I always enjoy it tremendously when bloggers invite readers to de-lurk. So to speak. And I'm jumping on that one. Not that I think anyone is really lurking per se, but today I cordially invite anyone who happens by here: feel free to make my day and comment, especially if you're new or haven't commented before.
Recently I took the radical (for me) step of posting my blog link on facebook. Worlds colliding!!! So the invitation goes out also to any of my facebook friends who stop by--leave a comment if you like! You can just comment anonymously and then sign your name.
The rest of you regular readers--I pose you this question: do you keep your blog and your "other life" separate? Why or why not?
xo Leah
52 comments:
i dont keep them separate but i dont encourage their mixing either....
i could write an essay on this but i seem to be overcome with exhaustion and bed is calling so maybe i'll make it back later
xo
comments don't seem to be working
I mean, I am receiving comments via email, but they aren't showing up here!
Hi, Leah. I've invited friends from my everyday life to read the blog. It almost never happens, but I enjoy it when it does.
Like you, I sometimes wonder who the lurkers are...
Blogger has been very glitchy recently. You get what you pay for.
Everyone knew about my blog from the onset. I felt it would have been too much work to keep the two worlds separate.
Did you get to Midtown this weekend and see the pianos? Hot enough for you?
FIRST!
All comments are vanishing, Leah - click your comment email box to get your comments!
Oh, you probably can't see me!!
Sx
Sat here drinking a pint in the City Vaults Bradford. Reading you post via Facebook rather than via my normal RSS feed system. Commenting to let you know that there are real people out here, reading your blog .... and enjoying it
I'm reading! Have been for years now. My friends and family know about my blog, but coworkers do not. I just don't know if I want to share that part of myself with them, ya know?
Another srange conundrum...
What's going on with Blogger?
only a few friends and my children know about my blog. my hateful bitch of a sister-in-law (was that too over the top?) has ruined FB for me. so, i'll not be posting a link on FB to the blog. xoxoxo
yay! comments are working again...
i am all in...i got nothing to hide...or maybe i should at times...or maybe i just got no sense...but yeah i am out there...smiles.
I can do one or the other and as you know, blogger has taken a BIG back seat so no - I don't mix the to.
HUGS!
Her Royal Highness
Queen Goob
Great irony about the comments not working. Or am I again misusing the word irony?
I have started posting selelcted blog links to facebook too. It was strange at first. Blogging is sort of like taking your clothes off in front of strangers. Posting links on fb is like taking your clothes off in front of people you know. Harder, no?
Now, I feel liberated. Once you are naked, you can't get any more naked. Of course, if you know who is watching, you may not dance around quite so recklessly.
Okay, now I am feeling inhibited again.
I should join Blog Lurkers Anonymous. I just don't like to leave comments that are useless, such as "Great post!"
But I do enjoy reading.
REPLIES:
Kylie: I am not sure I should encourage intermingling either. It really is like worlds colliding!
Hunter: Some of my best friends have always known about my blog, so there's that.
UB: I'm hoping this problem gets fixed. It is most alarming. I did see the pianos, so cool! And yes, it is hot enough for me.
Bob: you were fourth! Blame Blogger! But I admire your pluck. xo
Scarlet: Isn't it weird? Anyway, I have done so. Thanks darlin'.
Alan: I love the idea that you're having a pint while reading this!
My wife & eldest daughter read my blog, but apart from them it's just 'you lot'. And that's just grand with me. (Daughter actually found it accidently, and has since started her own blog.) :¬)
xxx
No facebook for me, thank you.
Some people know that I have a blog and maybe read, but only humans I have a good personal relation to. Sometimes I wish this would be different ...
I keep my blog separate from fb, but my sisters know about my blog, as do a couple of friends. I'm fairly private on fb anyway and selective about my friends on there... and I don't need coworkers finding my blog. Not that I say bad things about them, but they just don't need to know 'everything' about me. ;-)
All this hullaballoo about the comments disappearing and I can read each and every one that's here right now... (this will be #20, I beleive, unless someone sneaks in before me.)
Don't know what the issue is that blogger is having but it seems sporadic and a major pain in the ass!
I've not visited a blog in an age - it's all I can do to find time to post twice a week.
But that's hardly reciprocal, so here I am. Hello again. :)
Wow! You're so brave opening it up to facebook! I think about it once in a while but....and this is so horrible....I don't trust a lot of the people on facebook. So I'll continue writing for myself and lurking around the blogsphere. :)
I don't link on Facebook because...well, because I don't want worlds colliding!
(Although why I bother, I don't know. Anyone who googles my name can find the thing. But actively inviting my aunts and my work friends - not that there are many of those! - and eighth grade pals to read it? Nah.)
Leah--no facebook for me and I don't talk about work on my blog--great conversation going on here--btw blogger been having problems with comments all day;-)cheers-c
Well, hi there! I'm pretty new to your blog, but I love it. :) I'm also a big fan of when bloggers ask their followers to stop by and say hello. I mean, as a blogger, I get so excited when my follower count goes up even by what some may view as a paltry little one. I want to get to know everyone who deems my blog worth their time! heh
As far as keeping my blog and my "real" life separate, I don't even make that attempt. A lot of my friends on facebook read my blog, and they get the link on my profile. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have as many followers as I do were I to separate the two.
I never lurk.
Stalk, perhaps, but not lurk. :D
I allow for some co-mingling between my blog followers (both of you) and my real life, but it is the exception rather than the rule.
My blog conceals my real identity so I can write anything I like without worrying about what certain people (employers, relatives) might think about it. Also I blog because I can develop my thoughts at greater length than on Facebook, and get more considered comments back.
If you mean do I write about my life - yes I do . But only what I choose to tell. All the other outlets I eschew. As someone said - do I really need to know every time Stephen Fry sneezes?
Kim: Hi Kim! *waves* That makes sense about co-workers. I've been home for so long now, but if I were still in the workforce, I would probably not feel so comfortable about it.
Princess: blogger has been sucking lately! As UB said, you get what you pay for...
savannah: as you know my various in-law issues, I really feel you on that one...I would never call that over-the-top. I'm quite sure it's accurate.
Brian: "all in"--I like that, a lot! Good way of thinking about it.
QG: Hi lady! Lucky for us we've got FB-- : )
Tracey: that's really the perfect metaphor. And the whole idea of knowing who is watching, and how that might inhibit you--that's actually something Sarge said when I was trying to decide whether to just link everything up or not.
Hannah: Hello! Nice to hear from you. But I do know what you mean about leaving those sorts of comments, and there's nothing wrong with just reading, I do it too, in a number of places, and it's really enjoyable.
Stew: she found it accidentally?? Was there a momentary feeling of shock and/or horror on your part, or was the transition to being known okay? Sarge has always read my blog too--he'll go for awhile without, then catch up. Well, he didn't read it so much when it was only about my knitting and such. Isn't it interesting to think about people who have blogs that are secret from their spouses?
mago: I think it's nice to have visitors you know. Takes the element of fear away...and by the way, although I couldn't imagine you doing FB, still, you would be great on it, with your one-liners and pithiness. I love a good, clever status update!
Miss P: I think you came in after the problem had been fixed. It was momentarily alarming!
As I think I said somewhere above, I can really understand why you wouldn't want co-workers to be reading all your private business online! I would feel the same way--that might be too much of worlds colliding. So do your sisters read your blog? Mine won't come near mine, although I'm pretty private about our family...
Matthew: I know, I'm having the same problem--I haven't visited other blogs recently, as I'm too distracted and busy--but I miss doing it, and also I feel guilty! Oh well...nice to see you!
Cheryllyn: hey there! *waves* (I like doing that virtual wave, could you tell?)...That's interesting about FB--I could see that happening, especially with the bigger, farther-reaching friends' lists. I've kept mine down somewhat, and I think I basically trust everyone on it...I could be wrong though! ; )
Megan: worlds colliding is the scariest idea, somehow. I keep thinking I've missed something that shouldn't be revealed...you know what I mean?
C: you know, I am absolutely amazed at how much I love FB! I never would have thought it was my sort of thing, but turns out I was wrong. I like the whole status update thing, where you can write a sentence or two of anything at all...
Stefers: welcome and very nice to meet you! I think for me there was a point of no return in terms of revealing the blog. Once I gave up some of the hiddenness of it, suddenly it seemed pointless to continue at all to separate it out... and I agree with you, it is really nice to meet the people who take the time to read your blog, isn't it.
Mike: hmmmm...the stalk/lurk dichotomy. You're right, there's a difference. I think it's nice to have some overlap...the question is when is it enough. I've just gone all the way...
nick: the ability to write anything you want without worrying who's reading it--that's something I've given up now, lol...
I like the quick and dirty FB status update, but I agree that blogger is far better in some ways, for, as you say, developing one's thoughts...
Pat: actually I practice quite a bit of censorship here too...and as for the sneezes, I find that I am stunned to learn I don't mind hearing all about them! LOL...
when i started blogging i told the family about it because i needed to know somebody read it.they are great supporters and all but i sometimes regret it because i cant bare everything in front of my family and after almost 500 posts the only really good writing that might be left in me refers to the really hidden stuff....
also, i have mentioned my blog to some colleagues and while i'm sure they dont read it i'm not sure enough to talk about work, which is frustrating when i want to blow some steam to my friends but i dont know who might be "listening"
i remind myself that my real thoughts about that stuff shouldnt be online anyway but it does little to help
okay, thats me done
It's like what Tracey said--the inhibition is there, when you know certain people are reading, or might possibly be reading. I'm not sure it would be such a bad thing to air some real thoughts (not that you don't but I know what you mean). I'm all for private blogs!
My situation is weird, Leah.
I don't need to do anything special to keep my blog apart from my private life, because it's written in English and I'm Spanish, based in Spain, so neither relatives nor friends bother to read it. (Far from being disappointed, I find it has many advantages, i.e. more privacy).
I've recently had an unpleasant incident with a special person from abroad whom I'd really loved to read my blog but was too lazy/busy/whatever to do it. This person went mad when I hid my recent blog removal, went angry, talked about lack of trust.
This 'incident' left me so disappointed that from then on I decided to just focus on virtual visitors and commenters.
My blog is in my FB account too, but I don't visit there very often.
Hi Leah,
I started my blog to keep in touch with fans of my mystery series but now have lots of visitors who have probably never heard of said series.
I don't post anything that I wouldn't want anyone whatsoever reading -- because you never know. I write about my life on the farm, about the ups and downs of the writing life, and pretty much anything that catches my easily-caught fancy.
Hi Leah,
I don't think I mix up my blog and my separate life. But one thing is for sure, I spend way too much time on my blog. I was posting every day, but now I've slacked off a bit. Giving myself a little vacation.
Nancy
Seperate -- I am free-er on my blog
Yep I use Networked blogs on Facebook but don't link Facebook on the blog. I'm no privacy nut but fussy who I include as a Facebook Friend and work? Never would I give them the blog address or make anyone from work a Facebook friend. Hope you manage to de lurk.
Blogger had a problem a couple of days ago eating comments but it seems to have settled down now.
leah-I understand the fascination of fb--hence my personal decision to stay away--blogging when done well communicates on a different level---I put fb and twitter in the same category-if I began I would get wrapped up in the scene of fb or tweeting and then wouldn't write or think critically-i enjoy the creative space of blogging and the community it nourishes-c
I tried really hard to keep them separate, and not mingled, but somehow it happened..not quite sure how the chain went.
I don't feel free anymore, knowing who all is lurking (and I have a lot of lurkers that I know...but not one of them has admitted it. I have figured it out from other things, though.) Even worse, is knowing my blog name will bring up comments I have randomly made on many other blogs...I don't like having to censor myself while commenting on a random blog somewhere that isn't even tied to me. Stupid.
an Interesting Question.
I always try to include something of my 'Real Life' in each post.
At the start of Blogging you have a choice.Become totally divorced from your Real Self.Or disclose.However, once youve given a little of yourself its impossible to put the genie back in the bottle.So I work on principle that my life is an open book\blog here.
I write about my real life but very few friends and family even know about my blog. I guess I'm trying to protect the guilty. lol
Leni: I think the privacy might be a good thing--more freeing--but I guess I'll just have to work at not caring who reads, and letting my freak flag fly anyway...
what an unfortunate incident you describe! I can understand why you would feel as you do.
Vicki: interesting that your readership is not only those who came to you initially as fans of your books! And I agree with you--it's a good policy to post only what can be read by everyone, otherwise a private blog is the answer.
Nancy: lately I've not been tending to my little blog very well--maybe I should try posting every day!
Karrie: separate...that's interesting! It certainly does leave one more free to express certain things.
Baino: I'm particular about my facebook friends too, I agree with that concept. Although any blogger who wants to friend me is welcome to do so! : )
C: fb is much like tweeting, if you use it that way, which I guess I do. Although it's more interactive. I prefer blogging overall, but enjoy fb--it's almost like eating bonbons! I think a combination of the two works for me--though I wonder whether I wouldn't post more frequently if I wasn't on fb so much!
murali: I hate that random comment thing too--I've googled myself and come up with the same thing, it's soooo annoying. Known lurkers are a funny thing. I don't mind it so much, but am always aware...
Tony: you are very right--it's an initial decision one makes, whether to go totally incognito, and if one doesn't, then a great deal of one's self slips through even when it's inadvertent.
cW: I started by sharing my blog only with a few of my bestest friends, but then made the leap...oy, maybe...we'll see...
well hoi there! new
I am the same on FB and twitter as I am on the blog, in other words, not the 'real world' me. It's just easier being the blog me, than mixing it with the real me. I imagine people would be disappointed with the real me somehow. People at work do know that I blog, and do read it, but I prefer to remain as I am. Or as I present myself to be.
I keep the two apart.
This way I have the freedom not to hold back and at the same time give me some security.
There are to many weirdos out there.
On a clear day I can see my penis......................
My blog and RL merge and explode besides what is reality? ........ no seriously I'll hurt someomne if ya don't tell me.
OK ok OK quit bugging me.>>i did come to yourn blog and commented once and i am sure you don't remember it>>.and i love kylie and i could love you too if i just spent some time here>>>and rellayy do like your wit, and my claim to fame is miss spellings, but those i love.>>i love, i mean loave
Leah, my sisters do read my blog at times but almost never leave comments. They aren't bloggers (that I am aware of, anyways). I do reveal a lot of myself on my blog and very little on fb. Is that backwards? I find I can be as introspective or as silly as I want on my blog and don't feel that would be appropriate on fb. If that makes any sense...
I didn't use to keep FB and blogger separate, but lately it came to my attention that I must. My lurkers are not of the harmless variety.
Now my blog is invitation only, and Facebook is private to those who are not my friends.
It really goes against my nature to be so closed off... I don't like it.
"do you keep your blog and your "other life" separate? Why or why not?"
I compartmentalize very little about my life. This means that I share my blog with people I know. They almost always react in one of two ways: they don't read it; or else they do read it and stop being my friend.
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