My sister, Hestia, found me. (She objects to my name choice, by the way, but really, it's based on my perception, as a sibling six years her junior.)
It was bound to happen. I was wondering who would be first. That's what I get for dating the wildly popular, funny, and famous Brett, the Transformed Non-Conformist! Here's how it played out (I think):
- Two weeks ago, Hestia's family were visiting, so I invited Brett to come over for lunch and the afternoon.
- Having finally met him, a few days later Hestia friended Brett on facebook.
- Brett repeatedly posts links to his new posts on his facebook page.
- Hestia is computer savvy, and started reading some of these posts.
- Sometimes Brett links to my blog in his post, which is great, but I'm not sure if it was through a link or through one of my comments that Hestia then connected to Doesn't Speak Klingon.
- Initially, it would seem that, finding my blog - and possibly reading a current post? - she saw the tab ^ for "The Saga..." and went to find out our story in more detail than I had provided in person.
- Brett and I both noticed we were getting new comments from "anonymous" on the posts linked to there, and from the comments it was obvious who was writing them.
I tried denial: "NO! You're using the word 'sis', like guys use 'bro', right?" (Hestia, you may not realize it, but both Brett and I actually reply to comments on our blogs, so if you post a question there, it will be answered.)
Last night, we talked, and she confirmed - in case I needed it - that she found me. She said that after starting with the Saga, she is reading my blog from the beginning, because her brand of OCD (we all have one) insists on going start to finish. She will do the same with Brett's no doubt, once she is more familiar with his particular snarkiness.
She has promised not to out me to anyone else.
She assured me there is no judging going on. (a big reason to be anonymous, no?)
She has, furthermore, offered her editing services for the book version. HA!
So, "Hestia" - If you don't wish to use the alias I have kindly provided, you are welcome to use your own name, just don't use mine. I do not use the real names of anyone I know, because they don't have the opportunity to defend themselves, but now you do. ...and btw, people might not recognize "Hestia" but the alternative, Roman version is "Vesta" and I already know a Vesta. You should really check her out at The Cowardly Feminist in my blogroll. (or right there in that link) Anyway, I couldn't use Vesta. OR...you could pick your own other suitable deity, to use when commenting. Since Anonymous is so...anonymous.
Hestia would make a good blogger, I think. Not just as a "mommy-blog" for a mother of two teens, but based on comments she posts on facebook, she seems to see an interesting cross-section of humanity. ...in the same way that Misty of Misty's Laws sees an interesting cross-section, but Hestia notices the crazy things people say and do more than the crazy things they wear.
Anyway, it's been a whirlwind couple days coming to terms with being "out", and trying to run through my blog in my mind and think of all the questionable things I might have said. Well, if she doesn't want to know it, she doesn't have to read it!
I have an anonymous blog, as well. I told a few people in my life (which I sometimes regret) but most people don't know.
ReplyDeleteMy brother knows about my blog and has a blog himself, although his is not anonymous. I have told him that he is never allowed to post a link to my blog on his blog or on Facebook, and when I comment on his blog, it is only anonymously.
I don't know what my big fear is, if people in my life find out, but I just really don't want them to. And I don't like the idea of strangers on the internet knowing who I am in real life, either. Maybe someday I'll change my mind, but for now, I like it this way.
I had a blog years ago, which was not anonymous, but non of my friends and family (or very few) ever commented, so I let down my guard and wrote what I wanted. Years later, well after the site closed down and I was blogless, my mom said she had visited it once, and it was a post about a night out partying with my friends. She decided she didn't want to read that about me, so never went back. AND NEVER TOLD ME SHE WAS THERE!
Delete...so they weren't invited this time. This is for me. These are my thoughts, and I don't want to censor myself.
As for not wanting strangers to find you out, that's just safety, in my book. :)
I censor myself heavily on my blog because it is not anonymous. I did have one at one point that was, but most of the stories I wanted to write about - my kids - I wanted my family to read as well. Now... I sort-of regret not keeping with the anonymous one.
ReplyDeleteI'm just glad that she volunteered the information that she's "not judging".
DeleteI really try not to be insulting or anything. It's just that people who see me regularly should probably not know every thought in my head.
My sister discovered a previous incarnation of my blog a few years ago and it created such upheaval in the family. I hope your sister responds with far more grace and understanding. I like that you encourage her to join the blogging community. We know how awesome the experience can be!
ReplyDeleteShe has two kids who are quite different from each other. Two teenagers, no less. I don't talk much about family on here, but she has stories...
DeleteSome of my friends and family know about my blog and some do not. Although its weird because when I do see them and go to tell them about my life, they already know from the blog. I sometimes wish I had kept the secret a bit better, but oh well.
ReplyDeleteHolly, your blog is delightfully about the ongoing story of things that happen to you on your farm. It's a great storyline, but you don't seem to get too personal. I would think that most of your friends and family would hear about that stuff eventually, so that's cool. ...although potentially a conversation killer if they already read it.
DeleteIt could be worse... My ex wife and my mother in law know about me... I can't talk about them anymore, which has cut my material almost in half.
ReplyDeleteOh, dude, that's so bad! You need to start a new, anonymous one if you want to write the bad stuff!
DeleteI AM snarky.
ReplyDeleteIn an awesome way which she is beginning to figure out.
DeleteAhhhhh!!!!! This is just the first step, you know. Soon enough, I predict you'll be posting duck-face portraits of yourself, standing on your porch with your house number in the visible background :)
ReplyDeleteI support the idea of Hestia blogging! But can the Internets handle TWO of you?
Since I can barely remember to get pics of me and Brett when we're together, I can't imagine intentionally taking dorky shots of my-own-self!
DeleteAnd my sister and I have such different lives that we would probably draw completely different readers.
...at any rate, since she's reading mine from the beginning, she won't read this for months, so it will be a while.
I kind of wish mine was anonymous. But then I think I would just end up complaining about people more. No one wants to read about that and I'm already negative enough. I think I just changed my own mind. It's good mine isn't anonymous.
ReplyDeleteI don't push anonymity for everyone. I just know that people who know one side of me sometimes don't know how to take the other sides, so this is better for me.
DeleteThere are times that I wish mine were anonymous. Oh the freedom to say what you want about anyone you want to. It must be glorious! At least you were outed by a cool person. If mine were anonymous, I just KNOW my mother-in-law would have been the one to find me. Shes a jerk like that.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Valerie
Hestia IS a cool person. She and I think enough alike - but enough different - that she'll get it.
DeleteI had sort of thought that a friend of mine from high school might find me first. I turned her onto the Bloggess and now she's addicted, and once you start reading blogs, there's just no stopping. But I've not heard from her, and I know I would if she'd found me.
I posted links of mine wanting my friends and family to read, sadly, apparently I'm not very interesting. My mom and wife read it and that's about it. So I can say what I want. I'd like to say that I don't censor myself, but I have probably altered certain stories in order not to piss off people who never read it anyway.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure which I would prefer, anonymity or to be known. I didn't go with anonymous because I truly don't care what people think so I have nothing to hide. But your right, it isn't for everybody.
On my former blog, friends and family were disappointing in their absence. I definitely made better connections with other bloggers. Same thing this time!
DeleteOooh, I missed this one! How did that happen?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am so fearful that someone from my job will find my blog one day. I have talked a lot of crap (all true!) about the people I work with, and there would be some major fallout. Weirdly, I've hardly talked at all about family or friends, so if any of them found out, it probably wouldn't be too big of a deal. And believe me, I could tell some stories about my wacky family. But something always holds me back. It just feels TOO personal or something. But there are definite advantages to being anonymous. I'm glad your sis is being cool about it. Let us know if she starts her own! :)
I probably would have gotten here in time if it weren't for the owl picture. Caught my attention as I was heading to the past and I had to stop and read.
ReplyDeleteFor now I will contain myself to minimal comments and jumping off points for you, but I will keep my own site in mind for the future.
"This is not the sister you were looking for"
Hestia