Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Blogging is ruining my life!

Someone. Please. Tear. Me. Away. From. This. Computer.

I think I'm addicted to the internet. I blame my job. You see, every morning I have to scan the major media outlets and find out what's making news that day. And if someone somewhere is writing something about the environment, it's my job to stay on top of it.

At first, I just scanned the national newspapers, tv stations and radio stations online. Now, I'm also trolling through blogs to find out who's saying what.

But I'm starting to feel like someone with a drinking problem -- the girl who starts with a glass and ends with the bottle. It starts with a glance at the latest entry in someone's blog and the next thing you know, I've just spent an hour going through their entire site.

Why are blogs so compelling? How can we be captivated by the ramblings of complete strangers? Is it weird that I'm writing this on a blog of my own without a shred of irony? And why are you reading this anyway?

I like blogs. I like blogging. I like their immediate nature and the public discourse they generate. Politics makes my blood boil sometimes and that's why I like reading Paul Wells' blog. It's a small, sometimes gossipy, window into the news behind the news on Parliament Hill. (Would be a better site without his boring jazz references though. What kind of sicko listens to just one musical genre?)

I also feel a kinship with people who are concerned about the future of the world with George W. at the helm of the United States. So I click onto Bill Doskoch's blog because he culls good stuff about U.S. politics and blogging and journalism that generally fits in with my world view.

And because I read an article about him in the Globe and Mail, I've been reading the Accordion Guy's blog too. I've never met this guy but for some strange reason, I find his life interesting. I've also been enjoying On The Fence. I could go on. And on.

So, does all this make me a voyeur? An exhibitionist? Probably a bit of both.

But I'm also a news junkie, a pop culture addict, a voracious reader (of everything, including the cereal box). I'm fascinated by people and the horrible, wonderful, scary, funny, interesting things that they do. And I use the internet to find out what they're up to.

Yeah, it's a machine, it's impersonal, it's screwing up our ability to have face-to-face conversations, blah, blah, blah. But it's real flesh and blood people that are writing and reading this stuff on the other side of the screen.

That said, I'm going to take a break from blogging for a few days. I'm heading up to Muskoka with some friends on Thursday for a nature fix. Sort of. Muskoka's more like Toronto without the skyscrapers and the concrete. But it'll do. I'm looking forward to spending New Year's in a quiet place where I can see the stars and pass out drunk in a snowbank.

Then I'm flying back to Vancouver. Thanks for reading. Or fuelling my addiction. I'll be back in 2005.

Sarah

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Addicted, eh? Does this mean I can start charging you for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere? :^)

A rock of crack goes for about 10 bucks. How should that translate into charging for reading a blog posting? Hmmm ...

Enjoy getting drunk in Muskoka, but two parting bits of advice: Don't pass out face-first into the snow bank, and try not to be still passed out before the next major snowfall comes.

HNY from someone who's been there
Bill D.

Sarah Marchildon said...

LOL!

-- Sarah

thestraightpoop said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Sarah,

you can always join a blogger support group while in town. There is one meeting thursday night. see www.gtabloggers.com for info. Or you can try the contreversial new karaoke therapy sunday night at the rivoli if you are still in town. http://homepage.mac.com/kickasskaraoke/Menu21.html

getting plowed works too. just make sure you have your little orange snow bank flag on so the plows miss you in the morning.

E

Sarah Marchildon said...

Touche! Okay, well, you have to admit you post a lot more about jazz than any other type of musical genre. I kinda just skim over the postings that talk about music because I figure it will just be about jazz. Love your blog, though.

Cheers,

Sarah (waiting for her friend to pick her up and drive her to Muskoka. On the internet but not blogging, I swear!)

Anonymous said...

Hmm, maybe we should sign you up for another IronMan? Perhaps a little too much time on your hands? But seriously, enjoy that quest for knowledge. Happy New Year! PSTC K

Paul said...

Did you really do an Ironman? I kind of want to, but the marathon was hard enough, don't think I have an Ironman in me.

Sarah Marchildon said...

I'm back! Will likely post something tonight or tomorrow once I get my shit together. I'm still recovering from three days of no sleep in Muskoka.

And, Paul, yes I did an Ironman, proving that if I can do it, anyone can. So go for it! I believe in diving into things head first without checking how deep the water is first, which is why I did an ultra-marathon long before I had ever done a marathon. Go big.

-- Sarah

Anonymous said...

Sarah, they say that the first step is admitting that you have a problem. -K