Blog Bogged

In this blog saturated world it is incredibly easy to develop a complex, whether you are a reader or a writer. With so many on-line blatherings to read from I know I find myself asking not only, “why do you read me?” but, “how did you find me in the first place?” Throw in statistical capabilities and that only adds fuel to the inquisitive yet insecure fire. Like slugs to beer, surely this is our downfall and doom. It’s like we are contestants in a popularity contest – it all comes down to the numbers. It’s a source of sheer fascination when you think, no, you absolutely know your babblings are boring beyond your scope of belonging…yet someone reads you.

I know why some people read me. It’s their only way of staying in touch with me. My explanation for dropping out of sight, for not showing up, undoubtedly will be here. People check here for my pulse. As for other blogs and bloggers, I’m not sure. Over the weekend I was treated to a humorous story of supposed blog stalking – told from the stalking side of the fence. An individual discovers a blog and, for reasons known only to the individual, finds it interesting…really interesting. This isn’t the funny part. People stumble on blogs all the time and they return again and again because something fascinates them. In this case it was the blogger’s reaction to the sudden popularity that had me giggling…and taking notes.
The author not only felt stalked to the verge of violated, she felt the need to publicly protest the new traffic to her site. Didn’t I do the same thing? It totally reminded me of my own situation just a few months ago. Didn’t I freak out about a reader? Call it self-censorship but now I won’t write about things too sensitive for others to read. My perception of the threshold, the tolerance level, of criticism is different from what it actually is for some. I don’t trust my words around the hearts of others…(well, except Now & Zen. I know if I complain that my arms kill after a class or a pose really frustrated me the owner won’t take it personally to the point of hatred).

What I could say to the offended, as well as myself is this ~ I can completely understand your reaction to being read. The numbers are intimidating. But, here’s the thing: you are on the Internet, otherwise known as the WORLD wide web. It’s the bulletin board to the masses. Like it or lump it, people will read you for whatever reason. I know I have.