BLOG SMOG (Check out how I've changed since then:))

Welcome to my blog. This is my first blog and I hesitate to write it. Normally I wouldn't even consider "blogging" because honestly I don't even really know what that means, but this is a school assignment, so I have to write about something. But as I begin to evaluate what's important to me, as the assignment suggests, to "blog" about, somewhere in my mind I've branded "computer things" (Obviously I don't speak the language) as something that I would never fully engage in. Of course I have an e-mail account and love to check out things online from time to time, but I'm speaking of the latest internet crazes that begin to consume people's lives and precious office hours. I mean, lets be honest, I am way to cool to "blog", waste 3 hours of my life on "My Space," or care to read up on what every else thinks.

This sounds selfish and horrible doesn't it? Before I've introduced myself I've been branded as a snob with much resemblance of a character from "Sweet Valley High." But I wonder, as I build up the courage to put my own thoughts out into "cyber space," (I'm conforming already) is everyone so conceited or self absorbed that they think I care to read about their one sided opinions on The War in Iraq, George Bush, Fundamentalist Christians, why people are going to hell, why Beyonce shouldn't marry Jay Z, why Angelina should marry Brad, or why PB& J is the greatest sandwich on earth?

I feel like I want to call a press conference to let everyone know that "NO ONE CARES!!" I laugh out loud as I picture myself taking a seat, tapping the mic to make sure that it's on, and taking the time to thank everyone for coming out. I'd clear my throat, take in a deep breath and say "I won't keep you all long, but I've called this press conference to inform you that everyone can cease all blogging at this point. I've recently discovered as I've been reading blogs online that no one really cares what you have to say. People are self absorbed and are really just reading your blog to make sure that it still sucks in comparison to theirs. Once they've discovered this, they will now exit your blog page and start one of their own to try to once again one up their blog nemesis. This is neither helpful nor beneficial to society and your efforts would be at better use in your own personal diary. I am aware that beneficial and helpful are synonyms and could not think of any other words to use. You may scratch one from the record and choose the word of your choice. I will not be accepting any questions, but thank you for coming out today."

As I laugh aloud at my own joke; I realize in horror (slightly dramatic) that I am, in my own blog, doing the very thing that I think I'm too cool for. I don't mean this blogging assignment, but rather informing you all of my "blog press conference dream" because I think its funny and because I want everyone to know how my mind works even if its about something kinda dumb. It's the same as informing you of my views about the war in Iraq. I want you to know. I may not realize it, but I too have a deep longing to express not only my opinions but my absolute truths to not just a few people, but the entire world! Is that so bad? As I sit and think about how times have changed I realize that people have been blogging for years in just a different way.

As I scream from my high horse "That no one gives a rip about what anyone has to say," I realize how incredibly wrong and ignorant that statement is. Looking up the definition of "blog" I discovered the meaning of this word is simply that "its a publicly accessible personal journal for an individual." Whereas initially I'd say, "How about everybody stick to a non publicly accessible personal journal? Hence the word personal." If that's really all a blog is then I now see that I long to be apart of people's "blogs" and I always have been. Ludacris made public his personal thought that "You can't turn a ho into a house wife cause ho's don't act right." Now I don't know if I agree, but I loved hearing him say it over a sick beat. Being a music lover I've been happy to be apart of so many's personal yet public thoughts. From Alicia Keys, to Jay Z, to Karen Carpenter I may not have agreed or have even enjoyed EVERY song but I have been glad to be apart. I'm glad that so many have gone from personal to public. I'm glad that on January 1, 1863 for regardless of the reasoning, a man in charge of a nation went public and announced that all slaves in states or parts of states would be freed. I'm glad that a black Baptist minister decided to go public on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial August 28, 1963 to let the world know that he "had a dream." And I'm so glad that in a world where it's almost obscene to say that you follow Jesus someone made public that if I accepted Him as God and lived my life according to His plan that not only would I have eternal life after death, but that I could have the best possible life and the fullness of joy, peace, and love in Him right now. These along with so many other personal thoughts that went public have changed the course of my life forever. So, while I spend my days thinking "Blog smog, people are wasting their energies," I realize now that I'm thankful that people do. Apparently people have been "blogging" for years only it stood for something other than "web log" it stood for so much more. Some of it is hilarious on a not so funny day, some of it makes you smile and remember that people can be so smart and so sweet. Some public announcements make you aware that people are geniuses and some outright morons and some just make you aware. In my case, some set not only you, but generations of your family free. Some make public, dreams, that help fight for you before you could fight, some save your life, and One saves your soul. So am I wrong to say "blog smog?" It wouldn't be the first time that's happened. I guess I should say "blog on." Cliche? Sure. Can I say whatever I want in my own blog? Absolutely.