Comments on: Word Play

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 14:33:54 +0000

I love that I get such an intimate and vital peek into the private and incredibly beautiful lives and hearts of my fellow women. I think I especially appreciate this medium because as I go through my day I often feel so frustrated or bored at small talk, at the fact that at work, buying my groceries, etc, conversation is very restricted to what is “appropriate” and “necessary.” I’ve often longed for regular, deep, meaningful connections with others, and I do have those with my family and friends, but there are so many I’ve connected with through their blogs-like you!- that I never would have been able to otherwise. I can come home at the end of the day and KNOW that I will read things on my fellow bloggers’ sites that is nurturing and/or inspiring, and esp on the many trying days of this past year I am indescribably grateful for it.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 08:58:10 +0000

Your perspective is so interesting to me, since it’s so opposite of mine about blogging and what it’s brought to my life. I don’t feel restricted by the net–I feel freed by it. I genuinely care about my blog-sisters, and feel their care for me. Is there a ‘high school’ dynamic to some elements of the blogosphere (as Melba mentioned)? Absolutely. But that happens in any area of life when egos get involved. I’m much more intimate with my blog-friends than I am with most people IRL right now. I’m not finding a lot of people in my real life right now who want to have the sorts of conversations–literal and creative–that I have in the blogosphere. So I’m grateful that I have blogging, and feel greatly blessed by the community I’ve found by doing it for the last 3+ years.

By: Melba

Melba — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 14:10:00 +0000

When I first started blogging I was hoping for connections and I knew I would find inspiration.
As much as I value the connections I have made this past year, recently I have begun to realize that everything is not always how it appears to be.
I have begun to look on sidebars to see how long people have been blogging for. I am always shocked when I see 2004 or earlier. I think, “Really, you have all been doing this for that long?” It surprises me. I know the blogging community has really grown since 2004 and probably has changed in many ways.
I am at the point that I want to go deeper with some of my blogging sisters, but there has to be that mutal feeling and I think it is more difficult to navigate a friendship on the web. You never know what a person really thinks because they are posting their blog for everyone to see, they are commenting on everyone’s blog…
In my everyday life I have to pick up the phone or drive to your house or write you a letter or email you to communicate with you. I chose you and you chose me back.
I think there is alot of assumptions in the blog world. I am just learning this now. I am learning how to nurture friendships in this new way.
I never understood when I would read posts about how the blog world is like High School. But now I am seeing it, feeling it. It is not a good or bad thing, it just is.
I know not ever connection I make is lasting or even real, but some are…real and true and beautiful and that is why I plan to be blogging for a Very long time.

By: cat

cat — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 02:50:04 +0000

Personally I feel as obliged–if not more so–to people I “know” via the web, as those I know IRL. Unfortunately I’ve learned the hard way that many folks–as with those I know/have known in person–don’t feel a fraction of the same conscientiousness towards others.
I think the net, like any human interaction–regardless of depth/superficiality–can serve as fuel for the creative fires if people choose to use them as such. Does this mean a good portion take more than they give? It’s possible, but this imbalance can happen under any circumstances.
I’ve become much more cautious in my “relations” since first arrival; I try to give and receive the best the internet has to offer–ie, artistic discussions/feedback/inspiration/etc.–while maintaining a cautious distance for my heart and soul’s sake.

By: patry

patry — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:36:18 +0000

I love the connections. Fractured and distant as they may be, they feel very real…
I love the inspiration…
And the conversations that happen spontaneously…
The implicit invitation to try something new.
Maybe even to BE someone new…
I haven’t really “made art” since I was a kid, but this month in NOvember, I’ve committed to making art every day.
How cool is that?