Thankew, Mr. & Ms. Trott

Hey did you see CNN.com this morning?  There's an article in the technology section on the founders of TypePad, Ben and Mena Trott. Here's a  LINK.

What a year they've had! Their little service grew by nearly 7 million subscribers last  year -- that, after an $11.5 million infusion of Venture Capital.  Do the math:  we're paying $4.95 a month or more (depending on the package) to use TypePad . . . times 7 million?  Well, that little drop of VC has already returning something like 3 - 4 times its value every single month! 

I bumped into TypePad in May of last year, probably as a result of one of their early promotions.  As I recall, I got an email solicitation that sounded interesting and decided to take advantage of the free month to see if Blogging was for me.  You can see from the sheer size of what's here that it is (I've already used half of my 100 MB allotment!)

Here's what I think about Blogging:  it's a boon to mental health and clarity.  It is the meditation of the new Millennium.  Since I've been blogging, I've become more focused, energized and interesting.  I know what I think about what's going on around me . . . because I've thought about it.  I've actually been willing to push the envelope of my own risk taking, telling myself, 'Come on, it's bound to be something interesting for my Blog.' 

So why not just keep a journal?  What is it about Blogging that is different or better than that?  It's the inclusion of an audience.  I used to journal, sporadically.  I never expected anyone to read what I  was writing except, perhaps when I died.  As a result, I was less driven to be coherent or interesting.  My journals were mostly whining rants about my fucked up emotional life.  Most deal with the same old relationship problems we all have. 

As I Blog, however, I never forget that someone is going to read this shit.  I choose my subject matter carefully.  I organize myself.  Most of all, I restrain myself from telling everything.  And when I'm done, I edit, edit, edit.  That's something I've never done, even in my brief forays into 'creative writing.'  I never had the discipline.  But with JazzBlog, I want what I've written to be written well; so I'll go over each completed blog several times, adjusting commas and clarifying language.  (Ok; I haven't found the motivation to actually spellcheck my stuff . . . but I'm workin' on it).

Blogging is not quite the solitary endeavor I expected.  While journaling was so self-indulgent -- it was really just masturbation with a keyboard -- Blogging connects people.  I get an email now and then.  And once in a great while, someone actually comments on one of my posts.  I've started searching other Blogs for ideas and insight and have made a few electronic friends.  Wait a minute . . . wouldn't that be a good question for the SAT?  Journaling is to Blogging as Masturbation is to ? (Fucking).

Here's my proof that JazzBlog has had a positive impact on my life:  I'm in the process of breaking up with a guy I've known I should leave for years.  I'm actively making a play for a situation in my company that will leave me with a stake in the business, something that will have great value in years to come.  I've met more people in the last six months than I have in the last six years (well, almost).  It's been like waking up. 

So, thank you, Ben and Mena.  I know you thought you were just foolin around with Movable Type, but in many ways you were changing people's lives.  And, hey --  Don't they look like they're having a whole lotta fun doing it?