Tag, I'm It!

So, Kelly the Culinarian tagged me, and since I've only done one of these since starting this particular blog in January, I thought I'd go ahead and give this one a shot.

1 How long have you been blogging?
Technically I've been blogging since May of last year after I found out I was pregnant. I'm not giving out the web address to the entire public, but if you're interested in seeing that one, let me know and I'll hook you up. This blog is my first public blog, and I started it on July 2, 2007.

2 What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?
Manic Mommy and Random Faerie were both major inspirations in the starting of this particular blog. Random Faerie has been suggesting I give blogging a shot for years. I've taken her off my blogroll for the moment because her site is currently being reconstructed. She's been blogging since before blogging was cool, and it was always such a joy to read her posts. Manic Mommy is wonderful at making stressful situations hilarious with her writing style. Part of the inspiration also came from the number of blogs I read on at least a weekly basis that all seemed to have this friendship, this special bond, that I wanted to share. A lot of times I feel like I'm doing this motherhood thing all by myself. Blogging helps keep me connected with other mothers and helps boost my confidence in being a mother. It's my link to other great moms out there.

3 Are you trying to make money online or are you doing it for fun?
I'm doing this for fun, but I figured while I'm already at it, why not see if I can generate a bit of income, too! Personally, I'd love to be like Dooce and have my site support my family, but I'm not holding my breath for that one.

4 What three things do you love about being online?
A. Connectedness without having to actually meet face-to-face. I can let it all hang out here without worrying about what people think or whether or not they'll still like me tomorrow after I've said something offensive today.

B. Meeting people (okay, Kelly, I'm borrowing your last two). There are some amazing women (and men) out there, but sometimes they're hard to find. I've looked locally, and either they're in hiding like I am or there really are none locally (I prefer to believe they're hiding). So, I branched out.

C. Getting feedback. Especially getting feedback from people I know are not trying to kiss up to me for any reason. It's sad to think that people online tend to be more real than the people talking to your face, but sometimes it sure seems that way.

5 What three things do you struggle with online?
A. Tangents. I get online to look up something or do something specific (like writing a blog post), and something 'sparkly' catches my eye. Off I go, reading about some new scam or health kick instead of fulfilling my original intent.

B. & C. Okay, I can't really think of anything else I struggle with online. I, like Kelly, would like to improve my readership, though I'm slowly taking the steps to do so. Struggle is such a heavy word, though.

That's it. Now it's my turn to tag, right? Okay, hmm.

I'm going to be a puss, but I'm admitting it before you can call me one, so it's okay.

Dear Readers...

TAG!!!

Now run with it and leave me a comment if you post it on your blog!

(Oh, and Carrie, I will do your tag at some point!)