It is soooo hard not to write about your real life in a blog -- you know, you can't really say things like 'this idiot said to me yesterday blah blah' in case the idiot actually reads your blog then sends death threats or threatening legal letters. I've often wondered how you could write about real life but disguise it enough so people can't figure out who you are talking about. It would be so cool if you could really let it all hang out in your blog.
But still...today a woman told me she was going to the opera in London soon. I was very impressed, as I never took her for a person of culture. 'Yeah,' she went on, 'I'm goin' to the opera theatre in London.' She described how she needed a new outfit, etc. and repeated her intention to go to the opera.
'Which opera are you going to?' I asked.
'The Phantom,' she said, totally serious.
OMG, she was talking about the Phantom of the Opera the whole time! I almost fell off of my chair.
Other things I find hard to talk about in my blog
The US presidential election -- I try not to talk about politics in here anymore but I am totally obsessed with the race. I spend hours checking the latest thing that Sarah Palin has done or what the latest poll numbers are. It's taking over my life --I will be relieved when it's all over. It's like being on a roller coaster now -- with that and the stock market crash, I have no sense of balance these days.
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Restraining myself
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10 comments:
I can completely relate to the roller coaster feeling that you're having, Elizabeth.
Our plane took off from Houston at 7:30pm on Tuesday and after watching the news reports at the airport, we both were hoping we still had money when we would land on Wednesday morning. We had so much turbulence during the flight, and that, coupled with financial worry, left us both shaky when we landed at Gatwick.
I was glad I was back home and able to watch, live, not only the first debate between Senators Obama and McCain, but also the debate between Senator Biden and Governor Palin. I was glued to the television!
I'm one of six children and it seems that, with our parents, we have almost always been split half and half between Democrats and Republicans. I was quite pleased to hear that my Dad and one of my sisters have both changed their minds and intend to vote differently than they have ever done. My Dad because of the last eight years and my sister because of her party's VP candidate.
That's why I don't do a blog, and am content to pop in to yours every so often, although I too soften up my real opinions to sound sweeter. I have ZERO interest in sharing my private life with (theoretically) every Tom, Dick, and Harry that might happen along. I do plenty of private e-mails, to people with whom I share a specific relationship, but what I might share with Person A might NOT be something I'd want Person B and C to know...and in a blog, you must of course keep your comments and observations neutral and polite and diplomatic, never knowing who might read what. That seems restrictive, and would not appeal to me, but if it's rewarding for you, you keep right on! Just saying, it would be pointless for me.
I think you're sort of stuck on this. You can't violate the privacy of your friends and family, and so can't blog about personal things, and as you pointed out, you can't just tell the world how stupid some of the peeps you come into contact with are, in case they read it and get angry.
I blog pseudonymously, as you know and I think that is the only way you can really let rip what you think and feel, without having to take everyone else's feelings (or the repercussions) into consideration. Of course then you don't have your friends to chat with in the comments, although you would probably develop a following of people who don't know you who become your e-friends.
I use my real initials but won't mention names of my family. As for "develop(ing) a following of people"---not appealing to me at ALL. You just never know; they could present normally, seem intriguing, entertaining, and compatible, but be total nuts who might end up stalking or harrassing you. I chat with people all the time---in private mails! Why would I want a personal conversation to be put on a billboard for any old cuckoo to ogle, or worse yet, butt in with an unsolicited comment?
Oh yes, bwj, I get that none of this appeals to you - I was pointing it out for Elizabeth who seems to like when people comment on her blog.
Elizabeth, in a way the header under your blog title never actually gets realised because your friends and family read here, so you do have to watch what you say.
You should start another anonymous blog and say what you like about everyone and everything and don't tell anyone. I'll bet people will find your blog and enjoy it, but no more taking pictures when you are out and about because then you will give yourself away.
This is exactly why I could never write a novel and publish it (well, there are other reasons, like lack of talent and failure to interest a publisher:):)---but seriously,how could one create deliciously wicked caricatures of one's acquaintance without getting sued for slander? I always said to myself, "Well, I'll finish my book when so-and-so is dead..." but too many of them so-and-sos are still alive, damn them.
So Eliz, wait until we are all ^$%#@ and then rip away with the truth!
This is why I love my forum so much. I have had deeper, more enlightening conversations on that than I have with anyone in real life. We all have our usernames and its totally anonymous. You can start a conversation on any topic you want and those who are interested will contribute. I have had conversations about how to nurture a deeper faith and I have benefited from the most amazing minds. One guy from Canada, who calls himself Eloquent Bohemian,is about 60 and has explored all the worlds religions in depth. He is sooo spiritual - more than anyone I know in real life. And there are others like that out there.
And you can write really long, deep posts and people read them and respond.
You do make e-friends too and often they have more in common with you than friends at home.
The only trouble is that I became/have become addicted to it. Life is falling apart here because I'm not doing my domestic job properly. I've been read the riot act by my husband and children! I'm currently in rehab.
Thanks for all these comments. The blog serves a great purpose for me in that it keeps me connected with people. My daughter who is away at college reads it to keep up with the family -- and I have found friends I haven't seen in years through this too. I am so busy these days w/ new job that writing private e-mails is hard to find time to do so my blog is my way of communicating to anyone who is interested.
I agree w/ you Lisa, that I have wrecked my blog's mission statement because my friends/ family read it but I think I was talking about older family members who would never go on a computer.
Who knows why any of us does anything? The blog gives me an outlet for writing too and I enjoy that.
Kaz, your family should be understanding that you have a new hobby and might have spent a little more time on it than they would like but we are all that way when we discover something new.
BWJ, I see your points. I think everyone has to soften what they say when it's in public -- w/ friends or online or whatever. I know that you are just being nice when you say balanced things in the comments! :) :)
I appreciate you taking the time to comment v. much.
Hi Elizabeth:
For the most up-to-date election info, check out this site. It will provide you with the most current info on who is winning what and where, hour by hour.
www.electoral-vote.com
And whatever side people are on, isn't it nice to have an interesting election (I don't think there has been one since Kennedy). And FINALLY we will have someone as president or VP who isn't a 60-something WASP male.
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