-or- A blaze of glory for the vainglorious
I have become a pretty regular blogger. I enjoy the opportunity it gives me to think, write, and sometimes just be silly. And as blogging has become more a part of my daily activities, I do find that I have developed not only an intellectual connection to the activity, but also a visceral one. I think this connection has actually enhanced my enjoyment of the activity.
But not necessarily all the time.
Because that connection with both the activity and the community here has become more than simply a head-game, I have found that some things that occur here reach me on a level that is perhaps more than simply intellectual. Emotional ties to written words and the authors behind them can lead to emotional wounds that scab over much more slowly. And at times that emotional wounding requires a step back, time off, or a refocusing of priorities.
I suppose I am fortunate that I try to blog mostly with my head. I just function that way, and emotion often comes secondary to rational examination. Usually this means I can think the injury away, and when I can't I can convince myself that the step back will do the trick. And I think I am not the only who does this. I think many of us here are able to do the same thing: either compartmentalize things enough or think things through to the point we are healed and ready for more.
However, some seem dead-set on making a show of it.
I don't think I could ever do that. It isn't in my nature. I took some time off from the site here a while back, and never really had any desire to write some sob story about how I didn't feel loved, didn't feel like I fit in, or was tired of the persecution (course that may have something to do with the fact I wasn't being persecuted, I just wasn't getting into the whole thing). Heck, I even thought about calling it quits, but no one probably knew that until they read this. Why? The drama is tiresome, that's why.
And there is plenty of drama to go around. So the sensible of us avoid such shows of irrationality. And you know what? Every time I see an outrageous show of bravado, the puffed up chests, full of indignation and righteous fury at their injuries, I can't help but think it is all a show. Controversy needs attention, lest it isn't controversial, is it? And so those who live on the controversy will put on the show, telling us all how they never will return.
I wish it was so. Go, don't come back, and take the show somewhere else.
Most of us will just continue pressing forward, rolling over the little hills (or huge mountains) that come our way, blogging, befriending, and forgetting those who told us off in their final flash of glory.