A formerly anon blogger, trying to make it honest

I was having a conversation with a few blogging friends earlier, and we were discussing the intricate world of blog relationships.
There are a select few bloggers that I would count as “real life” friends. That being, people I have entered into my circle of trust. People I talk to outside of leaving a comment here and there. People I go out with, that I IM on the weekend, I email with during work, and I call at night. I would probably say those near and dear to me are of course Sara & Lil DC Diva of my “alma matter” TBN, and in more recent months, Kathryn, Cookie, VP, AUA, RC, Chase, and I-66. Based on my scale, these blog buddies can range from acquaintance-friends to good friends – depending on the situation. But, I love them all!
It’s a funny thing, these blog friendships. Some are people you knew before you became (gasp!) a blogger, and some you meet through our oh so fabulous social events courtesy of Kathryn etc… People always look at my pictures and are like, who are those people? They look fun! I just smile and say, oh…random friends. It’s a good feeling though, to know that I’ve met all of these wonderful (and normal haha) people just through our penchant for writing and sharing our analysis of life as we know it with the world.
The weird thing is that although it may seem like we all know each other so well, in reality most of us don’t. It’s easy to talk freely to one another, because you really do know a little bit more than say – the coworker in the next cubicle – simply because you read each other’s thoughts via blog. It’s easy to forget that for the most part, we are all little more than acquaintances. It’s always interesting to see if the person who writes the blog you love or hate, lives up to the fiction they create. I like to think that I am pretty true to my word.
A caveat to blogging…people can probably tell a lot simply by reading comments, who has left them where and what they are saying. A comment to the average reader may seem like nothing, but to a blogging buddy may say it all.
But where is the line drawn?
Sometimes things get personal, and cause a blog war between people you know in real life, or ones you don’t. But the best option there is to make the best of it, and just agree to get down and dirty. It’s just a blog after all. In some cases, you can even meet someone who makes you swoon.
Personally, I hold many a blogger’s real life secrets…and some of those same bloggers hold mine.
I guess we can all just hope that there is enough trust among us from putting ourselves out there on the web, to keep the true reality hidden just a little bit.
Although we may whisper among ourselves, and share stories in secret – we must keep some sense of mystery to the blog world!
Selling the drama indeed.
Popularity: 36% [?]
No Response for "Secrets & Lies"
I just stumbled upon this world of DC bloggers the other day. It sounds so fun and that’s so cool that you all get together in real life!
As for me, I’ve just started the whole blogging adventure, but I can already see relationships starting. It’s so interesting.
Don’t non-bloggers (or people who just don’t spend much time online) look at you funny when you mention an “online” friend? I’ve gotten some strange looks, but I don’t care…
I’ve thought about this a lot lately. It is a little bit weird to start a friendship with someone when you already know a lot of their quirks and thoughts, because they’re out there online for the whole world to see. A lot of the info that would get traded when you’re first getting to know each other is already there. And sometimes that’s awkward, and sometimes that’s cool. More often than not, it’s cool.
The other thing you have to keep in mind is that when you’re reading someone’s blog, you’re reading their view of themselves, and what parts they decide to share. The reality can be QUITE different.
I choose to be pretty out there, but even I don’t tell everything.
You definately have to keep the mystery.
This post definately makes me think about what I write, a little bit more…But I definately tend to keep the really important things to myself.
I have certainly experienced the best and worst of what the real-life and blog-life crossover can do. I’d say the positive strongly outweighs the bad, though MM and I do like to say we met “at a happy hour” or “through mutual friends.” Neither of those things are false, but…
There’s definitely drama in the world of blogging. I guess there’s drama in the world and blogging just immortalizes it in written word.
I really do feel like I’ve gotten to know a whole new group of people through the DC blogs – others, too, but I feel tied to the locals.
I definitely edit myself, though. The people who know me best are the ones who know me and read me and call me out when the worlds don’t align.
I’ll admit, I write about things on my blog that I don’t even tell my boyfriend or friends about. However, I’ve had to screen certain things I’d normally vent about because a lot more people in my ‘real life’ know about my blog than I thought.
I’M NOT YOUR FRIEND! haha – just kidding, sweetie. This post made me smile. It’s been fun getting to know you, and hopefully one day we’ll be able to meet up and do something other than drink (although, that’s what I’m good at…haha)
I try not to censor myself, but like CGC mentioned…a lot of my real-life friends have started reading my blog (damn Google). So, now I am still pretty open and honest about everything but I watch it a bit more.
Thanks for keeping my secret, AM! I think you are a wonderful woman and I look forward to us hanging out more in the future. You know how I love hanging with hot asians! ha ha
I like your new blog look. Very snazzy. I think each of us has to mentally set the terms of what we want our blogs to be–I know I have. I think most strive for a level of honesty in their reporting from the blog front. I also know that I read some blogs, and I want to drape a cloth over them and walk away.
“I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” That’s what Henry David Thoreau said…the weirdo.
Your posts are getting better and better and more close to home in regards to developing relationships. The quasi-annonymity is what makes blogging so much fun. You can portray yourself any way you wish; but after a while, your real personality starts to leak into your blog existence.
DcLc
I think for many singles, blogging is the new Friendster/Myspace.
I’m so jealous! NYC bloggers aren’t nearly so friendly.
Leave a reply