Is This A Problem?
I used to have a pretty apathetic attitude regarding the issue of blogging. I never ran across a site with which I could identify. I couldn’t figure out how anyone could be egotistical to believe their ideas and opinions mattered to the world in general. I pictured them all as morbidly obese, socially shunned, isolated, sad individuals with 72 cats, sitting in a cramped, darkened corner of their apartment above a tavern, with a neon sign flashing through the dirty bare window holding a broke air conditioner.
So I never did it.
The week after Christmas, I came down with a head cold and just wanted to lay around popping Sinutabs…Naturally, once they wore off and I woke up, there was nothing of any value on TV (surprise, surprise), reading seemed more soporific than drugs, and I noticed my lap top on my coffee table. I started free flow typing nouns into the little Google window in the upper right hand corner. Well, one noun lead to another and somehow, under some heading of “Catholic Blogs” I found this site called Auburn Journal. Living in a city in upstate NY in close proximity with a little town about an hour east of here named Auburn, I took a look, of course expecting an entertaining peek into the minds of some “born again / home again” Catholics full of civil, holier than thou banter about right to life, the plague of homosexuality in America, and maybe something interesting like some individual in the midst of a Marian Apparition.
But I met all of you. I think my first response was to BirchBricker’s blog about respect for religious diversity. I thought “hey, I’m just going to put my 2 cents in”, considering he sounded like an even keel, spiritually bent, intelligent person. (Somehow the gender of BB was implicit). So for the first time in my life I went through the process of subscribing to a blog…. He responded kindly and I was off. I spent the last week of break putting a dent in the cushion of my couch, elbows rested on my knees, bent over toward the computer’s screen. It was a fantastic diversion. My dog Norman lay at my feet, and my cat Rose (named because she looks a little like Rose Kennedy at about the age of 100) occasionally walking across the key board or tapping at the flashing curser. I got rid of the “may cause drowsiness” pills and had a hoot.
I feel like I am sitting in a large room with a wonderfully diverse group of smart, witty, bold, irreverent, passionate individuals, but the best thing being that everybody waits until the first person is finished before they open their mouth to either agree or disagree, and sometimes support or lambaste the “speaker” in question, or sometimes the questionable speaker. It seems like I have found a group of new friends. I figured that when the semester started you would all become a figment of my internet. But I found myself telling my “real” friends (real space, real time) about you. I began arriving home to my apartment and immediately logging on to see what I had missed.
Now I’m scared.
I see my potential to become really, really fat. I love animals and have for years had to ignore stray cats. Living alone now since my husband died and the step-kids share our mutual disregard, I am dreading the next level which would entail relocating to a smaller place above a bar, getting a small refrigerator stocked with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Ben & Jerry’s, Diet Pepsi, hard salami, black olives and cheese cake to place next to a desk in the corner of my new living room lighted with 40 watt bulb in a plastic, bendable neck desk lamp from Target. I’ll stop showing up for class. I’ll ignore bathing because I will only leave my home go to the grocery store to restock the fridge (and it’s cold here so I can wear a hat), and as I type this I realized my winter coat is below the knee so I can even wear my nightgown without anyone knowing, unless I crashed my car and needed an ambulance, but hopefully I’d be unconscious so I could avoid the humiliation. Although I’m tenured and the most likely cause for dismissal being moral interpretude, after the administration tries an intervention that fails, I will loose my job.
Do we all become that which we fear, or do we intuit that which is pre-designed?
Well, whatever…I am currently very content reading the posts, forming an opinion, moving to the comments, feeling my mind open as unconsidered points of view slip in, reevaluating my original opinion, and a lot of times feeling like I can contribute. The entire process has brought growth into my life, and not only to my “Czechoslovakian breeder hips”—a lovely term invented by my Irish mother who was never truly accepted by my father’s side of the family.
So I guess I’m hooked.
But, it’s 12:12PM and as you know, I’m 4 hours ahead of you out there in Auburn CALIFORNIA (it took me about a day to figure that one out), Norman is sitting here staring at me with that “hey lady…when are we going to bed” look, and I teach M-T at 8:30AM (while most of you are probably having a great REM experience) so I’m going to bed.
I just wanted to say thank you for existing and for being the most normal Catholics (and Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, Lutherans, Atheists, etc.) on the web. I appreciate all of your personalities and love to observe the repartee. I respect your points of view and am learning a lot about myself. So good night. I’ll remember you in my prayers.
Have I shared too much?
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What a lovely, funny letter. Sleep well.
Birch Bricker is implicit? What if I told you I was a man who thought he might be gay, or at least felt like a woman & therefore had a sex change operation in order to satisfy the longings of his real self only to be betrayed by men & is now living happily as a lesbian? Hakuna Matata. Did you ever consider that? No... wait... that was Mr. Garrison.
G'night.
How nice you are and how welcomed you are to this part of the country...the funny thing is that we are not that far away and the more we communicate the more alike we find ourselves. Are we actually suppose to take showers or change clothes anymore or is there more to life than what we have been led to believe for all these years is the norm ...as we adhere to the past grindstone invented for us all. There appears to be some pretty sharp people communicating from around the country in real time and I for one appreciate all that they say and do and question about our current human plight and potentials. I too find myself surrounded by animals...they all just love me and each other unconditionally... and that is sadly something lacking in the human race by our own masters design. Nice to have you here...
Welcome to the site, I'm glad you like us because California has been called "the land of fruits and nuts" ! I think lit's just jelousy on the part of those who live in colder areas of the county ;) Seriously, I think that except for the weather and gas prices, things here are not much different from other parts of the country. We are all Americans, some of us are more hopeful and proud than others right now. Your comments are entertaining and I will watch for more.
Apparently, I'm not the only one who really enjoys your posts. Now that you're a part of the AJ blog mob, you must continue to add your insight and wit to our debased debates.
pax tecum.
I'm glad you found the AJ! I've learned quite a bit from your comments and posts, you are definitely appreciated here.
I must agree with everyone on this post, although I am not sure about Birch. He must have a very dry and witty sense of humor! Much appreciated. MB, You are such an integreal part of this "blog mob" (in the interest of plagiarism, this is a phrase which could have originated by the now nationally known moniker, Skeptic). Your insight, intelligence and great sense of humor is so necessary here that when I see you have commented, I quickly look to see what you have to say. Miles do not separate us as this friendship of bloggers takes on a life of it's own. Thank you for sharing the human part of who you are...
BTW - You are a very good writer who keeps my interest- maybe a book is forthcoming?
mbfitz,
I am very pleased to read your posts but you should be forewarned; there will be those lurking within the confines of these pages and their somewhat narrow minds that show rancor with an "outsider" gracing us with their presence. I've seen it happen when someone from Sacramento (a mere 30 miles away) post, someone will tell them to stay in their own local...don't let that discourage you. This is after all, the world wide web...
mbfitz, cool isn't it?
:o (Gasp!) Really? Ya know, every day is a new day... today I am deluding myself into living as a 15 metal-chick from back in the day (80's). Therefore, if you happen to come accross any Iron Maiden Vans, I wear a 10 1/2 in mens. That would be rad.
Observer: I wrote something a few days back about my experience in Tanzania, and I believe it was you who stated you'd like to read more, so at that point I thought that because this experience has been so positive, that I would try my had at my own blog site. It is in the process of being developed; a slow process because I am learning how to develop the thing--so many choices, so little time. But soon you can, if you like, have a place to read and respond to that particular adventure.
Rolandmc: I've been around for a little while and have already been "ripped a new one" which I find very interesting and often very funny. This is part of what I mean about getting to know myself by participating. Because none of you would recognize me if I fell through your ceilings onto your keyboard, the anonymity somehow prevents any humiliation that would come in a physically public setting. The experience allows me to be self reflective rather than defensive or hurt, and on occasion the criticism has indeed been correct and I have learned to see myself differently. But most of the time it helps me to identify the !@@ ^*%#$, which in turn makes me eager to read everything they say in order to affirm my opinion...so it's a good thing all around.
BB: I know a great place that sells really large womens' shoes :)
To all the above, thanks for the warm welcome,
fitz,
I just wrote a nice post which promptly disappeared for some reason so this will be short.
Welcome! This local with upstate NY roots is glad you are here!
Miuwtant
Graduate, The University of the State of New York (Regent's Program), Albany NY
(the screen name has something to do with my time in the Navy)
Ok, it happened again... I made my comment after Fitz's & now hers is after mine. That's just wacky.
My reference makes absolutely no sense in this order!
Fr. BirchBricker,
I suspect vile treachery's afoot; the censor perhaps? O tempora, O mores!
Here's the deal: I submitted a satirical post announcing Bush's last minute pardon which seems to have vanished, only to appear under "my stuff" rather than among the rest of the blogs. What gives? I demand equal literary access; or at least information on what I did wrong. Got any ideas?
Pax teacum.
Perhaps we could all post in Latin...I'd need to get a grammar books and a dictionary,,,and be limited to 5 word sentences....
I have heard about censorship but so many things have been occurring that I am beginning to think there is someone indeed behind the scenes peeking in...I almost feel violated...but the internet is still the wild wild west of publishing so what's to be done? Does one just grab one's ankles?
Yes, and complete the motion with the bend over.
mbfitz,
You had me at "Reese's Peanut Butter cups, Ben and Jerry's, Diet Pepsi..."! I could read your stuff by the hour.
Skeptic, my son... have you tried to re post it? What am I saying? Of course you have. You could email it to me & I'll re post it, if you like. I was pretty good & worthy of more people seeing it. birch@catholic.org
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.
Greg -= Have to agree with you, mb's writing is hilarious! She pulls you in and keeps you reading.
To the wild west censorship - no we shouldn't bend over and grab our ankles. Better men & women have gone before us. Resist my brothers & sisters and change will come!! Don't let the bully in the playground win! If we don't defend our freedom then who will. Evil flourishes when good (and intelligent) men do nothing. Speak out!!
Clearly the light is shadowed on purpose...the government owns the airways and have you seen what is coming over them. Anyone wanting a job with the new white house had to list all the names and screen names they ever use on the internet...why.. because there is no censorship?
or is it because they can now see everything you ever wrote and or thought for controlling whom they elevate to the new regime. Youre not suppose to know the truth and this is evident by all we see and the secrecy surrounding the expenditure of current tarp funds. There is much afoot and when it is time...we the peasant.... will be informed of the changes about to occur.
mb: Just keep in mind, unlike Salamander's post that California is "the land of fruits and nuts." Not True! We're the Granola state, remove the fruits and nuts and all we have left are the flakes.
Bless me, for I no not how to re-post it. Mea maxima culpa. I'll try to forward it.
Pax tecum, pater.