1) yes
2) skim, if I'm interested or bored a fuller read (goes for most of the people on my friends list)
3) more interesting than random LJers, certainly.
4) they can be interesting. I assume they are done without polish though...the "free flowing" part.
5) lots of the random things can be interesting depending on mood.
6) keep up with people, mostly. and it is an additional procrastination tool.
bonus: I always skim at least.

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I assume they are done without polish though...the "free flowing" part.

Yep, they are in fact, almost entirely free-form. I get an idea for a topic and then I try to aim myself towards 1000 words. I use MSWord to keep track. Then when i hit 1000, I stop. That's why a lot of them have kind of awkward endings. Usually I try to start wrapping up around 950 words or so. Then I spell check and correct it back down to 1000 words by adding a contraction or two if I go over. (a lot of times, the spell check will take me over because I accidentally leave out spaces sometimes and that makes for an extra word when corrected). Then I just post it. So they're pretty much fresh off my mind.

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1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.

2) As it is posted. I don't hit the archives or anything. I am on summer break so this may change when school starts again.

3) "Generally" includes in real life too, right? Sure, then. It may be drivel, but it is the drivel of a friend, so that's worth reading.

4) Yes, yes, form is everything, just do them on whatever annoys you. Feel free to do them on the stuff that annoys me, too, because I rarely have the time to get a full 1000 words on things annoying me, though I'm happy to make a 50-word note of it in my journal.

5) I am enjoying the current underwear debate. Really good timing on that, too. I don't care about tennis, though.


6) I wanted a livejournal to force me to keep a record of what goes on at school. I intend to write a book but I don't think it's going to happen this summer. Anyway if I want people to read and comment in my journal it's only fair to read and comment in theirs. Also it is a good way to keep in touch with LX folks and procrastinate. I don't really care that much about people I don't know, though, so I don't read their blogs.

Special Bonus Question: Yeah. I'm innately curious. Sometimes, if someone has a lot of lj-cuts, I'll flip back and forth because I want to see what the cut text was before I read that bit.

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1) Yes, from my friends page. Your page hurts my eyes.

I'm not the only one?

See son! It's not just me!!!

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1) Do you actually read my journal at all?
Pretty regularly now, yep.

2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can't imagine)? Do you skim? I usually skim for content and unless it's exclusively about people I don't know then I'll often actually read it.

3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel? Not actually really knowing you, it's an interesting insight into a friend-of-friends who has a lot of the same ideas and very different experiences than I.

4) Do you like my "1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility" essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes? People often write the most interesting things on topics about which they are passionate. What better passion than hostility?

5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated? The wrestling is interesting... and the obsession with UnderArmour ... and just generally seeing a slightly different view of life in that place than I get from other people I know there.

6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists? I read all of the above. And a dozen world newspapers nearly daily. I like to see into other lives in other places. Different people and different backgrounds both in unique situations and daily life. In other ways LJ is a good way to keep vaguely in touch with people who otherwise don't talk about their lives. You get to see what's important to them or what of themselves they may think is intersting to others. Maybe I spent too many years studying brains, but *I* at least find that interesting.

Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?
Often, usually because I'm curious what's cut and why. Different people do so for different reasons.

Interesting questions, btw. The comments will be interesting I'm sure.

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I usually skim for content and unless it's exclusively about people I don't know then I'll often actually read it.

Hmmm, assuming this isn't a typo, that's an interesting philosophy... so its kind of like objective people watching then?

People often write the most interesting things on topics about which they are passionate. What better passion than hostility?

Sex? Though actually, I just call them hostility as part of the gimmick, they really aren't that hostile. It just allows me to write from a angrier voice where I can curse a lot and not waste words apologizing for it.


And suggestions of interesting web columnists? I should have asked that in my poll really, but I was trying to stay kinda me centric...

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1) Yes I do.

2) Zod help me, I do.

3) Yeah, yeah, you're interesting. Next question.

4) It works for me. Hostility is fun.

5) I read everything on my Friends Page, your stuff included.

6) I like seeing what other people are doing, and they're occasionally entertaining and/or witty. I don't read any other blogs (hate that word) or web columnists. Wait, except for Master Ninja.

SBQ: Yep, I read the cuts as well.

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"Oh my God!"
"No, Zod"

So you read all of everything... jesus, you're insane... I mean, I'm just as unemployed as you are, and I don't read everything on my friends list... I treat it like graffiti... or USENET... I skim, and punt if it isn't grabbing my attention...

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1. Yes.
2. I often skim, but if I have the time and find the day's topic interesting I read thoroughly.
3. I think you are an LJ-er spewing random drivel that happens to be interesting. I think that the real "Maverick" is much more interesting.
4. Yes I enjoy these essays. I would enjoy more of them as well.
5. Yes. I think your other random postings are often very interesting. I find this whole wrestling thing very fascinating. I haven't even seen wrestling on TV since I was about 16.
6. To keep up with people.
Bonus: Sometimes. If I have the time and the post seems interesting I read the whole thing. If I'm busy I may skip it for later, and I often forget to go back. *Sorry*

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I think that the real "Maverick" is much more interesting.

Yeah, James Garner was pretty cool, wasn't he?

Don't worry about the missing stuff... like I said, I never imagined that anyone was reading everything I wrote. I'm amazed that anyone cares about the wrestling stuff for instance... its mostly a reference for me, so I can keep track of my training, I just never bother to use the private entry style, that's all...

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1. Often
2. Skim. Sometimes just glance.
3. Yes.
4. I don't often read those, but I probably would if a)they were shorter or b) i had more free time on my hands. But don't make 'em shorter on my account.
5. I like the audience participation ones. Like the superhero picture. Say, how's that superhero picture going?
6. Everyone was doing it. I don't read non-lj blogs of people I don't know, or lj blogs of people i don't know, unless i see their comments elsewhere on lj and think they might be interesting. (that's one of the key selling points of your lj. you're like kevin bacon.) I read some columnists on the web, and one web columnist.
Bonus Question: If the cut text looks remotely interesting i'll click on it, then follow my usual procedure of glancing, then maybe skimming, then maybe reading.

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Well, I can't make them shorter by removing words because then I'd be a liar. I guess I could try to use really tiny monosyllabic words, but that would be pretty boring...

---

The picture is going... just very slowly. I haven't been nearly as inspired as I was those first couple nights, and it turns out its a pretty big undertaking... I am still working on it though... I was messing around with it last week.


ooh... everybody should start playing Six Degrees of chrismaverick, just to see how far it gets...

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Considering our relationship, I suppose I'm a bit prejudicial. I doubt my answers will help you much, but if I don't answer, I'll feel all left out.

1) Of course.
2) Every word.
3) Not only interesting, you're a genius.
4) I've always encouraged my children to speak their minds; anybody have a problem with that? Yeah? Come see me!
5) I love everything you do.
6) My son made me read it, and no I don't read other blogs.
Bonus ? I don't miss a word.

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Hey Mama! Good to "see" you! ;)

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I took the liberty of answering a few selected questions...

2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can't imagine)? Do you skim?
My powers of concentration are such that I challenge you to find anything that I read everything of.

3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel?
You're not all that random an LJer, to me. The drivel, unfortunately, possesses too much structure to qualify as truly random.

4) Do you like my "1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility" essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes?
If it makes you reflect on the issue better or more clearly to write about it, then by all means, write. I think your 1000 Words forces you and the readers to think about the issue of who these posts are for in the first place. My current approach right now is to write for myself but put it out there anyway. People, if they choose to, can have a glimpse of my brain. Kinda like putting my brain in a giant Sears catalog for the world to look at. I'm still me, but I'm acknowledging my desire to be an exhibitionist, craving that nugget of attention.

Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?
I read those especially. Anything that someone took that few microseconds of effort to put in an LJ-cut's gotta be that much cooler!

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you're right on the 1000 words. That's kinda why I do it. Its just a little challenge that makes me think more about what I am doing...


Interesting approach on the clicking of LJ-cuts... I'll have to think about that some more...

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1) I read the journal of everyone who is on my friends list.
2) I don't read every single thing you post, but I do read a greater percentage than those I skim.
3) Um, yeah. I like it best when you speculate on more abstract stuff rather than a merely sequential account of an event. The wrestling diary is sooooo-oooo boring. Same with tennis. Sorry.
4) Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes. Love them. The best. Re: doing more. Don't feel pressured to write one every day, but maybe every week would be cool. Don't let it get to the point where you are really fishing for things to be hostile about. Alternately, other emotions could be explored.
5) Uhhhhh...... {blank look} {drool} See 3 and 4.
6) I initially got an account to keep up the flow of communication between me and all my friends who don't live here (which is most of them---{{{{{sigh}}}}}). After a hiatus during late fall/winter, I returned and even started getting a little involved in the communities. I think lj is a fantastic forum and I love the fact that users can help with support and development, even though tech stuff isn't my specialty so I can't help. I should also mention that lj is the only journal I've been able to keep consecutively for any length of time. [Defining "journal" as a diary of and reflection upon internal/external events and different from my sketchbooks, the content of which is more random]
Bonus question: Yes, I read cuts if the cut-text is intriguing and/or relevant to understanding the rest of the entry. I will probably read them more now that I have a faster connection.

Bonus answer: I agree with ludimagist about the columnist/commentary thing. I've always wondered when you would work your way back around to what you actually went to school for. I would still strongly consider grad school in LCT just because I like school, but if you don't like school, why not try out for the columnist position. I bet the CityPaper and the folks that took over In Pittsburgh would be interested to hear what you have to say. The problem is that many times you need to have clips already before you present yourself to them. What about doing stuff like e-pinions first to build up your noteriety? Can users comment on them? I've never investigated. But yeah, go for it.

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Thanks for your support :)

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1) Do you actually read my journal at all? yes

2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can't imagine)? Do you skim? a skim a little, I'll admit that.

3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel? intresting

4) Do you like my "1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility" essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes? lol, you shouldn't write for an audience, don't ask this question, write for you.

5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated? I like reading your wresling posts lol

6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists? I read it to keep up with old school friends and make new ones

Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above? most of the time yeah.

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lol, you shouldn't write for an audience, don't ask this question, write for you.

well the thing is, I'm not just writing for me...I'm a writer, and part of writing for me means being read by other people. Its hard to explain. But being an artist/writer isn't just having a story that you want to tell... its having a story that you want to tell to other people. The audience is therefore a very necessary part of the equation. Honestly, part of being a writer involves a fair bit of narcissism. That's true of any kind of artist I think, but especially a writer. Everyone has thoughts. A writer is the guy who MUST share them with people.

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1) Do you actually read my journal at all?

Yes! This may be obvious from the fact I'm commenting.

2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can't imagine)? Do you skim?

Depends on the mood I'm in. Skim or read.

3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel?

interesting enough!

4) Do you like my "1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility" essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes?

Is ain't no writer, so's I don't think ma advice would do you no good.

5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated?

It's early. I still read it! Must be something good there. I don't even know you!

6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists?

I don't read we columnists except for Savage Love, and LJ is fun to 'see what people are up to.'

Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?

I read that! I would say "yes!"

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Is ain't no writer, so's I don't think ma advice would do you no good.

On the contrary... I can usually guess what writers will say, because I am one... and as somone who isn't a writer and also doesn't actually know me, I care all the more what you have to say... so please, enlighten me, your opinion means more than just about everyone else here... but ummm... like no pressure and stuff...

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1) Yes (via friends)
2) Pretty much, occasionally
3) Sure, but possibly mainly because we're gay lo^H^H^H^H^H^Hfriends
4) Yes, if you want, sure, not really (that's four questions, by the way)
5) Yup, nope, nope
6) My friends page, yes (I actually got a RSS client to keep track of all of them), That's not an easy distinction to make (e.g. Lessig's blog), but I'd say I tend towards the "blog" side of things.

Bonus question: Yes. You really should've put this question in an LJ-cut.

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3) Sure, but possibly mainly because we're gay lo^H^H^H^H^H^Hfriends

*sigh*...Touch me in the morning and then just walk away...

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1) on my friends page. better colors.
2) i read really fast. i read everything on my friends page. then again, i dont have many friends.
3) interesting...what a generic word. have to say no. but that doesnt mean i dont want to read. it just means you are somethig other than interesting.
4) i guess i like rants as much as the next person. i can get tired of rants, even my own.
5) nothing sticks out, but thats not bad.
6) i read lj to keep up with friends i havent heard from in years. like you. i dont read any others so far, but i guess if i find another old friend i might.


most of the time i read cuts... i cant help it if it feels like i am missing something. i think i was pandora in a previous life.

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it just means you are somethig other than interesting.

Thanks... I think.... I'm not absolutely sure whether that warrants a "thank you" or a "fuck you," but I like you, so I'm going with the former...

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1) Hell yeah, baby!

2) I do not read everything you post, though I'm sure I read most of it. I'm more likely to read your daily life stuff as I enjoy hearing what you've been up to.

3) Yes interesting. Even your job hunt stuff is amusing with things like Oprah and Larry King. :)

4) I must admit that I often don't read them because I'm usually just zipping over what people have been up to. I don't read people's poetry either. But I do read them every so often and they're very clever.

5) Yes I enjoy random posts and observations.

6) I actually read it for the most part to keep in touch with what my friends are doing and/or to get to know new people that seem cool. But it's also a humor thing as most of my friends are humorous just in conversation (like yourself).

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I'm more likely to read your daily life stuff as I enjoy hearing what you've been up to.

see, I think that's weird because I find my daily life pretty boring... It's not like I go to work, or get to build sloth caves or anything like that...

Yes interesting. Even your job hunt stuff is amusing with things like Oprah and Larry King. :)

Yeah, that's starting to get harder though... I'm running out of talk show names to use as code words...

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1) Do you actually read my journal at all?

Yes.

2) Do you read everything I post (god, I can't imagine)? Do you skim?

I skim some stuff about the job searches and rafting and tennis and whatnot and read most of the rest.

3) Do you generally find me interesting? Or just another randome LJer spewing random drivel?

Interesting. I mean, it's not like you're ME or anything, but yeah, you're interesting.

4) Do you like my "1000 Words of Free Flowing Hostility" essays? Should I do more? Does the format do anything for you? Do you have any suggestions for topics or changes?

I like those a lot. I think the content is much more important than the format however.

5) Do you like reading my other random postings? Anything stick in mind as a favorite? Anything you particularly hated?

See above. Content is more important than format. The "Mighty Casey" peom was amusing offhand, and the wrestling stuff is interesting from a content perspective. Some of the bits about you being a chinaman from now on are amusing, as is our upcoming bid for the presidency.

6) Why do you read livejournal in general? Do you read other (non-LJ) blogs? What about web columnists?

LJ itself is amusing and a fun way to both keep up with my friends that use it, write to other interesting people who I discover on it, and to talk to strangers on occasion. I read some people in other formats on and off. I have another friend who could have gotten a column had he wanted one and ended up making his own his own martial arts/sef defense webpage, which I am sure will end up being something bigger.

I do read behind the cuts depending on the rest of the entry.



Special Bonus Question: Do you actually bother to read things in LJ-cuts like my Background info above?

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Some of the bits about you being a chinaman from now on are amusing

and it amuses me that this is the one thing that repeatedly sticks out for you... but I guess it should surprise me, since you also remembered my comment about "defending Okinawa with a shovel" many years later...

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