Well folks, I gave it a try and failed miserably. All I did was confuse a lot of folks and offend some of my more sensitive followers. What was my transgression? I attempted to make my blog private.
And what may tell prompted me to take such a drastic action? Very simple, the past few weeks have been very stressful for me. Organizing and pulling off the 2014 Bloggerpalooza was enough to keep my rapt attention. But on top of that I had a call from one of my brothers who oh so helpfully told me "You know that Barbara reads your blog."
Barbara is our mutual sister-in-law (the wife of my other Southern Baptist pastor brother) who is all too often easily offended by some of the things I write about in my blog. Apparently I've committed several more offenses in past blog postings. I think my main offense is that I practice the gay lifestyle. As my brother said "Ronnie, you're always saying your GAY!" Well, actually I don't but my family likes to practice "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in civilian life.
It goes like this, "we know you're gay Ronnie but don't make any reference to your gayness because it makes us feel uncomfortable." So I guess I should start substituting pronouns again when referring to things I do in my "lifestyle" (they LOVE calling me living my life as a LIFESTYLE). Well, I got into a to do with my brother over the phone. Sometimes I just have enough of the homophobia, even if the perpetrators don't even realize they're doing it. Like my other long time friend who casually remarked to me after Bill and I got married "What's next? Marrying your pet?"And of course he didn't realize how offensive his remark was or how he just trivialized my 50 year relationship with Bill. He actually still doesn't get it even though he sent me a so called "apology." Something about what his church pastor said. The old "Love the sinner but hate the sin." Save your apologies if that's the way they're going to be.
So I have the herding the cats aspect of the Bloggerpalooza last week and dealing with a complainer (which brought me down I have to admit), and my brother putting pressure on me to censor my blog then I get the Anonymous troll comment "We get the Pat Thing, what's Bill think of your relationship with Pat?"
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| My nonjudgmental friend Pat who likes me just the way I am |
Of course this comment was signed "Anonymous" as all unkind comments are signed. I have two answers on that question. First it is nobody's damn business about any relationship I have and secondly Pat is my friend, end of discussion. If that upsets anyone who has a different definition of relationships, that's their problem. Don't put your rules on me just like I don't want anyone putting rules on what I write in my blog. As I told my brother "Tell her not to read my blog if she doesn't like what I write."I am fortunate that I have a very happy life with Bill and I have friends. If that upsets some people, that's their problem, not mine. I remember years ago when I used to go the gay bar every Saturday night. When this one guy (Joe M., don't worry, he's long dead) would see me he would say "What are you doing here?! You have a lover! You shouldn't be here!"
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| Old Joe, I used to upset him so whenever he saw me out |
Yep, Joe would always get quite upset when he saw out for a Saturday night at the neighborhood gay bar in Philly. Probably didn't like the competition. Old Joe, he went to his grave worried about Ron not playing by HIS rules on relationships.
I don't want these people reading my blog. I also don't want my co-workers at the hotel reading my blog (yep, they're probably reading this right now). All too often they find something to titter about that I wrote when I arrive at work. Don't need it folks. I like my co-workers but I don't like to be greeted with titters when I arrive at work. I often think "What did I write now?" I also have neighbors who read my blog. I love my neighbors to death but I would prefer then not reading my blog entries and passing judgment on my activities. You're not going to find satisfaction in my personal blog entries. It's my life folks. It's not like your life. No offense but stop reading my blog. It really isn't of any interest to you. Thanks!
Seems like a lot of people these days think they know better how I should lead my life than me. Hey, I've done pretty good so far. I come from nothing (literally). I have taken care of myself both physically, financially and mentally through hard work, determination and a bit of luck. I am very lucky in that I love and am loved in my life by a few really fine folk. But sometimes when the slings and arrows are coming at me and hit me when I'm in a down mode, I just want to change access to my personal life.
So I perhaps, unwisely decided to make my blog private. I probably should have thought this out but I didn't. Big mistake.
I went into settings and made my blog private. Then I sent out invitations to those other bloggers who have been following my blog to enter my private blog. It didn't take too long until a fellow blogger told me that I had actually sent out "Author" invitations. That mean anyone who I sent the invitations too could change my blog. For chrissakes. Then I go in and try to correct. Now it's getting complicated and my head is hurting.
So friends, I've just made my blog public again and will try to dodge, ignore, and delete the attempts at censorship and unkind remarks and suggestions. Fact of life.
My, my. Life does get complicated at time doesn't it? Sorry for the rant folks but this is something I had to get off my chest.
Alright anonymous trolls, bring on the comments.
