Thursday, January 17, 2008

Blogging About Blogging

My blog used to be a secret. I didn't share it with my friends or family, as I just wanted to write freely about anything and anyone I pleased. Now that I am more seasoned, and no longer use this space to bitch about people, I have told everyone about it, and encourage them to check it out. Since I have gone "public", I have to say that I am quite amazed at how few of my friends actually have an interest. I don't find this insulting or anything, but I can't imagine not reading something that was written by someone whom I've known for 15 or 20 years.

The first friend who found out about my blog told me that she felt that it was an invasion of privacy to read it, which I assured her it wasn't. It's on the Internet for crap's sake! My blog is not my diary. It is where I perform, if you will. She still won't read it. Fine, don't read it. Whatever. The next friend I passed my site information to told me that she read a couple of entries, but then decided that she'd rather call me than read about me. I explained that it isn't the same information. I'm attempting to be somewhat artistic on my blog, and not just offering up what I had for breakfast or watched on TV. Yeah, I do realize that I have posted crap like that, but periodically, I try to craft something that reveals my not-usually-revealed inner dialogue. My head can be an interesting place if you give it a chance! Fine, don't read it. Whatever. Last month I told my dad about my blog. He was really excited about it. He hasn't read it, but he was excited nonetheless. How is it possible that my dad doesn't want to at least read a few posts? He was a writer himself and has always encouraged me to get involved in writing. Fine, don't read it. Whatever. I was completely outed when CBC did a story on unsafe toys from China, and featured me as a mommy blogger who was trying to help get the word out. This gave all my friends my blog info. None of them have come by as far as I know, although there has been one request for the link, so I can't fault that particular friend.

Other than the people whom I've met via blogging, I do have a couple of regulars who check in with me. My mom and my brother are always curious to see what I've written. I've got a fairly loyal reader at my old workplace too. The only close girlfriend of mine who reads my stuff is my newest friend, who I met through the mommy circuit when Pumpkin was first born. She gets it. She explained that reading my blog gives her a voyeuristic look into my life that I don't often offer up in regular conversation. It's not that I'm hiding anything from my daily conversation, but stuff just doesn't always come up unless I've taken the time to write it down. I'm possibly a little wackier in print.

I don't want to sound all, "Look at me! Look at me!" That isn't my point. I'd visit an art exhibit if one of my friends had something entered in it. I'd see a play if one of my friends was it. It isn't an issue of being supportive -I'd just be really curious to see a new side to my friends whom I've known for years. Maybe I'm just a bigger snoop than most.

*Just to clarify, my Dad is now reading my blog and only hesitated at first due to a technical difficulty. Hi Dad!

15 comments:

Gabriella said...

About 4 months ago I reconnected with an old friend and I mentioned my blog and she checked it out the one time. And never came back since then. And like you it doesn't bother me in the least but it does make me curious though of how she can't be curious. I found a blog belonging to a friend of mine that I hadn't seen in years and I remember reading almost every post. But maybe I'm just nosy that way ;)

motherbumper said...

You know, my friends that know don't care but the ones who don't know would probably really dig reading it... personally I'm like Gabriella - if I found a friend's blog, I'd read the entire archive (yup, I'm nosy).

Anonymous said...

Yeah, it's always been kind of funny to me who reads regularly (I'm equally tickled that my mom reads daily, and that half the people in my office seem to lurk there) and the ones that don't (my brother, and my best friend. Go figure!) Often, people feel the need to apologize if they haven't been reading (really, I don't care!) and sometimes I find myself hesitating in relaying an anecdote, not sure if the person I'm talking to has already read the blog.

Blogging sure does add a few new layers of complexity to relationships, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

Hey! I read. Not every day but every entry. I delurked or lurked or commented on my ignorance of same. You have more friends reading than you know. Not that you care. fine, whatever.

metro mama said...

I find the same thing, and I'm equally baffled. I would totally read my friends' blogs.

Don Mills Diva said...

I am so damn nosy I would devour the archives of everyone I knew. I find it weird that people I barely know are SO into my blog and some of my best friends are like "ya - I forgot you had that thing" - I feel kinda insulted...

Chantal said...

It is funny you write this cause I have been feeling the same way. I sent out my link to pretty much everyone I know. None of them check it out. I have it listed as my website on facebook and I know of one friend who visited once. I wrote an intensely personal story and my mom forwarded it to all our family to read. I figured they would come back... they haven't. Oh well. I read a lot of strangers blogs. I guess it is only fair that mostly strangers read mine.

Anonymous said...

Not a friend...don't even know you...but read everything you write...Guess I'm kinda nosy..LOL...But especially love stuff revealing your "not-usually-revealed inner dialog"...Nothing more fascinating than the "inner dialog" of the human species...

mamatulip said...

I have friends who read my blog regularly...and then there's my bestest friend in the whole wide world, who knows about it and doesn't read it, ever.

People are strange.

DS said...

Perhaps you need to start gossiping about your friends, you know...get all their past transgressions out in the open, I'm sure you have some good stuff!

And I'm more than sure that would pique their interest. ;-)

Nora said...

I enjoyed reading this, and as someone who is thinking of going more "public" with her blog, it is a good reminder that the world will probably not shift if people find out about it.

Ali said...

baffled too. by my friends who don't read and by the friends who DO read but pretend that they don't (i have a statcounter...i can see 'em...) ;)

b*babbler said...

After I let my friends know about the blog, I found most would pop in periodically except for one set of friends. Oh no, they were checking every 3-4 HOURS! That was definitely strange. And the first time I called and said, hey, this thing happened, only to be interrupted and told that they had already read it on the blog... Now that was REALLY strange.

And I, too, would totally read my friends' blogs.

petite gourmand said...

I know what you mean.
A few of my friends read my blog and I love that they take the time to "stop by" even if they never comment- which I wish they would.
But they usually email me and tell me that they have been catching up with me via my blog.
But there are a few who I don't think read "me" and I kind of wonder why.
I certainly would love to read about the people I know/have known for a long time.
Brave you- I have yet to out myself to any family members yet.
not sure if I ever will.

fzaltz said...

Ha! O ye, of little faith! How do you *know* your friends aren't reading it? Maybe they are but just haven't been making comments, like me.