We watched "Contagion" yesterday (good movie - creepy, but good) and one line stood out for me. One character had a sort of "expose the truth" blog about the outbreak. One of the CDC directors said in an off-the-cuff sort of way..... "Blogs are just graffiti with commas."
Are they? Is the day of the blog over?
I sometimes wonder. Every time I think I've made up my mind, I read an amazing piece of writing on someone else's blog that either makes me laugh when I need to laugh, makes me feel less alone in my vocation, my struggles with chronic illness and just generally connected to other people in the world.
Then I remember the amazing people I've met in person, at conferences or just visits (hello Texas!)......people I would never have known without InnerDorothy leading the way. I have been tremendously blessed in this place. At times I don't think there is much more to say about myself. It's all here, pretty much.
I try to keep this place friendly for everyone. I stay away from political opinions as much as possible. It's pretty tough to stay away from theology, as that is the life and vocation I live every day. It's the water I swim in.
I love, love, love the posts that I read from other migraine/chronic pain sufferers. They inspire me and keep me uplifted when I need it the most. When I post about my own head pain, I try really hard to stay away from that fine line that crosses into whining and the always enjoyable pity-party. But it's VERY difficult to talk about without coming across as whiny, especially to those who haven't experienced chronic severe pain. I wish I was as skilled at walking that fine line as some of my favourite headache bloggers. Still, I do the best I can to be honest without being self-indulgent.
This blog started as a journal. It was an addition to the hand-written journals I have kept since high-school. I still have hand-written journals. They serve me well, but are for my eyes only. I recall the old adage:
"If I should die before I wake, throw my journals in the lake"
I disagree with the statement from the film. Blogs - good ones - are so very much more than "graffiti with commas." they can connect people who in any other way would have no knowledge of just how much they share in common, or just how much they can BE for one another.
I thank God every day for my friends, the ones I know and see often who live around the block. I also give thanks for wonderful friends I have never met in person, but would turn to in a heartbeat in a time of need, and would go to help if they needed me. my friend the Rev. Richard Bott spoke via Skype to our Presbytery in September and pointed out (thanks again Richard!) that he considered me one of his best friends, and yet we have never met face to face. I think that says it all.
That's not graffiti.
It's grace.
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10 comments:
Ugh, how dismissive! Kind of reminds me of the bit in Oprah Magazine about how no one should bother reading a memoir written by anyone who has barely hit 30. I was turning 30 and working on my memoir THAT WEEK.
Good writing is good writing. And, increasingly, I think it's hard to write for other publications without having spent some time self-publishing.
You know, you've got me thinking... I do need to blog more. And I'm one of those people who love reading blogs that challenge/encourage/kick me in the butt when I need it most.
<3
I would also suggest that graffitti is a bit of a misunderstood meium as well --- both by random vandals who misuse the medium and by people who see all of it as nothing more than vandalism
Amen, Sue.
Amen, sister. Sometimes my friends in the computer are the only people keeping me as together as I am.
I agree with Gord - Art is in the eye of the beholder!!!
I get great strength from your blog, and although you are never whiney, sometimes you deserve to be!
I was in a discussion on a social networking site about blogging - I said - social networking controls the environment I interact in while blogging lets me control the message and how I present it - a big difference.
I know I missed doing this when I couldn't last year, and I more than missed - I mourned - not being able to read the blogs of my blogland friends...
My uncle kept a journal every day of his life from a teen onwards. My aunt burned them the day he died per his request - 70 some years worth. I would have enjoyed seeing what he thought about life, etc., but blogs I guess are little more public than a journal.
Well said. I've met some amazing people through blogs, which has become even more of a blessing as my "real life" friends seem to have all but disappeared from my life. Sharing our experiences (both good and bad) allows us to walk along side one another through the difficult times, and celebrate the victories (even if it's "small").
Thank you for sharing part of your self and your journey through your blog.
i've been blogging for almost 12 years now and it's one of the few decisions and things in my life that i will never regret doing or having done. it's cathartic for me and the friends i've made are amazing (you included).
Amen - your blogging frequently gives me pause to think, feel, pray and know the grace of God.
A lurker........
Thank you everyone for your encouragement. It is greatly appreciated.
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