Intimacy and Blogging

So this is a topic I've been mulling over the last couple of days--especially after all the jokes about Rhett and his blogging conference. I kind of wanted to write about it last night, but I opted to finish my midterm take-home essays first, then a friend of mine left me a message about my blog on IM, saying...

"is it weird knowing that people could get to know you, on a somewhat intimate level I might add, without you getting to know them at all?"

Yes. It is weird. But I think what makes the difference is that I don't feel like I'm being very personal on here. Most of the things I blog about are God-topics...which, even when they are kind of personal, I don't really mind throwing out there. I have this theory...when it comes to talking about God, I'd rather go ahead and share really personal stuff, if it means that it will somehow help someone else out. I have very few secrets--I'm usually more than willing to tell people exactly how I feel about things, if they only ask. But blogging about God, and even certain topics, to me, just doesn't really feel intimate. There are lots of subjects that I'm not going to rant about because I'm not especially fond of airing dirty laundry. Some things just shouldn't go published for all to see. And I think those are the kinds of things that people have to ask me about personally in order to really know.

That being said, I kind of hate that the things I write don't usually generate conversation. Even if/when people leave comments...it is still rather impersonal, and I don't particularly like that aspect of writing on here. Though there is a certain release that comes from getting my thoughts down. I really love to journal, but even when I write in my journal (which is supposed to be personal), I write as if some day someone will read what I have to say. I guess I always thought it would be something cool to share with my husband someday...though as time has passed, there are more and more bits that I don't particularly want to share with anyone. But I don't use this blog as a journal--so instead of chronicling what I've been up to, it more or less allows me to discuss life theories (because I seem to be coming up with new ones all the time) or comment on things I notice. And in that way, it allows me to put my ideas out there--which really aren't so much personal.

Again, I don't really feel like that was very coherent. Basically, I love to write out random stuff on here, as my mind is always churning on some new topic or I have some sort of experience with God that I can't help but share with anyone who will listen (PS--God is totally awesome). So maybe it's dorky...and it's probably just one more way that modern technology keeps us from having to have real conversations and connections with other humans...but I plan to keep it up anyways. Hopefully these ideas and conversations will go further than the computer screen and start real connections with people.

And if you're stalking me...learning all sorts of random secrets about me without me actually knowing you...then seriously, quit being creepy. Come talk to me. I'm more interesting in person anyway.