This week in the Blogerati Files, marmalade.ca

Describe your blog in 10 words or less.
An ongoing, pixelated showcase of my life.

Why did you start your blog? Blogiversary?
My blogiversary is February 1, 2002. I can't remember the exact reason why I started blogging though. I think it was because I kept coming across other people's blogs while tooling around online, and found the glimpses into complete strangers' lives fascinating.

How long have you lived in Toronto?
All my life, although it's only been the last decade that I've lived in Toronto proper. Before that I was a suburban girl.

What are some of the changes in Toronto that you have seen in your lifetime?
I think the biggest change was amalgamation. I grew up in North York and can remember it's Borough days. It's also a LOT dirtier than it used to be, esp. with trash in the gutter and newspapers flying about. I blame the freebie newspapers for that last bit. I also think that as a city, we've lost a lot of confidence. That whole "world class city" bit just smacked of wanting to be seen as cool by the popular kids. Before then, I dont think anyone cared if we were on par with London or New York. We were Toronto, we didnt need to be their mini-me. I think that somewhere along the way we've lost our vibe.

What era, day or event in Toronto's history would you like to re-live and why?
would LOVE to have been around in 1962 when the Leafs won their first Stanley Cup.

Who's your favourite Torontonian?
My 98 year old Grandmother. She looked after me when I was a kid so that my mom could go to work. Mortified that my parents weren't going to have me baptised, she took the matters into her own hands and baptized me in the kitchen sink (or so Im told).

Can we believe everything you post on your blog?
I think so. I try to be as honest as possible. I don't see any point in making things up to write about, it isn't that kind of blog. Besides, almost all of my friends read it, and they would totally call me on it if I started making shit up.

Has blogging changed you or enhanced a personality trait?
Absolutely! I find that when Im doing things I often wonder if it's blog-worthy. Im always looking for the interesting in what could otherwise be a mundane or everyday occurance to share. I also think Im a bit more extroverted now as well.

Have you had your 15 minutes yet?
Over the years my blog has been mentioned in NOW, Eye, and the Star; I was even in the running for a 2004 Bloggy. Ive been involved in several (okay, one, but it felt like more!) almost out-of-control knitting social events that brought a lot of attention my way. Lately Ive been getting a lot of exposure thanks to the buzz marketing campaign that saw me receive a free cellphone, and Ive begun reviewing books for Random House. So while Im definitely not an a-list blogger and have been flying under the radar of most of the blogosphere, my blog is definitely known out there. Have I had my 15 minutes yet? I dont think so. Maybe 10.

Ever met a stranger who already knew you through your blog? How was that?
Weird. The very first time I walked into Lettuce Knit for a Stitch n Bitch, a woman at the table piped up "hey it's marmalade!". That took me by surprise as I'm not exactly the most prolific of knitters, although at the time I was blogging a lot more about my fiber adventures than I do now.

Lose any friends or muck something up because of a post?
Not really. There was one highly personal post that I made when things started to go sour with my ex. I felt like I was splitting in two, and I reached out through my blog. I took the post down after a few hours as I felt it was just a bit too revealing. The relationship eventually ended, but not because of my blog.

Fav bloggers?
Oh that changes all the time so Im just going to list the first five that come to mind. In no particular order: my sensitive girl hole, advertising for peanuts , airbag industries, kottke.org and sweetgeorgia.

What's happening in Toronto right now that the rest of us should be watching?
newmindspace have been throwing lots of oddball, creative and free events (massive pillow fights, bubble parties, their next event is a pirate themed streetcar party) around the city. While geared towards the twentysomething scene, people of all ages are welcome and take part. Lots of silly fun! And no, Im not affiliated with them, I dont even know them. I just think it's a fresh way to enjoy the city.

You have the opportunity to gather with 5 of your regular readers - who are they, where do you meet and what do you talk about?
I'm not sure who I would pick. I'd prolly pick friends that were overseas who I was missing. We'd all go up north to a cottage or a lake for a weekend. We'd stuff ourselves silly on tasty food, then hang out all night long laughing our asses off as we catch up and reminisce.

If your blog were a food, what food would it be?
Chocolate. It's a quiet obsession, just like the blog.

Have you ever had a question you wanted to ask random people throughout the world?
If I were to come and visit you, where would you take me to show off your hometown so that I could get a really good feel for what's all about?

If you could gather all of the bloggers of the world together into one room and tell them one thing, what would it be?
Web standards, people. Web standards.

Anything else you'd like to add...
My life's dream is to one day have a Bernese Mountain Dog. Forget having kids, gimme a Berner!