The Sunday Roast

That's The Rumble Of A Real Ramble

This week's interview is with Nathalie, who writes
the blog Spaced Out Ramblings and others too.

The first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

Because I can do it my way. I am not really interested in what is basic blogging, i.e. keeping an internet diary: I find this both too personal and potentially boring. However, I am interested in many things which can be conveyed through internet so through exploration I now find myself keeping not one but three blogs. Not sure where I find all that time...

Spaced out Ramblings (on Live Journal) is essentially for the stories I write, travelogue, recipes, fun bits gathered on the internet and even the – very – odd reflection.

A TITLE ? What's in a title ? I was never told there should be a TITLE ! (on Blogger) is for pictures – photography and epaintings – although the odd poems have been known to creep in there too (but always in image). The idea with this one was to offer a slice of beauty to the world, a breathing space. Time to relax while listening to a piece of music.

Word of the Day! Fresh! Fresh! Fresh! (also on Blogger) is a little more austere (no music) and dedicated to the wonder that are words, day after day.

Blogging is a way to reach out to people all over the world, showing them things they might never be able to see for themselves, offering stories, a little beauty to soothe their world. Trying to bring a smile on people's lips. Virtual chocolate for them and for me.

What's the story behind your blog name?

Errr ... Which one?

I think both my bloggy blog's names speak for themselves. The only one a little cryptic would be my Live Journal, "Spaced out Ramblings". The word "ramblings" seemed appropriate for what I had the intention to put in there, a mixed fortune bag. As for the "Spaced out" part it does come from my nickname, spacedlaw, since I had an account some months before I started blogging at all. And that came about because I am a lawyer and working for the European Space Agency. Also my mind has always had a way to wander off on its own (hence the stories). So "spaced out" is very much spot on.

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

Reaching out to people all over the planet (and, I hope, beyond). Perfect strangers suddenly becoming your neighbours, your friends, people you care about although you might never meet them at all. An extended family that you choose. And the wonders of seeing – hearing - so many creative people, of course.

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

Watch the hours! One could easily get sucked into the internet. (Hark who's talking!) This is addictive. And blog about things YOU like and not about what you think other people might like. Be true to yourself.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

Difficult question that. I read a lot – despite the little time available to do so – and all over the place, commenting too rarely (blame the time not being stretchy enough). There are all sort of subjects that will resonate with me (reading, writing, food, photography, painting...) and just like reading a book, a certain post might get deeper a certain day because I am in the exact receptive mood for its material at that particular moment.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

Well ... most of my blogging is wordless. When I do write (on Live Journal, as I find the format more adequate for conversations), the bulk of my actual writing is made of stories. Which might – or not – be significant.

There are a few articles that are written there, cut a little closer to the heart. One exploring the reasons as to why I had decided to start and submit some of my stories for publication. One explaining to my friends why my love and I got married and our views on the subject. I am not sure these are really significant. To others, I mean. Obviously they meant enough for me to write and post. Whether they are more significant than any of my stories ... it's not really for me to tell.


Today's Sunday Roast with Nathalie is the 59th in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.