Interview with Blogger Mr Farty
By The Pakistani Spectator • May 1st, 2009 • Category: Interviews • 2 CommentsPS: Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
Me: I’m in my very late thirties. Married to long-suffering Mrs Farty for 27 years, I’ve been fascinated by computers and technology all my life. I would do my current job - IT support for what used to be a major financial institution - for free if I enjoyed sleeping in fields and didn’t need to eat. My site, (yes that’s oot) is where I amuse myself and a handful of readers who have nothing better to do. I try not to make it too serious; that’s what political blogs are for. I chose the name Mr Farty after someone called me that in real life for a joke.
Me: I’m in my very late thirties. Married to long-suffering Mrs Farty for 27 years, I’ve been fascinated by computers and technology all my life. I would do my current job - IT support for what used to be a major financial institution - for free if I enjoyed sleeping in fields and didn’t need to eat. My site, (yes that’s oot) is where I amuse myself and a handful of readers who have nothing better to do. I try not to make it too serious; that’s what political blogs are for. I chose the name Mr Farty after someone called me that in real life for a joke.
PS: Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
Me: That’s a leading question, like “do you still drink your bathwater?” To which the answer is “none of your damned business.”
But you’re right. I started writing the blog using a lot of Scottish words, but quickly learned that I could reach a wider audience by using plain English, with just the odd bit of Scots thrown in to remind people where I live, ye ken. Also, nowadays I try to wait between having the original idea for a post and publishing it; some of my unpublished material is just rambling and self-centred, which doesn’t make for terribly good reading. The noo.
PS: I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
Me: The posts which are closest to someone’s own experience are the ones which evoke the strongest response from readers. When I wrote about how my best childhood friend died, it took a long time to compose that post because of all the conflicting emotions inside me, but the comments I received showed that I had struck a chord with many others. In turn, this helped me to finally lay his ghost to rest.
Me: The posts which are closest to someone’s own experience are the ones which evoke the strongest response from readers. When I wrote about how my best childhood friend died, it took a long time to compose that post because of all the conflicting emotions inside me, but the comments I received showed that I had struck a chord with many others. In turn, this helped me to finally lay his ghost to rest.
PS: What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
Me: I read as many blogs as I can and try to leave supportive comments where I think it will either help or make someone laugh. I almost always reply to comments in my own blog and I also use Twitter throughout the day.
Me: I read as many blogs as I can and try to leave supportive comments where I think it will either help or make someone laugh. I almost always reply to comments in my own blog and I also use Twitter throughout the day.
PS: What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?
Me: Twitter. Even politicians are using it in the British Parliament.
Me: Twitter. Even politicians are using it in the British Parliament.
PS: Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?
Me: People seem to find Twitter very engaging; it helps us spread messages around the world in a matter of minutes. We can share ideas and identify problems. Finding solutions isn’t so easy, but at least those with the power to do something about it are being made aware that people care about those problems.
Me: People seem to find Twitter very engaging; it helps us spread messages around the world in a matter of minutes. We can share ideas and identify problems. Finding solutions isn’t so easy, but at least those with the power to do something about it are being made aware that people care about those problems.
PS: What do you think sets your site apart from others?
Me: Not a lot. If it was too different, nobody would identify with it. I try to find alternative ways to express common ideas, turning them on their heads or taking them to extremes. Sometimes it makes people question their assumptions; usually it just makes them laugh. Either is good.
Me: Not a lot. If it was too different, nobody would identify with it. I try to find alternative ways to express common ideas, turning them on their heads or taking them to extremes. Sometimes it makes people question their assumptions; usually it just makes them laugh. Either is good.
PS: If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Me: I don’t take life too seriously. Most problems will go away if you ignore them.
Me: I don’t take life too seriously. Most problems will go away if you ignore them.
PS: What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?
Me: Happiest was when my daughter announced she was getting married. Gloomiest was when I realised who was paying for it.
Me: Happiest was when my daughter announced she was getting married. Gloomiest was when I realised who was paying for it.
PS: If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Me: First stop would have to be Morgan Bay, South Africa. The people are so friendly, the beach is long, the sun is warm and the food is good. What more could I ask for?
Second would be New Zealand; my step-daughter lives there now and we have yet to visit. Also, The Lord of the Rings was filmed there and the scenery is fantastic.
Thirdly, there’s this wonderful Scottish city called Edinburgh. People come here from all over the world to see the International Festival and spend their money on tat, er, I mean souvenirs and memorabilia. You should come and visit us. Bring your friends and lots of money. Ignore the road works.
Me: First stop would have to be Morgan Bay, South Africa. The people are so friendly, the beach is long, the sun is warm and the food is good. What more could I ask for?
Second would be New Zealand; my step-daughter lives there now and we have yet to visit. Also, The Lord of the Rings was filmed there and the scenery is fantastic.
Thirdly, there’s this wonderful Scottish city called Edinburgh. People come here from all over the world to see the International Festival and spend their money on tat, er, I mean souvenirs and memorabilia. You should come and visit us. Bring your friends and lots of money. Ignore the road works.
PS: What is your favorite book and why?
Me: The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien’s imaginative writing style draws the reader into the story, so that even if you just dip in to quickly look up a reference, you end up with the book propped up on your knees in the bath without noticing as the water gets cold, while elves battle with Orcs in Lothlorien and Hobbits tiptoe through the dark dwarf-tunnels of Khazad-Dum in a long-forgotten realm. Sorry, where was I?
Me: The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien’s imaginative writing style draws the reader into the story, so that even if you just dip in to quickly look up a reference, you end up with the book propped up on your knees in the bath without noticing as the water gets cold, while elves battle with Orcs in Lothlorien and Hobbits tiptoe through the dark dwarf-tunnels of Khazad-Dum in a long-forgotten realm. Sorry, where was I?
PS: What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Me: It depends. If it’s in person, then I’ll notice their face: what makes them smile or frown.
If it’s online, then it has to be their writing style. The way someone puts words together, like building a house, defines how they think about the world. I find this more important than race or gender; sometimes I’m reading someone’s third or fourth post before I wonder whether they’re male or female.
Me: It depends. If it’s in person, then I’ll notice their face: what makes them smile or frown.
If it’s online, then it has to be their writing style. The way someone puts words together, like building a house, defines how they think about the world. I find this more important than race or gender; sometimes I’m reading someone’s third or fourth post before I wonder whether they’re male or female.
PS: Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
Me: No, never. Well, nobody that’s alive now. I had nothing to do with that, in case you were wondering. Those brakes could have failed for any number of reasons.
Someone told me about fifteen years ago that I should write more. If I’d known about blogging then, I totally would have taken it up there and then. And I never used the word “totally” like that until I joined the blogosphere.
Me: No, never. Well, nobody that’s alive now. I had nothing to do with that, in case you were wondering. Those brakes could have failed for any number of reasons.
Someone told me about fifteen years ago that I should write more. If I’d known about blogging then, I totally would have taken it up there and then. And I never used the word “totally” like that until I joined the blogosphere.
PS: How can bloggers benefit from blogs financially?
Me: Hahahaha! Unless you’re willing to put a LOT of advertising on your blog, like Dooce, there in no way it’ll pay for more than the odd bag of DELICIOUS WALKERS CRISPS or can of TASTY COCA COLA.
Me: Hahahaha! Unless you’re willing to put a LOT of advertising on your blog, like Dooce, there in no way it’ll pay for more than the odd bag of DELICIOUS WALKERS CRISPS or can of TASTY COCA COLA.
PS: Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
Me: What are you saying, exactly? I’ve never been so insulted in my life!
Seriously, I would say that on the contrary, the most successful bloggers seem to have no time whatsoever on their hands. Blogging in its purest form is a full-time occupation: even if it is financially unrewarding, it is a true labour of love.
Me: What are you saying, exactly? I’ve never been so insulted in my life!
Seriously, I would say that on the contrary, the most successful bloggers seem to have no time whatsoever on their hands. Blogging in its purest form is a full-time occupation: even if it is financially unrewarding, it is a true labour of love.
PS: What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
Me: By sharing ideas across national and cultural boundaries, bloggers can help to understand one another’s point of view.
Me: By sharing ideas across national and cultural boundaries, bloggers can help to understand one another’s point of view.
PS: Who are your top five favourite bloggers?
Me: Now you’ve put me on the spot. I hate to make anyone feel left out, but the five I keep coming back to are:
1/ http://thebloggess.com/
2/ http://twitter.com/TheBloggess
3/ http://askthebloggess.pnn.com/
4/ http://blogs.chron.com/goodmombadmom/
5/ http://blip.fm/thebloggess
Me: Now you’ve put me on the spot. I hate to make anyone feel left out, but the five I keep coming back to are:
1/ http://thebloggess.com/
2/ http://twitter.com/TheBloggess
3/ http://askthebloggess.pnn.com/
4/ http://blogs.chron.com/goodmombadmom/
5/ http://blip.fm/thebloggess
What?
PS: Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
Me: I recently wrote a post half-jokingly mocking the French. Some people joined in with their own insults, while others accused me of being racist. But they were French, so they don’t count.
Me: I recently wrote a post half-jokingly mocking the French. Some people joined in with their own insults, while others accused me of being racist. But they were French, so they don’t count.
PS: What is your perception of Pakistan and its people?
Me: Pakistan is part of India, innit? Geography was never my strong point.
Apart from Imran Khan, I can’t think of any Pakistani people that I’ve heard of.
Me: Pakistan is part of India, innit? Geography was never my strong point.
Apart from Imran Khan, I can’t think of any Pakistani people that I’ve heard of.
PS: Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?
Me: No, never. Oh, wait. Jenny “The Bloggess” Lawson. She is awesome.
Me: No, never. Oh, wait. Jenny “The Bloggess” Lawson. She is awesome.
PS: What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?
Me: It’s highly unusual for a Westerner to die of starvation, except through personal choice.
Me: It’s highly unusual for a Westerner to die of starvation, except through personal choice.
PS: What is the future of blogging?
Me: Flying cars, pizza delivered by email, personal unicorns for everyone. Oh, sorry, future of BLOGGING? Well, we’re already seeing microblogging via Twitter starting to take off, so the next logical step would be brain implants so that people can update their blogs just by thinking about it. See something you like? Blink and you’ve posted a video.
Me: Flying cars, pizza delivered by email, personal unicorns for everyone. Oh, sorry, future of BLOGGING? Well, we’re already seeing microblogging via Twitter starting to take off, so the next logical step would be brain implants so that people can update their blogs just by thinking about it. See something you like? Blink and you’ve posted a video.
PS: You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
Me: I spend less time now fighting with Mrs Farty for the TV remote. I wouldn’t say it’s affected me professionally at all, but then I like to think my blog is anonymous. If someone at work mentioned how much they liked my last blog post, it would totally freak me out.
Me: I spend less time now fighting with Mrs Farty for the TV remote. I wouldn’t say it’s affected me professionally at all, but then I like to think my blog is anonymous. If someone at work mentioned how much they liked my last blog post, it would totally freak me out.
PS: What are your future plans?
Me: As against what other kind of plans? I just take each day as it comes.
Me: As against what other kind of plans? I just take each day as it comes.
PS: Any message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Me: WOLVERINES!!!
Me: WOLVERINES!!!
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I was going to count how many times you said awesome and then pick on your for killing kittens. But you know, the whole short attention span thing got in the way.
I am not sure whether I now know more about you or whether what I thought I actually knew I didn’t. I am confused. Are you confused?
Jelly - I was never confused.