So Am I a Blogger Now?

Well if I'm posting this, then I guess I am, which is a bit ironic to anyone who really knows me. I am not hip, or even remotely up to date on what's in or out (iPads, twitter, you know the lot), and "blogging"just seems so unabashedly in. In fact, I am generally behind on all modern technology and social networking trends. I joined facebook only fairly recently, with a faux protest leading up to my inevitable account activation. I long claimed sites like these were strange, silly, and a bit self-indulgent. Even still, the draw of staying in touch with long distance friends/family was enough to suck me in. So I did it. And low and behold, it has served as a fabulous connective tool between myself, my family, and some old friends. Truth be told, since moving to New York five years ago, I often feel out of the loop and disconnected from the day-to-day life of my family in Tampa. Don't be mistaken, I am on the phone with my family constantly, but even still, it's the little stories, the funny encounters, and so on that often fall through the long-distance cracks. This can also be said for friendships that evolve through full-time jobs, children, etc. Which brings me to the dangling question looming at the forefront of all your minds--Mary, why on earth did you start a blog?

I was hesitant about this on the basis that I've always felt that blogging was a bit self-serving. "Listen to what I have to say, to what I've written. It is important. I am important." you get the idea. I'd like to think that modesty is one of my shining attributes. But upon closer inspection of the idea behind blogging, I ended up drawing some very different conclusions. Jen Stevens is living abroad in Korea and created a blog to document her time there. And the truth is that when I do pop onto her site, I really do have a better idea of what's going on in her life, all the way on the other side of the world. In my opinion, it is more personal than what you're able to post on facebook. And I do not twitter. I simply cannot relate to the idea of "tweeting." Isn't that was facebook status updates are for? I don't get it. And --to be quite honest--I think I would find it restrictive--how could I possibly sum up all of my brimming feelings and daily wonderings into a mere 140 characters?! Also, facebook isn't as private as I'd like. While I'd love to share with my family and close friends all about my exciting trip to the vet's office with my dogs (yes, this is my life), I don't necessarily feel the need to share that with each and every one of my facebook friends.

So there it is, the truth behind this blog (if you even want to call it that). Nothing fancy, just some thoughts, questions, and feelings about what's going on in my life, in my head, in my heart. Feel free to read, to comment, to advise, to share, or whatever else.

XOXO (I feel like Gossip Girl),

Mary