Verity & Probity

Being fairly new to the world of blogging I sometimes come across a new blog and wonder about the person behind the words. I suppose that's why I prefer to stick somewhat within my comfort zone. I am happy to have in my reader, those with a link to EDS & knitting and because I understand their need for anonymity a blogging doctor or associated professional.

I am however cautious about commenting and it takes me absolutely ages to make the first one on a blog new to me. Don't get me wrong, I do not spend hours on the Internet trawling blogs but for someone who like me who is often in pain it does serve as a welcome distraction. I find holding a book hard due to my bendy hands and where I used to be a prolific reader, I need to limit by way of boring sensible pacing for pain management, the amount of time I actually hold a book to read it. I know there are book holders etc. but I am clumsy by nature ..... bla bla. So before I go off on a tangent about book holders and the fact that there are very expensive ones out there that I could buy I will leave that explanation right there.

So when I comment on a blog I love it when it says 'comments are welcomed' it makes me feel more secure about the whole thing. I am learning something though about myself and that is this. I obviously am not as secure in myself as I had thought I was because when I do comment I sometimes wonder whether I should or not. Does the author thinks oh shit its that bloodyAchelois again commenting on my blog. So because I obviously suffer from minor anxiety related to commenting if I find myself in the slightest bit concerned that the author may think this I am going to read and not comment. I have realised that partly its the way I was brought up by that I feel obliged to comment - manners.

I guess I feel that its a bit rude really to lurk around reading a blog and not eventually introduce myself! Once I have done that I feel better. Latterly on a blog I comment on about three times a month or less I found myself wondering about the fact that the author never ever comments anymore or seems to have any interaction with me at all. So I have decided to stop commenting on that blog. This brings forth a dilemma for me because of the manners thing, I feel I should therefore stop reading the blog.

I am a fairly ordinary middle aged woman and honestly I am not that neurotic, my mind has just been meandering around the whole blog etiquette scenario and I realise that I know nothing about it, so if I make faux pas (sp) with commenting it is my social naivety that is at fault I guess. I have also worked out that I fully expect the author to be trustworthy! An attribute which is another example of my crass elementary knowledge of blogging generally.

I have wondered whether there is a book about blogging and etiquette/rules and realised that I would feel a bit sad to buy it. So like a teenager at their first proper party, blushing and fretting and shuffling from one foot to the next, hands in pockets or conversely drinking that bit too much and being a bit loud and in your face, I am sure I am making frequent mistakes in the world of blogging, which is so new to me.

On the trust issues I guess I have to go with my instincts - by nature I am fairly private so do not put my real name in my blog, not because I have anything to hide to be frank more because I am aware that not all people on the wibbly wobbly web are entirely trustworthy. So if I do comment on a blog its because I feel an element of trust with the author. I guess what I look for is integrity through the written word and if I feel that is there I feel more confident to comment occasionally!

Whats that's song? 'its my party and I'll cry if I want to' (not a favourite of mine actually just trying to find an analogy and at the same time showing my age) Its my blog, and I have just worked out I don't need permission to write about anything at all, I can write pretty much what I like. Obviously including my personal ethos in life if that is the right word, as long as I act with verity and probity......

(By the way 'comments are welcomed' I just haven't quite worked out yet how to have that permanently on the blog along with how to post links properly)

So there we the truth is out. I guess if you have read this far you will have worked out, I really really don't like a liar. So if I have plucked up the courage to comment it means I am doing the trust thing to an extent. Its worth googling trust quotes there are some thought provoking ones I think.