Thursday, September 19, 2013

Why?


An anonymous commenter asked "Why?" I thought long and hard about how I should answer this question, especially since I've always, always tried to be honest and open with all of you. Being evasive and vague is not in my nature, yet that's exactly how I've been behaving regarding my decision to stop blogging. I think that you deserve to know the truth.

I've been getting e-mails from a blog reader that disturb me. I've learned that I can easily block the e-mails, but just knowing that by following my blog, he has knowledge of the comings and goings in my life and especially in the lives of my loved ones makes me feel uneasy and scared even. He probably doesn't even mean to scare me, but he does. So, that's why I decided to stop.

I've loved being able to share my life and its misadventures with you these past 6 years. The blog started as a place for me to show off my photos, but I soon realized that it's the story telling that I loved to do the most, and this blog proved to be a great outlet for me. Mostly, you "Peoples" were such a great audience . . . I always appreciated and enjoyed all of your comments and emails. I thank those of you who did take the time to send me your thoughts. It made me so happy.

I regret that Photos by jalna is ending this way, but I do hope that you'll return sometime when you want to follow one of Wendell's recipes that you liked, or need a laugh after a hard day or after screwing up an order at a drive through, or maybe when you feel you need an inspiration from some craft project that I might have done or maybe you just want to look at Kona's cute face again. I don't plan to close down the blog.  I hope that it'll be available to you for a long time.

Maybe someday I should start up another public blog.  I'll call it Photos by jocelyn.  I'll give everybody fake names.  Kona will be "Maui". Wendell will be "Wonderful".  My sisters "Moe", "Larry" and "Curly".  But then, how do I get you guys to find me?  I need to work on that . . . 

26 comments:

CT said...

Jocelyn,

I guess I am first, or second

Again, my reason to retire from blogging was similar to yours, you are a natural for posting, funny and quirky makes everyone chuckle. I tried to be incognito, tried to keep identities secret, my nick name was the Bull, Bull Shitter!

Enjoy your pictures too, I almost was going to hire you for our high school reunion a few weeks ago but, we have two bloggers with cameras in our class that I "voluntold" them to make sure they came to help me, and they did and did a great job, you know them, one of them even had the nerve to have a heart attack a few weeks prior but, I told him he still has to come, he's not dead yet!

Ct

jalna said...

You make me smile, Ct. You are the first to comment this time. Glad you neva wait.

Unknown said...

Jalna,
I started reading your blog while in Afghanistan and itwould be the best part of the day. I will miss your writing and photos. Thank you

K and S said...

xoxo Jalna :)

jalna said...

Thank you so much Harlan.

Thanks Kat.

Anonymous said...

I appreciate you taking the time to explain. You didn't have to, but you did. That shows the type of person you are, and why you're going to be so greatly missed.

I understand your reasons, and have great respect for you as a person. Your blog is amazing and I hope you find a safe way to share your stories with the world again.

jalna said...

Thank you so much Anon. Your words help me out a lot.

Ainakoa said...

I moved to the mainland many years ago after being born and raised in Hawaii. A year and a half ago I was feeling really nostalgic about growing up in Kaimuki. I did a google search looking for pictures of Kaimuki to help my homesickness and discovered your photos of you and Kona walking around Kaimuki one morning. I then started reading your blog and have been a daily fan since. I value your "local" perspective as it brings me back to a time of my life, now long forgotten, my childhood. Like your photos it recreated memories not consciously thought of for a very long time. Thank you very very much for sharing your perspectives and thoroughly entertaining me and giving me something to look forward to every day. I understand how vulnerable you feel right now and truly hope everything works out to make you feel safe again. Take Care

Anonymous said...

yes, that previous email says it all...it's your wonderful local perspective. do you want me to write you a new song ? Lmk:)!!!!!

jalna said...

Hi Ainakoa. I'm so glad that you found my blog and was able to get your Aloha fix by reading it. Can you email me at jalna@hawaii.rr.com?

Harlan, if you happen to read this, can you email me too?

jalna said...

Anon, I would love a new poem/song. Can you email it to me at jalna@hawaii.rr.com. Looking forward . . . LOL!

Anonymous said...

I'm so sad that because of one person...the rest of us suffer. I will truly miss reading about all your adventures.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to see your blog go. Found you from another Hawaii blogger and really enjoyed your photos and stories.

Have you considered keeping your blog going but doing password protected posts as a way to protect your privacy?

Aloha!

jalna said...

I'm sad too Anon.

Password protected posts, Anon? I'll look into that.

Anonymous said...

I'm sad to read this news. You are one of my favorite bloggers, even though, after years of reading, this is only my second comment (first was about artichoke appetizers after your post about chicken with mayo/parm topping).

Hope things go well for you, and enjoy your trip to Japan!

Nippon Nin said...

I'm sad too. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed reading your blog. Good luck and Thank you so very much.

Anonymous said...

A co-worker brought some gau to work and I asked for the recipe. She sent me a link to your site and that was how I found your blog. I enjoyed your stories and photos so very, very much. I want you to know that you always put a smile on my face...I know good things will come your way. Take care.

jalna said...

Thank you Akemi!

Thank you so much, Anon!

Anonymous said...

Sad to see your blog close down but appreciate your honesty in the reason why. Been a long time lurker and enjoy the pics, recipes and the local stuff. Will miss your candid takes on daily stuff and quirky commentary. Take care.

jalna said...

Thanks Anon.

Anonymous said...

I will miss you and your blog, Jalna. So sorry that you have had to experience a downside to social media. I will return often and wish you well. God bless you and your family,

jalna said...

Thank you, Anon!

Anonymous said...

Jalna! I'm going to miss your blog. :( I know I don't comment very often, but I love to look at your pictures, read your stories, and I always look forward to your new posts. Your blog especially helped me a lot when I was away for school because it brought the comforts of home even though I was thousands of miles away. :) I understand though and I'm sorry. I hope you are well! Miss ya! Ruth

jalna said...

Awww Ruth, thank you for your kind words. I totally miss you. Hope you're doing ok.

Mokihana said...

I'm really gonna miss your blog too... it's helped me to not feel so homesick. I'm sorry for the icky feelings that your stalker has been giving you, and wish that s/he'd just go away and let you continue your wonderful stories.

I hope you'll let me know somehow if you start blogging again. (Maybe using a different blog platform like Wordpress would work?)

Aloha,

Mokihana

jalna said...

Thank you Mokihana. I just checked out your blog. Your lifestyle is so different from mine and hence so interesting to me.