Comments:

I hear you. Really. My new journal was so I could keep in touch with kids back home, but now they just read it and don't bother talking to me. But now that I revealed the address, I can't say anything beyond the level of "well, what would so-and-so think of me." It used to be so easy, but I don't want to and can't change it now. I'll just roll with what I've got.

Steven, the same thing happened with my first blog (not the one y'all visited). I found I would actually SAY to my friends when I talked to them, "did you read my blog"? or even go as far as saying "it's sad that I just write everything on there and refer people to it."

... Sure it's harder to remember what story you've told to which people, but people haven't had problems with that for thousands of years. ;)

The issue around anonymity and content is another reason why I'm reluctant to make another blog. It's hard to write much of anything when trying to leave out names or possible identity-related items. "Honest thoughts" could seem pretty empty without providing other info to base them on.

Now I'm ranting on your whiney post. Your blog is fine, sometimes you post events, sometimes you post thoughts... you make us internet people happy, as well as your family/friends :)

Having a bit of a down day? I've been reading your blog for a while, and I'm enjoying it a lot - even though I don't know you at all.. So this must be something more than just a report of your actions, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered..
I recently got my own blog. Thinking that the people who know me (whom I've been sending the link to..) will recognize me - but neigbours, colleagues etc. won't. I think. And I think that's all the anonymity I want..

Aaron,

I know EXACTLY what you're talking about! My blog started as a place for me to say what I wanted and give my opinions and get my feeligs out in the 'open'... After a few bad flurries of e-mailed 'hate mail' I've stopped expressing opinions.

Sad, but it's true. Maybe I should just tell them all to F-off!! *shrug*

I used to ride the bus to work. I spent nearly two hours per day on it, and I used the time to write letters to friends. Since each letter was only to one person who really knew me, I would write anything; the letters were completely uncensored. My friends loved them. I started my blog thinking I would write the same way. But when I think of who might read it, misunderstand it, etc., I crack and I compromise myself. It's hard to not censor, but I think for myself, worth trying. For what it's worth, your writing is excellent, and I enjoy reading it.

Aaron and responders:
I've always thought you bloggers are brave people.

Everyone filters their swarm of thoughts, deciding what they want other's to see. Observing people, I'm constantly shocked at just how many layers of intermingling, mutating thoughts our minds produce and house. I've seen friends whose "band" is so narrow that most people have no idea who they really "are". Infact, I've concluded that there is no "are". We all choose to show different audiences oftentimes strikingly different parts of our inner selves. We can be, and I think this is a very cool feature of humanity, very differnt people to different audiences. But because of the anonymity of your, potentially limitless, audience, your jobs seem much more difficult than most. I couldn't do it.

Aaron, its funny, but I've mainly read your blog because of what you choose to reveal about your thoughts rather than your activities. You seem to take life with tolerance and optimism, and you express yourself clearly and succintly (all qualities I lack), so your pontifications are thought-provoking and interesting. And I've always got Michael Jackson and Tara Reid to fulfill my purely voyeristic urges. So, for whatever its worth, I think your blog finds a good medium between "what one does" and "how one feels".

Pardon my ramblings - most of my best-friends are studying psychoanalysis...

It sure is a tough issue. I recently stopped blogging for pretty much the same reason: in my case, I love writing about politics, but felt like I couldn't speak honestly because it would make too many waves at my job these days. Same with family, dating, etc. And there's just no fun in a blog if you have to hold back or self-censor everything. But I really enjoyed it for a while.

Aaron, you're just fine where you are. I like your site. I love that you write about the things you do and your thoughts. I think you have a nice mix of both. That is who you are and that is why I read. I wouldn't change a thing. Keep writing whatever you want.