So, I’ve been absent for a little while. Five days, to be exact, and since I usually blog everyday or every second day, that’s kind of a big deal but since no one is hanging on my every word and waiting for me to post it really doesn’t matter, right? *deep breath* Anyway. I’ll explain while I’ve been away, then we can get on with it.

A couple of months ago, I discovered some really awesome blogs. Like, read every day and have a laugh type blogs. And through those blogs, I found some more blogs, which I also quite liked. And then, just as I was sort of settling into the groove of these shiny NEW blogs, the shit hit the fan, and the blogosphere folded in on itself.

Although none of it affected me personally, seeing the drama unfold made me think. I didn’t post at first, but it was on my mind. People were being attacked, with material that they had posted, the very material that had helped forge the friendships and connections with the bloggers that were now turning on them.

Blogs were closed. Insults were thrown. Relationships were destroyed.

And I know, I’m over here in my little corner of the blogosphere, and I’m not one of the big movers and shakers. I’m not talked about, or really known about at all, and I wasn’t even personally involved, so why would it affect me? The answer is really simple: I was beginning to care about the people who were involved.

As bloggers, we share our stories and our lives freely. We put no limits on who can read about our children, our family or our relationships. We post embarrassing stories, make fun of others, and create friendships through our writing. The recent drama has proven that being so open can, will and does backfire.

In a major explosion and fanning of shit, no less.

So, for the last week, I’ve been thinking about the drama. It has made me look at my blogging differently, but not in the way you might expect. Britt recently posted - in a response to the drama, almost - something along the lines of ‘you get hurt in real life, as well as online’. She’s completely right.

Betrayal, revenge, pettiness, jealousy. Those things - those dark, sneaky and horrible things - are a part of life. They’re human traits, human emotions. And shit happens, doesn’t it? Whether it’s on the internet or during your lunch break at school, shit happens. People lie, or cheat, or break your heart.

Online and off, we survive.

Despite the potential for backlash, I am going to continue being open and honest on my blog. I will continue posting about my life, and I will do so without fear or doubt. It’s not about rights so much. It’s about strength. I know that I am strong enough to defend my online life against potential haters.

And, this week? I will go back to commenting on other people’s blogs.