Friday, May 1, 2009

Why I Love Blogging

















I hope I can get this in while it's still May 1!!

CUPIDS CHARM is having a party for bloggers to tell why we love blogging, and I didn't want to miss it!

But I have been sick this week, and my desktop died on me, too. I thought it had a virus, but it turns out the motherboard was bad. My computer geeks rebuilt my hard drive and replaced my motherboard and saved all my documents, pictures, and videos, and they did it all for $320.00. I got it back this evening and have been trying to find time to get it set up and do a bit of catch up. Andrew is using my laptop, and I haven't really felt like getting online most of this week anyway. But I just now checked my email and found where someone had dropped by via the Blogging Party, and I thought, "Oh No!" Today's the day!

So this isn't going to be as eloquent as I had certainly wanted it to be, but if anyone is interested, here is why I love blogging.

I started four years ago with AOL Journals, just pretty much on a whim. I have always loved to write and have always kept a diary or journal of some kind, and when I saw AOL Journals I thought it might be rather fun and a way to be creative. I really didn't think much about connecting with other people when I started. But a month or so into my Dusty Pages journal I got a comment. And then I was REALLY hooked!

I started visiting other journals and leaving comments, and then started getting comments in return. And before I knew it I was creating actual friendships with people I'd never met in real life. They were, and still are, real to me. My husband and kids have always been supportive and have never scoffed at my J-land (now Blogger) friends. They know many by name or by journal/blog name, are aware of where many of them live and even know some things about their lives. Jokingly, Thomas and I refer to my online friends as my "imaginary friends"; but there is nothing imaginary about them.

Pam, His1Desire, was an early read of mine, and I cherish the comments she left in some of my early entries. When she died I was as devastated as if she'd been a real-life friend that I had spent time with in the flesh.

I love blogging because I can write whatever I want, whenever I want, and I can address my entries to anyone or to no one. Some entries may be just a telling of my day's events, and they may be of no real interest to anyone but myself. But someone is going to comment on that entry, just to tell me that they're glad to hear from me or glad to hear I had a good day.

If I'm feeling like complaining I can do it here and get support or advice. If I feel like blowing my own horn or bragging on one of my kids, I'll get congratulations and a "way to go". I can tell funny family stories and really feel like I'm calling up my sisters and brothers and cousins and having a good laugh.

And that brings me to real family. I have a large and very close family. I really love my sisters to pieces and there is nothing they would not do for me or vice versa. But my blogging is really not for them. We have a family web site where we keep up with each other, and they know I have a blog. But they don't read it. It really isn't for them. They and I share a history that means that we love each other, hate each other, forgive each other and hold grudges with each other, all at the same time, if that makes sense to anyone. Does that make sense? Sometimes we bind each other to our relative pasts. And sometimes I want to write for myself and for someone who can't bind me to that past. Actually one of my sisters, Barbara, is welcome to read anything I write here, because she and I can have the type of conversations that blog posts might initiate between us -- and we DO have those conversations. She'd give me the same kind of feedback I'd get from my readers, and still allow me the freedom to be who I am at that moment and not compare that "me" with any other "me" they've ever known.

I guess what I'm saying is that blogging lets me be myself, but it's the "myself" that I want to be right then, and it's that "myself" that will be accepted by my Blogger friends at that time, no strings attached, no hurt feelings, no teasing that might actually hit a nerve. It's like a second family.

I have met one Blogger friend in person and truly enjoyed the privilege. I hope I get to meet some more in person. In the meantime, I love inviting all of you into my little blog "home", and I sincerely appreciate being invited into yours.

Well, look at that! I just almost got this in before midnight! Thanks for letting me share!

19 comments:

Beth said...

I think that's a great explanation of why you enjoy keeping a blog. Like you, I think there are very few family members that read my blog--it's just not their thing. That's cool...I think my Blogger friends are more of a different audience, anyway.

Glad you're feeling better!

Lisa said...

I love this entry Dusty! It is so addicting to journal, isn't it? Like you, I have always kept a journal too and I find this is an awesome way to write. We sure do have to meet one of these days! Have a great Derby Day tomorrow!!! Hugs,
Lisa in KY

Paula said...

Well said!

Donna. W said...

We've followed one another for a long time, haven't we?

Blogging opened up a whole new world for me.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lori..yes journals and now blogs are a good way of life...Donna over in Just Me got me started...and gave me encouragement when I deleted my journal...LOL...and I so enjoy all the friends I have on here...they are family in a respect!!! sometimes better than family...!!! and having a hearing problem it gives me a big outlet for the thoughts and feelings I have...thanks for being you...all the time...keep up the good blogging!!!! LOLOL...hugs...Ora PS..maybe one day soon we will meet...I mean after all...a few miles separate us LOLOL...oh and before I forget...last night on KET I watched the fireworks show from "thunder over Louisville" wow...awesome just doesn't cover it at all....

Anonymous said...

It has been therapy for me, but then, I've written a daily(almost daily) journal by hand since I was a teen. I am a totally de cluttered person & throw most things out, but I have a few boxes with 25+ years worth of my journals in them. A friend has been instructed to burn them when I die! The point is, I have always found comfort in writing.

It has evolved for me over time to the point where I now enjoy reading other blogs more than writing publicly, so I spend some down time each day doing that.

I'm glad you feel you can be "you" with us.~Mary


The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium. ~~Norbet Platt

Cindi said...

Nice entry! well done

dragonflydreamer said...

I think this is very eloquent. I'm sorry you aren't feeling well and I hope you feel better soon. I have been sick also and will be have surgery on Monday morning and I'm totally terrified. The part you wrote about your family stopped me in my tracks as if you wrote that just for me to read. It's very deep and very true and I have never read or heard it put any better than the way you have. Thank you for that. There is a message there for me. You are a lucky woman to have not lost everything on your computer. My husband has lost all of our stuff twice...I know, I know, back up. I have a laptop now to keep from that happening to my stuff since he's so hard headed. I have really enjoyed my visit here and will be marking it to return soon. Stop by my blog(s) some time. Sorry I was so late for the party, but I am not at my best so I'm taking my time. Have a great weekend!

Coelha :B said...

Great entry-- I hope to meet a fellow blogger one day myself. It's strange when I refer my blogger friends as friends to other people---it's like I know them...but really don't. It's weird. :) Hugs - Julie

Cathy said...

How interesting, we have such similar points. I started with AOHELL Journals too, got hooked, have a love/hate/love again relationship with my very large and close/not close family, and met a blogger in person. Is coincidence something else I wonder...I posted about it and still not sure but getting feedback. Maybe it's something WE do as humans, to make these somewhat similar events into realities. Great post Lori.

Char said...

Great entry! You are so right about the freedom of writing blogs. I used to try to write in journals at different times in my life, but found when I went back to review some of them, I would tear out pages so no one would ever see them. So far I haven't deleted anything in my blogs, bad or worse I've said it and I'm not taking it back anymore....age does that to you.
Hope you are feeling better. Take care.

Missie said...

I forgot to write my "Why I Love Blogging" entry.

I love blogging. It's cheaper than a phyciatrist.

Joy Jones said...

Hello Lori! I wanted to stop by and thank you for participating in the Beautiful Blogging Party!! I hope you enjoyed the event and also enjoyed meetings lots of new bloggers. Have a beautiful week ~ Joy

Charley said...

Just keep being who you are, and doing what you do - the rest will follow! Rock on!

Martha said...

Excellent entry Lori! I'm right there with you on your feelings about blogging. At one time I got offended when my real life friends or family didn't take an interest but now I almost prefer that most of them don't. I love the friends I've made online! :-)

Things are different since we were thrown out of AOL though. I still love blogging but don't feel the same closeness we had in the good old days. The whole concept of blogging has changed for me.

You'll always be one of my good pals from the old neighborhood :-)

Traci said...

You and I started our blogs in much the same way. I had sort of heard of blogging but had no clue there was a connective quality to it. So glad there is! It has been fun getting to know you!

DB said...

Lori, this is an excellent explanation of blogging. Since i have no family and no local friends I feel a special kinship with my journal friends as you said you do. Nice entry. Thank you. DB

Connie said...

"HAPPY MOTHERS DAY"

Jimmy's Journal said...

Happy Mother's Day, Lori!

Jimmy