A couple of weeks ago at a company conference dinner, the topic of how I met my wife came up. For you long time readers, you know I met Mrs jigg on Xanga. I always respond, "We met online." Maybe it's because I want to see their reactions since they usually ask, "Which site? Match.com?"
It never surprises me how many people think relationships can only start via dating websites. Back in the days, before these site, people met on chat rooms, specifically AOL for me. Almost two decades later, I'm still friends with some of those people. But even when I attend their weddings, people are always surprised when I say I met the groom/bride online, in a chat room.
So to my coworkers both here and abroad, I explained that my wife and I are both bloggers and we met because we read each others' blogs. The inevitable follow-up questions are, "You blog?" as if it's such a surprising thing to do and "What do you blog about?"
It's a tough question since there's really no theme here. My response is usually something vague like, "I blog about life." It usually doesn't get me too far because they always ask about specifics and even imply, about the point of blogging. You figure it's 2011, every other person should have some kind of social media site (outside of FB) where they actually write about things.
Coupled with the knowledge of my forearm tattoo, these people must think I'm really some kind of rebel. Blogger and tattoo enthusist? Must be a rebel. One of the super high up senior management guys said to me, "Ray, I always thought you were some conservative accountant." Ironically, I'm neither.
Of course, the question I dread the most is, "so what's your blog?" A bunch of them actually tried to google me at that moment! I said I would send it over to them. Funny thing is, one coworker who was really interested is based in a country where Xanga is blocked. She would probably never be able to read anything concerning my blog.
While I know many people who wish to keep their blogs private from the people around them, I personally don't mind at all. More readers!
Anyway, what are your thoughts regarding your blog and the people you work with? Ketchup and soy sauce? Two things you wouldn't mix together?
Comments (37)
I gotta say blogging is pretty awesome. There's a smorgasbord of people whom you are acquaintances with that becomes a lot more.
no, i wouldn't like it at all if my work folks found my blog. i vent about work on here a lot. same with family :X i don't care about readership, i really just need my place to vent sometimes! plus, other ones i write feel very personal, and i don't want people who know who i'm writing about to know who i'm writing about, if you know what i mean. unless i specifically show them.
there are countries in which xanga is blocked?? but why?
I haven't mentioned to my co-workers my blog, but if they find it it wouldn't be the worse thing in the world. Still, just to play it safe I keep it on the down low.
I get similar reaction as you do from people when they find out about my blog and I describe it in the same manner as you have. I guess for some people blogging seems foreign.
I wouldn't mix. People are always looking for dirt. haha
HELLLL NOOOOOOOOOOO I'd like to know who is reading my blog, thanks. I only introduce it to people who don't know me, or who will never know me anymore and will not influence me, or only my trusted, closest friends.
But it's so sweet that you met your wife on xanga! An actually intellectual romance... siiiigh... *drifts off rosy-eyed*
It doesn't do well for me. I've had problems with people reading my blog.
I blogged in college, than I stopped. and find myself re-fascinated with the blogging world. I try to keep my real life and my social life apart. I use Xanga as a place to complain about my life. A place to vent that I don't vent with coworkers or friends. My thoughts and wonders of girls and relationships. I agree with @pinksoda117.
@Roadlesstaken - 2011... not really sure why blogging would be foreign. lol.
-ray leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@jigg - Me neither, but apparently blogging makes up a smaller percent of what people do online nowadays (not counting things like FB status/Twitter)
I don't think it mixes very well either - but i guess it depends on what you blog about.
If it's more ranting/personal feelings = not so good to share
If it's more thought provoking questions, sharing experiences... = good to share.
@maniacsicko - yup, Communist China. hahah
I really would prefer not to..coz I use it as a place to rant as well..LOL..my word vomits.. so...HAHA :P let's keep things on the DL.... lol!
@luvs_u - Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the people you work with know about your blog? lol.
-ray leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@jigg - lol well..noww sorta but i know my boss doesnt read my xanga..well when i start working for dennis..yah he reads my blog *perhaps i should start another "luvsuhateswork" secret blog to rant about them HAHAHAHAH .... the ppl I work with doing makeup dont know about my blog though LOL!! and lets keep it that way LOL~~~*
heh i don't blog anymore, my content is too risky for what I'm doing now.
I keep it on the DL because my career is still up in the air. I also just finished teaching and it's risky to have a blog or social network profile if you're a teacher even if all your content is rated G. Give it a year or two when my long-term career path is more set and I'll probably be a bit more open about it. :)
i have 5 coworkers who would not care to read my blog cause they all are older and busy with their kids when not at work! but... i wouldn't tell them about my blog anyways. probably one coworker sees me log on (like right now) and occasionally blog, but i'm 99.9% sure he doesn't care to try and find out what i'm doing.with friends... i don't tell them either :p hahaha if they find it, they find it. i should write more. been in a blogging rut!! thanks for always writing and giving me something to read :)
@manoagirl7 - You definitely don't blog enough!
-ray leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I don't outwardly advertise my blog to acquaintances (personal or business) but I don't deny its existence either, and don't mind giving out the URL if asked.
The only people I wouldn't want reading EVERYTHING on my blog are my parents, but only because they tend to overworry. However, they're not a concern because although they know I have a blog, they can't understand English that well.
@GeekInHeels - http://translate.google.com/ lol.
-ray leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@jigg - Shh, they don't know about that yet!
I keep my blog private from the people around me. I vent about work, co-workers, and write about my boyfriend. I don't want them to see all my complaining. There's already enough tension with my co-workers, without them knowing what I write about them.