11.19.2009

Blogger love.


I'm addicted to my Google Reader. Seriously. As soon as I get a chance to log onto my computer, after reading my email, I go straight to my reader to check my favorite blogs. To date, my reader keeps track of 229 subscriptions. I don't read them all every day, but there is a growing number of favorites that I do make sure to visit with every new post.

No matter how grey the day is, or how dreary I feel in response, I always find something there to cheer me. It might be Elise's wedding plans and mini-books, Dooce's hilarity, Ali's style, or Cathy's simple, streamlined approach to scrapbooking that I find most engaging that day. It could be Tara's stunning photography and eye for beauty or Em's loveliness and approach to life. All of these blogs are daily favorites and have been since before I began blogging myself.

Lately I have been finding new favorites and adding more daily stops to my blog path. I adore Wendy's frank, honest style, the way she records even her blunders in crafting with no apology, the way she plugs onward to finish a project. And the bento boxes she packs for her preschooler's lunch are nothing short of art! I love checking in with Amy to see what's going on over at her place and with Monica, whose philosophy about keeping it real so closely matches my own. I enjoy traveling to Suzyville and getting Kerry'd Away. Nancy always inspires me with her paper view, and Sharyn makes me a wee bit jealous with her gorgeously designed blog.

All of these lovely ladies have touched my life, even though I've met none of them in person. All of them have been willing to share their lives, to put themselves out there into this mass of 1's and 0's.

This blogging thing is a weird gig. It's both intensely public and strangely private. It suits me. I've always been the one to hang back, quietly observing everyone around me, tiptoeing cautiously around the edges of the party. Then again, I crave attention like mad (Psst..it's a middle child thing.) So blogging and reading the blogs of others allows me to exercise both parts of my contradictory personality. I can yell my opinions and thoughts from the treetops with no one near to laugh at me. But I can also lurk and spy and observe others from the safety of my own quiet space. In my pajamas and slippers, if I want! I can be both timid and brazen, shy and reserved, yet open and gregarious.

Somehow, I think those of us who blog share a little of each of these qualities. There is that within us which holds reservations, which needs the anonymity and the buffer zone of the web. But there is also that within us that craves connection and community.

You all have given me that, and I will be forever grateful.

13 comments:

Sian said...

You are so right about the connections thing..it's amazing. That's a lovely layout

MAM said...

Rachel - Thanks so much for making my little place in the Blog World one of your stops!! I'm with you, this blogging thing is amazingly public & private at the same time. Sometimes, its my own personal therapy! The encouragement received from comments is always something that makes my day. Thank you for letting me know that I'm impacting your world. Monica

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

I love the windows into lives that blogs give me. It is such a low pressure way of getting to know people

scrappyjacky said...

I love your vintage style layout....and have to agree about google reader....2 weeks ago I'd never heard of it....and now am totally addicted.

Kerry'd Away Designs said...

How fun to be mentioned on your blog. I love your post about this funny thing called blogging. I can totally relate to it appealing to different parts of your personality.

nancy said...

"It's both intensely public and strangely private." So true!!

Thank you so much for linking my blog & your sweet comments... makes my day. :)

Rachel said...

I'm completely addicted to Google Reader too. I'm so glad I signed up for Shimelle's class.

JO SOWERBY said...

i am also very grateful for this class as i like u have met so many new peple thru blogs
jo xx

Amy said...

I'm so with you on blogging allowing us to indulge in dual personality traits - I'm a very quiet, shy and reserved person .. one who avoids conflict and keeps to herself, so why do I like to blog? It has given me so many connections, comfort and sometimes companionship. Obviously, I share only selective snippets of life - but I like to present an honest view of what's going on .. thanks for the mention, you've absolutely made my day!

Cate Brickell said...

oh, google reader, ho have I lived life without you! I think a lot of us follow the same blogs, and just knowing that is pretty fantastic! Love reading your blog, thanks for sharing!

Natalie said...

So, so true! So often when I find new, inspiring blogs I realize how exiting it is that there is so much out there still to be discovered. Oh, and I liked the middle child comment (I am one too) :)

Donna said...

Wise words! I love the fact that you can lurk on other people's blogs whilst in your jammies and a hot cup of tea, bless goggle reader! However its when you're still sat in your jammies by lunchtime and you haven't got to the end of your reader list that things can get a little out of hand! :-) x

Suzanne said...

What a great post! And so very true.
I love Google Reader for those exact same reasons as well - it's my favourite morning ritual :)

And thanks for visiting Suzyville... do come again! I'll be sure to stop by here as well :)