Happy Blogiversary to Me!
August 26, 2006 at 16:33 On August 27, 2005, I stepped into a new neighborhood on the Web and joined an ongoing party in the blogosphere. It was a bit like something out of the 1960s--crashing on a sofa in a crowded stranger’s house, dropping your inhibitions, and taking a hit off the powerful drug that’s being passed around. Once you inhale in the blogosphere, you’re hooked, and all you can think about is sharing the LOVE and the strange trip you’re on. What starts as a series of random hook ups becomes something much more.
The value of blog relationships is that they transcend my physical reality. They allow me to meet and interact with a cast of characters from around the world, operating outside the normal geographic and social filters that determine who my friends are and what kind of people are in my circle. How amazing that as I sit alone at my desk, my world becomes bigger, my point-of-view broader.
The blogosphere reminds me of a masquerade ball where we all arrive in costume. Our masked online personas both hide and reveal who we are and set us up for intriguing relationships that are both distant and intimate.
As we hide behind our monitors, it’s exhilarating to share things we’d probably never cover in normal conversation—our fears, passions, vices, idiosyncrasies, and wisdom as well as the day-to-day grind of life where we are. The paradox of blogging is that we become more of who we are even as we wrap ourselves in anonymity, online personas, or our carefully crafted bios.
I started blogging for all the usual reasons: to have a creative outlet, to discipline myself to write regularly, to keep in touch with far flung friends and family, to capture a unique time in my life, and to nourish my fantasies of fame and book deals.
A year and more than 270 entries later, I’m still typing and mousing, cruising and commenting, and checking my blog first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and many times in between. I’ve been humbled by the talent of some of the writers I’ve met on the Web, and my site meter has squashed all hopes for fame and fortune. Writing day in and day out is a challenge, but one that’s been made easier by some folks in my inner circle.
Special thanks to:
The people who have encouraged and supported my writing forever: Shirl Grrrl, Low Maintenance Grrrl, Lynn, Neil (no, not THAT Neil), Erni Jo, Granola Grrrl, and Steve.
My family members, E-Man, E-Grrrl, and Mr. A, who accept when I’m glued to the keyboard and have respected my passion for writing.
All the bloggers, commenters, and other readers who have given V-Grrrl in the Middle a piece of their day and let me know directly and indirectly that someone was out there listening to what I had to say.
Finally, I raise my glass to the B-List Bloggers who have offered friendship, support, wisdom, and comments in good times and bad.
Blog on!
© 2006 Veronica McCabe Deschambault. All rights reserved.
August 27, 2006
Blogging
Reader Comments (16)
Anyway, congrats and thanks for reminding me. :)
PS--Did you ever get my email? The big TW buyout of Comcast is wreaking havoc with my correspondences.
Funny, because I have regular trepidations about the whole worth of blogging, and I believe that I have hit another low point. We'll see what happens.
How amazing that as I sit alone at my desk, my world becomes bigger, my point-of-view broader.
The blogosphere reminds me of a masquerade ball where we all arrive in costume. Our masked online personas both hide and reveal who we are and set us up for intriguing relationships that are both distant and intimate.
..[unquote]
It's these little quips of wisdom and eloquent writing that make me appreciate your blog. I am so glad to have made your online acquantaince!
Happy first year blog anniverssary V!