What are you gonna write about?

A student stopped by two days ago as I was setting up this blog, and she asked what I was doing. I said that I was setting up a knitting blog, since I'd had this pattern accepted for publication. She said, "What are you gonna write about? Like, today I made 3 knit stitches and 4 purls?!?"

Yes.

Yes. That's EXACTLY what I'm going to write about.

Not about the creative process, or what it's like to turn string into garment, or what it's like to know this ancient craft. I'm going to write about how many knit stitches I made last night between watching paint dry and watching grass grow. I'm boring like that.

I imagine that I'm not the only one who has fielded such questions. As a mathematician, I get stuff like that all the time. A professor I had in grad school (called The Twig) suggested that we always tell people, when they ask, that we are "writers." It's not untrue. Most of the time I was writing something. It just wasn't anything that anybody wanted to read. But sooner or later I say something like, "I'm a mathematician." Once, at a party, a woman turned around and walked away without saying another word.

So, I started thinking about what kind of answers we should give, and what kind of answers I'd like to give. What would a mathematics blogger say? What do mommy bloggers say? Here are some suggestions:

Knit/Fiber Arts Blogger: Mostly I talk about knitting and purling. And counting stitches. And gauge.

Math Blogger: Yes, I really do write about really long formulas. With lots of numbers. AND LETTERS! Greek Letters!

Mommy Blogger: Mostly I post about the number of poops my kid takes each day. And how those poops end up in his/her hair.

Politics Blogger: I cover news stories about wars that we should be involved in. I have lots of free time.

Chiropractic Blogger: I cracked 1700 bones today. It was great.

Cat Lover Blogger: My cat is sooooooo cute. Today he napped all day. That's all I have to say about that. Here's a picture:




Daddy Blogger: I changed 3 diapers of 12 today. I am so proud of myself.

Right Wing Blogger: I write about the clarity with which the current administration approaches the fundamental issues surrounding world issues. Also, I write about NASCAR.

Garden Blogger: My flowers grew .35 cm today. I showered them with water and love. I can't wait for tomorrow's measurement! No news on the oak tree.


I told my student I was going to post patterns and ideas, and talk about being creative, and that it was a good outlet for me, since my actual work, the work I get paid for, is not such a great creative outlet. She laughed and said that she found my classroom antics to be more creative than any other math teacher she's ever had. But then she followed up with, "But they were all really old men."

There's no winning with that kid. I tell ya.