Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Friends

Just thinking out loud, I think I'm finding a new rhythm to this thing again. You see two days ago, I was in a posting mood, so that's what I did. And yesterday, I was more in a comment mood, so I did some blog hopping and posted comments. Maybe I'm on to something here. But, as everyone has told me, there are no rules -- just do what you want.

Anyway... Focusing.... As you know, I've been in this kind of reflective mood recently. During this time, I've heard from a bunch of my new blog friends -- which I really appreciate and I am humbled by. However, I haven't really heard from my "in person" friends, who I will call my non-blog friends.

That really made me think. Hmmmm... In this day and age where electronic communication is more common and more convenient than in-person communication, do I have communication more with my blog friends or my non-blog friends? Now, the people at work don't count, at least for me, because all of you know how much I work (too much).

Anyway... Focusing again... This entertains an interesting question: When it comes to citizens of the blogosphere, do people have more blog friends or non-blog friends? For me, I've come to find out that it's the former -- not that it's a bad thing, but an interesting realization.

How about you? Do you have more blog friends or non-blog friends? Do you care? Does it bother you one way or another? I'm Dr. A, and I'm a re-discovered blogaholic...

BTW, I haven't plugged my map lately. If you haven't placed yourself on my map, what are you waiting for? Click here and join the 29 others who have already done it!

49 comments:

Smalltown RN said...

Well good morning Dr. A....

It has been a little while since I have visited your site, but when I do I certainly enjoy your posts. By the way, thank you for your kind words on my post. A few times yesterday I just sat and thought about the loss of my colleague and the impact it had on me and his poor family.

Now with regards to having more friends in the blogosphere or in real life....hmmm good question. Well I think my situation might be a little different than some.
I have only lived where I am for 18 months. I have only made a couple of friends/aquintances in my area. The folks I work with live about 60 km away so I don't tend to have much contact with them outside of work. My friends on the mainland I tend to communicate via email and IM. So most of my communication is done via the internet. I have never been one to have a large number of close friends but I have lots of aquintances people I would socialize with on a semi-regular basis. I come from a large family and found that a lot of my social interaction was family based. Then came the blog. It was my family that got me blogging and now I am pretty much the only one who blogs on a regular basis. I have met some wonderful people via the blogosphere and I hope I will continue to connect with them in the future. So I guess I would have to say that about 75% of my friends and contacts are internet based.

Have a great day Dr.......
Cheers...

Anonymous said...

Dr. Anon, I have quite a few non-blog friends, however I'm not in touch with them in the way I am my blog friends. I'm always getting in trouble for "not staying in touch" with my non-blog friends.

I find the written media far easier to communicate in, and this is just so much more comfortable for me.

Along the same lines, I've noticed that I get a lot more said on the blogs, and with blog friends, than I do otherwise ... where my blog friends know more about what's going on than my non-bloggers do.

Interesting phenomenon, eh? I'm going to be watching the comment section of this post ... :o)

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you are finding your rhythm, Dr. A.

Hmmmmm, I have to say that I have more non-blog friends. However, my blog friends know more about me, they just don't know what I look like! ;o)

I think Moof's summary hits the nail on the head.

Michael C said...

Welcome back, Dr. A. I have a number of folks who I consider really good non-blog friends and feel blessed about that. I also have a few blog-friends I chat with on a daily basis.

I definitely talk to my blog friends more but being as I'm a newly admitted blogoholic, I still have more non-blog friends, I just never speak with them anymore ;-)

Awesome Mom said...

Well I must say that I keep in contact with my online friends more than I do with my "real" friends. When someone is online and chatting with me I know that they are avalible, I don't feel like I am imposing on them. Plus my internet time is after my kids go to bed, times when most normal people are asleep in bed also. It is hard to find nutty people like me that want to hang out in the middle of the night.

Dr. A said...

I just had a nice conversation with on of my "non-blog" friends this morning. Now, none of you out there told him about my blog. Hmmmm? I wonder... (Just kidding)

Anonymous said...

are you married Dr. A?

Dr. A said...

What do you think, mr/ms anonymous person? If you knew, would that change your opinion of me? I'm kind of curious. Billy Joel sang, "Don't go changin to try and please me..." *LOL*

Anonymous said...

dr. a,
you sound hot! and it sounds like you have NOT met "the one", yet... married or not.
justforfun

NeoNurseChic said...

LOL These comments sure took an interesting turn!! ;)

Dr. A said...

Blog profiling? Isn't that illegal in some states?

ipanema said...

It pays to have trackers, by now you can blog-profile someone. :)


I'm more 'connected' with my blog friends than my 'real friends'.



Off topic (sorry Dr. A): I'm blogrolling everyone on the BA Map. My list isn't complete yet. It just seem right I think. Thanks.

Jessica said...

I don't know which one I have more of... but blog friends diffently know me more than non-blogger friends. Though I'm trying to reconnect with a bunch of them... in fact I so just this afternoon!

The blog is easier... because as already said it's easier to write sometimes that talk.

My friend today asked me if I had a myspace or xanga account... no I don't. I debated telling her about my blog... I'm not sure what to do about that, I have no idea how my friends might take it. They and my parents don't know about it. The only people who do are my doctors because it is a way of coping for me.


Off topic... but I'm going out on a wing here and saying Doc A is married :)

Anonymous said...

Oh Dr. A....This is a topic after my own heart.I have non-blog friends but some of them have moved away so we don't see each other and therefore we don't talk much. A year ago my very best friend passed away.I also have new non-blog friends I have made since moving, but in non-blog life I am much more backwards than on here. I don't make friends easily. But, I cherish my firendships once I do make them. At this stage in my life my blog friends out number my non-blog friends. Most important is a feeling of ease with my blog friends. They are there for us no matter what.

now for profiling of you. I think Dr. Grumet is right on. You are single and young! I would almost bet the farm (that I don't have) on it.

Dr. A said...

Can someone explain the whole MySpace phenomeon to me? I guess I just don't get it. All I hear is the negative news reports. What's the good side to MySpace? Or, is it just a bunch of predators like that John Mark Karr guy?

Awesome Mom said...

I think myspace is a bit of a teen thing. I have an account because I had an online friend that wanted to show me something on her page. Mostly I ignore it because to me blogging is much more fun. I did reconnect with a person from my high school but it ended up being wierd because she is still in the same place she was when she graduated from high school and I am in a completely different place from her.

PS thanks for stopping by my blog and I would love to have you link to me.

HP said...

I lived in Germany for a while and I really like the distinction they draw between "friends" and "acquaintances". I have a few, really good non-blog friends and that's the way I like it. Time and distance often means we don't catch up as often as we like but because of the quality of the friendship, it works fine.
I probably interact with my blog friends more frequently simply because it's more convenient but also because it's great to be able to "meet" and talk with so many interesting people that I'd never otherwise get the chance to get to know (as well as you can in the internet environment).

I tried Myspace briefly. It wasn't for me. With respect to anyone who uses Myspace here, there was a lot of inappropriate content on Myspace or maybe I was just unlucky with the people who made contact with me. What does that say?

It's funny how this thread has twisted into a discussion of your marital status/availability, Dr. A.
Maybe we should set you up a fan club? :) Although I'm punting on late 30s, married.

Maggie Rosethorn said...

Dr A...just put myself on your map. I have blog friends and non blog friends and try to keep in touch with them both. As for Myspace...got one of those, too, only because a few friends have them but I don't think I've checked in for a month or more.

Dr. A said...

Fan club? Maybe start a "Friends of Dr. A Fan Club" on MySpace. That would be funny...

Anonymous said...

well, are you gonna tell us or do we have to just keep wondering? I know I'm right! If an exact age is required I'm going for 36, give or take only 1 year.

Anonymous said...

ROLF....

I am a stay at home mom.. who goes to college on line.. what do you think????

*grin*

and it's all moofs fault.

*poke at moof*...

actually it has been a blessing in that I don't feel as isolated as I once did..

Dr. A said...

Of course I'm going to keep you guessing! If I would tell, then that would spoil all the fun, right? Great discussion today!

HP said...

A tease!

Anonymous said...

Ok so I am voting that Dr A. is like Dr. Mcdreamy on Grays anatamy??? anyone second that vote??

Anonymous said...

Blogging, emailing, and even old-fashioned letterwriting create an aesthetic distance that fosters vulnerability, which nurtures risk, which inculcates intimacy. Or the illusion of it. We think we know who we are in the blogosphere and delight in the deception.
Laugh.Or....
Else.

Anonymous said...

Okay ... Dr. A is single - I heard him moaning just a bit over on Hans' blog about being a hungry bachelor ...

He's been practicing medicine for about a decade ... so, 30's? Not sure how long school is for docs ... it seems like forever whenever I read about it though.

And about being "hot" ... well, of course he's hot! He's a blog addict, after all! All of us blog addicts are a bit hot, eh? >;o)

Annnnd Wolfbaby ... now now, don't go blaming it all on a poor innocent Moof ... *cough* ... you love blogging! You know you do! You just looked like "easy pickings" in that Math class!*evil chuckle*

Anonymous said...

Wow, I've missed out on a lot of interesting conversation today . . . now I'm curious as well. So . . . BS at 22, MD at 26, residency complete by 29, add ten years and you get 39. Oh, subtract the three for residency . . . He's 36. ;o)

And single? Hmmmm . . .

HP said...

Good to see you finally added your photo, Dr. A. LMAO

Flashtrigger said...

Way late & slightly off-topic here. MySpace is how I keep in touch with my siblings and cousins, as well as some people from work. Sure there are negative news reports but thats with anything. There's a positive and negative for any one thing, always.
Is that pic really you? No offense...if it is, its rare I see a doctor with a genuine smile. And that's after working in healthcare for 3 years, deathcare for an additional 3 years, and as a patient for well...life. If it is you, and the smile is genuine, kudos.

ipanema said...

Oh, that picture suits you. I think you're about that age. Keep that photo doc. :)

Dr. A said...

How you doin? This thing really has taken on a life of its own now. What was the original post about anyway? Anyone rememember?

jbwritergirl said...

Damn, it took me 20 minutes to get my hands back on the keyboard after gazing at your doctor photo. Glad I have a lock on my office door. LOL.

Who cares how old you are, just keep the picture up!!!!!

Dreaming again said...

Ok ... Do I get to pick a TV persona too?

Anonymous said...

Okay ... this is so not fair!!!

I spent a lot of time on here yesterday, and only left for a little while ... and now there's all sorts of talk about a picture ... which I never got to see!!!

C'mon now!!! Cough it up! No fair!!! >;o)

Anonymous said...

Okay ... I take it back. I just saw it ... I must be blind!

I agree ... leave it up! w00t! >;o)

dragonflyfilly said...

yes, you pose a very interesting question here...i think i may have more blog friends than non-blog friends, or perhaps i just have more contact with my blog friends as they are more accessible. Most of my friends live at least an hour's drive away...i used to have a couple in my apartment complex, but since i became quite ill, they have fallen by the way (fair-weather friends? you say ...yes indeed), so for me, except for my daughter, who i see at least twice a week, my non-blog friends i keep in contact via the telephone or e-mail, simply because it is physically less taxing for me.

also, i find that my blogging friends are less demanding...and again, since this "stupid condition" i do not have the patience i had when i was well, so i find myself getting irritated at the most inconsequential things, and i do not want to "put this onto" my friends, whom i love and who have been my friends for over 20 years. They see a side of me know that they do not recognize, and this is hard for them.

i can hide my condition from my Blogging friends, if i choose, and in fact for the past year that is exactly what i did. I started blogging a year ago (approx.) and i have just in the past month or so made any reference to my "condition" here in cyberspace.

i think it is easier in some ways because you can remain intellectual if you like, emotions don't come through easily on the Blogs, and emotions ARE messy (sometimes) are often hard to manage. i need a lot of intellectual stimulation, maybe that is why i enjoy interacting with people on the Blogs so much.

i could go on all day, but this is your space, so i should not.

cheers for now,
pj from Flamingo's Hideaway

thethinker said...

I have more non-blog friends than blog friends, but I probably spend more time communicating with my blogger buddies. I guess it all balances out somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Wow did i start something or what.. and i just missed a few hours...

*clears throat*...

yeah i like the pick

darn good thing hubby was in bed when i seen it though.. it took a while to focus on uhh. yeah those things with letters...

*wipes drool of chin*

words right words....

lol

i really love that show!!!

ladybug said...

ok doc, if you get to be McDreamy... i want to be Abby from ER. all nurses should look like that ;)

NeoNurseChic said...

But Abby's not a nurse anymore.... :(

How about Sam? She's a pretty good lookin nurse on ER!! Has a few too many social problems for my liking - but then, it wouldn't be ER without a LOT of drama!! ;)

HP said...

Give me House over McDreamy any day. Sorry, Dr. A.

NeoNurseChic said...

Ooooh....House really IS a hotty!!! ;)

ladybug said...

i know...*sigh*...my abby isnt not a nurse anymore...but thats when i fell in love with her, and she was my favourite.

sam is cute. i like her, and if she had a wee bit less drama, i could see her being competition for my abby.

you know...i have a nurse i work with in real life who completely reminds me of Carol Hathaway *swoon* but more gorgeous ;) maybe its cuz she is very affectionate and i always get a shoulder rub when the blood she brings me to spin arent hemolyzed LOL

actually. there are a LOT of cute nurses where i work. the smarter they are, the cuter they are, too LOL god i am pathetic.

Anonymous said...

Yeah ok... House is hot to... ummmm, you mean i get to pic???? wow.. ohhh.. and the fantasy continues LOL... gotta love it;)

Sarebear said...

I think McDreamy's nose is a little too . . . something. Sorry gals!

Now House, on the other hand . . . he can $itch at me all he wants . . . YUMMY yum yum yum!

Er, did I say that? Woops . . .

Yay for House!!! Bring down the House . . . hee hee.

Okay, so I've got a crush on him. Hubby understands (I think). Lol!

lilly said...

i have only virtual friends..itz like compensating for the lack of real friends..not essentially bog friends..most of them are from yahoo or msn..
i think lots and lots of loners are seeking asylum in internet.good for us loners for who dont want to break this lonely habit. by the way im a medical student, doing terribly bad in studies..someday hope to get focussed ..i jus hope i get motivated soon..ur blog is easy to read..written in simple and an engaging way.. i wish i could write so easily..good day.

Anonymous said...

i have blog friends/aquaintances, work friends, and family. hmmm.

blog friends i like, because the i dont have to go further than my computer room to connect... and no, im not anti social ;)

rather have friends than aquaintances tho. one can be more open online, and still remain... you know... private?

what do you think?

Ineta said...

Greetings,
I was hoping to get the answer why those pictures? Wrong pasting of the link?

Hope to make you acquaintance.

Anonymous said...

Hey Dr. A.:) Thank you so much for the comment and the compliment and for adding me to your blogroll.

I have no social life, but, being an introvert, I'm fine with that. Well, sometimes it would be nice to go out, but I'd rather be home with my daughter.

I had a social life until I moved. Same city, different neighborhood. I guess we grew apart once we moved apart. But I like the blogosphere because I get to know people from so many different parts of the world and besides, I am more comfortable communicating in writing than speaking.