Meme Attack: Why I Blog

I thought I could evade the bastard for a little while longer, but I've been memed by TehBrummell over at BrummellBlog. This one has a well-traced pedigree, shown here, if you're interested in how these things spread. Anyhoo, the topic of this meme is "Why do I blog?" and the form is supposed to be a list. TheBrummell already nails down a lot of my reasons, and I suppose many of us more casual bloggers have similar reasons.

- I was a grad student for a couple of years and found myself developing substantial writing skills, the fruits of which included two journal papers, three conference papers (I think), two posters, an award-winning presentation (heh, I won $500), and a big honkin' thesis. Fast forward a year later and I'm working as an engineer-in-training; the only thing I write is the occasional report for a client. Can you say boring and sterile? Also given that it was about 6 months before I was experienced enough to even talk to a client, I suffered from a drought of writing that threatened to flush my skills down the crapper all the way to the sewage treatment plant I was designing.

- I also occasionally do have something to say on other blogs, and if those get too big, it's nice to be able to put them someplace of your own to (a) not crowd someone else's blog, and (b) take all the juicy credit for it.

- Since getting married to my lovely wife, I've had the misfortune of being subject to a steady flow of religious nonsense that I feel I must belittle at all times. It started with the crappy church music, then a hook 'em while they're young church summer camp, then a P.o.S. intelligent design book (The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel) that my wife wanted me to read. I actually wanted to write a comprehensive kick in the nuts of Case for a Creator, but I got part way and haven't gotten around to finishing it. Ah, procrastination.

- Speaking of that, procrastination is a good one, too. On days where I think I can get away with it, I blog to procrastinate at the office. No bridges being designed today.

- I wanted to write about my own experiences, mainly just to share, feel a sense of community, etc. with like-minded bloggers around the world. Of course, it turns out that most of the people who read my blog regularly are in southern Ontario. Go figure.

...and finally,

- This blog serves as a depository of all those stupid internet quizzes and blog memes, like this one.

Finished. I think I'm gonna tag BigHeathenMike, Mel at Aesahaettr, Matt at Pooflingers Anonymous, The Anonymous Coward, and Rev. Big Dumb Chimp.