Sunday, February 1, 2009

A Few Random Thoughts....


I've been thinking lately. About all the wonderful people I've "met" through blogging. We've got kind of a network going here!


There are blogs I visit faithfully and others that I'll visit because they left a comment on mine. Often they become regular reads too. Some I visit because I see their blog name in someone's side bar and it piques my curiosity. Or I'll read a snippet of their most recent post in that same sidebar and I have to read more!


For whatever reason - I feel like I know a lot of you. And I've started to value you as friends. Does that seem strange? In this techno-savvy cyber age we live in...we can form a relationship with someone we've never met face to face - and probably never will. You guys have given me great advice when I've asked (and even when I haven't!) You've cheered me in my successes and encouraged me in my failures. Some of you have even prayed for me. Thank you.


I've tried to return the favor whenever I can.


Which brings me to my most recent thoughts. I'll back up first though. Most of you "know" Pattie. If not- go visit her blog! Pattie went AWOL on us for about a month. Which is fine. Life happens and we get sidetracked sometimes. But a lot of us were worried. Why did she stop so abruptly? Did something happen? As in something bad?


I tend to be a worrier so my thoughts were heading in scary directions. And I got to thinking....what if something really bad happened to one of us. No one in blogland would ever know! I suppose for some the anonymity of blogging is a welcome thing. It allows us to open up our lives in candid ways that are for the most part - quite cathartic. But I recall reading once in an article about blogging (when the phenomenon was still quite new) the author said that there is a great unrest in blogdom when someone abandons a blog. I didn't understand at the time...but I do now.


I'm NOT getting down on Pattie for not posting for a month! Honest! It's just that I started worrying and I wasn't prepared for that! I didn't think I could actually worry about someone I'd never met.


So here's what I'm gonna do. If I ever decide to hang up my keyboard and retire from blogland, I'll let you know! I write the obligatory "good bye" post. In the meantime, I may be MIA sometimes for a week or two as I pound away at this thesis of mine - but I promise I'll not go away for good with out a goodbye. Which I have no intention of doing anytime soon!


And if I ever just disappear with no warning - send me an e-mail. I promise to reply...and if I don't....well....then I guess you can worry.


Well - there's my philosophical 2 cents on a cold Sunday afternoon.




13 comments:

Doc Manette said...

I used to post something everyday, but on the other blog, and always said if I disappeard to "send slimfast" because I would have my head stuck in the pantry. Turns out life threw me a whopper! Ick. I used to think when diet bloggers quit blogging it was because the quit dieting - but now I know something might have happened both good or bad.

So, I promise if you go MIA, I will be emailing.

RunningNan said...

I whole heartedly agree! I consider the winter months as my maintenance month... Much like my running!

I know I haven't been as good at reading bogs as I would like to since they blocked it from work. I am going to be better at it starting.. NOW!

Have a great day!

grammy said...

I know what you mean. I was worried about Pattie too. I remember you didn't write for more than a week and I worried about you....now I know you will check in once a week or so (o: I guess we should tell someone to write on our blog if we are in the hospital or whatever. I also had a blogger that I followed that was very depressed sounding, then she didn't write for a week. I was worried. I told myself I have enough things to be concerned about without making them up. lol

JC said...

Right back at you. I consider you a friend since I must read every time you post something. What did you settle on for a subject of your thesis? Did I miss a post. Surely now. Seriously though it is amazing how attached I have become to people I don't know. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Manuela said...

I agree with what everyone else said and with your post as well!

I have just been running around like mad finishing assignments, group work--you know how it it! But I'll agree with you that I would also write up a farewell post but think that there are a few people I would like to continue to keep up with :)

Debra said...

What a delightful post! I feel exactly the same way about everything you said. I see all my online friends as real friends and that doesn't sound strange at all. And I *have* had some blogging friends just completely disappear forever--that makes me nuts, too! I worry about them ...sigh... Thanks for telling us you will not do that to us! :) Blessings, Debra

new*me said...

I know what you mean........i really worry about my blogger buds when they disappear awhile!

Big Girl said...

I feel the same way about my friends on the internet, it's just been amazing. Funny, I was thinking about Pattie, and some other folks who have been MIA, and wouldn't you know it, her post showed up in my reader.

TitanThirteen said...

I'm with ya. I always say something if i'll be gone too.

Diana Swallow said...

I agree and as I look above at the people who've commented I see some of my favorite people have already been here before me.

I'm so grateful for all of my Blogging friends!

Honi said...

I know what ya mean.. i lost a couple of friends who just quit blogging and would not answer emails.. to this day I wonder if they are okay... I will also post the good bye letter should I leave.. I try to post at least 3 times a week..
and I too consider my blog friends.. simply friends..

Hanlie said...

I also think about that... I feel like leaving instructions for my husband so that he can let everyone know if something ever happens to me!

Mike Golch said...

great post,I swiped the pic for a posting on my blog,I will give you credit for it,wit a link.