I didn’t post yesterday because I was thinking about what I did in asking for people’s opinions and thinking about the comments that were left in response. I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to leave a comment; I really appreciate it and read what you said with interest.

The evening after publishing the post, I started to regret it and even contemplated removing it. It looked like I was being needy and looking for an ego massage and perhaps even a bit pathetic. This wasn’t the intent – I am genuinely interested in what other people reading my stuff think. So, apologies if the message came across a bit crass.

To respond to some of the points: Logan, I had the same feeling about Blogger’s comments system, and tried inputting Haloscan, but my web-fu was weak and I wasn’t happy with the way it looked. I’ve seen that Blogger have changed to try and emulate Haloscan with the comments appearing as a separate pop-up (and I like the fact that you can get people’s blog picture in there, as it’s a nice functionality), but it doesn’t seem to be working on my site yet. I’ve asked Blogger Helpdesk and wait to see what happens; if nothing comes of it, I’ll give Haloscan another go.

Regarding the issue of comics outside of my normal selection, it’s something I’d like to do, but it mainly comes down to money and taste. Money because it’s hard to justify buying something I don’t actively want (I’m not a rich man). Taste because … well, I don’t know if I’m a genre fan (as Paul O’Brien said in his infamous post) or if I don’t have a taste for what might be considered the ‘artier’ aspect of comics, such as Blankets or James Kochalka’s work but, then again, I don’t have much of a taste for the excessively arty in other media, such as cinema or books. I appreciate the offer, though. I do intend to try something different and outside of my normal range, as a way of stretching my reviewing abilities, so we shall see.

Jason, I understand what you are getting at; there is a lot of the formula to my blog and others, so it’s a fully justifiable criticism. Part of this is due to my laziness – the links, solicitations, picks and reviews are easy to do, whereas the individuality of which you speak requires effort. This is something I have a problem with but is something I intend to try and rectify. I have quite a few ideas for, for want of a better word, pieces that I want to try which will involve doing research and writing which will hopefully broaden the range and develop some individuality to the site.

Greg, same as Logan and Jason 🙂

Mark, I get what you’re saying, although I don’t think I’m looking for notice and recognition (unless it’s a subconscious thing, and I am an attention-seeking whore without realising it). I think I’m trying to accomplish several things with this site, but haven’t succeeded yet 🙂 But what you said has given me food for thought, so thanks.

James, I hope I’m not completely lacking in fun, but I get what you mean. Your ’10 Greatest Comic Battles Ever’ is an example of the sort of thing I want to do, once I get off my lazy arse and put in the effort. My stuff won’t be as good as yours, obviously, but it has got my brain working in ways it hadn’t regarding this blog, joining bizarre connections and creating new ones, which will hopefully be reflected in the future. I don’t know about letting my hair down – I’ve always had it cut pretty short 🙂

I used to think that I could write regular posts based on some sort of inspiration creating a frenzy of creativity. This was quite retarded thinking and so I hope to start writing more focussed pieces, which might mean not posting everyday, which I have to realise isn’t the most important thing in the world.

Well, that was an incredibly self-indulgent post, wasn’t it? Bloggers thinking out loud in their blogs – it’s blogsterbation, for goodness sake. To make up for this, I will post a long review of a book I should have got ages ago (once Blogger is working normally again, that is, and allows me to upload images).