Once upon a time (longer now than it seems) I used to keep a blog on Xanga that was really more like a ‘zine. I called it Randomized.

Struck by a wave of nostalgia, I looked it up on the internet archive tonight. I ended up writing over 80 of these weekly entries, under the persona of “Zippy Bubblebuns”. It was a collection of bad jokes, random images, meme’s, links to games and other interesting websites I stumbled upon. I absolutely loved it!

I’m not sure why or how I came up with idea originally, but I’m pretty sure that I stole it from someone. But looking back at it now, I can see how it appealed to my mind so strongly. See, way back then I didn’t realize I was ADHD with a touch of the ’tis (as the kids say these days). My brain was always all over the place, and everything about blogging back then (and even now) pretty much insists that you niche down. Niche yourself right into a stuffy little corner and never leave.

We all know that’s not me.

Meanwhile, I also remember loving “3-2-1 Contact” magazine as a kid. And “Highlights for Children” too. Magazines with articles that also gave you activities to do. I loved activities! Crosswords and mazes and word searches and coloring pages and little experiments or crafts you could try at home. I still do love all these activities and even print them off from time to time to put on the break room table at work where it turns out the majority of teens and adults do not love the activities like I do.

Me, being the person with too many hobbies that I am, wants to start another blog like that. But remember that nobody reads blogs anymore (except for you. hI!)

Then, because I’m nothing is not consistent, I thought I could start a newsletter and put things in there instead. Like, all the silly jokes, and random pictures and memes. The consistency part comes from the fact that nobody reads (physical) newsletters anymore either.

I thought I could do it as an e-mail newsletter, whatever those are called this day. In fact there is one about the 90s that I get, and one called Afternoon Delight and another called Early Chirp. So the more I think of it, if there are at least 3 similar ones that I am subscribed to, then there MUST be a market out there for silly little content.

Then I also think I can do a physical version in ‘zine form and sell it on Etsy.

I don’t know. If I did a silly little newsletter full of the most random stuff out there, would you subscribe and read it? Or should I do it in blog form? If I do start an e-newsletter should I call it “Randomized” again, or come up with some other weird name?

LINKS
The Internet Archive is pretty cool. In writing this I found out that you can read old back issues of some magazines there too. I thought I’d never see 321 Contact again! Also, the e-newsletters I mentioned.

• 321 Contact
• Highlights for Children
• The 92 (newsletter sign up – I’m not an affiliate)
• Afternoon Delight (newsletter sign up – I’m not an affiliate)
• Early Chirp