Really... It's not you, it's me.

I know it's been awhile, but I guess if something's worth saying, it's worth saying over and over:

People... there are a lot of wonderful blogs and journals out there.  The fact that your blog is not on my Good Readin' list (what passes for a blogroll here at treppenwitz), is probably not a reflection of how I feel about it. 

To employ an analogy, I have a stack of books on my night table that I am trying to find the time to read.  All those other shiny new books that call to me from the bookstore window shouldn't feel bad that I haven't brought them home!  I'm one reader... and a slow reader at that! 

See?  Same difference! [to use one of my least favorite expressions]

Some time ago I wrote a post that explained how some people came to be on my reading list... how one was likely to get tossed off my list... and why there were a few people on my list who had achieved a sort of tenure (meaning they would probably have to publicly insult me in order to get thrown off).  Go read it and then come back.  I'll wait.

Alrighty then... feeling a little less ruffled at not being included?  Good. 

Now, just to make sure you understand that "it's not you... it's me", feel free to read this post in which I describe how my blogroll is constantly evolving... like a poorly-tended garden... and that I am often as surprised as anyone to see the trends develop in who and what I read. 

I know... I'm just a puzzle!

Another thing.  If you've ever left me a comment and included your blog's URL... I've absolutely read you.  If you've commented frequently, chances are I have read you frequently.  This isn't a quid pro quo thing.  I just like to refresh my memory of who you are and what's going on in your life before I respond to your comment.  If I liked what I saw when I clicked over to your site... chances are I also added you to my list of favorites in my browser.  Many of the folks on my Good Readin' list first came to my attention because of their consistently thoughtful (and though-provoking) comments. 

Even though I touched on some of the etiquette about how to get onto someone's blogroll last year, perhaps it's worth exploring again.

Please don't send e-mails asking me to link to your blog... it just sounds needy.  I wouldn't come up to you at a party and whisper, "Hey, would you say something nice about me to all your friends?" 

Just say hello and contribute to the discussions once in awhile and chances are people (myself included) will seek you out on their own.

A perfect example of this is my latest 'blog crush' Mirty.  I haven't gotten around to adding her to my 'Good readin' list yet, but I love the way she thinks and writes.  Her ongoing story is as compelling as they come, and it doesn't make a bit of difference that she and I look at the world from very different perspectives.  Mirty just walked up to me at this party called treppenwitz and had some very bright and insightful things to say for herself.  Had she never joined the conversation, I would have missed out on 'meeting' a truly wonderful person.

Also, please don't say things like, "I'll add you to my blogroll if you add me to yours".  You are free to do with your blogroll as you see fit.  I can only think of one or two sites that I started visiting entirely based on seeing them in someone else's blogroll.  The couple of exceptions to this rule were blogs that caught my eye because they seemed to be on everybody's blogroll!  I'm pretty sure they didn't achieve such broad readership because of impersonal, mass-emailed requests for reciprocal links.

Oh, while we're on the subject of e-mails... I enjoy getting emails from readers every bit as much as I enjoy reading your thoughtful comments.  But please don't add me to your political action e-mail lists.  If you think I share your political views then there is no need to continue preaching to the choir.  If you think my political views need changing, I can assure you that no amount of e-mailed political catechism is likely to lead me towards the light. 

OK... that's pretty much everything on my mind at the moment.  Everyone feeling better?