Monday, December 10, 2007

Who Would I Be?

Sometimes I wonder what I would write about if I were completely anonymous. I mean, to lots - probably most of you- I AM pretty anonymous.

But I do have lots of people I know who read my blog. Family, ward members, friends, some of my young women even pop in from time to time. Which means there are some things I can't really write about. Like if something ultra-embarrassing happened to one of my kids.... Or if I'm angry or frustrated with someone. Or I've gained like 10 pounds. Oh, wait. I feel perfectly free to post about that. But as far as the first two examples, it's probable that someone really could connect those dots. And I'd have to live with the fallout.

I've done things like that before. Sent email when I was angry, or told a story about a family member that they did NOT appreciate me divulging to all my friends. And so one thing I decided when I started the blog was that I was going to try really hard to never write something that I would be embarrassed or sad about later.

Sometimes I wonder - - if I don't post a lot about my frustrations and the negative emotions I have, does that give a real picture of who I am? Or is it more like watching Sister Perfect at church with her little row of perfect children on the pew.... Nevermind that she screamed at them all morning long to get that result.... because you don't see that part. I sometimes read back through my archives and wonder who people think I really am. And after reading a mish mash of entries, I think they're pretty honest.

(Shwoo - 'cause I was so worried that you all were thinking I was Sister Perfect or something. Uh huh. )

But boy, there are times, when I'd love to rant anonymously. Maybe I was a little hasty about getting that url pasted into my email signature.

Sometimes I think about starting a completely anonymous whiny blog. It would have practically no readership. Because really? Who wants to read that whiny crap day after day? But it sure would be a good vent.

So if you notice a new commenter on your blog, someone with a name like Whiny McWhinypants, I recommend NOT following the link.
That's all I'm saying'.

17 comments:

Yvonne said...

Sorry, but I think we'd all like to be Whiny McWhinypants once in a while. Some days life is hard but I think you're right, no one wants to hear it!!!! I love your blog and I appreciate all you write. Thanks.

jjstringham said...

I've done that. And while yes, it's nice to have a place to really vent and not worry, it's also kinda sad to zero "0 comments" over and over and over again. :-P

jjstringham said...

Oops. Replace "zero" with "see". I'm a retard.

Sheyenne said...

I've had these exact same thoughts!I whine a whole lot. But I'm holding back! I've seriously thought about starting a blog called, "Things I Hate". Wouldn't that be pleasant reading.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Let's start up a private group blog for all the whiners out there. I love listening to people whine...it makes my life look sooooo lovely. =P

goddessdivine said...

I love to whine; it makes me feel better. Actually, I do like to gripe from time to time because part of me needs the company from people who have been in the same camp. And since I have no husband to bear the brunt of my complaints, my readers get to.

I definitely have a big bite and short fuse that gets the best of me at times (i.e. my stalker).

So, if you ever feel the need to whine a little, I won't judge you.

*kimberly--sign me up for that blog.

Melissa said...

Who doesn't whine? And what's so bad about whining? Huh?? Cause I do it all the time :) You can just post over at my blog ;)
I do know what you mean though... I have a brother-in-law that I would like to strangle 99.9% of the time... but my sister, his wife, reads my blog.... so I refrain... grumble grumble...

Randi said...

Seriously!! The material I would have if I could blog about ANYTHING....!?!?! WOW.

It really would be funny to start that blog. To get in to it, you'd have to swear you'll never tell anyone you know in real life....

Janell said...

What's interesting my blog more towards the negative stuff. When I have happy stuff to blog about I'm usual too busy being happy to blog about it :\ As such, I have about 4 readers. I don't really care though because I blog for myself and read my own blog ^_^

Well, and, the more interesting stuff like dating, work events, and community happenings violate my "what I can't blog about policy" because it ruins my pseudo-anonymity.

Mrs Andy said...

What you're not perfect? Now all of my hopes and dreams are shattered! Shattered I tell you!! I think I need some green jello.

If you do start that whiney blog, I want in....I am a whiner too, it would be nice to have some company. :)

Lippy said...

I don't know...a well-balanced life has to have those McWhiny moments, right? Unless you're writing a news column, I think it's perfectly fine to whine now and then (fine whine? I kill me) because, hey, that's what happens.

I do agree with your decision to exercise discretion though, because trouble resulting from blogposts knows no statute of limitations, and it really stinks to be confronted over something you vented about 18 months ago, ya know?

I'd still read, no matter what :)

TheOneTrueSue said...

Yip, whenever I post something downish, my traffic goes down for a few days afterward. It's like I've bummed everybody out.

Lena said...

Mrs McWhineypants huh? I think we've met. I'm Crabby McCrabbipants. (That sounds Spongebobish...)

No really, I never get annoyed or mad or PMS-y. I am the real Sister Perfect. And my kids are perfect too. So perfect in fact that I don't ever have to brush their hair. I just say please and it untangles itself.

Nancy Face said...

I post my kids' embarrassing little stories and then make fun of them, and they're rather proud of it...or they just seek retribution on their own blogs, haha! (But I know them well enough not to post anything that would actually distress them.)

Vern said...

I TOTALLY hear you on this! I wonder about this all the time, because I don't want people to worry about what they tell me, afraid it will end up being published. And I have to admit that while I wouldn't love to read a blog entirely about whining, I find it incredibly refreshing when people are honest and real about things that are not 'perfect', because everybody experiences that, and maybe we can learn from what other people have to say...?

Sue said...

I was just thinking today how glad I am to have a place to vent. It just feels better to get it all off my chest.

Anonymous said...

rand,
i don't think you are sister perfect. i think you are awesome.