Wait, you are probably thinking this is going to be that post where I whine about my trials and tribulations as a struggling writer... how I don't have time or energy or inspiration to blog... how I am not good enough, smart, enough, or doggonit people don't like me. Ooops, sorry to disappoint.
No, this is just a shallow-ass post about how I hate my blog's appearance.
Where do I start?
1. I hate the fact that the picture in my header and the cropped version of it that I use as my avatar is something I hastily purchased from iStockphoto. I have seen different versions of this picture pop up on blogs and websites here and there and although it irritates me, there is not really much I can do about it. Except maybe be flattered that someone else thought it was a cool picture.
2. I hate that the layout of my blog is nothing more than a rearrangement of blogspot's Minima template. Really all I did was widen some margins and slap a homemade banner up there. Presto-chango, Wal-mart style customization!!
3. I hate that my blog only has two columns. Waaaaaaaaaah! I want three!!!!
4. I hate that I am too much of a chicken shit to use my face and my real name (what, come on, you didn't think my real name was Pearl Wisdom did you???), but I don't seem to have a problem plastering my baby's face all over the place.
5. I kinda hate that I don't have my own domain name or whateveryoucallit and that I am using blogspot rather than wordpress. It seems like all of the "legit" bloggers follow these two rules, but I won't even begin to pretend that I fancy myself to be legit.
6. I hate that I don't have the money to pay a professional to redesign my blog, or the
7. I hate that I even give a shit about what my blog looks like since it is about the writing after all. Isn't it?
Posts
14 Other People's Pearls:
I made my blog into a 3 column by using these instructions from "Cutest Blog on the Block". If I could do it without stuffing up, I´m sure you can too :)
http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/blog-secrets/145-how-to-get-a-3-column-template
If it makes you feel better, I can't even figure out how to get my own background on my blog. Mine is the basic template that blogger offers...I suck.
But I feel your pain :)
I use standard EVERYTHING from blogger. I am not creative with my blog at all. It sucks, but until I have enough time/inclination that's the way it's going to be!
However, I might check out RML's link to see about the three column thingy - that could work!
Your name isn't really Pearl Wisdom? I feel like such a fool...
Thought I should tell you I stopped by today b/c I thought your "pic" was so cute!
I too am hiding behind a cartoon and fake name. Myabe one day I'll out myself, but for now I find I find it far easier to rant and rave under a false identity. Like a superhero! LOL
PS I hate my name ...didn't know it would be plastered everywhere but can't figure out how to change it!
I hear ya, sistah! I get irked that I'm not tech savvy enough to make my blog look differnt... I did manage to buy the URL of my blog, but it just redirects to the blogspot url, and what's the point, really? Perhaps when we're famous like Dooce we can all have swanky cool blogs. Someday... ;) And at least you came up with a cute name for your blog persona... I was clever enough to use my initials. I'm nothing if not original. ;) ... but I heart your blog, yo! :D
Dude, I fucking HATE my avatar, at this point. HATE it. I mean, really? I look like I'm psychotic. And possibly descended from canines. However, people recognize it. Same thing with yours. Change it, and see how fast people get all "WTF?!? WHY DID YOU CHANGE?!?"
I digress. Dude, if you want to switch to a self-hosted WordPress blog, I can give you a list of reasons why it's a good idea - including how many FREE LAYOUTS there are out there. (Plus, I actually know how to tinker with WP templates, not so much with Blogger templates.)
i bought my name...for reals...$10 or something so little for a year...totally worth it, no?
I think your design is just fine...it is all about what you write and not (entirely) about how you present. ;)
i hate my blog, too. for many reasons, but mine are more of the "...not good enough, smart enough, doggonit..." kind of reasons.
also? listen to steph. you should listen to steph in general, but for now i'm talking about the avatar/image thing. if you go and change what people are used to, they get all WTF?!
i TOTALLY thought your real name was Pearl. my first name is Matter, so it wasn't all that hard of a thing for me to grasp...
finally, it's your blog, do whatever the fuck you want to (HAVE TIME TO) do with it. :)
Hiya. I actually stumbled across your blog - well, this post, anyway - in my search for a confession site. Your post being what it is, and me doing what I do (design blogs and make templates), I had to leave a quick hello and let you know that if you're comfortable playing with HTML, I can set you up with a new template quite cheaply. =)
Cheers,
Ellie
rainydaytemplates.blogspot.com
Sounds like you need a tech person to do a little work on your site, so you're happier with the layout. It doesn't have to cost a lot. Let me know if you want a referral.
Hey, I LOVE your blog - but if you're not happy with it - change it!! You could easily get someone to do it for you for like $65 bucks - everything! I think that's what I paid - Shauna the designer who worked on mine is great and her button's on my site. If you're on there typing tons, it should give you "feel good" feelings! And by the way, my cartoon stock is totally out of one of those istock piles, and I have no idea what an avatar is - I thought that was a superhero name or something! I suck.
I must say...I feel the same exact way. My blog is way more generic than yours (I wouldn't even know how to widen the parts). I totally want three columns. And I have my stupid face and those of my family plastered all over, so I can't even write anything good. AND I even offerred to pay someone to design my blog and have been on a waiting list for over 3 months. By the time I fix my blog I will be out of readers. Ugh!
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