Age - How old are you now?
Old enough to know better, but young enough to not worry about it. That's 32 for those who are counting.
When you started your online diary?
According to the archives, September 12th, 2000, so about six months ago. Which makes me realize how little I am actually getting done.
Marital Status?
Divorced. Now in an international man-of-mystery long distance relationship.
Occupation - What kind of work do you do?
Hobbies - What do you like to do, besides keep this diary?
I like to play. Games really engage me. Especially online role playing games from a design perspective, as well as BDSM "games". I'm a reasonable well-socialized geek kinkster.
Location - Where are you from? Where are you now?
I've returned to live in New York City, after 5 years in Bermuda. I just can't get enough of the dirt, the crowds, and the smell of hot dog pee rising from the sidewalks.
Why did you start writing your diary online?
It was part of a court order? It is cheaper than therapy? To get a girlfriend? (It worked!) Because I ran out of room in my writing book?
Do you communicate with readers of your diary?
Usually with telepathy. Since that seems to work poorly, I have added features to the page to allow people to respond right in the diary (BlogVoices, now New & Improved, with a fresh minty taste.)
It's hard to say, since I have a good email rule list that pretty accurately filters all the death threats and lawyer notices.
After that, it's all pretty positive.
Have you met any new friends because of the diary?
Absolutely. And they charge a lot less than my last set of friends, so it's a win-win.
Has your motivation changed over time?
After my advertisers fled, sure. It's amazing what a frank discussion of sex will do to timid little companies. Ah well, I always hated banner ads any way. Nosuch is glad to only use subliminal advertising now.
How has the diary changed your life?
Well, I've learned to love milk and cheese a lot more.
Oh, wait, you said "diary". Sorry. Thought you said "dairy."
I have a wonderful woman in my life, who has yet to threaten legal action, thanks to the diary. I also landed a position working with a great team doing an online game. I also found out the precise definition of libel. Actually, my lawyer helped with that last one, but it did have to do with the diary.
I'm very open about the diary with both family and friends. I just tell them it's all lies, and my comments about their nosepicking, rude behavior and poor hygiene are just there to amuse my readers.
So far, it's worked.
How has the diary benefited you? Your friends? Or total strangers?
A number of people have "come out" to me about their BDSM interests, and that's been great. It's nice to be able to guide people to good resources to help them understand their own sexuality.
Has your diary ever gotten you in trouble? If so, how? Scenerio: If you were wronged by a person that you know reads your diary, would you bash them anyway? What about family? What about co-workers?
Some people take my sense of humor too literally and too personally. Sure, I'm opinionated, but I repsect other people's opinions, and I can take it as good as I dish it out.
Oddly, these people still keep reading, though.
If you had to do it over again from the beginning, what
would you change?
More animated gifs. More Flash. Maybe some MIDI songs.
That way I wouldn't have to worry about going over my bandwidth quota, because all these nosy people would stop coming back.
What do you look for in an online journal, as a reader?
Entertainment. Coherent writing. A strong, engaging voice.
At a minimum, clear thinking and properly executed writing. People who eschew capital letters and punctuation need not apply.
Do you use your real name in your diary?
Pretty much. I don't generally list it, but you'd have to be pretty dense not to put it together.
Do you censor yourself in your diary?
Sure. I don't talk about things said to me in confidence. I also try to be respectful of the feelings of people close to me. I use my diary to talk about my feelings, and not as a vector to say things indirectly to others.