WSS Featured Blogger:Mary Kay Kare of Gallimaufry

• Name: Mary Kay Kare
• Blog: Gallimaufry
• Location: Seattle, Washington

1. How did you start blogging? Why do you keep at it?

I used to hang out on Usenet at a place called rec.arts.sf.fandom. There were a lot of interesting people there talking about interesting things. As the group began to degenerate in political flameage, some of my favorite people there left and started blogs. I started reading those, mostly Electrolite www.nielsenhayden.com/electrolite.
Electrolite had a blog roll and I started investigating and the next thing I knew I was spending all my time reading blogs. I started my own last December for a couple of reasons. One was political: I felt the need to talk about what was happening and to contribute in whatever way I could towards changing it. The other was personal: I don't think in words and translating my thoughts into words is difficult. I use both my blog and my LiveJournal as places to practice turning the stuff in my head into actual words.

2. What are your most important issues?

I'm terribly distressed with the current infringements of our civil rights. I write about that and about taking back our country from the corporatist elite who have stolen it. It will be interesting to see what happens to me after the election. I've always supported progressive and liberal causes but I've never been paticularly activist before. The inauguration protest in 2001 was my first protest march ever. Otherwise, I'm likely to talk about most anything. I'm
interested in food and cooking, fantasy and science fiction, and travel as well.

3. What's the nicest recognition you've ever received from the media and/or the blogosphere?

Both Kevin Drum (formerly CalPundit, Political Animal at Washington Monthly) and Jim Henley ( Unqualified Offerings) have been friendly, corresponding with and linking to me. Since Kevin has quit Friday Cat Blogging he has sent people to my page several times for a Friday Cat Blogging fix. Lately, I've been dragging contributions via my Majority Makers page out of my readers by threatening to withhold Cat Blogging unless they contribute! Worked pretty good too!

4. Who is your audience? What is unique about your blog?

Golly. A lot of the people who read me are people in the science fiction fandom community. A lot found me through LiveJournal or one of the lists of sf fans who blog. Others come to me with the oddest searches on google... What's unique about my blog? I try to give it a unique voice and mix of interests. One thing I've written a good deal about is the fact that I grew up in Oklahoma, one of the most Republican of states, and how that has affected me and what my take on the political situation in such places is. Growing up the only liberal in your family/school/town can have a pretty powerful effect on one's headspace.

5. Most frustrating aspect of blogging?

I wish I knew how I could get more comments from people. My 2 favorite blogs (Electrolite and Making Light) have comment sections to die for. Real conversations!

6. What's the one point you'd like a reader to take away from your blog- the one thing for them to really "get"?

You know, I'm not really sure. Lately I've been saying a lot that people must/should contribute whatever they can either in money or time. Even if it seems very little, when combined with everyone else's little bit, it becomes enormous. I keep saying collective action makes us stronger.

Quote:

Only a mediocre person is always at his best

-- Somerset Maugham