Blogging is Better than Fiction

I am, by nature, a people watcher. I never get bored at airports, crowded restaurants are a thrill, and a coffee shop on a busy sidewalk is just about the best treat I can imagine. I am fascinated by mankind as a whole. The way we walk, talk, dress, and act when we think no one is really watching, and even better when we hope someone really is. I think that is why I like blogging so much. It doesn't let me just watch you as you stroll by, hoping you don't notice me watching you. It's an open invitation to step in and take a little look into your life. It's allowing me to see not only what my first impressions of you are based on the external, but to see what kinds of thoughts and ideas, plans and dreams float around in your head. It's people watching taken to the next level, and I love it!

I was talking (and talking, and talking, and talking--really, it was a LONG conversation, but a good one) to a friend last night about the whole blogging sub-culture. She has recently begun blogging herself and is simply fascinated by the whole idea and by the vast array of people and personalities who own and maintain a blog. I am as well, but I bet we all have one thing in common. We are all either people watchers, or people who want to be watched, or maybe a little bit of both.

This line of thinking, of course, led to the pondering of why I, myself, blog. I'll not deny, that being a bit of a dramatist, I enjoy the audience. I like your comments, your input. I love the way you relate your life to mine, often in ways I would never have dreamed. You see, I am in love with the written word. I love to read what other people have written. I love how two people can read the same the thing and walk away with two completely different experiences. The words are the same, but bring in the unknown quantity of the reader, and you never know what you are going to get. I have been doubly blessed because I not only love to read what others have written, but I love crafting my own words as well. And it truly is a craft. Can I build this picture or this experience in your mind? Can you see it, smell it, hear it, taste it, feel it? And at the same time did I leave enough room for you to bring that little piece of your self to the experience to make it all your own? Or did I simply didactically instruct you on "How reading this should make you feel"? Some days I do better than others.

I love fiction, good fiction. I become almost obsessive when I pick up a new book. I jump into the characters' lives and emotionally invest in them. I race to reach the end of the story because I have to know what happens and how it all works out, but when I get to the end, I feel bereft. I wander aimlessly. I loathe to start something new because I am still "in love" with the new friends I just made in the last book, and because I know that any new book in which I make new friendships, will also come to an end. My husband laughs at me because there are books that I have read and reread time and again. Maybe not everyone reads the way I do, but I literally miss some of the people I know only in books. That's why I like blogging. I read many blogs that are like great stories, but I don't have to worry about coming to the end. There's a new chapter everyday and I get to be part of it! And even better, I get to talk to the characters, and they talk back! (ok, really, how many of you are thinking that I either need Prozac or a new past time, about now?)

So some of you are wondering now, what is about you that I could possibly find so fascinating. The truth is, the answer is probably different for all of you. Chances are if you are reading this now, it's because I visit you. I tend to decide rather quickly whether or not I want to return to a site, so if you see my name in your comments again and again, it means I have found something there that I connect with. Even your day to day thoughts and experiences have become important to me for whatever reasons (if this is too much for you and you want to "terminate our relationship" feel free to do so now. I know I've blindsided some of you with this sudden talk of relationship and committment.). And I want to say Thank you, for letting me step into your lives, albeit briefly, and share a little bit with you, and also, for coming and sharing a little bit in mine.
You see, I admit, sometimes the thrill of watching others is knowing you are being watched yourself. It's good to know you like what you see.

Life really is better than fiction.

Comments

[Tara]

I found your blog yesterday. I have now spent hours reading old posts. I love your writing style and I find your honesty refreshing. I hate fake. Thanks!

[Sherry]

Yes, blogging is just so much fun, isn't it? My kids think I'm addicted. I just enjoy reading and hearing from so many different people and writing down mythoughts about books, current events, and whatever else pops into my mind.

[Sonia]

I like to blog cause I get to have my say LOLOL ..i also like to watch people

[gw]

Dana,

Holy moley, I just read this entry for the first time tonight and kept exclaiming aloud such things as "that's exactly it!" and "this is fantastic!". Granted, my husband is in the room with me, but I would have voiced these things had I been alone. You really hit a chord with me!

:) Happy to watch you right back,
Kimberley

[Tiff]

Great blog, girl!!! I am a people watcher as well and could totally relate to this. My hubby doesn't get it at all though. I've tried explaining it but I think I'll just give up. He's not much of a people watcher either so it may just be a difference in people. :)

[sparrow]

I meant to say 'reading' you weave, instead of hearing. But you know, I suppose I wrote that because I'm actually hearing a voice in my head while I'm reading. Okay, so now you're probably saying, "sparrow is hearing voices? Tsk, tsk, Poor sick child that she is." Come on, you know what I mean, yes? It's almost like reading it aloud but only silently. *sigh* Maybe I should stop while I'm ahead.

[sparrow]

*applause*
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing you weave my thoughts in your posting. LOL Yes, because that's what they were...my thoughts as well. If blogging were a response from a computer-generated machine, I wouldn't bother. I guess that's why video games bore me to tears. But to know a real person is responding from perhaps across the globe fascinates me immensely. I become attached to these personalities, much like yourself, which come across the screen as they reveal their hearts and the private corners of their worlds, many of which I will never see face to face. And yet the fact remains that we've share smiles and hugs, and sometimes tears, through the written word.

after thought...One thing I really appreciate about your blog is the preview button because I am the typo queen. Proofreading at least 3 times is a must for me. So thanks for that little feature.

[AJ]

Blogs and such are just darn fun! I agree, I love to peek in (or nose my way in....) others lives. Makes me feel SO in the know!

And, I am just like you....and everyone else so it seems! I am so happy/sad when I finish a REAL GOOD BOOK.

Now maybe someday I will get around to updating my blog.

[Pioneer Melissa]

Hi Dana,

I think a lot about how the whole blogging shindig helps maintain my sanity on a daily basis. I marvel, my mother marvels, at how she managed to raise kids and keep house in such isolation years ago. What she searched for for weeks or months or years, I can now find in minutes. Amazing.

Cheers to pinkliness,

[Pattie]

Dana, I think it's interesting too. It's also dificult to talk to non-computerized people about blogs. I enjoy reading your blogs and your views about the world.
Pattie :-)

[Kelly]

Dana - despite never having spoken to you, via voice, I consider you a friend. I am the exact same way with books - I gobble them up, am loathe to put them down, and often, if it's a good book, miss the characters when I'm done.

The thing (okay, one of the things) I love about reading others blogs, is to see what other people's day-to-day's are like. And to see that despite many differences, we really are so similar in so many ways. As another people-watcher, i find it's just this side of voyeuristic. I love to read what my friends are going through, dealing with, thinking about. Because often I'm going through (or have gone through), thinking about (or have thought about) the same sort of thing. It's nice to hear other people's thoughts and perspectives on this thing called life.

I feel blessed that you let us read your day-to-day...I learn things from you often, and I like your view of the world. I often find myself thinking, when reading your posts or comments on my blog, how much we would probably get along in real life - your humor, your outlook, etc. So thank you for opening your life up to us, and sharing your perspectives and thoughts...

[Nattie-dahling]

Oh, dear. I'm finding we are more & more alike. LOL! I'm a drama queen, a people watcher & a book friender. ;-)

[Cathie Jo]

I am so a people watcher. I couldn't count the number of times my family has walked off and left me because I am standing listening to people talk, not part of their conversation.. Ty tells me it wouldn't be so bad if I would just not stand there with my mouth open..lol. I love just sitting and watching, I could do that for hours upon hours. When I check out at WalMart I even get lost in thought about what the people bought, what they buy tells me something about their life's. What they will be eating, what they wear or what is their entertainment. I hadn't thought of blogging touching on that but you are so right.. Great blog and thanks for letting me watch you. Love, Cathie Jo

[naomi]

I like, I like, I like it here. You my friend are a blessing and a treasure.

[Janet]

You wrote:

There's a new chapter everyday and I get to be part of it! And even better, I get to talk to the characters, and they talk back!

SO TRUE!! ;-)

[Kim]

Neat post! I was just thinking how blogs are kind of like neighborhood fences where we stop to chat everyday. I've gotta see how my blogging buddies are doing or my day doesn't feel right. I wish I wasn't forced (by my own self) to be locked out of a certain *gated community* because of a certain *bad neighbor* ruining things. But at least I can still peer through the *gate* from a distance! lol! ((hug))

[Stacey]

I love coming here and reading. Even though I know you, coming here I get to read thigns that you don't normally talk about. SO it's another side of you almost. I agree, I"m a people watcher too. LOVE it! he he :-D