1) The reason I keep a blog is to add value to others -- either by way of seed thoughts, perspective, learning from mistakes I've made, synthesizing ideas, passing on experiences,  or sharing things I've worked on (e.g. sermons / teachings).  In this sense, I see my site as a mini reference spot.   2) As a supplement to #1,  I add things about myself to "humanize" the information on my blog.   These personal things are secondary to my overall purpose, but it helps for readers who don't know me -- but have landed on my site by a search result or recommendation of a friend or a link -- to get a better sense of who I am.  This helps eliminate the "vacuum" effect of "who is this person?"   3) To help my friends feel a little bit closer despite the distance that separates many of us.