My buddy Glen is friends with the woman who runs Mabel’s Labels, and he suggested that I should enter the company’s new contest. They are looking for a writer who wants to attend BlogHer 2009 and can explain the benefits of the blogging community. I’m in!

I didn’t realise it when I started, but blogging isn’t so much about me as it is about other people. This blog started as a site that was all about me,  but it quickly changed to include all of the things my readers wanted to read. This took my site in totally new directions, but it has been a lot of fun, too. (Hello, David Hasselhoff!)

I love to read other blogs: every day, I am certain to come across a post that makes me think about something in a new way. I might not agree, but when I walk away from my computer, I’ve learned something. I hope I can do the same for the people who read my blog.

I love my blog, even when other people hate it. ESPECIALLY when other people hate it. I love that it’s OK to disagree with people online. My readers always let me know when they think I’m wrong, and I’m flattered that they feel comfortable enough here to explain how they feel. I want them to know that this blog is better because they are here.

I am very fortunate: I now consider strangers to be my friends. The northern bloggers are diverse and far-flung, but we’ve been able to create a real sense of community here. I don’t think this has happened in other parts of the country. Maybe the other Canadian bloggers can learn from us. I’d start by telling them that it’s OK to disagree, and that we don’t have to make a disagreement the entire focus of our websites. We’re all much better than that, and we agree more than we disagree. (I bet the Crazy Anti-Sealing Weirdo and I could go out for coffee and have a great time.) Flame wars are worse than stupid: they’re boring. Get your own blog if you hate the one you’re looking at.