A New Beginning.

Signing off. It was on this date, exactly three years ago, that I started blogging. I didn’t do it for recognition, I didn’t do it to be popular and I didn’t do it to compete with others. And I still don’t. And I don’t think I ever will be. I blog because … well, simply because. Letting some things out in the open is extremely therapeutic and amazingly good for the soul. Even if no one was reading, I would be content enough to just keep on putting my thoughts into words, as it helps me organise my thoughts as well as put things into perspective. Little did I know that this blog would receive quite a bit of attention. It was something that I didn’t hope for let alone expect. To date, there are 78 blogs linking to pretty ugly – God bless your cyber souls. Blogging has been an eye-opening experience for me. I find that in cyberspace, your words can easily be misconstrued, especially by those who don’t even know the first thing about you. I also learnt that some virtual relationships are better left as it is – in cyberspace. Especially that between a reader and a blogger. I also found out, much to my amusement, that there are some pretty disturbed people out there. Like, really disturbed. There are those who don’t really read you, yet feel that they have the right to judge you (thus missing the point altogether) and there are those who don’t really comment, yet feel that they have the right to judge those who do. What can I say, people can be weird that way. One thing’s for certain, I don’t want to start watching what I say for fear of others reading it wrongly, and I don’t want any of my readers to start watching what they say for fear of being unfairly judged or dismissed. Then, there are those who are not welcomed here, whom I feel shouldn’t be allowed free access to my thoughts. Yes, you. Don’t think I don’t know that you have been reading all along. And some of these people make a habit out of putting others down. I don’t know why exactly - perhaps it makes them feel a little better about themselves (Nice try, by the way. But if that’s the best that you can do, then I suggest you try harder next time. And oh, please get yourselves a nice little life, too, while you’re at it. Can’t keep living vicariously through others’ now, can we?). Incidentally, the title for this entry – the last entry on pretty ugly – is the same as the very first entry on this blog. Yes, you heard that right: the last entry. From this point onwards, my thoughts shall cease to exist on a public domain. For the benefit of myself and my valued readers, I have decided to give us some space, away from all these toxicities. A place where we’re free to just be ourselves, and say whatever we want to say. My thoughts and observations on various matters will continue to exist in cyberspace, but on a private domain - and only available to a selected audience. The new place will be ready on the 1st of April 2009, and the URL will be distributed on the day itself, together with the password. pretty ugly will remain public. If you like what you read so far, and would like to read more, do drop me a note, and I might just give you the key. One word of caution, though: Don’t take me for a fool, because I will know if your interest is genuine or if you have some ulterior motive. To all regulars and followers, a heartfelt thanks for your support all these years - rest assured that your name’s on the VIP list, so I’ll see you all later. As for the rest of you, thanks for your time. Yours; pugs.