HI, I’m Pam Pastor. And I’m a blog addict.

I had an afternoon meeting with people from a mobile phone company last week and I made them late for dinner because they started talking to me about blogs. I even had my computer out, as if I was making a big presentation. It’s almost embarrassing, now that I think about it.

Last month, I spent eight days in Germany on assignment with a bunch of people I had never met before. I was fairly (and uncharacteristically) quiet during most of the trip — except on the last night when I couldn’t stop talking during dinner. One of my companions turned to me, “You barely spoke during the entire trip and now this. What happened?”

Blogs happened. Someone asked me about the blogging phenomenon, which blogs I liked, why people read blogs and just like the Energizer Bunny on steroids, I kept going on and on.

And that’s probably why I’m here as one of the Blog Addicts.

I started blogging in 2000. My ancient computer had crashed just weeks before and I was heartbroken (actually, pissed is more like it) over losing so many diary entries, pathetic attempts at fiction and even sadder stabs at poetry. I didn’t know what blogging was then, I just wanted an online depository for my writing. Drew Europeo told me about Blogger and that was the beginning of my love affair with blogging. It took a couple of years (and Site Meter) for me to realize that people were actually reading my posts.

Blogging has become a huge part of my life. I’ve blogged from every place you can think of and when I couldn’t (like when I’m stuck inside a plane over this or that ocean), I write entries that I can post once I get Internet access again. Blogging is fun and therapeutic — although sometimes I feel like I’m running my own reality show. I’m actually getting used to people approaching me in malls or restaurants to say they’ve been reading my blog. I’ve met a lot of great people (and a couple of crazies) that way.

When I am not blogging, I am writing articles, planning issues, closing pages, giving out assignments, holding photo shoots, doing interviews, covering events and attending meetings. These things (and more) are part of my job as the chief of correspondents for Inquirer’s 2bU!, editor for Inquirer Super and reporter for Inquirer Lifestyle.

I also spend a lot of time writing songs, recording and getting drunk at gigs with my band Mozzie.

And, believe it or not, I still have enough time left over to shop, date strange men, take lots of photos, hang out with my friends and do what I can to change the world.

I guess this is my way of saying hello. And thank you to the very cool Joey Alarilla who invited me to join the Blog Addicts team.

P.S.

I promise to drunk-blog only in my personal blog.