have you ever started a conversation with "i have a friend who..." only to realize that it isn't exactly a friend, it's a blog that you read? an interesting thing about blogging is that without actually knowing someone you are let into their lives--the day to day bits, the celebrations and the disappointments. but somehow, you don't really know them--you only know the piece that they share.

there are blogs that i have been reading for four years. often i just read and don't leave comments--maybe they are "popular" blogs that i don't feel i need to comment on, maybe i just don't feel chatty--but i have been reading.

when something tragic happens i feel at such a loss. words feel so useless and cutesy little {{hugs}} in the face of real life trauma just feel trite.

i don't know where i was going with this except that it can be a strange dynamic when you are let into the personal nooks and crannies of someone else's life without actually building a relationship or real friendship.