Yesterday I ran into three seminary girlfriends. One of them said, “Hey this is kinda strange to see you – I’m watching a video of you right now.” She flipped her mac around to reveal my blog pulled up on the screen.
“You read my blog?!” I asked.
“Yeah. I sometimes do… Is that weird?”
Let me take a minute to say that it’s not really weird that people from my real life read stuff around here… But it still strikes me funny when I have this conversation. I’ve struggled to find a way to describe it, until yesterday:
“Well… It’s kinda like… Say you invited a friend over for dinner at 7:30, only to find out that they came early – at 7:20 – and just stared in your window for ten minutes watching you. Not in a weird way. Just out there when they could be in here.”
Immediately one of the others mumbled: “I read your blog sometimes, too.”
And the other? “I don’t read your blog. Is THAT weird???”
Amidst the laughter I realized that is sort of what it feels like to find out that a real-life friend is reading – as if they are just looking in my house when they could really come inside. I’d LOVE to talk to them about some of the stuff that I write about. I just don’t always know how interested they might be.
(I say “they” knowing that “you” might be reading.)
I put this stuff up for the world to see but don’t always know who, in my world, is looking. You’re always welcome to come over. You’re welcome to look into my world. You’re welcome to hang out.
Knock. Ring the doorbell. I’d love to know you’re here.
The awesomeness of the blog world is that I can ring the bell in Germany and you still hear it
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Hi I’m Angie (@angie128) from Memphis. I faithfully stalk your blog. But rarely comment. So, sorry about that.
Kinda’ know the feeling. I ran into a friend this week who I haven’t talked to in ages. He knew everything that had been going on with me. Huh??? “I read your blog every day.” “You DO?!”
And I write it, not really thinking anybody will read it. But then they do. And I am surprised.
Oh well.
Wishing you a good day!
This happened to me last week…sorta.
My brother & sister in law said they keep up on me by checking my twitter page several times a day.
Angie128: I remember you! (and from the twitter world) Didn’t know you were still around.
Toby: Is THAT what the incessant noise has been around 3 am here?!? Dude. I’m getting a restraining order.
((Knock)) Can I come in?
It’s so weird that you are posting this because I was just having a conversation just yesterday about this.
You could run into heart and literally take over. I am all about people and tidbits of life. I want to be the mug of coffee sitting on the kitchen table of all homes listening and soaking in peoples lives.
But I know alot people who sit and gaze and wish..
why?
I have room for other people ya know
G’morning Mandy,
That’s so true. How cool that you ran into them, though. I know that I often wonder that. I’ve had a few people from our church tell me in passing, “oh yeah, I read your blog all the time”, but they have NEVER left a comment.
So, I look at feedburner every now and then, Google Analytics, and I see how many people are reading every day – and realize that the handful of those who comment and that I interact with on the blog and twitter are the MINORITY … and often wonder … “who else is reading”.
Wouldn’t we like to know. Then again, would we?
Girl, I just found out that Dr. Hafemann reads my blog! MY blog! Not Justin’s, MINE! Why?? I’m so embarrassed I had no idea someone like that would be aware of and actually read in detail my posts! Oh man.
It’s who I am though. I’m a very open person and find life is so much more enjoyable when I put myself out there because people usually respond by putting themselves out there. It’s fun even when it’s embarrassing.
xoxoxo
I love this.
Nice perpective.
Nice Spelling huh?? LOL
Perspective
Did I get it right this time. LOL
ding dong.
then I’ll run away (like ding dong ditch em, but i never ran fast enough to really play – they always ditched me).
my doorbell at my house doesnt even work. if you push it it just buzzes and won’t stop until you like hit the wall or something. oh well.
no, i won’t really run away.
Sarah:
I don’t know what ding-dong-ditch’em is, but it doesn’t sound like much fun…
Megan: I agree. And I’m sure Hafemann reads yours because you are more faithful and devoted to blogging!
You have never played ding dong ditchem? Oh my gosh it’s so fun. But I am like Sarah, I’m a little slow too.
Ding dong!!
I only really know you because of Tammy and her blog. So I guess that is weird. But oh well so is the way of the internet.
H: What do I say after “Ding Dong?”
Samantha: It’s not weird! Besides, I’m hoping to I talk my husband into moving me out to the valley – then you & I can be neighbors!
Paul J.
I RSS blog.
I read blog.
I love blog.
Sorry….just feeling very caveman for some reason…
We once played ding dong ditch at the Grand Californian hotel at the Disneyland resort.
It was fun, but I’m sure they didn’t appreciate it…
Y’all feel free to explain to me what ding-dong-ditch is!!!
I’m still in the dark over here…
Well, that’s not what I’ve heard it called, and that’s all I have to say about that.
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It’s when ya ring the door bell and RUN for dear life
Mandy, it’s real simple. You ring someone’s doorbell and you RUN, or “ditch” so it looks like no one is at the door when the person comes to answer it. It’s in the prank category. Little boys do it to their hot next door neighbor. Does that help? It also has several derogatory names that you need not worry about. Actually, you might be familiar with it in it’s uglier form but I’m not gonna tell you what it is. Ask Drew. He’s ugly.
Oh, haha. I thought someone had already covered that. Sorry!
Doesn’t sound like a nice game to me…
hmmm…
It’s not. Especially in a resort.
Ding Dong Ditchem gets played on national TV here by some very funny geeky comedians called Hamish & Andy. They don’t call it that though, and they have some other rules…like you can only take 3 steps to get away from the door…otherwise you get caught.
Doesn’t translate to words very well.
Can’t find a link, but some of their other adventures are here. This may not translate cultures all that well, not sure…
http://www.rovedaily.com.au/video.htm?channel=Hamish%20and%20Andy
Anyway, I wrote a “song” noting the fact none of my IRL friends blog, or twitter. And therefore probably don’t read mine. I’m still working on changing that…
If you want to add a little bit more excitement to the ding dong ditch, then do it on Halloween and make sure you grab their pumpkin from the porch and run down the middle of the street with it. Okay, I only did this once and I was in junior high. And, okay it was stealing, but I’m sure I confessed and asked for forgiveness.
I am so on board with you on this one Mandy. Mine isn’t so much friends though, it is family. I am pretty sure our families “blog-stalk” us (me) because things are said in passing, but never really to my face so I can’t really pin point it…but instead of doing that dance…I would rather just have a real relationship with them and love them in real life. But no, that is too complicated and so they don’t admit that they read my blog or all the comments I leave all over blog land and I don’t admit to being hurt by it.
Hey Mandy,
Since I confessed to you in SSI that I do read your blog now and then, I feel compelled to comment now. I’m definitely not a stalker, I just think your very creative in your blogging so I like to take a look. And I like you, your cool and fun. So, now you know, I’m a reader and so not a stalker.
P.S: i just started up my own blog this week. Yippee! (or scary, we’ll see)
Link, Natalie, LINK! Where’s your blog?
And, yes, you’re not a stalker – never were. Only Lane gets that shameful title.
Your blogs rock. But talking to you in person is even better! Love you girl.
“I put this stuff up for the world to see but don’t always know who, in my world, is looking. You’re always welcome to come over. You’re welcome to look into my world. You’re welcome to hang out.”
well-said, friend. well-said.
I suppose I could give you the link.
http://bumbershootlane.blogspot.com
haha…you know me. i’d RATHER chat in person…i’ll take the blog as a passable substitute when your gorgeous face and Jesus joy is not to be found in my vicinity. now if only i could get you to sing to me in person…
oh my gosh! Isnt’ that the weirdest, though? People at church or at work will occasionally mention they found my blog and I’m always embarrassed for some reason. I always know there’s a possibility of that happening, but it’s still a bit jarring.
Funny stuff!
Natalie: You’re so generous!!!
Teal: For you? Anything… I’ll be warming up my vocal chords for the next time I’m graced with your presence!
Great topic – those of us who “know each other in Switz.” and have blogs – we don’t read each other’s blogs! It just seems weird. Maybe it’s just me who’s weird
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And then the whole FB thing – that has completely thrown me for a tizzy – seeing people on FB I haven’t talked to for 20 years. Um, still weird.