I have a secret. It’s a wee one, one you might have too. I didn’t save Bug’s tumor in a jar, although I’m quite sure you know that I asked the vet if I could. It isn’t that I volunteer for people to test out their phlebotomy skills on my pale arms, although I’ve been known to. I also still have my wisdom teeth. In a baggie. In my linen closet. It’s much more impersonal than that, much more lacking in understanding or tolerance. Come closer and I’ll tell you: I love train wreck bloggers.
I know that I said not too long ago that I was going to subscribe to a peace, love and happiness lifestyle. And I do! I do. I try … to do. But there are a few blogs right now that I’m obsessed with, that I bitch about in my private circles, questioning motives and mental stability. Why would she put that in print? Doesn’t it know that its children will read this someday? You can see her nipples. IN THE PIC WHERE SHE’S MAKING OUT WITH HER NEIGHBOR’S SON.
I’m aware that by definition, each and every one of us who writes online is self-indulgent. I want you to read me. My life is more interesting than anime and I read the New Yorker once this year. But there’s a limit, a border of civility and common sense that isn’t wise to cross. Writing moves; writing hurts. Writing lasts. I’m also well aware of the solid argument that states that one should move on! Simply delete said blogs from your reader, ignore their tweets, or – GASP! – unfollow. I cannot stop myself, friends. Cannot. These sites are glorious in their owners’ seemingly endless need to share things we probably should not know, some things that can hurt people, endless details that are at times associated with a REAL LIVE NAME. It boggles the mind, truly.
I’ve noted that reader reaction varies. The small online community has created something of a sense of hero worship, no matter the size of one’s corner. Said bloggers seem to gain praise for words that most of us wouldn’t utter in front of best friends or mothers or stylists. And when controversy arises? When there are those in the readership who dare disagree? In some cases, you’d never know it. I suspect that comment moderation is applied quite liberally these days. When an opposing opinion does make it to print, allies assume their places on the middle school chess board. They’re fiercely protective of their own, written torches in hand, posting repeated comments on a lengthy thread. Twitter is perhaps worse, the knee-jerk forum of writers, where we can spit blog rage or share passive-aggressive private jokes in a mere 140 characters. The rapid nature of these exchanges only heightens the effect. Excessive self-promotion and mindless criticism roll off the fingers. Few of us, including me, say anything unless moved well beyond the comfort zone. There are times, just as when zoned out in front of reality television, that we’d rather watch quietly and chat loudly.
I wouldn’t ever divulge who these guilty pleasures are, of course. Wimpy? It might be. I just have no interest in the drama on which some seem to thrive, the kind of attention that can by design fill one’s cup only temporarily. There’s still a hole in the bottom. And no posts or retweets are going to patch it.
19 Comments
I think this is the first time I’ve commented, but it’s for a worthy cause: I LOVE TRAINWRECK BLOGS! I wish you could share your favourites…
I adore trainwreck blogs. You are not alone, my friend.
Please, please share a few of your favorites! Me loves a good wreckage.
God, I would love to know which one you’re talking about… There’s one I’m following currently, and as much as I’m growing to DESPISE the writer and her self-righteousness, rudeness and sense of entitlement, I can’t seem to tear myself away.
How about if you show me yours I’ll show you mine?
I hope you aren’t talking about my bolg. I swear all that crap is made up. Just MTV’s reality shows.
geezus… now we’re all freakin’ paranoid.
And do you know I just got a written formal counseling at work for using the word “freakin’” in an email? So what else do I have to “freakin” blog about??? lmao.
If ya don’t like it, don’t come. That’s my 2010 motto hehehe
I’ve been guilty of this, too. Alas, I’m currently obsessing over a blog that belongs to someone I seriously dislike, and I just read it to remind myself that I dislike this person.
WTF, SELF??? This is not productive, nor is it my usual M.O.
Oh, you are so not alone. I’ve had many a work day wasted with trainwreck blogs and internet drama. I love a good trainwreck!
I also watch reality television. It’s all the same.
I’m guilty, too.
What you said about comment moderation running rampant these days is also probably true. It’s actually kind of funny how quickly some bloggers denounce those who voice an opposing opinion. Some people can’t handle it.
That’s probably why you liked my blog back in the day…and now?? I’m boring, pedestrian, a mom, married and I have NOTHING to blog about. I was so much fun when I was a train wreck.
will someone please post a link to at least one train wreck??? I need something to read!
My opinion, should you (moderately) choose to allow it to be seen by others, is that you should add a trainwreck tab to your own blog. You’ve identified a hot button for readers (including yourself) – it’s time to leverage that puppy.
I doubt you have one reader who isn’t dying to know of your exploits with the building super, how many nights a week you’ve shut the bar down, the deep hatred you hold for so many of your coworkers, and that unfortunate fungal incident; not to mention the Who’s Living In My Crawlspace Deluxe Collectors Card Edition.
I sense I’ve said too much.
I occasionally read the blog of a woman who, as far as I can tell, is someone I would hugely dislike in person. And her writing isn’t all that great. And yet, I read. And then think less of myself for my curiosity.
ditto.
I just went back to check my pictures…thankfully, there were no nipple slips in any of them. Phewwwww! I’m also pretty sure I never made out with any neighbors kids. If I did…I was drunk and that doesn’t count, right???
That cleared up, I have to admit that I’ve had a few secret blogs I followed that I never told anyone about. There’s just something oddly compelling in reading them – sort of like watching those shows where some jackass decides it’s a great idea to jump their snowmobile off a cliff.
Well said, friend…well said. =-)
Love it !! I have my secret blogs that I read because they are SIMPLY. SO. AWFUL. I can’t stop. (Seriously – we need to drink together sometime.)
That’s why I miss that old Trainwreck site. I like my voyeurism from a far remove (living across the ocean now should help with that). Someone posted something that could have been met with stern lectures recently, on a blog I only read when a friend points it out, and I asked where all the negative comments were. The reply? people are being supportive or deleted. God! Wouldn’t it be awesome if life worked like that? I’d totally get a delete button for my mom. But that’s another trainwreck.
I prefer witnessing train wrecks by way of reality television. Poetic. Like a trailer park and Verdi got it on and – poof! – this is their bastard child.
Multiple visits to the therapist and still nothing makes me feel normal like watching someone else fall apart.