a creative artist, I also know you’re dedicated, ambitious, and you inspire others to see beauty in unexpected things.

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I feel like I’m a tiny pebble at the bottom of the aquarium. Nobody watches the pebbles. They wouldn’t notice if I disappeared. It seems like there are enough pebbles doing the job. Maybe it’s time to pack up and quit.

Keeping with the same analogy, I think you are like the dutiful pet shop owner. You make sure every one feels important and does their best job. So I have an idea of what your reply will be to this.

It’s just that I see how successful the other commenters on this site are, and I wonder why I don’t get that level of comments.

Chase March’s last blog post..Addicted to Podcasts

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Barb,

What you said about me is lovely, and I thank you. It’s interesting as I read your impressions of people - you are so “on mark” as to how I view others, that it’s amazing how the English language has so many adjectives!

I do have one question for you…perhaps now is not the day for it, but it could be something, that if you ever have time to do, would interest me greatly:

How many of the bloggers (if any) have you met in person? There is a part of me that has always believed that the computer screen allows people to be more “themselves” than they are in person at times. I am NOT talking dishonesty or deceit here - quite the opposite in fact. I am curious as to what your “take” on that is. If you meet a person whom you know solely through blogging, do your impressions of that person change somewhat, or are you usually able to say that what comes through on “the screen” is what comes through in “real life?”

Thanks,

Rita

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Hmmm… Difficult question. I see myself as someone who has insight he wants to share, for others enjoyment.

I see you as a pioneer and champion of the blogosphere community. Emphasizing the importance of comments, responding to comments, and the like.

Very community oriented.

Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..The Stain Demon Can and Will Taint Your Life

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Barb,
lol. I don’t want you to be Oprah. I’m quite fond of Barb. (Though certainly having Oprah’s money wouldn’t be too bad!) I travel with my “bridge buddies” - we all met on the net in 2000 and took our first trip together in 2001. That first trip was HARD. I think (actually, I know, because we’ve since discussed it) that with the exception of myself and one other person, everyone was “nervous.” And those who were nervous were quite diferent - not in a bad way, but in a much “quieter” way. There was tremendous awkwardness when somebody (and not I!) said to 2 of the women “you’re not at all like you are on the net.”
Given that you called me “observant,” all I am doing is sharing an observation - NOT criticising a soul.

Rita

We’ll be going on our 10th trip together this fall. And now, everybody behaves on the net like they are in person - not the other way around. I do believe that the screen DOES embolden a lot of people!

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Hi Bamboo,

Thank you. As you know, I love my community.

With your blog, you do share your insight, and I also see you as someone who has a great sense of humor, is imaginative, and enjoys leading your audience into lively discussions.

Hi Mark,

You’re welcome

Hi Rita,

Yeah! That’s what I meant…if I had Oprah’s resources. Your trips with your bridge buddies sounds like a fascinating experience. Now that you’ve been doing it for so long, it must be like a gathering of great friends.

Hi J.D.

***smiles*** You already make me proud. I am humbled by your kind words. Thank you.

You’re not JUST a mentor, you ARE a mentor to many. I also see you as an intelligent, self-disciplined, idea driven individual who loves to teach others on subjects that can make this world a better place.

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Hi Barbara,

I echo the sentiment that you are indeed the selfless, nurturing Mother Hen. You make the blogosphere a better place!

Al at 7P’s last blog post..What’s More Important: Who You Are or What You Do?

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Barbara,

I have to admit that I picture you as a mom. Or an older sister. I don’t know how old you are and it doesn’t matter. But you have that maternal presence.

I guess I’m kind of the truth seeker. That’s how I picture myself. I also like to encourage others in their opinions and ideas. And help promote blogs.

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Barbara -you remind me of the perfect host at a party. You have plenty of nibbles to share (interesting points in your posts) you introduce new people to the party, help put new people at ease, get people mingling, and introduce good conversation starters that everyone can participate in. People feel comfortable and included and like hanging around.

In some ways I see myself as a bit of a square peg in a round hole in the blogosphere. I mean that in a good way though. I guess I am a little different and I am just starting to trust my instincts and start showing through my blog how quirky and different I can be.

Leanne Magraith | Forever Change’s last blog post..There are Four Elephants Waiting for me in my Car

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At this point, I don’t think I am “seen” yet. I’ve only been blogging for a few months and not very consistently at that so I don’t have many comments. I am timid in my writing, grammar and content. I am working on that (writing more) on both of my blogs and it’s a struggle.

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