The Role and Value of Our Fellow Blogger
Last night, after a night of some insomnia, and deep thought, I began to think about the blogging community and what it means to me. In more ways than not, it has been an arena where my life has become enriched, or even embarrassed. Where could I have learned so much about being a Jew, the many complexities and threads make us uniquely who we are, from a religious as well as a personal point. To be truthful, I have become so fascinated by my own people, all of the prohibitions and commandments, and the contradictions and resolutions that surface. Also, I have learned about the computer as a workable machine, been given lessons in fragrances, ( a great sensual love of mine), recovery, been challenged and participated into heated debates with others about everything from religion, sex, politics, penises and people. It has been a great and meaningful ride as I have encountered some great people, and then at times others, who have not been so kind or nice.
We take on many different roles in the blogging world, that of teacher, friend, agent provocateur, therapist, surrogate mother and/or child, and the list goes on and on. Unknown to me was the fact that I would develop an interest in Yiddish once again.
My eyes have been opened widely to the complex world around me as a result of the blog and my fellow blogger.
Most importantly, in addition to interaction, blogging has allowed me to engage in my greatest of all possible loves writing! Every day, I come here and engage in discourse with my most passionate lover, the written word!
And because of the blog, I have my 'other blog, where I continue to write erotica.
Some of you have decided to email me in Yiddish. In fact, I am falling in love with the language, and have decided to learn it on my own. Please be clean and nice in your correspondence, or A chaleyre. Ech hob dir in drerd!
Here is the question of the day: what has blogging done for you and your life? How have you become enriched, enlightened, disturbed or provocated in some way?
Good Shabbos. Have a good weekend.
Thank you for your minds.
We take on many different roles in the blogging world, that of teacher, friend, agent provocateur, therapist, surrogate mother and/or child, and the list goes on and on. Unknown to me was the fact that I would develop an interest in Yiddish once again.
My eyes have been opened widely to the complex world around me as a result of the blog and my fellow blogger.
Most importantly, in addition to interaction, blogging has allowed me to engage in my greatest of all possible loves writing! Every day, I come here and engage in discourse with my most passionate lover, the written word!
And because of the blog, I have my 'other blog, where I continue to write erotica.
Some of you have decided to email me in Yiddish. In fact, I am falling in love with the language, and have decided to learn it on my own. Please be clean and nice in your correspondence, or A chaleyre. Ech hob dir in drerd!
Here is the question of the day: what has blogging done for you and your life? How have you become enriched, enlightened, disturbed or provocated in some way?
Good Shabbos. Have a good weekend.
Thank you for your minds.
22 Comments:
I've just started blogging. I'm finding folks very friendly.
I'm a chatter. I've been a chatter for years. I've met several folks from the room I chat in and have formed lifelong friendships.
Blogging is a completely different way to communicate. I actually use punctuation! It's a new brain exercise where I can't just type of my cuff for some reason, but I have to think about what I'm saying and why. I'm all for new brain exercises. I think it prevents wrinkles.
I blog because I have to. I'm not sure how I survived before creating my blog. That is to say, I blog--ie write--because I need to get "it" out, what "it" may be.
Always a desire of mine was to write, but what's the point of writing if no one is going to read it? Diaries and journals never really did it for me althouth I have old one hanging around that give me insight into where (and who) I was, what struggles I was working through and what tools I had available to me.
I blog because I can't not.
I love being able to speak freely without directly offending people to thier face, not that I have any problem with that, but it's a little less rude this way...
one thing I find to be disconcerting is the way people allow thier emotions to rule over logic... even if the logic is wrong or misguided, it's more intelligent than simple emotion.
I'm an extremely emotional person, but my logical side allows me to be able to consider another viewpoint, even one that may physically sicken me...
that's the one thing about bloggong that saddens me... the realization that some humans have not made it all the way thru evolution...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ps, barb email me at snabusblog@netscape.net ...i have a question for you...
I just started blogging but have been a blog reader for years. I found your site via a comment you left on a friend's blog.
Blogging has opened my world in a more immediate way than books. NOt just with their interactive qulaity, but with the current events that effect the topics. I often just read, but sometimes am driven to participate. I connect with people I would have no opportunity to meet, let alone share their daily struggles and joys.
Since finally deciding to contribute to the blogging world with my own work, I've found an outlet I didn't know I needed. My hope is that my writng improves with practice, but my joy is that I'm expressing my life. I'm putting myself out there. I've isolated myself in many ways, so this is one way I'm breaking out.
I enjoy this blog and have added it to my daily list.
Some wonderful comments.
I will send you an email, Bochica.
Welcome Dodi. I like what you had to say about self-expression and blogging.
You know....I always feel so much better after I blog...even if it's just about my daily life....It seems to destress me....So it's like a stress reliever for me....I really enjoy writing and reading blogs.....And Barb you have a great blog...Thanks for sharing!!!
I'm new to your blog. I've read a few posts and find your writing style very comfortable to read and very informed.
Mostly on my blog I just "cut up" a little class clowning I suppose. It's an outlet and I have met some very funny and intellegent people I would never otherwise get to know. I'll link your blog so that I can return often to see what's on your mind.
thanks.
btw... one of my all time favorite Man Ray photos on you're profile.
Thank you, Jerry! I too love this Man Ray, L'Violin. Welcome to my blog!
Great Question!! I have been educated for one. I'd never known a jewish person in my personal life... I guess I still don't technically speaking... but I feel like I now know several people of the faith. Friends have opened my eyes in a way I could never have understood by pouring myself into a textbook.
Blogging has confirmed my idea that most people are good. I've confessed secrets in blogland and had them be understood, sure I have received a few comments now and again from people who use blogging as an anonymous way to be cruel... but that is atypical.
My relationship with my mom has grown greatly. After receiving so much positive feedback from the bloggers, and had the balls to give my mother my blog address... (I still couldn't TELL her all the shit that went on behind the scene), but I was finally confident to let her read about... even though I knew parts of it would upset her.. I wanted her to know me as a person, not just a daughter.
As a result, I received a wonderful email from my mother, complimenting my story-telling skills, admitting I made her laugh and cry, and calling me out on some of my embellishments... it was a heart-warming letter. Since then, our phone conversations have much more of a woman-to-woman vibe... and it feels great. WE are two different women, with differnt, yet overlapping, histories... and since I put my naked self out htere for her to read, she's been much more candid in her own over-the-phone story-telling. She and I have always been close, but now I feel like she's a sister. (A sister who gives really good advice!) Oh! And she's quit bitching at me for swearing... which feels like a rite of passge!
If it weren't for blogging I wouldn't know a hurricane victim right now... I still would have donated my money, but I wouldn't have had a face or a personal experience to associate with.
And then of course, there is the writing! I've always kept journals.. I have a huge chest full of binders - all containing my scribbled memories. But I was erratric about it. I might've produced 30 pages within a week, and not written again for a week or a month. Now, if I don't write for a few days, I start getting emails, funny, "I'm gonna kick your ass if you don't write today" type emails!
My first love is writing. Mom told me (after reading my blog) that I used to make loopy-loops on paper when I was two... and then make her listen as I "read" her a story.
I can't even get in to the therpay aspect.. cause I've taken up enough space already! But I think blogging proves we are all capable of solving our own problems... we just need a little encourage from honest strangers once in a while.
Well, if it wasn't for blogging I wouldn't know you, dear one.
Hey Barbara, the last guy I dated was Jewish and that is whom I learned so much from even though I already had an intrest in this related such as Kabbalah and the archealogy of course.
My Blogging is rather new, just started in July, and I love it for the way it has gotten me back on track with my own writings.
Rachael was the First Blogger I fell in Love with and she has inspired me to look to my 'own' story to tell. She really has given me more inspiration than she would know. My one 'bad' experience I related before I think so won't detail but to say that I had one person ask me not to 'overwhelm' their blog with comments,,, I thought that was part of blogging,, ?? So, I quit posting on her site, even though I love her mind and still read her blog. I found that even in BLOG world there are space issues. I find blogging fascinating in that I can jump online and know what someone in Iceland is thinking today. Really goes with my Noosphere type ideas of a collective mind forming around the planet. I sometimes think this is Gaia forming a way to speak to humans. Just me.
scott
Scott,
I was wondering how you knew so much about Judaism! You seem to be quite knowledable.
You are welcome to comment as much as you like. Blogging is, as many others have noted, a great form of personal expression and freedom.
For those who have asked about 'my other blog,' it is a work in progress, and for now, something that it for my eyes only. Let us see how it develops!
I think the biggest wake up call for me was just how many people don't believe in God. Maybe I was nieve, but sure was a surprise. I have also met some really nice people. There are days were I do too much blogging and should be mopping, sweeping, washing and other household things.
My eyes have been opened politically and that is a good thing. All in all, I enjoy my new friendships and learning experiences.
When I can't blog, I actually suffer withdrawal. It's not a joke. I love the blog-world.
Blogging has done the same for me as it has for you. More over, it's an outlet, and a chance to express myself truthfully. I have often had experiences I couldn't talk about in a professional setting, that make for interesting reading outside of that. And, although I am blessed with some close friends, they do not always have certain things in common with me that those in Blogville do.
Women on the verge of thinking ... how unique! Dare I say you have succeeded.
Blogging has helped heal my humanity, and brought me face to face with my abuse issues. I love the raw open and honest dialogue, and the commonalities shared by folks all over the world. I especially love reading the young folks blogs ... they never cease to amaze me. Of coure this old one learns a lot too!
Also I have met some great folks blogging that I am proud to call friends.
Thanks for dropping in to visit me and you can be sure I will spend some time on your blog ... I am a woman and I hope I am on the verge of thinking too! In some areas I have succeeded in thinking, others .. you are right, I am on the verge!
I can't imagine waking up each morning and not going immediately to the computer to look at everyone's blogs. I never know what I will find!
My original intent when I started blogging was to teach others what I've learned in terms of the spiritual path of witchcraft. I wanted to share that.
Instead, blogging has been a way to get in touch with all the thoughts and feelings inside myself about my fears, frustrations, wonder, spirituality, successes, failures, epiphanies, etc. etc. etc.
I also enjoy the many different people that I meet through blogging. I am learning so much about so many different ways of life, and I love that! I have met all sorts of people I would never have come into contact with otherwise, and I feel blessed.
Something else I have gotten from blogging that I feel I must mention is validation.
I cannot tell you how many time I've blogged about something and thought "ooo... I'm probably going to get ripped apart on this by someone" and instead I find validation from fellow bloggers who have experienced similar thoughts, feelings, situations. And the validation from fellow bloggers leads to greater personal empowerment.
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