formerly Diane's Addled Ramblings... the ramblings are still addled, just like before, and the URL is still the same...
it's just the title at the top of the page that's new

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I Know It's Not Thanksgiving Yet, But...

Hey, did you know that today's election day? It is! I know, the campaign just flew by, didn't it?! (Snort) I don't normally like to wish my life away but good God in Heaven, I'll be glad when these 24 hours are up. I know every campaign/election sucks but this one has been especially, well, sucky. And more than a little scary. Everyone is just so angry. Have you read some of those political blogs? Or the news reports? Or the emails from my brother? As a lone liberal (note I did not say Democrat) in a family (and neighborhood) of conservatives, the past few months have been especially hellish for me. Hmmmm... I really started getting into my blog right about the time things were heating up in the campaign... interesting...

Anyway, this post really isn't about the election or politics. It's about you guys... you bloggy people. When I started this blog, it was to keep my family and friends updated; to let them know what was going on in our lives. I figured people could log in when they wanted and I wouldn't have to feel guilty about not sending out emails or photos, which I'd been a slacker about doing. I thought it would be good for me, as keeping up with it would make me write a bit more than I'd been writing. I guessed my family would comment once in a while and I'd just plug on that way. Little did I know what I was really getting into.

I never knew ~ I never imagined ~ there was a whole community of bloggers out there. I am constantly astounded by you all... by your talent, your humor, and your creativity; by your insight and empathy; by your kindness and compassion, and your unfailing willingness to embrace people you don't even know and give them support and validation. And I am utterly astounded by your friendship. I never imagined how important complete strangers would become to me. I never imagined how many friends were out there, just waiting to be made. You know what? I don't even know if my family reads my blog. But it doesn't matter. Because you all do.

So I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you to all of you. During the past few months, when the world has seemed a pretty scary, angry, unpleasant place, you all have given me hope ~ hope that our larger community can thrive ~ will thrive ~ if it's filled with people like you.

My good friend Heinous did a funny post today about how we should have a third party in our electoral process... the Blogger Party. You know... I think he might be onto something...

Now go VOTE!

18 comments:

Melanie Gillispie said...

Got in line at 6:30 this morning...took 2 hours...went to work at 9:30, no line at all hardly. Next time I'll wait. Lost my "I Voted" sticker. The Blogger party...hmmm....going over to read Heinous's post...

Melanie Gillispie said...

Oh yeah - I didn't vote for Tom!

Anonymous said...

If the Blogger Party was up and running - I'd nominate you for President!

Col
xoxo

Solei said...

Awww, I luv your post... My sentiments exactly!

Who knew complete strangers could be so nice, lol???

J Cosmo Newbery said...

Why, thank you. Blogging is akin to tossing a message in a bottle and sending it on its way. You never know who will uncork it and, while they never come to save you, you do find some lovely bottles wash up on your beach.

Unknown said...

I have the same story here. I started blogging for a little writing practice and the blog seems to have grown a bit. What a wonderful community it is.

What a wonderful friend you've become too!

Anonymous said...

I started blogging for the same reasons ;)

I totally voted and didn't even have a line!

Headed over to see what Heinous has to say ;)

Anonymous said...

I started blogging for the same reasons ;)

I totally voted and didn't even have a line!

Headed over to see what Heinous has to say ;)

Pauline said...

Blogging, bloggers - such unappealing words for such an appealing phenomenon. Delighted to be one of your readers :)

Lee said...

Blogging has to be one of the better drugs of addiction.

Kendall said...

You read my post yesterday, you, myself, and many others will be happy to see this election over with. So much ugliness...

But I digress.

I didn't start my blog for the same reasons you did. It was more so I could start letting out the thoughts that filled my head, never had any intentions of letting my (blood) family read it.

But then I started to meet people like you, who offered a complete stranger their friendship. There is always hope Diane, we just have to be willing to work for it.

- Kendall

P. S. Blogging Party for the win!

hebba said...

I know what you mean. Its strange how much these people have come to mean to me. How i wonder what they are up to and get concerned if they haven't posted in a while. Thank YOU right back for being one of those people who I consider my friends.

Connie said...

Snif snif ~ awe ~ love you too Diane! Here's a great big bloggy (((HUG)))!

Zuzana said...

Could not agree with you more Diane; to me the most amazing fact is how many people out there are not just kind and well mannered, but also how are extremely talented they are and the interesting lives they live.
The Internet is fascinating as it enables a large number of people to meet and to share their creativity.
I love this post.:)

Heather said...

I, too, have been so fascinated by the support of people I have never met! On my bad days, everyone stands up for me and encourages me, on the good days, people laugh along with whatever silly thing I say. I don't have quite the readership that you have, but I also have been a major slacker in the whole "posting on a regular basis" thing.
Thank YOU for all of your support and bloggy friendship.
Mom and I both think you're pretty awesome! :)

Unknown said...

Psst, there are awards for you. They're secretly hidden for you on my blog.

Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommy said...

Well, I completely agree with you about the scary posts. I tried to avoid them at all costs and concentrate on making fun of Sarah Palin, just cause it was fun.

I found your blog from our mutual friend (notice I said friend because I agree that we are all bloggy "friends" in the truest sense of the word) and I love your blog. I am going to add you to my blogroll if you don't mind. Pop on over to my place and check it out. If you like what you see, you can link me up as well!

Glad I found you!

Anonymous said...

Diane, I love this post. I'm so glad I've "met" you in blogland. Keep writing. :)