Why do you blog?

I'm working on a story for Salt Magazine about why people blog, specifically as it relates to preserving memories. I'll explore my own reasons for blogging in the story, but I was curious as to what compels other bloggers to publicly journal and share their lives.

I can tell you briefly that, for me, it's a way to share my life with family members who live far away; to share my journey with others traveling the same road. Someone once said that friendship happens the moment one person says to the other, "You do that? Me, too!"

It's also a way to leave behind a part of myself someday.

You can answer one or all of my questions. If you're comfortable, you can leave your real name and location.

QUESTIONS

1. Why do you blog?
2. What specifically inspired you to start?
3. What do you blog about?
4. Do you ever go off-topic?
5. Do you consider your blog a way to leave behind a legacy?
6. Why is blogging a good tool for you to use to preserve who you are and where you've been?
7. What do you find to be most satisfying about blogging?
8. What are some surprises you've had from blogging, such as meeting new people, discovering more about yourself, etc.?
9. Anything else that you would like to add?

Thank you in advance for your answers. Shoot me an email at labernathy@timesgazette.com if you have any questions. I'll be sure and link to the story when it comes out in November.

I'm really looking forward to what you guys have to say!

7 reasons to run with a sippy cup

A lady on Beginner Triathlete posted this recently, and I just had to share it with you. Here are raeray80's reasons why she races with a sippy cup:

7. Carries 10 oz., just enough to take two good sips every five minutes on a 70-80 minute run.

6. Built-in, no-leak silicone valve means no unscrewing of cap, and no push-pull action to manuever with one's teeth to get a drink. Just lift and suck!

5. Spill-proof for a toddler = spill-proof for me! The cap of a dropped sippy cup does not pop off, exploding my precious drink everywhere when my hands get sweaty and I have an "oops."

4. Contoured design makes it easy to carry without a strap.

3. Running with a sippy cup screams confidence. Yeah - that's right, it's a sippy cup. You can stare all you want. I know you wished you'd thought of it. Yeah, keep staring, pointing, laughing at the ridiculous awesomeness that is beholden to me.

2. With so many color options, I can pick my mix 'n match cap and bottle to fit my mood. Am I cheerful? Pink with a yellow top. Patriotic? Red, white and blue. PMS'ing? Environmental? Sleepy? Lazy? The combinations are limitless.

1. Price tag: $1.97. Enough said.

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