Why Do This?

I was just reading a blog post (appropriately) by Barry Ritholtz at his blog The Big Picture, http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2011/01/why-blog/ where he lists what he feels are the top 10 reasons a person would want to blog:

I can think of many reasons why someone might start and maintain a blog:

Blogs? Yeah We Got That

1. You have something to say

2. You enjoy the craft of writing

3. You want to figure out what you think, and do so in public

4. You want to be part of a larger community of like minded individuals

5. You have a hobby or interest that you are really, really into

6. You want to maintain a presence on the Intertubes

7. You have an expertise and you want to share it

8. You have an eye for content (text, graphics and video) and you enjoy leading other people to them

9. You want to create a permament online record of what you are reading, looking at or thinking about

10. You like engaging in debate with total strangers

That’s off the top of my head.

Number 9 hits my nail right on the head, with Honorable Mentions for #1 and #2. Imagine if you could read the thoughts and meanderings of your grandparents or great-grandparents. You could find out, in their own words, what made them tick, what they felt to be important, who and what was an important part of their lives. I believe that would be fantastic. I have some photos, some sketchy memories, and even a few birth, death, and military records from my own genealogical searches, but to "hear" what came directly from their heads and hearts would be absolutely fantastic, in my view. 

So, here you have it: my blog for the ages so that way down the road, when I become a sketchy memory, these posts will still exist in cyberspace for Emma, Jack, Mitch, Ben and even those that come after them. Call me goofy—many have for one reason or another—but I think that's a good enough reason...just in case they ever wonder.