Although Autumn is hands-down one of my favorite seasons, there's definitely something about this time of year that drives my thoughts into a little mental garage at the corner of melancholy and wistful. I can't help it. But I seem to be doing it more and more these days. I notice that I find myself looking back more than usual on people and things, times and places, conversations both expressed and unsaid for reasons too-well remembered and I find that I am, well—missing.
I've been missing in one very obvious way to most people—namely from an aforementioned social networking site that I have previously blamed for the death of insightful soul baring prose for the immediate fix of mindless tweets and pokes. I did it y'all—I unplugged from the Facebook matrix. Aside from a few panicked emails from friends desperate to know the details of my breakfast menu or which Lady GagGa song I am—it's been a quiet and very welcomed un-plugging. Can't say whether or not it will be permanent at this point—but nice just the same.
I've been missing my parents lately, which is probably a direct result from spending the last several weekends at my childhood home as my sisters and I ready it for sale. Since my mother's death it has stood empty, awaiting both the recovery of a sluggish market a well as the procrastination of three life-long Jedi masters of avoidance to finally break. Needless to say, just spending 8 hours on a rainy Saturday with my sisters painting over the crayon marks in the closet that once served as our clubhouse or sitting on the front steps —the same steps where as a five year old you patiently waited your father's return from Western Auto with the new color television— all these things have probably contributed to my thoughts straying into the past—and missing the people and events from that past.
But of all the things I have been missing lately, I miss the blogs of my friends. When I began blogging over four years ago, I stumbled upon a group of bloggers—strangers who actually became friends with each other through their blogs—and likewise, I became friends with some of them as well. I enjoyed the depth of their writing, their willingness to open up and creatively present their lives—along with their humor and honesty. It was strange to become so familiar with a person purely through their writing, but it was very, very enjoyable as well. One by one over the last few years, each has ceased blogging in lieu of social networking sites and tweets. The information is more immediate, but alas—not nearly as deep or meaningful. I know what everyone is doing, but I have no idea what they're feeling. Or thinking. I miss reading about their lives. I miss them.
I guess that's about it. Is there anything else I missed?
Oh god please don't stop!
Posted by: rod | October 29, 2009 at 10:18 PM
well, we, i mean, i miss you too! and it was great to see you sunday.
my numbers on the my are actually creeping up...not sure what that says. i mean, i'm getting about 4 visits a day!
xxoo,
J
Posted by: aka frank | November 04, 2009 at 09:12 AM