Blogging, and things that are like blogging

At the risk of sounding like some sort of odd Luddite, some of my best friends have blogs.

And not just blogs, but also vlogs, Twitters, Tumblrs, Jaiku and Streems. (I lied on that last one. I'm not cool enough to know anyone who has a Streem.) Heck, I've even dabbled on occasion. (Seriously. Google me.)

But, while my friends were using their online soapboxes to discuss buying homes, raising newborns, fighting health problems or dissecting our country's foreign policy, I offered very little.

My typical e-response ran something like, "I ate a muffin this morning. It was a tasty muffin. I sure do like those muffins," which explains why my efforts were so short-lived.

But there is a useful side to blogging. After all, a friend allowed me to announce her engagement on her blog, literally saving me the effort of calling a handful of people. (Talking individually to people is so 2002.)

Although I can't blog my way out of a paper bag, I do get much enjoyment from reading them. Journalist Tom Bartlett's Minor Tweaks is a clean, hilarious humor blog. And, StraightCashHomey.net celebrates those wearing out-of-date sports jerseys, something I'm guilty of from time to time.

So, if you have an amusing video of your dog singing along to Elvis, pop it in your new Tumblr, cyber-buddy, and maybe I'll stop by and get a laugh out of it. At least it will save you the difficulty of e-mailing the video to your friends.