Here's an article from Today's Winnipeg Free Press.
What I really want to do is spout obscenities about this jackass but I will refrain from doing so...because I know my 15 year old cousin occasionally reads MY BLOG and I don't want to show her a bad example.
Let me start by saying that I understand this guy wasn't talking about ME specifically but he did speak in very general terms and the only blogger that gets referenced was a woman in Quebec that lives in the woods with her cats. Maybe I'm delusional here in my make-believe blog world, but I'm guessing that the majority of bloggers DON'T live in the woods in a cabin (or cottage depending on what side of the country you are on) full of cats. Having said that, how great is it that this woman has a "virtual community" out there to connect with. It may not be a face to face community but I'm guessing by her choice to live out there in the first place, that's not necessarily what she's looking for anyway.
He also says that the support she received when her cat died isn't real. Is the validity of support judged on how long it lasts? Or how it is given? Support is support whether it comes in the form of a hug, a shoulder to cry on or a kind word in the comment of a post. Who is this yahoo to say that just because there may not be a continuous back and forth conversation working this woman through her grief, that writing, posting and receiving comments around the death of a beloved pet isn't helping her? It's more than she would have if she didn't blog about it.
I know that for me, receiving comments and feedback is a bonus by-product of my true intent behind posting. It gets things out of my head. I'm the kind of person that will mull over an idea, a problem or even a happy occurrence for AGES until I get a chance to either share it with someone or until everyone simply tells me they don't care anymore. Here I'm able to spew and walk away.
On the topic of community, I have to say that I'm quite fond of the fellow bloggers that I've come to know since starting this whole thing almost 2 years ago. The blogs I read every day are important to me. They make me laugh, they make me cry and although I may not comment on all of them, they are part of my day. Then, there are the bloggers that I've conversed with beyond blogging like Grody Jody and The Queen of all things, Ellen. Jody and I talked about what it's like to make the decision to start trying for a baby. A person that I have never met "in person" gave me thoughtful and meaningful advice. That's support. That's not make believe!
BTW - I miss Jody & Ellen terribly because they aren't blogging anymore and I can honestly say that I feel like a neighbour and her family have moved away because I don't get the regular check in on all the things that are going on with them like I used to. That's community!
Okay. I'll stop here because I know that Anthony and Mr. Bitter and possibly even the G-man have stopped reading by now but hey....this is my blog and I'm passionate about it. I'm not an isolated lonely person, I'm not a rebel, I love my job, I'm not a political activist or even an angst ridden teenager and I'm definitely not looking for celebrity status through all of this. I'm just a blogger. Read it or not!
I know that for me, receiving comments and feedback is a bonus by-product of my true intent behind posting. It gets things out of my head. I'm the kind of person that will mull over an idea, a problem or even a happy occurrence for AGES until I get a chance to either share it with someone or until everyone simply tells me they don't care anymore. Here I'm able to spew and walk away.
On the topic of community, I have to say that I'm quite fond of the fellow bloggers that I've come to know since starting this whole thing almost 2 years ago. The blogs I read every day are important to me. They make me laugh, they make me cry and although I may not comment on all of them, they are part of my day. Then, there are the bloggers that I've conversed with beyond blogging like Grody Jody and The Queen of all things, Ellen. Jody and I talked about what it's like to make the decision to start trying for a baby. A person that I have never met "in person" gave me thoughtful and meaningful advice. That's support. That's not make believe!
BTW - I miss Jody & Ellen terribly because they aren't blogging anymore and I can honestly say that I feel like a neighbour and her family have moved away because I don't get the regular check in on all the things that are going on with them like I used to. That's community!
Okay. I'll stop here because I know that Anthony and Mr. Bitter and possibly even the G-man have stopped reading by now but hey....this is my blog and I'm passionate about it. I'm not an isolated lonely person, I'm not a rebel, I love my job, I'm not a political activist or even an angst ridden teenager and I'm definitely not looking for celebrity status through all of this. I'm just a blogger. Read it or not!
2 comments:
I'll read it anytime, I love your blog, and I'm also with you in your rant, although I don'5 Blog you know about my online community and how they have become in person friends.
Hey, we're neighbours in real life and in blogland! COOL!!
Cyn, I am totally with you. I don't post for other people - I mean really, a very small number read my blog - I use it as a venue to share some experiences with those who I don't talk to all the time, to write down some feelings, to bitch out. Those who respond is just an added bonus, just like you said. I think it is a great tool and f-off to those who are on the anti-blog bandwagon.
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