Photo by Alan Berning on Flickr
I thought it would be a good idea to write a few things here that you might want to know about my blog if you’ve just happened across it. When my blog is inevitably archived and distributed to all school pupils in the future as an example of the very pinnacle of early 21st century “neutrinos-and-neuroses” blogging, this expository text will be included alongside it. (Hello, kids! Hope you’re enjoying your jetpacks.)
Even though this blog is quite young, it’s had two subtitles so far: “Neutrino astrophysics, mental health and everything in between” and “Because I’m [almost] a physicist, not a blog-name-thinker-upper”. The former should give you an idea of the range of topics I cover. Obviously, since I pass the Turing test, those topics might not be equally represented all the time. (For example, at the time of writing I’ve been blogging more on the mental health side of things. I also seem to be mentioning Alan Turing constantly. See three sentences back.)
I don’t update according to a schedule or with much regularity, though I average two to three posts a week. Sometimes, owing to the nature of my depression, I take a few days’ break, or conversely have a few days where I publish a great deal. If I’m likely to have an extended break and I “feel it coming”, so to speak, I try to announce a hiatus so people don’t get worried or think I’ve given up. Similarly, if I don’t respond to your comment for a while it might be because I need to work myself up to do it justice. Or, alternatively, WordPress hasn’t notified me about it…
I tend towards longer posts and verbosity. I like to explore topics fully and experiment with language, as well as fine-tuning my writing skills. I don’t think I write enough for following my blog to become overwhelming, but if you do find that then I’d appreciate you letting me know. (I hate having to unfollow interesting blogs because they post too much for me to keep up with and still have a life outside Google Reader.)
I have a massive backlog of ideas to write about thanks to having gone through a long period of being unable to write anything at all. Even without that I tend to have more ideas than my fuzzy brain can keep up with. This means that some posts will be somewhat out of date, though I strive to publish the more “time sensitive” posts at the most appropriate time.
Feel free to add me on any of the social networks with icons at the top of the sidebar – however, Facebook is more for my personal friends, so if you do find me on there and add me then don’t be offended if I don’t accept your request. (I learned not to give out my Facebook profile’s address when I was an Imperial student blogger and got inundated with requests from people I’d never met, which was kind and sweet of them but a bit awkward…)
I usually get my feature images from Flickr, using their Creative Commons search function, but I’ve also used Wikimedia and pictures from friends on occasion (as well as an increasing number of my own photos). If you see an image that it turns out shouldn’t be here, then please contact me and I’ll sort it out.
Constructively critical comments are very, very welcome here – I want to improve and being told what I’m doing wrong is the only way. What I don’t welcome are insults or anything of that ilk. (I also quite like it when people say nice things to me. If you do that then you’re lovely and you’ve probably made my day at some point or another, and are also helping to convince me that perhaps I’m not completely terrible after all.)
I try not to write about people I know in a negative light or without their permission – I just don’t think it’s right. I might reference things that have been said to me or events (like in my bullying video), but I try not to be too specific so no one is likely to get hurt. Much as I’d like to use this blog as cheap therapy to whine about people who’ve been mean to me!
I police my own language quite extensively but don’t expect the same level of anyone else. I would however like you to be respectful and avoid overly offensive language. Swear words are alright, but used sparingly (and creatively!) so they don’t lose their potency.
