I am 56. Sometimes it feels like 57. Too old to blog, some may say. Others may suggest I’m too old to do anything but blog. There is no shortage of critics in cyberspace.
But maybe there’s a third possibility. Last night, while I was waiting for the cup of warm Milo to take effect, an apparition emerged from the spare USB port in my laptop – a Steve Jobs like figure with a Stephen Hawking voice and Bette Davis eyes. The virtual being gently touched my arm, drank the rest of the Milo, then spoke in soft but earnest tones.
‘No, Graeme, you are not too old to blog. In fact, blog you must, for your blogging will empower others of senior years to blog, too. You have been chosen as the role model for wrinkly non-bloggers who want to convert … who want to cross over … who want to come thundering out of the closet of bloglessness.’
So here I am, on a mission – apparently. Very soon, before you can say ‘God’s Waiting Room’, blogging will sit alongside moaning as the favourite pastime of the elderly. In retirement villages and nursing homes across the land, new Tag Clouds are about to be formed, with ‘Incontinence’ and ‘Centrelink’ jumping out at you in 36 point font, from the sidebar of senility.
I have decided to blog as a safer alternative to trekking the Kokoda Trail or marrying Greg Norman. Right now, Greg is typically topical, with Kokoda being more tropically topical. Which brings me to the beauty of the online world – it lets us play with space and time, instantly connecting minds around the globe and delivering the present moment to our Twitter stream. The value of all that is yet to be determined.
I blog, therefore I am. ‘Am what?’ That is the question. (As opposed to, ‘To tweet or not to tweet’, which would have been the question, had Shakespeare lived a few extra years.)
So I leave you with this query: ‘Who am I?’ now that I have a blog, plus a Twitter account, Linkedin, Facebook and grey hair. Personally, I have no idea who I am – or will become – because of this new technology.
Perhaps by blogging, I’ll find out. Before the nursing home beckons.
Cheers!
Great start ~ And with your gift of the gab you’ll be a natural I’m sure.
But, this was now written a week ago now… where’s the next entry!! Can’t keep us waiting LOL
Hey! I’ve never had 51 comments on ANY posts, so as far as blogging is concerned, you’re off to a flying start. And proves the power of Twitter. Good luck with the blog and I’m looking forward to your contributions.
David
If you’re young enough to Tweet, you’re young enough to blog. And think of all that wisdom waiting to get out in increments greater than 140 characters! Looking forward to more.
David
Congratulations on getting the blog going. I look forward to your updates and continuing twitter conversations.
If you’re old enough to string a sentence together you have something to share with the world.
If you’re old enough to think twice about some of those sentences, we’re all a bit better off!
Don’t know what impresses me most: how funny your first blog post was, or that you had the patience to DM at least 55 of your Twitter friends to ask them to read it (perhaps that’s one benefit of being an elderly blogger!)
Ignore the experts who say you need to blog to build an audience, blog regularly, blog on a single topic or write SEO-optimised posts. I say: write what you love to write about, on whatever topic strikes you, whenever you feel like it, and in whatever manner suits you.
It shouldn’t be about ad revenue, or brand-building, or popularity; it should be about real self-expression without the need to find a market for it.
Enjoy!
Welcome to blogging. What a great start. I love your sense of humour. Thanks for inviting me to read your first post. You have set yourself a high standard.
David Brewster said it best ‘If you’re young enough to Tweet, you’re young enough to blog.’
Looking forward to your future posts.
Lane.
Graeme –
Very nice. As another in the same deacade of life, welcome to the club!
No, you’re not unique to be blogging at your age. However, I don’t know too many of our contemporaries that started on Twitter *before* starting blogging!
Keep up the good work.
– Keith.
well done. good promotion. keep at it. write to me in six months to check in if I am still here
) xc
Nice writing, I look forward to more.
You can never be too old to blog, and share information.
Hey dude, your blog rocks! Stay cool & keep smiling through your blogging
Great start, looking forward to more. I’m trying to get started myself and feel a bit contrary. But your line about Who am I, and that fact we are about to find out together is very comforting. Is that weird?
Don’t let the ‘Old Man In’.
Never too old to do anything… heck, just friended my Pop on facebook and he’s 88. Go forth and blog Mr Bowman… just do it regularly and with gusto.
Congratulations on your first blog post Graeme. You’re never too old to blog. Last year I helped a 75 year old student to set up her first web site and blog.
I look forward to reading your future posts.
Hey, I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say GREAT blog!…..I”ll be checking in on a regularly now….Keep up the good work!
- Marc Shaw
Hi GB! Welcome to the blogosphere! Good on you for jumping in! If there’s one thing I know about this Connection Generation – it’s that age is wiped off the scales.
As Chris Brogan said in his last newsletter : We now have the means to find each other. Looking forward to your writings as I always do. It’s another dimension to you and we are glad to have it!
Y
Awesome blog!
I thought about starting my own blog too but I’m just too lazy so, I guess I‘ll just have to keep checking yours out.
LOL,
First thought was “that wasn’t Milo”!
Love your writing style and humour so wish you every success with your blogging and tweeting.
Hi Graeme,
Enjoyed reading your post.
You are not too old to blog..but maybe I am?
64 going on 65 and have been blogging for a few years now. Isn’t it fun?
I am about to start one under http://www.triciaholmes.com but a little ’scawed’ to put that into the net’o’sphere.
I have a family blog on Blogger (holmes at home) and my little business blog http://www.purseket-handbagorganisers.com/ which I enjoy writing whenever the ‘mood’ hits me.
I wish there were more ‘older-but-young-at-heart’ aussies online and blogging…there are so many stories to tell.
Tricia
Too old to blog? Graeme I’m 38 and most days I feel too old to blog! Actually many of the people I know who finally get published didn’t start writing until…well later. Good on you!