As we go through life we meet lots of people and if we are lucky, a handful or two of them become friends.
We have childhood friends from our neighborhood, school, summer camp, activities and many other ways. As we go away to college, we make more friends. Once we settle down as adults, we meet people and make friends through work, our neighborhood, our children, church, community involvement, hobbies, politics, sports, etc.
Now that we are in the computer age, another way we "meet" people is through our blogs and make friends in a new way. People that aren't into blogging probably hear us talk about our blogging friends and just don't "get it" or understand. Those of you reading this are bloggers or read your special blogs so you know what I mean.
I look forward to updates on the blogs that I read and I also love getting comments when I blog.
license plate blues
1 week ago
Do I EVER know what you mean! And I've been thinking a lot about it lately. For a number of reasons.
ReplyDeleteFor one thing, I just realize that I'm feeling "fonder" in some ways of my blogging friends than of my IRL friends. Why? Well, I have time for them for one thing. I can keep up the blogging relationship in the middle of the night, whenever. And it is easier to juggle blogging comments and IRL stuff that's going on .... you really can't even have a phone conversation while also making dinner, or being available for homework help.
I can also be completely open - well, pretty darned open! Because I can share things about my family knowing that my e-friends won't ever really meet them. I'd never feel right sharing some of my burdens and worries to people who I see every day. That's time for the stiff upper lip.
Also, we have more in common with blogging friends; that's how they became friends...there's some connection - and often connections that are important and unavailable locally.
However, I was listening to someone on the radio bemoaning people not being "close" with their neighbors. As he pointed out, very aptly, your on-line friends can't help you out when you're ill; you could be hit by a truck and your on-line friends might never find out if you have a technically-inept spouse. [warning; that's just what I have]
On the other hand, my neighbors are not all very nice people. The crabby lady across the street will come out and YELL at the kids (today even at Craig and the kids) if the soccer ball so much as rolls onto her grass in such a way that they can reach it without going into her yard! She just has basic, not-all-that-nice GRASS - not even shrubs, and certainly not flowers or any plants that could be harmed. She is just mean, that's all. I don't choose mean blog friends. I've stumbled on a blog or two where someone seemed mean-spirited and as quick as I could departed never to be seen there again! You certainly can't do that IRL. You have to put up with it.
Are we fooling ourselves to think that our on-line friends are true friends? I love it when my on-line relationships become more concrete - when I get cards, for example! :)
It is a conundrum.
I agree: I like the updates, too...and comments! The oddest thing, to me, is to hear that someone reads my blog, but never comments. That just seems sort of sinister.
Annie,
ReplyDeleteIt's true that it's easy to keep up with our online friends as we can be watching a movie and still "chat" with them. Can't do that with IRL friends. (I am able to cook and talk on the phone though.)
The radio program that you mentioned does have a valid point about IRL friends being able to come to your aid if you're sick. While my daughter was growing up, I had a lot of friends in the neighbor but through the years they have moved to other ends of the state and far away in the US. I do have friends in town that would help though. When I came down with shingles last June (a day I'll never forget), I called my boss and left her a VM while on my way to work. I was in so much pain, I turned around and drove to my doctor's and called her from there waiting for the ambulance to the ER. Shortly after getting settled in the ER, there was my boss (who stayed the entire day and then broght me home around 6:00). That can only happen IRL.
You are right that you are able to share things on your blog that you might not share with people IRL about your family. Aren't you worried that your IRL friends and acquaintances will find out about your blog though?
I am fortunate that my online friends did become IRL friends (Cecelia, Rachael and her sisters).
Thank you for your long comment.
I enjoy "blogging friends" because you get to know snippets of the person a little at a time and put all the pieces together over time. It is so fun. The little details about ones day or week is fun to hear ~ sometimes what you don't get from IRL friends. I like both for different reasons. And then you get a person like YOU and the Sisters (the same ones you mentioned) and you wish you lived closer to chat in person all the time. =)
ReplyDeleteYes, I love my blogging friends! And, I'm not very good about leaving comments lately. Keep blogging I enjoy hearing about what you're up to!!
ReplyDeleteIt takes time to visit with IRL friends. With blog friends you can do it in snippits of time.
ReplyDeleteI have both, but honestly, really like my blog friends!!
Many of whom would be total strangers if I were to pass them on the street!!