Well, I am a failure. I made this big announcement about not doing things I don’t want to do for the blog any more, because it is just a blog, and the only point is to build a community, not treat it like a job. And then I immediately went back to treating it like a job. HELP!
I wanted to watch Tribhanga, but I didn’t really want to watch Maara, and I’m not super excited about Sir (although I will probably watch it since my friend wants to see it). And yet I still watch these things and write long reviews, WHY???
I need to STOP DOING THAT!!!! I’m considering giving myself a rule of only allowing one post a day unless something really big happens (like Varun getting married). It’s the vacuum effect, you know? I can’t start working on a novel or submitting articles to paid publications or just making new friends in the real world until I make space for that by stopping doing so much blog stuff. Heck, I can’t even keep up my blog friendships (by the way, a bunch of you will be getting Valentine’s cards in the mail) unless I make more space for them.
So I am going to try very VERY hard to not post all day every day. And y’all have permission to start telling me “Margaret, go outside and play in the sunshine! Why are you writing a post about this person’s birthday?”
dontcallitbollywood 
I think, and this is just my opinion, what I (and maybe other readers) struggle with when you don’t review a movie is your unique perspective! Your reviews are truly unlike anything I have ever read. They are insightful, interesting, open to discussion, and just plain excellent. If it were up to me (and it is not) I would be fine with the Monday Questions; Wednesday seeing, thinking reading post; and Friday/Saturday watchalongs, if I that meant I could have reviews. Specifically, just your spoiler reviews which allow discussion and are so unique to you! But that is just me! So, let me add three caveats to my opinions: 1. If you don’t enjoy the things I have listed, then you should NOT do them because this is YOUR blog and your life; 2. If people want you to continue, then they should DONATE! It’s as simple as that! I am sure I don’t donate as much as I should, but I have tried to continue my donations and I hope others have too. If not, here is my shameless plug for it.
And finally, do whatever you need to to pursue your dreams of writing a novel, or meeting new friends, because you are amazing and you have brought so much joy to your readers and I hope you bring just as much joy to yourself!
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Awwww, I love your donations! They make me feel all warmed and loved. Also, you have a Valentine’s Card coming to you.
I like reviewing movies too, what I don’t like is WATCHING movies. It’s the thing I enjoy most, which also means it is the thing I enjoy least when I don’t want to do it. If I could review whatever random movie is bouncing around in my head this week (for instance, I’ve been thinking a lot about Jerry McGuire for no particular reason), I would be a totally happy camper. But if I have to force myself to watch White Tiger, it’s like pulling my fingernails off with pliers.
On Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 2:03 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I noticed you posted a lot on Saturday, which was supposed to be the closed computer day. I will say it is hard to make new in person friends at this time so if the blog is fulfilling a social function in your life I would go easy on yourself. However, sticking to limits like one post a day sounds reasonable.
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Oh, I love the socializing on the blog! But there’s gotta be a better balance between keeping up blog friendships, and skipping friend Zoom movie nights because they are a “waste of time” when what I should really be doing is watching White Tiger. Which is what I almost did this week, and then went “wait, I’m not supposed to do that to myself any more!” So instead of making myself watch and review White Tiger which I really really REALLY don’t want to do, I am going to have a Netflix/Zoom party with friends and watch Bollywood Wives and make fun of dumb rich people. Totally wasteful and non-productive and very healthy.
On Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 2:10 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I like filmikudhi’s comment. One post a day, total 5 days. 1 Questions, 2 reading/thinking, 3 gossip/news, 4 reviews, 5 watchalong.
I can’t keep up, miss certain posts and comments, and then feel bad for doing so. Like filmi says, it should be FUN.
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Once movie theaters re-open, one review a week will be easy-peasy. My friend Dina and I have a standing Friday movie date, I love seeing almost any movie with her, even a bad one is fun because we can make fun of it. But without that fun Friday date, suddenly watching new movies has become a lot more lonely and miserable. So my one post a day schedule might be more of a “review repost” or “review of an American movie I’ve already seen” than “review of the latest streaming hit”.
On Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 2:13 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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Shouldn’t a blogger be always aware, that her/his hobby is a throughout voluntary and self-determined thing?
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I also love your reviews and miss them, but watching films must be fun, and not an obligation. You should watch what you want, and what you don’t want, just put a post like you did with White Tiger so those who watched it can comment.
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I really should have done that with Maara! I was so grouchy about having to watch the thing (and it took me 3 tries to even finish), that the review probably ended up being a little unfair. Would have been better to just put up a discussion space.
On Mon, Jan 25, 2021 at 3:52 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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Why don’t you merge reviews. Rather than separate long reviews do short reviews together on the same post. I know some YouTubers that do this.
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The problem is watching the movie, not writing the review. I like writing!
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The one post a day sounds reasonable and honestly, filmikudhi put it in the best way. Don’t like it, don’t do it. You come first and this blog is a part of you, not all of you. Review and post what you like, we’re here for your insightful commentary and sparkling personality, which shouldn’t be dampened by watching silly movies you don’t even like!
Best of luck!!
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Thank you!!!
And yes, no one wants a grumpy Margaret 🙂 I really love writing and I super super love talking to y’all about things, but I don’t like watching/writing about things I don’t like. Which brings me to the other post I just put up where you commented! I will totally write my thoughts on Anne of Green Gables all day long, very very happily 🙂
On Tue, Jan 26, 2021 at 9:06 AM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I am going to be slightly mean so please forgive me, but I kind of like grumpy Margaret. Or maybe, I should say, grumpy Margaret reviews are my favorite!!!
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In that case, I still won’t watch anything new and hateful! But you can suggest pop culture stuff you know I will hate and ask me to review it. Like, The West Wing. I have SO MANY issues with The West Wing, and also Aaron Sorkin in general.
On Tue, Jan 26, 2021 at 1:57 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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Ooooh it would be interesting to read your review of West Wing. It is my husband’s favorite show of all time! I am pretty sure he wants to be Sam Seaborn!
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Everybody wants to be Sam Seaborn!!!! Or, even better, Chris Treager.
On Tue, Jan 26, 2021 at 2:03 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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