Disclaimer
May 6, 2009Haha… I never knew I needed a disclaimer here. I have received messages from friends asking me, “Are you depressed? Are you alright? You sound sad and unhappy,” after reading my blog. Then, I found myself beginning to use more smiley faces ”=)” in my blog to avoid being misunderstood. After all, it’s the “Era of the Emoticons” (“emoticons”, they call it), when words on the printed page through smses and email have to be backed up by a variety of symbols of facial expressions and emotion, so that the tone and mood of your content is made clear. Unfortunately however, I really do not like to use these emoticons in my writing. Feels strange. Never found myself belonging to this impersonal, computerised and high-tech era after all, though I’m trying hard. Anyway, my disclaimer is:
“My blog may seem blue and moody but really, it’s not. Perhaps, it’s just my writing style. Tend to be more reflective and ponder on things. A lot of times, my writing is in 3rd person and adopts a neutral mood or distanced perspective. Anger and sadness are removed; hopefully, it’s in a state of equilibrium. In fact, I think I’m very forward-looking and positive in my writing. I’m happy, not sad; optimisitic, not pessimistic; realistic; not idealistic.”
So there you have it. That’s my disclaimer. Haha… Not forgetting… =)
haha alright.
Era of Emoticons- isn’t a bad thing. From my 1st day of playing with my 1st phone, I had already been using =) Which i thought isn’t a bad thing, at least it lets ppl knows that you are feeling =), instead of giving them the wrong hint that i’m feeling unhappy, as in texts it don’t usually shows how u feels. like how ppl misunderstood that your blog entries are blue and moody or whatsoever.
However, be it “=)’ or “=(” you might actually be feeling the opposite side, who knows, except youself isn’t it?
So my conclusion is… why care abt what other thinks abt your blog entries,it belongs to you and if it’s your writing style just keep to it. I don’t see a need to change for anybody, Just like I’m just me with my own style and that’s it. fullstop. =))))
Hi Elvin your blog is very interesting and meaningful
You don have to care what others say
If its your writing style then just go ahead with it and keep to it
You don need to change for anyone
This is your blog
You have the right to write what you want
Be yourself is the best =)
Wow ! This can’t be Elvin ! Ok I’m kidding =]
It’s just so weird that you put “haha” and that smiley face in your entry. To be honest, I like you that way. You seem much friendlier compared to your previous entries. Good move , dude ! This definitely makes you get younger ( as you wished =P)
Well… Melody is probably right.Be yourself in your own blog. Don’t push yourself to do things just in order to please people around. You’ve done it enough in the public, eh? Ok it’s just my guess since I have not ever seen you in real life.
But hey, adding the smiley face in the entry is not a big deal, right? I support that change ^^ Just don’t use “haha” too much because it can make you become ridiculous sometimes lol
Hey
I totally understand this “problem” of sounding “blue” and “moody” because my friends complain of that when they read my blog too. Perhaps that’s why I like reading your blog, because that reflective mode resonates in my blog too. And in fact, your blog pushes me to think of some questions that I’ve never thought of and to further discover myself in these issues.
I don’t think you sound moody at all (because I can see where you are coming from), and I really like your writing. Gives me an opportunity to explore, out of my usual scientific environment. And more feed for my very own blog. Seriously, if chance would allow, I really would like to meet you in person and discuss with you, some of the things you have brought up. I’m selfish, because I just want to satisfy my intellectual needs~ *nods*
But anyway, I use smiley faces too, in my emails to my boss. Just to soften the entire mood and not make the relationship so uptight. I guess, it’s no harm! =)
Hello Elvin,
No worries about the emoticons. The most appropriate moment to use emoticons would be during chat, and on other informal communication. Including emoticons to some people would be a form of expression, but not everyone are expressive of their emotions via emoticons, some would find them childish. However, to some people it is just not their cliché, some people would just love to acocmpany a smiley in every sentence they write. You run your show!
=)
Justin
In the 1st place, most of us create a blog cos is to pen down our thoughts/life etc.
We blog for ourselves, not for others.
Everyone have a different style of writing.
Some write very formal, some used short forms etc.
Smiley emoticons is very common used on our daily life. Be it smses, msn, emails, facebooks, blogs etc.
But sometimes i do wonder, do we really feel the same way as the emoticons that we used?
Or is it we use it cos just to make it sound friendlier?
Just be yourself instead of pleasing others, cos you can never be able to please everyone.
I do think your writing style is more reflective, about yourself and events so tend to hold a more serious tone. I don’t think the “Era of Emotions” are very effective in conveying emotions. Words are better messengers because they can show the degree of the emotion.
“=)” can have several meanings. Emotion is a complex term. Emotion icons are the easy way out for people to guess what he/she means. It is also a friendly gesture.
However, having it appear in between sentences especially when it’s a “contemplating about life post” would probably kill the air of erudition. Now that I realise. It’s becoming a forming habit to include emotion icons. Sometimes I even invent my own. haha.. (@_+)”’
Habit or not, it’s only right to know when to use it.
It’s the same logic as writing short form. =)
Blogs are the best things that have ever been created in this era of technology; My sincerest apologies, but before I chanced upon your blog, you seemed rather shallow and superficial to me. Well, your writing doesn’t change everything, but it sure gives me a whole new perspective on life, and sheds quite a bit of light on who you are and why you are such. You have earned much respect.
I do share the same sentiments with you. I tend to sound dysthymic and melancholic in my writing, be it essays, or my blog posts. However, that’s just my style, just me. It’s futile if I were to attempt to change it and in the process contort my own personality, would it?
Even so, my disclaimer would be: My writing doesn’t reflect me as a person, it merely reflects more of what my ideal life would be. I want my life to be a rhapsody in itself.
P.S: Emoticons aren’t as ‘diabolical’ as some people may perceive them to be. I use them to convey how I feel at a moment that I find idiosyncratic when put in words, considering how ‘dark’ my posts can get. However, it is always right if you go by your own definition of ‘right’, and if you feel uncomfortable using emoticons, by all means, don’t use them at all. (:
now i know im nt the only one (received messages from friends), who cares =)
NO~ I like you blog very much!
I learnt lots from here, about life, and literature, coz they are my favorite too!
By the way juz want to ask, did you read a book called “Prime and Punishment” by Fydoor Dostoevsky before before, just finished that, haha, took me a whole month~~
Hey but too much emoticons, I don’t think it’s a good idea, just, WRITE MORE!
I like your writings~~
o.. so many or everyone felt wrong about it?
haha.. ya it possible.
those smile icon are just a add on. If the words are sad.. no matter how many smile icon you put.. it’ll still be feel the same. in fact, it will make it like your not happy n yet still try to smile. so rather don’t put is better.
anyway you study in such area.. of coz is to fully use words to express yourself is the most meaningful way..
it is the writer’s wish to put whatever kind of feelings in writing. however, most reader will want to feel happy to learn something +ve than to chain around -ve all the time to learn whats bad ; than to feel being nag about bad things? is just like your topic that ask y so serious..
Mm, guess your friends just gave a casual remark. Nothing to worry about….
Your blog is different and you should keep it that way – it’s your style!
Most blogs are just loaded with boring accounts of say, how the day was spent, or who they met or their complaints, etc, etc.
Your blog has more depth and ‘ink’! Your choice of words shows your wisdom as you share your perspectives in life.
I’ve to confess…I was surprised when I found out that you major in English Literature…..because you are on Channel 8 and not Channel 5…didn’t know your English is so good (heehee…sorry for judging). So did Ch 5 approach you to act in the “Polo Boys”? I wonder how you would be in an English drama…
I would like you to know that I enjoy seeing the ‘big’ words in your blog and how they are placed in the sentences. I learnt vocabulary from your blog!
Also, I’m now very interested to read “the famished road” after your quote in the Star Awards coz it seems to have a big influence or effect on you.
Oh, I love to use emoticons….they really make a difference to the message. So do keep them coming, ok? (^_^)v
Perhaps to some who are reading your blog feel that you are emo-ing because of blue colored background and your post content. =x To us most of your blog entries are reflections to our ownself and improve ourselves to be a better person.
Some of my T-shirts or pants are dark blue as well, does that mean im an emo person? *faint* @@” I dont know what are the reasons behind all these because somehow i have an unknown affinity with dark blue and black. ><
To me I think you are being sentimental sometimes in your threads therefore somehow the people who sees it feels like you are sad or unhappy but you are not. They are not you therefore they can’t feel what you are feeling. As long as we all enjoy reading and understands from what you sharing with us, isn’t it enough? =)
It is very hard to please everyone as all comes in with different concept to view at things. Emoticons are good to use sometimes but too many of them can also be irritating as if like the person is not serious to bring across the message or so. Its all individual views. Don’t try to hard to be what you are not. Because you are good enough being yourself. And I believes all supporters here loves you being so you..ha-ha.
Just be yourself, write all you want to express and share. Stay happy always. =D
this belongs to you and there’s nothing wrong to express how you feel at all – if otherwise, its not you anymore but just another commercial outlet to market you… that’s like… so fake! we’ll nvr know who you really are at all… ~
be yourself :)
I LUV YOU, YOU HAV MSN?
Just be yourself. Misery loves company and I enjoy reading what you wrote. Let’s be friends :)
you don’t seem depressed but, rather lonely.
like a person standing in the middle of a busy street.