Lately I have been spending as much time talking about why I write my blog as I do actually writing it. Its interesting – I am having these conversations with all sorts of people – old friends, current and past work mates, people I meet for the first time, even family members.

Some people are generally curious about the whole idea of them and want to learn more, others see them as a waste of time and potentially dangerous. But for every conversation I have with someone (such as my partner) trying to warn me about the trouble they have caused and why I shouldn’t write it , I have another with someone else who thinks they are great and that I should keep on writing.

So why do I do it? Here’s why.

• I write it so I can learn about it, so I can understand this thing called blogging

• I write it because I can – I am privileged to live in a country which supports freedom of the press and free speech

• I write it because I believe in the voice of the everyday person needing to be heard for political, social and cultural reasons, no matter how inane the conversation

• I write it because I enjoy sharing knowledge, always have, always will – I’ve learned loads from the web and this is my small way of giving something back

• I write it because its an easier and more accessible way of communicating what I am up to with a wide group of family and friends than by email

And yes, I fully appreciate the dangers of not only blogs but of social media in general (people being sacked for their Facebook comments and so on). Naturally I don’t wish to be sacked, sued or assaulted, or to offend any individual or group as a result of what I might write – ok, except for George Bush, child abusers, racists, homophobes and bigots. You can all feel free to be as offended as you like, the more the better.

But I will continue writing my blog until I run out of things to say. And people who know me might appreciate that that day is some time away.