Comments on: Here’s the thing http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/ The shape of daily life. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:06:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Taylor http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-120507 Taylor Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:57:44 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-120507 I get it. I totally get what you are saying. I started a blog of my own, and have only provided the address to two other people. I don't want anyone else in my life to find me. I too enjoy harboring the delusion that what I write is private. Yet it has the power to touch others. I also really respect the way you embrace your authentic feelings. Risk writing about how you feel about your MIL, knowing that she could read what you write. Good stuff. Thanks for sharing! I get it. I totally get what you are saying. I started a blog of my own, and have only provided the address to two other people. I don’t want anyone else in my life to find me. I too enjoy harboring the delusion that what I write is private. Yet it has the power to touch others.

I also really respect the way you embrace your authentic feelings. Risk writing about how you feel about your MIL, knowing that she could read what you write. Good stuff. Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: Kate I http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-101330 Kate I Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:05:55 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-101330 This comment is months after the fact, but i just came upon your blog and read this post. The topic is something that I've been intriuged with since I first began blogging, just over a year ago and have I've blogged about it myself...how much do we reveal online and how transparent are we willing to be? It's difficult to put ourselves out there in a fully transparent way because everyone will know then who we really are...sticky and difficult at first but I think (for myself), worth it in the long run. Good question to raise and obviously others appreciated the discussion too. This comment is months after the fact, but i just came upon your blog and read this post. The topic is something that I’ve been intriuged with since I first began blogging, just over a year ago and have I’ve blogged about it myself…how much do we reveal online and how transparent are we willing to be? It’s difficult to put ourselves out there in a fully transparent way because everyone will know then who we really are…sticky and difficult at first but I think (for myself), worth it in the long run. Good question to raise and obviously others appreciated the discussion too.

]]> By: nicole http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-97375 nicole Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:53:41 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-97375 I stumbled across your blog and you have inspired me to be a better writer (and runner) and to be true to myself in the writing og my blog. I recently started blogging and I have found myself off course...not writing what was in my heart but rather writing factual info of my life. Thank you for your inspiration. I stumbled across your blog and you have inspired me to be a better writer (and runner) and to be true to myself in the writing og my blog. I recently started blogging and I have found myself off course…not writing what was in my heart but rather writing factual info of my life. Thank you for your inspiration.

]]> By: raquel http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-89644 raquel Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:27:01 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-89644 christina- i had the same feelings when my mil found out i had a blog and wanted to know where to find it because she wanted to read all about me. my writings. my gripes. she asked for it 5 months ago. i have yet to give her the address...i have so much going on inside this head...and when i write about that, the last person i want reading the inner, sometimes more than quirky musings, is my mil. i completely agree with your perspective. and i don't think her reading it will allow her to gain more perspective in relating to you. on the contrary. (i am a firm believer that no matter how wonderful of a relationship you have with your mil (mine is very much like yours...) she is ultimately looking out for the best interests of her son.) and being that my topography is an honest portrayal of your life...that means there will be times she will be hurt. offended. miffed. sad. angry. and all because you write of your husband. your son. you. your words are touching. painful. sincere. poignant. brutal. passionate. knowing mil reads this (if she has indeed found it)turns your vast ocean of sincerety into a murky lake. still being fed by a fresh stream...but with little release beyond that. you know??? beyond that, i also sent a comment about 5 times in response to your jinxing of bean's sleep. of course, i kept getting an error page. so. i apologize. only after i sent it that many times, did i catch up with the newer posts and the comment about the comments! :) keep up the fabulous work! reading my topography reassures me that "i'm not the only one!" christina-
i had the same feelings when my mil found out i had a blog and wanted to know where to find it because she wanted to read all about me. my writings. my gripes. she asked for it 5 months ago. i have yet to give her the address…i have so much going on inside this head…and when i write about that, the last person i want reading the inner, sometimes more than quirky musings, is my mil. i completely agree with your perspective. and i don’t think her reading it will allow her to gain more perspective in relating to you. on the contrary. (i am a firm believer that no matter how wonderful of a relationship you have with your mil (mine is very much like yours…) she is ultimately looking out for the best interests of her son.) and being that my topography is an honest portrayal of your life…that means there will be times she will be hurt. offended. miffed. sad. angry. and all because you write of your husband. your son. you. your words are touching. painful. sincere. poignant. brutal. passionate. knowing mil reads this (if she has indeed found it)turns your vast ocean of sincerety into a murky lake. still being fed by a fresh stream…but with little release beyond that. you know???

beyond that, i also sent a comment about 5 times in response to your jinxing of bean’s sleep. of course, i kept getting an error page. so. i apologize. only after i sent it that many times, did i catch up with the newer posts and the comment about the comments! :)

keep up the fabulous work! reading my topography reassures me that “i’m not the only one!”

]]> By: annie http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-42556 annie Thu, 18 Jan 2007 05:26:43 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-42556 I think *us* artist types are simultaneously hard and soft. We desperately need acceptance (of us and our art, in whatever form it takes) and admiration from those we dare to bare our souls to, yet at the same time will not change who we are even if we don't get that approval. I get this feeling in what you write. You feel vulnerable for those who know you on a personal level to see this 'naked' view of you, yet at the same time the thought of changing it or altering it in any way is akin to the death of a very precious part of you. How well I know this feeling. I do like what Sara (comment #6) had to say. I'd much rather face things than run away. I believe when you face something honestly and openly, it gives the opportunity for something healthy and unexpectedly beautiful to spring out. Here's to your health! (By the way, I'm coming in from Brooklyn Park, MN) I think *us* artist types are simultaneously hard and soft. We desperately need acceptance (of us and our art, in whatever form it takes) and admiration from those we dare to bare our souls to, yet at the same time will not change who we are even if we don’t get that approval. I get this feeling in what you write. You feel vulnerable for those who know you on a personal level to see this ‘naked’ view of you, yet at the same time the thought of changing it or altering it in any way is akin to the death of a very precious part of you. How well I know this feeling. I do like what Sara (comment #6) had to say. I’d much rather face things than run away. I believe when you face something honestly and openly, it gives the opportunity for something healthy and unexpectedly beautiful to spring out. Here’s to your health!

(By the way, I’m coming in from Brooklyn Park, MN)

]]> By: Emily http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-42323 Emily Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:59:04 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-42323 you are an inspiration. i am weeks late for lurkers' week. i am truly indebted. i am so proud of you! you have been blessed. you have taken what you were given and didn't not stop there.......steps and strides and leaps beyond. i bet your mother is so proud too. never stop expressing your truth as the moment necessitates. i am not a mother. i am not a wife. i am a sister, brother, daughter, son, friend, adopted aunt and most significantly a human being....i am forwarding this link (which i found by googling "top blogs" - by the way - and sifting) to everyone I know. no doubt your words are powerful. you speak of the HUMAN struggle. no doubt spouses and children make us lucky and better. no doubt, your gifts and experiences factor in. who says mother and wifehood will ever negate the desire for MORE travels and NEW experiences? don't listen to the voice that say "can't...shoudn't..." seeking minds aren't born to settle, we are born to SOAR! mother and wife means whatever you make it mean. write us the traveloge of your LIFE and never look back. forge the path. WE are here, cheering you on! YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED. your mother-in-law will thank you later! you are an inspiration. i am weeks late for lurkers’ week. i am truly indebted. i am so proud of you! you have been blessed. you have taken what you were given and didn’t not stop there…….steps and strides and leaps beyond. i bet your mother is so proud too. never stop expressing your truth as the moment necessitates. i am not a mother. i am not a wife. i am a sister, brother, daughter, son, friend, adopted aunt and most significantly a human being….i am forwarding this link (which i found by googling “top blogs” - by the way - and sifting) to everyone I know. no doubt your words are powerful. you speak of the HUMAN struggle. no doubt spouses and children make us lucky and better. no doubt, your gifts and experiences factor in. who says mother and wifehood will ever negate the desire for MORE travels and NEW experiences? don’t listen to the voice that say “can’t…shoudn’t…” seeking minds aren’t born to settle, we are born to SOAR! mother and wife means whatever you make it mean. write us the traveloge of your LIFE and never look back. forge the path. WE are here, cheering you on! YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED. your mother-in-law will thank you later!

]]> By: melanie http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-41619 melanie Tue, 16 Jan 2007 05:10:40 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-41619 Christina, I am at a loss for words now because I read some of the comments above, and what could I possibly say that hasn't already been said? You have such an amazing talent, and your writing, your open honesty, is so inspiring and moving. I do hope that you find a way to continue to use this blog as your outlet. You would surely be missed otherwise. Christina, I am at a loss for words now because I read some of the comments above, and what could I possibly say that hasn’t already been said? You have such an amazing talent, and your writing, your open honesty, is so inspiring and moving. I do hope that you find a way to continue to use this blog as your outlet. You would surely be missed otherwise.

]]> By: Charmaine http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-41518 Charmaine Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:33:47 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-41518 Christina, I really struggle with this same issue. My whole family reads my blog and rather than posting comments, they'll write me personal emails in response to my posts or they'll mention something on the phone. Sometimes I worry that what I'm writing is too personal and I should stop, but then I think about all the great friendships I've made, all the amazing women I've met and I just can't imagine not at least trying to be a part of that. Christina, I really struggle with this same issue. My whole family reads my blog and rather than posting comments, they’ll write me personal emails in response to my posts or they’ll mention something on the phone. Sometimes I worry that what I’m writing is too personal and I should stop, but then I think about all the great friendships I’ve made, all the amazing women I’ve met and I just can’t imagine not at least trying to be a part of that.

]]> By: Leah http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-40982 Leah Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:48:32 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-40982 My entire family had found my blog, and it's been both good and bad. I finally just threw my hands up about it and decided to get comfortable with being exposed in that way. My boyfriend then set about getting his mother to read it, and after adamantly refusing for six months (she thinks its a creepy Myspace sort of thing where pedophiles go to lurk) she finally popped in on the day that I wrote about a pregnancy scare and actually used the phrase "Tab A went into Slot B" to describe, well, you know. Let's just say it wasn't the best day for her to join the party and definitely not indicative of the types of things I regularly share online. A few deep breaths later, though, and I figure what the hell. It's better that I put my effort into getting comfortable with it than trying to find a way to block out my real-life connections. (Found you through my stats today and am glad I did!) My entire family had found my blog, and it’s been both good and bad. I finally just threw my hands up about it and decided to get comfortable with being exposed in that way. My boyfriend then set about getting his mother to read it, and after adamantly refusing for six months (she thinks its a creepy Myspace sort of thing where pedophiles go to lurk) she finally popped in on the day that I wrote about a pregnancy scare and actually used the phrase “Tab A went into Slot B” to describe, well, you know. Let’s just say it wasn’t the best day for her to join the party and definitely not indicative of the types of things I regularly share online.
A few deep breaths later, though, and I figure what the hell. It’s better that I put my effort into getting comfortable with it than trying to find a way to block out my real-life connections.

(Found you through my stats today and am glad I did!)

]]> By: Lynne http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-40957 Lynne Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:43:04 +0000 http://mytopography.com/2007/01/08/here%e2%80%99s-the-thing/#comment-40957 The greatest tragedy of all would be if the fear of what might happen were to stiffle your beautiful voice. That fear, I think, is life's cruelest ultimate censor. You have such a gift for putting into words what so many of us feel but are unable to express (or at least are unable to do so with such clarity and beauty as you do). I cannot tell you the number of times I have read something on your blog that has resonnated so vibrantly with me that it has helped me figure out "the next step" or learn something keenly important. To silence that voice would be a tremendous loss... (that is the selfish part of me talking). More importantly, I think that it would be allowing one person to have the ultimate power over another -- the power to silence the expression of another's thoughts and feelings. The thought of that possibly happening makes me very sad. The greatest tragedy of all would be if the fear of what might happen were to stiffle your beautiful voice. That fear, I think, is life’s cruelest ultimate censor.

You have such a gift for putting into words what so many of us feel but are unable to express (or at least are unable to do so with such clarity and beauty as you do). I cannot tell you the number of times I have read something on your blog that has resonnated so vibrantly with me that it has helped me figure out “the next step” or learn something keenly important.

To silence that voice would be a tremendous loss… (that is the selfish part of me talking). More importantly, I think that it would be allowing one person to have the ultimate power over another — the power to silence the expression of another’s thoughts and feelings. The thought of that possibly happening makes me very sad.

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