chou chope

Pretty Fucked Up. Holy crap! That's the history of my love life!

Sweet... haven't heard the Supersuckers in too damn long. You rock, Shoe!

Rocking to the Supersuckers just yesterday, thinking I might need to take a drink my own-self.

Since I can't get comments to work on your latest "Faltered Egos" post, I'll just add my two cents here.

It seems to me that your health professional friend was speaking neither as a professional nor as a friend. Doing a little soul-searching is good -- doing a lot of it is egotistical. So don't spend too much time pondering his point (which, by the way, says much more about him than you). I'm sure there are a host of twisted reasons some folks blog (just as there are twisted reasons to do anything social), but there's one good reason: I'm guessing you like to "get it right".

Life affords us so few chances to say the right thing at the right time. But with a little effort and a pen I can usually communicate just what I mean. (Okay, make that a pencil and a big gummy eraser.) Anyway, don't fret yourself over that "schizo" remark from your friend -- it's not schizo to be paranoid; and it's not paranoid to be cautious about what you share on the Web.

As you say, the Web's a weird place filled with a lot of weird folks. It's not wise to expose yourself too much to orthographically challenged guys who stumbled onto your blog while searching for "X-rated chew toys". (Not that I'm looking for such things, mind you -- not any more, anyway.)

This is also a comment on your "Faltered Egos" post.

There's nothing wrong with writing stuff (in whatever persona you choose) and slapping it up on the Web, as long as you're not using it to clog people's electronic in-boxes with spam or to try to roger underage children. Personally, I think it's a healthy outlet.

The only problem is when you start to get obsessed with it - like any non-income-earning activity. If you're checking your referrer stats or your sitemeter every ten minutes, you may need to find another hobby. Of course, you can become an Obsesso-Nutcase with anything, including macrame, baseball statistics, watercolor painting, you name it. At least blodging allows you to exercise your verbal creativity...plus, you meet the most interesting people!

Now, excuse me while I check my comments for the eightieth time today...

Don't forget about underwater basket weaving. Gotta be more fun and productive than blogging.

As we all know, in person I am exactly like my blog persona so there is no alter ego involved. I'm an asshole on my blog and I'm an asshole in person.

I look at blogging as a way to vent, pontificate, and tell jokes and stories that amuse me. Some of it I post because nmy family and friends have heard it all too many times before. Hell, now I have a new audience (all ten of you). Sometimes I write things that I would not say out loud. Mostly I like the anonymity. I like the secret life. If I am honest, there is never any rejection, read my drivel or not. Maybe I fit into your friend's idea of what is wrong about blogging, but I do not think so. Mostly what you get on the old blog is pure unadulterated ME. Take it or leave it. Life is all about choices.

I'm worried, Shoe...

First, you're worried about catching a DNS, and now there's something wrong with your box. Whatchoo been doing?!

... I blog, therefore I am....

Great post, Chouie!
I don't think there is anything schizo about me or me. And I'm afraid to say it, but I am not paranoid. I do believe I am the same person that I am en blog...you just might not pick that up the first time you meet me.
Wait...nevermind.

I just want to say I agree... wholeheartedly with Denny's last comment. :)

I think blogging is one of the best things one can do online. You get glimpses into other people's lives, You get a safe place to show others sides of yourself you've been too shy to show before, and sometimes, you learn that not only is it normal to be abnormal.....it's fun too.

Twelve Chou-less days is enough. Entertain me, dammit.

Blogging is just that. Blogging. A snippet into one's life. Much in the same way playground moms interact for that 15 minutes we are waiting for our chillens - you let people see what *you* want them to see.

That is all...

And for those you come to know and trust (who you *choose* BTW) they get to see a bit more.

I like the f-bombs. Just sayin'...