When I started this blog, I used all our real names.
Over time, I started to write more and more openly about my life – and, by extension, the lives of my husband and daughter. That honestly even occasionally extended to our families of origin.
Last year I decided to use nom de plumes here in an effort to protect the privacy of the people I love. One thing I didn’t do was make a secret of where we live.
Chambana is a major character in my life. How can I not write about Chambana? I have to. This town is molding me as much as London did.
If I never wrote about my temporary (I hope) home, I would never have met lbotp, Henny Penny or Leannthro.
I would never have found Lisa, who is inspiring me to start volunteering again.
I would never have gotten my steady writing gig.
Basically, this blog wouldn’t exist without Chambana.
This week I had a very disconcerting experience at the Halloween party sponsored by The Poo’s preschool.
As I was watching her dance in her Angelina Ballerina costume with that stupid, smitten look on my face, the school’s board president stood nearby (Hi, Missy!).
We chatted for a few minutes, and then she said:
“You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you. I read your blog every day.”
The universe bent at an awkward angle as I absorbed her words. That means she read this! And this! And oh sweet Jesus, this!
Oh, God, please, I prayed, take me now. Just make it painless.
While I waited for the floor to open and swallow me, my new friend offered me a book she thought I might enjoy based on what I’ve written here.
The next day, I found the book in The Poo’s cubby when I dropped her off at school. I smiled, thinking that Missy knows me, really knows me, from hanging out here with me.
And she still likes me.
Will wonders never cease.
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Because, simply, you are wonderful. It is no wonder at all!
It is amamzing how small the world can get sometimes due to the old blog!
Proof that simply being yourself and sharing your life honestly will make people appreciate you all the more!
Although I do live in fear of this very same thing happening to me!
I had that experience at playgroup w/ my old blog. It was a little of an oh crap moment and then it was pretty cool.
I’m glad it turned out well.
Reminds me of the day my mother called and told me (in her disapproving tone) that she’d seen the entry I’d written about her.
I still shudder thinking about it.
it’s amazing what a blog can do, isn’t it?
I have friends here locally who know I have a blog and I’ve yet to share the address. I’m too afraid. I don’t want to limit what I “say”, but also don’t want them to judge me. It’s a fine balancing act. Sounds like you’ve balanced it well. =)
I have had a few local friends stop me to say they found my blog. So far, it’s been great. I guess those who don’t like what they’ve found keep quiet.
It is a very tricky balancing act; one I have not quite figured out yet. But, WOW… that feeling of utter terror followed by the realization that not only is she NOT planning to host an all-school Mrs. Chicken stoning, but that she — gasp — LIKES you, in all your imperfect, human glory, must have been sublime. Enjoy.
Excellent post. I have a similar tale to tell.
While on holiday in Turkey (at the Yediburunlar Lighthouse – a retreat in the mountains) we sat down to dinner one night in the coastal town of Fethiye with our guide and host, Leon.
In a quiet moment during dinner, Leon leaned across the table and volunteered “I was reading your blog this morning”.
The universe did indeed bend at an awkward angle for a few moments. Not as badly as when the HR Manager at work summoned my for a “little chat” about my blog, but still pretty steeply.
That is a freaky feeling!
So what was the book?
Yeah, which book?
I know what you mean. I hope no one at school is reading mine, but maybe they are. Maybe the board pres for all I know too!
I have to be so careful because several of my coworkers read my blog. I let them know the address back when I started and was mostly doing vegetarian posts and C-U rants and raves. But yes, now I’m more personal.
In fact the wife of one of my coworkers often says “Oh yeah, my husband told me he read that on your blog.”
Oh well, they continue to read and they continue to like me.
That is so funny… I just posted something about a “real life person” telling me they found my blog. It’s very strange.
Good luck. I just handed my url to two coworkers. We’ll see how it goes.
I felt the same way when my father found my blog. I was like, oh. my. god. And you know, he’s turned out to be my biggest fan. Not that he’s biased or anything…
So, I need to know — yes, NEED — what’s the book?
Now, really, Mrs. C, you’re going to have to tell us all what the book was.
Maybe I’ll have a grand out-coming with my real name and pictures to wrap up NaBloPoMo… or maybe I’ll stay locked in my little closet a while longer. I still can’t decide!!!
But – I’m glad you found some connection, and acceptance, with your friend. That’s an inspiring story.
I’m sort of anonymous, sort of not. Most of my family reads my blog, and I’ve told many of my friends about it. Who knows who reads it.
I think I’d be freaked out a little too if someone I didn’t think read my blog suddenly confessed that they do!
I honestly don’t know what I would do, but it sounds like this was an amazingly positive experience for you. Phew!
I keep worrying that the ladies in my story time are going to discover my blog…maybe they already read it and it’s why they don’t like me!
And by the way, what was the book?
Whee! I’m glad it worked out. I recently “discovered” that some real-life friends in my home town have been reading my blog. My blog was a secret, but I hadn’t really known they were actually, well, reading. Definitely a freaky feeling, but I’m comfortable with it now. Still working on feeling comfortable when my dad says, “So, I read on your blog…”
Yay for you, I say. And yes, spill: what book?!
Uh, that should say, above, “My blog wasn’t a secret.” Because otherwise, the whole comment doesn’t really make sense. Hee.
Whew! Dodged a bullet there, didn’t you?
Oh, you silly girl. Of course she does. However, I’ll extend a little invitation for you to send me a little email anytime you want to go all covert ‘n stuff, you can crash at my place and Briar and Avery can make shadows to shield your Bjorkish face
By the way, I never agreed with that Bjork comment, but I selfishly wanted to demonstrate that I, too, read your stuff, a lot. more Ally Sheedy meets Annabeth Gish, if you ask me.
I’ve never met anyone who reads my blog (other than people who already know me and love me anyway). I think I would be terrified to meet someone here in town who reads me.
yes, exposed isn’t always bad.
I have a lot of people reading my blog who I have to look in the face in my day-to-day life. It can be a little weird at times, but the fact that they don’t comment much makes it easier to forget that they are there and write whatever I want.
Come to think of it, they probably don’t comment because they have to look me in the face.
And she should.
Fascinating.
Just today I was wondering if my blog would ever reach out from the past to bite me in the @ss – say at a future job interview or whatever. I decided that I stand by what I’ve written. If an employer didn’t want me because of what I wrote on my personal blog it would probably be an indicator that the postion wouldn’t be a good fit anyway. That blog is 100% raw me.
that was great.
i like her.
because if she likes you and your blog she must be pretty damn cool.
I live in C-U, read your blog, and recognized you and your daughter from the pictures you post at a restaurant in Urbana a few months ago. I wondered whether to say something to you, but I was not sure what to say to a complete stranger about whom I know so much more deep, personal information than I know about people I see on a daily basis. “Hi, I read your blog” seemed akward. Seeing you and your daughter in person made me feel like reading your blog was intruding, and I stopped reading for a while. So obviously, I didn’t say anything. Is that weird?
I totally agree with Oh The Joys – I think you have to be comfortable with the fact that anyone and everyone would have access to your blog but staying true to yourself is really what matters most at the end of the day. I have run into people at work who’ve read my blog and I get embarassed, but what can I do?
I am “out” at work.
35 fracking people who I work every damn day with can read about my period.
Hey, my blog is for me and whever wants to read it. No one’s being forced to look at the silly thing.
And if someone takes offense to what I write, that’s their deal. What, I can’t have an opinion or experience and write about it? Besides, I won’t ever post anything that resembles slander.
Anyways, it’s not mean if it’s true. Wear your blog with pride, girl!
I’ve been outed to friends, family, and now my husband’s co-workers. Every now and then it turns out well. Most of the time it makes me feel like I have to limit what I say on my blog because of the new audience I know is there.
I’m trying to slowly work my way back into writing more freely without worry of who is reading.
What book was it, anyway?
My 3rd grader came home from school and annnounced, “Mom, I told the principal how to read your blog!! She’s said she’s going to read it!!”"
Oh — uh,uh ouch. Thanks.
I don’t hide who we are at all. I use at least one kid’s name (the other is too long to type all the time but it does get in there sometimes) and I post pictures all the time.
I have posted the link to my blog, but I didn’t really think anyone read it until I got site meter and found out that lots of people read and most of them are local. I do know that a mom from C’s school reads it because she told a friend of mine to check it out.
I tend to be more careful what I write now that I know that local people read it. Like I refrain from griping about the crazy lady at the grocery store because it might be someone that reads or someone that knows someone.
I’m glad it turned out so well. How could anyone *not* like you. You’re complicated and crazy and a great writer. (You know I mean crazy in a good way, right.) But still, there’s that “oof!” moment. It’s happened to me in the past too.
Enough already! What was the book? Please post. I keep checking back to see if you’ve posted it.
Hey, I guess that was a way to increase traffic!
OK! OK! The book is “Mommys Who Drink.” I don’t, often, but perhaps I should.
Hi, Amy! My first post on your site. What’s not to like? You’re smart, witty, a bloody good writer, a great mom. We should get a cuppa sometime.
Write that fiction, BTW.
Ooh, I’ll have to check that out. I called my mother on Halloween night (long story) and complained and was totally frazzled. She told me to open a bottle of wine and relax. She said it might help both me *and* the baby!
I didn’t have a drink. But more and more I think I need to sit down with a glass of wine after the kids are in bed! It’s good for heart health, right?
Um yeah! What was the book?
Mommies who drink?
Gotta go to Amazon.
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