Next time there's a big oil spill and environmentalists sound a warning, people are going to say they're just crying Gulf.
If you blog all your problems, what do you tell the bartender?
A New York Times magazine essay on the consequences, for writers, of Twittering asked, "When friends become fans, what happens to intimacy?"
Good question, and one that's come to me more than once, walking down the fairway or sitting at the bar with a pal.
There's a lull in the conversation. I try think of something I've done or thought about lately. Scout and I are playing pick-up baseball games in the local park … I had a crazy conversation with some clodhoppers up in the U.P. … Some old goat told me life after 50 is perfect.
"Yeah, I know. I read it on your blog."
Like a bubble the conversation burst, all at once and nothing first.
And what's more, I imagine my pal is vaguely insulted that I'm trying to pawn off a warmed-over blog anecdote in a genuine personal conversation.
But I'd forgotten it was a blog anecdote! Or at least, I'd forgotten that this pal reads my blog! And besides, my blog is genuine personal conversation—just with strangers looped in!
I want my friends to read my blog, and I love it when they comment here.
But I'm also grateful that there are some who don't.
Because with them, there's more to talk about.
Writing Boots exclusive: lingerie firm’s promotional float sullies otherwise wholesome small-town parade
Finally cleaning out my tank bag after my motorcycleriffic lap around Lake Michigan, I came across a copy I'd stashed, of the June 26 "Perspectives" section of the U.P.'s The Daily Mining Gazette.
I'd saved it in order to share with you this unanswerable letter to the editor, from Casandra Mattila, of Painesdale, Mich.:
I was very happy with the Bridgefest parade. Thank you to all that made it possible. I was, though, very upset, along with other parents standing across and beside me, with the float sponsored by Jeannie's Intimates. There was no need for her to have girls in the parade with see-through lingerie on. …
Some parents and we were surprised that police saw this and did not tell them to put clothes on for indecent exposure. Pretty bad when you have young children asking, "Why don't they have any clothes on?" or "I saw her underwear." [Jeannie] should have had respect for the community and saved the adult wear for showing at her place of business and that's it.