Sunday, September 9, 2007

My Tale of Addiction

You know, I'm just going to come right out and say it. It's a bold thing to do, but I'm feeling the need for some hard core honesty. Brace yourselves because...here goes. I AM A COMMENT HOG. Yes, I know. It's wrong. It's allllll wrong. But it's what I am. I mean, it's not all I am, but it is some of what I am. I love getting comments. And I know I'm not the only one. In fact, I suspect there's a lot of closet comment hogs out here in Blogland. So why the sudden need to blurt this out? Well, I'll tell you. There's nothing sudden about it, buddy. I've been thinking about this for a while, a good long while. I've been thinking about it because it kind of bothers me that I feel this way. What kind of a dork gets all excited and fluttery at the sight of comments left on her blog? Apparently, the kind of dork who is about 5'4 1/2" tall, weighs *&#$* pounds and has a bizarre and not too flattering mixture of Miss Clairol #43R and Home Grown Gray hair color. And since that's the kind of dork that gets that way about receiving comments, I have no choice but to admit to it because that description fits me to a T. (I admit with a sigh. A very heavy sigh). I just read on someone else's blog the other day how she was so frustrated because she knew there were many people coming by and reading her blog, but they just weren't leaving comments. (I'm assuming she has a type of "counter" program that allows her to track visitors). And I said, "well, Amen, sister. I hear 'ya. It happens to me, too". (Yeah, I talk out loud to people who aren't here. What of it?) Hey, wait a minute...could that be why folks come read my stuff then leave without so much as a fare-thee-well? They sense my instability? Nah. I've read lots of unstable stuff here in Blogland. Hasn't stopped me from saying "howdy-doody" to them. However, while I'm unburdening myself about this embarrassing shortcoming, I feel it's only right to say that I, too, have been known to read a post and not leave a comment. But that doesn't happen all that often. Sometimes I just can't think of anything to say in response. Other times, I can't type a coherent sentence because the comment thingy doesn't have spell-check which puts me at a severe disadvantage. Yeah, okay - that's a pretty lousy excuse. But it's true so get off me. And no, I don't want everyone who reads this post to leave a comment. Well, actually, I do, but if you're not going to do it more than this one time, then what's the point? How long do you think that warm and fuzzy feeling I got from reading your one little ol' comment is going to last me? I'll need more comments. More, more, more. And herein lies the problem...comments are like morphine (maybe...that is, if morphine is addictive. It is addictive, isn't it? Let's assume it is so this analogy will make sense, eh?). Anywho, I think we can all agree that addictions are ugly, cumbersome beasts, but I think we're all afflicted with them, in one form or another. Some addictions are big, some are small. Some are easier to conquer than others. I mean really now. If I can quit smoking cigarettes after 25 years, surely I can kick this comment addiction, too, right? But half the battle is admitting there's a problem. So here goes.
People, I'll not hide from this monster any longer. I'm coming out of the closet (so to speak). So please, hear me and hear me well...My name is Kari and I am a Comment Hog. (sob, sob, sob)
***EDITED TO ADD: Tammy over at My Gentle Retreat explained about replying to comments in her post (near the bottom) of September 8th. I'm editing this to include her link because several people (including me, until Joan clued me in) didn't have their e-mail address enabled so those who wanted to reply to a comment I left, couldn't do so directly. Life is much easier for me now that I've "fixed" that little problem. Thank you, Joan! And thank you Tammy for explaining it to everyone in Blogland!

24 comments:

  1. Your too funny! I think everyone who blogs loves to get comments. And by the way, thanks for the picture of your tub, now I'm really envious, it's so pretty.

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  2. Amen sista friend! Is there room for one more addict? I'm one of those that get all giddy about a comment..."Ohhh Ohhh, I'm loved!!!"

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  3. Okay, I'll comment. And admit another thing we have in common...menopause and now this addiction.

    Hugs!
    Kat

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  4. Here's one more comment. Feeling better?

    Hugs!
    Kat

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  5. Oh, this is fun!

    But, alas, it's time for bed.

    Hugs!
    Kat

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  6. I with you of course and I have issues w/ Christmas Queen I want to share that or at least be the princess:>

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  7. I'm laughing, because I just left a comment on Morgen's 'Blog Eat Blog World' blog about how you can have a million visitors, but only get maybe 2 comments, unless you start threatening them!

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  8. Dear Kari, It's almost the exact conversation I've had wih heather. Like you, it's nice to feel like SOMEONE is reading your blog! Perhaps you could clear something up for me - since I really don't know all the do's and don't's (wow I'm sure that's not right) of comments. Where are you supposed to reply to a comment. Sometimes I get a question or comment and when I go to the other person's blog I ofcourse can comment on something there but it seems rther random to throw in a reply to the comment they left on my blog. What to do? You are among my favorite bloggers because I can always count on a chuckle. Keep up the good work! Stephanie

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  9. Stop by my blog today for your award!
    :)
    PS...I'll be back to read this post later...

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  10. I understand. Since I just started blogging I look forwrd TO REPLYS. I see it as new friends and good friends that come by to talk. Don't feel bad. I have learned that in life we have many people we meet an chat with sometimes. A few great friends we talk to over and over and then those like you and I lol that just LOVE people and can't wait to see who we will hangout with today! I missed you and glad to call you my friend.
    brenda

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  11. Kari, there is NOTHING about you that is dorky - you are adorable and don't you forget it!

    xo,
    Kim

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  12. Wait! I do have a comment...oh. I forgot what it was.

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  13. Oops! I remember! I think you have to be one of the funniest, most a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. ladies in blogland.
    Yup. You make me laugh out loud.

    Hugs,
    Sue

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  14. And...this just in....Susie Q is a comment junkie too. Craves them. Film at 11.

    Love ya,
    Sue

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  15. Hi, my name is TaunaLen, and I'm a comment hog. (Hi TaunaLen!)

    ~TL

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  16. I'll comment here and look forward to your comment there!;-)

    Pat

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  17. OH No my friend...you are suffering from what I call "Blogger Angst"!! There is no cure...
    It is not an addiction because it is a disease that you contract as soon as you start getting more than one comment...so just roll with it sister!
    :)

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  18. How could I not leave a comment here!! See Kari, you so deserved your award, you make everyone smile!!!
    Now I'm just trying to figure out what it means to enable my email address! I don't even know if mine is enabled! Or what is meant to be enabled! I'm so rubbish at these things!

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  19. Ok ...I'll come out. Just found your blog through kat :)

    Melissa
    http://mcc.typepad.com/mcc_my_guys/
    username: mccaligiuri
    password: lulubelle

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  20. I got such a smile reading your post! Love your sense of humor :)

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  21. Saw the big box you sent muCarmen on her blog - very cool. So here I am, my first visit and my first comment. I'll be back, as the Terminator says.

    I am having a fall giveaway and a Halloween giveaway as soon as I reach my 200th post (only 7 more to go.) It seems you like fall (but maybe not as much as Christmas, LOL), so stop by and put your name in the hat in a few days.

    Julie

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