Happy March 1st. It’s time for us to answer Melanie’s Share Your World questions. Let’s do this.

Is every piece of truth worth telling? (Credit to the magnificent Cyranny for this one.)

I’ll answer the same way I answered this when Cyranny asked it: “Nope.” And I’ll add that there are times when truth telling, especially when it can be hurtful, isn’t worth the price. Sometimes it’s just better to not say anything.

Whom do you miss more Freddy Mercury or Prince? (If you don’t know who those people are, just skip this question. It’s cool).

As a fan of classic rock and of Queen, I have to go with Freddy Mercury. And I’ll admit that the only Prince song I’m familiar with is “1999.” Don’t be too harsh on me, Prince fans.

(By the way, at the risk of sounding like a grammar Nazi, shouldn’t the question be “Who do you miss more…?” rather than “Whom do you miss more…?”)

If you could only email or text people for the rest of your life (no other form of communication), which would you chose?

Text. It’s more instantaneous, and you can see when someone is responding to it by the three dots (or something like that) that shows up in your texting app.

Would you prefer to work the midnight shift at a really creepy, out of the way motel OR work alone for eternity?

In the decade before I retired at the end of 2016 I worked from home. I went into my home office, shut the door, and emerged only to eat or to go to the bathroom. So I was very used to working alone and, had I not retired, I could have continued to do so for…well, an eternity (or until death do I part).

Bonus question because yes, these are a weird bunch this week: What’s one secret you’re still keeping from your immediate family? (No details required. You could say something like “The lost weekend in 1982.” You can also answer “Why I NEVER keep secrets from my nearest and dearest!”)

When I first started blogging, I didn’t tell anyone in my family, including my wife. But now she (and my kids) know about my blog. But no others of my real life acquaintances — extended family or friends — know that I am Fandango.

Please feel free to share something uplifting that you’ve experienced so far in 2021.

Hmm. Sadly, in the grand scheme of things, there hasn’t been all that much uplifting about 2021. I’m happy that Trump lost the election, even though he still hasn’t admitted that he lost. I’m happy that Biden won and that Kamala Harris is the first black and Asian-American vice president. And I’m happy that I got my first COVID-19 vaccination in early February and I’m getting my second one this coming Thursday.

Okay, now for Blogging Insights. Melanie pointed out that Dr. Tanya, who is the usual host of Blogging Insights, is on hiatus as she is moving her household. Melanie adds, “Since [Dr. Tanya] hasn’t come back (yet), I thought I’d just dive in and ask the question anyway. This post isn’t to be considered ‘legal’ because I didn’t ask Dr. Tanya if it’d be all right to do it.”

Anyway, here are Melanie’s “illegal” Blogging Insights questions.

How thick a skin do you need to be a blogger?

I’ve never thought it takes having a thick skin to be a blogger. I express my deeply held opinions on my blog. I have shared that I’m an atheist. I’m a liberal. I hated (and still do hate) Donald Trump and all of the so-called religious conservatives and Republicans who are kissing is big, fat butt.

But hey, I know that there are lot of folks who don’t share my opinions, views, perspectives, etc. and they are free to disagree with me in the comments section of my blog. I can take opposing views and I don’t mind or block the expression of those views, as long as they’re not abusive. But I will also push back on the commenters who disagree with me until it reaches the point that it becomes fruitless to continue such a dialogue. So bring it on folks.

“Bonus question”

How important is being understood? There are one or two bloggers here who put a great deal of time and effort into crafting their blog posts and I’ve heard them express dismay (disappointment) when people don’t necessarily “get” what they mean. Also, if people don’t ‘say’ (comment) a lot about a particular post they’ve worked hard on.

I try to write in such a manner that my posts, whether they are expressions of my opinions and perspectives or are flash fiction tales, are easy to understand. That said, I’m sure there are times when what I write may be misunderstood or misconstrued. But that’s the way things are in the real world, too. If people don’t “get” what I post about, and tell me so in a comment, I’ll try to explain what I meant and I’ll try to use their critical comments as a way to learn how to write more clearly about my meaning or in my message. But I don’t get upset, frustrated, or disappointed. As to people not commenting on a post I worked hard on, well, I don’t necessary expect people to comment on my posts, so I’m not disappointed if they don’t. If they do, though, that’s great and I appreciate such comments.