I started writing when I was eight years old. I was given a notebook at my birthday party and I just started writing. Sometimes I wrote about my day; how annoying my brothers were; what dumb thing my step-mom had said. Other times I wrote stories. Stories about princesses. Stories about little girls with a house full of sisters. Stories of adventure, mystery and occasionally sadness.
I never really kept a diary, it seemed counter productive with the two Houdini twins living in the bedroom next door, so I wrote stories. When I was twelve, my English Lit teacher told me I was a good writer, but if I even wanted it to be anything real, I’d need to stop writing how I talked. I decided that day, that maybe I didn’t want to be a real writer. Hopes of writing the great American novel dashed in one short sentence from a seventh grade teacher.
About four and a half years ago, I went searching for what the term metro sexual meant. I’d heard it, but didn’t quite understand and instead of asking people and possible looking dumb, I decided to Google it. I found what I was looking for, but I also found a blog. The first blog I’d ever seen. Until that day, I didn’t know what a blog was. The blog I found was MetroDad. I was enthralled. I read the entire previous year of his blog. I loved his writing and thought, hey he writes funny stories about his life. I could do that.
It took me a while to get up the nerve to comment. By then I’d started reading several other blogs, mostly daddy bloggers funnily enough. (Which is why the, no men at BlogHer thing bothered me as much as it did. These amazing men are the reason I started doing this. I wanted to meet as many of them as possible.) Eventually MetroDad and ChildsPlayx2 got sick of me taking up their comments sections with mini-novels and convinced me to scamper off and start my own blog. It probably was more like, go over there, away from us crazy lady, write elsewhere. Not positive though, is just a guess.
I’ve always loved writing and I adore blogging. I love comments, I love reading what you all write and I love commenting. I even love responding to everyone’s comments. I used to respond to every single comment. Not because I had too, but because I wanted too. Because I had time too.
Twitter has changed that.
The drama that has happened in the past week has set wrong with me. Not just the initial incident. But the aftermath. The vies of attention from everyone else. Everyone wanting their piece heard. I don’t blame them. I’m sure the post I wrote on Sunday night was just that as well. It is human nature to want to say what is on your mind. Especially for those of us who blog.
Then there was the balloon boy. And every celeb death or perceived death that gets talked about. Tweeting about these things takes up days. Paying attention to the tweets takes hours. I lose what people say to me, in the sea of tweets that I don’t care about. There is always drama on Twitter. If there isn’t on a particular day, someone will pick a topic to argue to death.
It’s not even that I care about all of it. But I get sucked in. I have a hard time not. It’s my personality. I am not a drama whore…although some may think so after what I did last night.
I can’t take the drama anymore. I want to go back to blogging. To writing. To commenting.
My reader has over 400 posts in it. All the time. Not by bloggers who I don’t want to read, but bloggers whose writing I adore. I rarely comment anymore. Mostly I skim posts. I hate that I’ve let it get this far. I hate that I’ve let Twitter take over what I loved about blogging.
Last night, I went private on Twitter. I will probably remain that way. I also un-followed 200 people. I possibly should have done it and not said anything. I made the mistake. I will apologize for it. I am truly sorry for any drama I cause by tweeting at all last night. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I was pissed about some things that happened yesterday and let the drama get too me. As pissed as I was, I’m shocked I didn’t delete the whole thing. I would have regretted that.
A few of you may have been unfollowed by mistake. I’ve already re-followed a few people who that happened too…people who I talk to everyday. It wasn’t my intention to piss off/upset anyone. Truly, I didn’t recognize most of the names. If we talk, if we are blog friends and you realize I unfollowed you, let me know, I’ll fix it. I was pissed and didn’t do this as clearly as I thought I was.
Either way, I’m tired of the drama. Twitter is now taking a backseat in my online life. I am not deleting it, but I’m taking back blogging. I’m leaving the drama behind. My friend GrayMatter created a badge last night. One that I’m going to wear with pride. This is now a drama free blog. 
I love it. I can send it to anyone who wants it.
Today is a new day. A lovely drama free day. At least for me. Call me naive or an asshat if you want. But this is how I plan to continue from here on out. Today is the day I remember why I loved this so much.
i’m with you. RIGHT HERE with you on this one. heart you tons.
becky´s last blog ..Update on my moving along
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
@becky, Heart you too love.
It used to be so much easier.
Go, Issa!
I’d ask for the badge, but then I might not be able to talk about my own drama. *evil grin*
Chibi Jeebs´s last blog ..Doof Mom likes me!
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
@Chibi Jeebs, Dude, your own drama is okay. I’m thinking.
You’re completely right about Twitter and the drama. It’s starting to turn me off too. Once upon a time Twitter was fun and drama-free. Not so anymore.
Your blog is great and I look forward to you reading your posts as you take back blogging!
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
@drlori71, Once upon a time it was easy and light and fun. But it got too big, too fast. Sigh.
LOVE the idea! Not sure we can ever truly get away from “drama” since (as Marinka pointed out) the internet is a microcosm of “real life.” BUT, Twitter does seem to somehow be a drama magnet. Or maybe it just intensifies it. I don’t know, but I feel the same way, and have been contemplating stepping away from from it. I love the real friendships and connections that I’ve made there, though, and I do, SOMETIMES, get some great information, links & news there. *sigh*
The one thing we CAN all do is what you’re doing here. Commit to not contributing to the drama. Kudos to you my friend. Love you mega!
PsychMamma´s last blog ..Embracing Holland
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
@PsychMamma, No we can’t. Is a part of life. I can step out of it though and not let it consume me. Or add to it. That’s my goal.
Great post! Hate the drama.
punkinmama´s last blog ..giveaway: harry connick jr, your songs
Way to take back blogging. Like I said last night on twitter, it is nice to get back to basics sometimes.
Lisa´s last blog ..Common First Trimester Complaints
Sounds like a great start hon.
xo
Back to what you love is never a bad thing. The blogging community, like the real world, can be very drama filled and clique-y and Twitter is one of the worst spaces for that business. I have a very limited amount of people that I follow, and I’m okay with that.
I blog and write for me. I even Tweet for me. Yes, sometimes I want the support of others but ultimately, I do it to make me happy, and if it stops making me happy, I’ll be doing the same as you. So good for you, dammit
The Grown Up Teenager´s last blog ..The ABCs of me
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
@The Grown Up Teenager, That’s the truth right there. It has stopped making me happy. So, I’m gonna try this and hopefully get back to loving it again.
I have consciously pulled away from Twitter in the past month or so. I get on and make a comment or two and log off. I don’t have time for all the drama on there. I have enough of that in my real life! I love the idea of committing to not contributing to the drama. Here’s to more Lovely Drama Free Days!
Mo´s last blog ..Holy Sheep! You Mean I’m Allowed to Chase Them?
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
@Mo, Is a big goal. But I think I can stick with it. We’ll see.
Thank you for writing this. I have read your blog for awhile and have never posted…. but I wanted to say thank you regardless. I was away this weekend and came home to find a firestorm on twitter and in my dashboard. I have been thinking lately that twitter is a little too much like public school and high school for me (although I have found some great information and contacts on there….). There are reasons I blog and they are (in this order): 1) for my daughter and our experiences with her severe food allergy, 2) to help other moms dealing with food allergies/intolerances and 3) for my family. So thank you again.
I did follow you on twitter, but I totally understand your reasoning and I respect it 100%.
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
@Elizabeth, It is like HS. That is so true.
thank you for commenting. I appreciate it. I love meeting new people. Although, I don’t mind lurkers either. My best friend is a lurker.
PS – I love the button.
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
@Elizabeth, Oh an I can send you the button if you’d like.
twitter has taken a backseat for me lately, not because of all the drama, because I seem to miss all of that…thankfully. It is just a giant time suck and it seems that all I accomplish anymore is twitter and thats it. I agree, taking back the blog is a great thing.
Much love to you! xoxo
Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..A Thank You & A Give Away
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
@Domestic Extraordinaire, Thanks Heather. Yeah, it is a giant time suck. Just not being on it today, I’ve managed to read some blogs, comment and enjoy just being. Even watched some Bobby Flay Throwdown.
I was lucky enough to miss all the drama as it was happening…though I did backtrack and investigate when I read your blog post on it. (Nosy gal that I am.) I do know what you mean about Twitter though. I love it (I’ve been lucky to remain mostly drama-free there…but I think I don’t follow a lot of the same people that many do – and pretty much none of the people involved in the latest event) but My. God. What a time suck it can be. And I’ve started to see the correlation between too much tweeting and not enough blogging. I’ve been dancing around that very idea as of late and this just brought it into focus for me. Good for you for taking back the sanity!!! Plus? If it means more blogging from you…win/win!
xoxox
Lesley´s last blog ..All the P.S.’s To This Post Are Like Five Times Longer Than The Actual Post Itself Because That’s How I Do It Around Here (Like Someone Who Has Absolutely No Idea What She’s Doing)
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
@Lesley, Thanks Lesley.
Dude, you are lucky to be removed from it. Truly.
I agree 100%. I just got back into blogging publicly earlier this year and the comment I made just recently (to myself, mostly) is the thing I didn’t even realize I didn’t miss about blogging is all the drama. It’s crazy.
C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..Toothbrush Wars
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
@C @ Kid Things, There will always be drama. It’s how much we engage in it. That is where I’m going to make a change. In me. It’s all I can do.
Several thoughts about this. They will probably step on some toes. I’m sorry, it’s not my intention.
I watched the drama unfold last week and also participated in fanning the wildfire, by retweeting the story once. Then I stayed out of it.
I wrote a blog post sort of about it, more about how media is more concerned about the speed at which a story gets out, than with the accuracy of the story.
Twitter is like coversations at a party with people joining and leaving all the time. When 2 people are having a conversation between just the 2 of them, I feel as if I’m evesdropping.
I use twitter to tweet smipits of my day. And I don’t live on Twitter all day.
Becky´s last blog ..The Truth lies somewhere in the middle
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
@Becky, Hmm, I don’t think you’ll piss anyone off. I’m not even sure that I really did.
Twitter is like being at a party. It’s a long, all the time party. It gets tiring. And I get the eavesdropping thing. I’ve felt like that hundreds of times.
My goal? To use Twitter like you said.
I luffs you, woman! Mwah!!!
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
@Lex – @laprimera, I super luffs you to Lex.
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
@Lex – @laprimera, Dude, Lex, I can’t add your site to my reader. Any ideas on why?
I think Twitter appeals to my attention-deficit disorder side. Snippets of info, nothing to hold your attention too long, then move on to the next thing. Heather is right that it is a giant time suck, and that’s one of the reasons I’ve backed away from it. It gets too overwhelming. Lately I just log in to tweet maybe one or two things, and then I back away.
And the drama stuff… lordy, the drama. My instinct when that stuff flares up is to just disengage and walk away. I don’t want to get involved in that.
Good for you for going back to blogging. I’m trying to do the same, but it seems I spend more time reading than writing. Working on correcting that.
cindy w´s last blog ..vaccine’d up
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
@cindy w, In a way, it does me too. Also, when I’m super busy it’s easy to go on and catch up, but not have to engage.
My goal is to just not worry about what I’m missing and only do it when I want.
For me, Twitter is about blogging — finding new blogs, learning more about the people writing them, sharing my words with others.
I choose not to be involved in drama, not to take sides or pass judgement, and — somewhat sadly — not to consider Twitter pals my BFFs.
For me, BFFs can come blog-to-blog, but not Twitter-to-Twitter and so I don’t feel the pull and crush of it. I’m glad that you’re doing what’s right for you and putting up the barriers where you need them.
The good news is more of you for us to read here!
Kelly´s last blog ..Death triangles and the people who love them
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
@Kelly, I agree with you Kelly. I let the lines become too blurry.
The one thing I’ll say about my best friend is this…she and I met because of twitter. But she’d been reading my site since I had one before. She just never commented. Also, her brother-in-law is an old friend of mine. So it’s a bit different.
I think it is possible to make life long friends online. Maybe even on Twitter. It just isn’t what I need right now.
I didn’t mean to vie for attention and I have gotten way more than I ever thought possible, from strangers. I feel somewhat defeated honestly. I am going to hang back for a while and see if I belong around here or not. I am glad you are strong enough to step back and live more in the blogging world.
Lu ~ @masmom´s last blog ..This Sucks
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
@Lu ~ @masmom, Oh babe, I’m sorry. None of this was directed at you. I promise. I know you got hurt in all of this as well. we all got some negative attention, when we were trying to just be friends. We all got hurt feelings in some way. I want you to know that I value your friendship. I’m hoping all of this doesn’t end a lot of friendships. Hugs.
ps. I think you do belong here Lu. You do.
it’s so fuckign true about twitter…. it was before we really had feed readers either. when we had to physically visit EVERY blog we wanted to read. we commented more that way. we don’t comment when we don’t have too- when we can read the blog in a sidebar, you know?
but twitter has changed the way we conversate. it’s made it more and less personal all at once..
jennster´s last blog ..so. how will this change you?
Issa Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
@jennster, I adore you Ster and I never comment at your place anymore. Even though I read. But I luff you and I’m planning to go back to how I used to do this. Back to when it was more fun than work.
I always had bloglines, although I use google reader now or I’d have lost people. i have trouble remembering.
You are the best, really, you know how I feel about you! I’m sure you’ve noticed I’ve been away from Twitter a lot lately as well. Not necessarily because of drama, but because really it’s just too time consuming most days. I still love hearing about my on-line friends day to day lives, so I stick around for that. And I read blogs daily.
Love you, love your blog. Can’t wait to see you face to face again. Hopefully soon!!!
XOXO
AmazingGreis´s last blog ..O who? Hook’em Horns!!!
Issa Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 9:38 am
@AmazingGreis, It is so time consuming. I have a ways to go to get caught up on blogs…but I’ll get there.
Hugs my lovely friend.
You know what, maybe this kurfuffle (is that how it’s spelled) will actually create a shift in the other direction for both blogging and twitter. (Although I have serious doubts that we can ever tame that out-of-control beast). Maybe the pendulum will swing back in the direction of good writing, a supportive community and the feeling of pride that existed when you told people you had a blog…well, after you explained to them what a blog is…ok, maybe not pride exactly, but you get the idea.
Thanks for displaying and sharing the badge. xo B.
Gray Matter Matters´s last blog ..Motherhood is a movie you’re going to want to see, but shouldn’t.
Issa Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 9:40 am
@Gray Matter Matters, One could only hope. I just know, I can change how I do it. What everyone else does it their issue. Thanks for the badge. Love it. Am adding it to the sidebar too. Or well my friend who knows what she is doing is.
Sorry, just a test comment….. *muah*
MommyGeek´s last blog ..#FAIL (alternatively titled: I am a Doofus sometimes)
I love this Issa. Like I was saying last night, I want ‘old blogging’ back. In fact, I’m REALLY considering starting to write at my old place again. Thanks for the vote of support last night while we were talking. I also am going to try harder to comment on what I read (hey, this is a start right?) because honestly? Without blogging and the community of support I have felt through them I don’t know where I’d be right now. I do know I’d be farther into this depression than I feel is imaginable.
Angela´s last blog ..
Issa Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 9:40 am
@Angela, Writing is cathartic. Or it can be. Hugs honey. I hope life starts to get better for you soon.
I have to agree with you and have been giving a lot of thought to twitter and FB lately. I feel like even though I have more of an opportunity to communicate with others on the spot through those 2 sites, a real sense of community has been lost as well because of them. I feel like FB/Twitter has really affected blogging and especially commenting.
I’m not much into the drama, so I am right there with you on the drama free zone!
denise´s last blog ..Welcome A New Adventure… Bento Lunch Making!
Issa Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 9:41 am
@denise, Ha, I mostly just use Facebook to play Bejeweled. But I agree.
This is exactly how I feel about Twitter. I don’t spend enough time on there to really get into any of the drama. I was completely oblivious to the blog/TSA drama until just yesterday! Crazy.
Very well said though. All the things you wrote about are what I love about blogging. Respectful exchange of ideas, sharing your stories, etc. Good for you, back to basics is good!!
Love, love, love to you!
Kirsten´s last blog ..Reading List
Issa Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 9:42 am
@Kirsten, Is better to have seen the aftermath. Trust me on that one.
Tons of love my friend.
Love it! Taking back blogging – hell ya!!!
Twitter is evil. It makes people miss flights. Hee hee.
Kari´s last blog ..Crazy. It’s the new Normal.
Issa Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 9:43 am
@Kari, Twitter doesn’t make people miss flights, people who only listen for their Twitter name AT THE AIRPORT miss flights. Ahem.
Dude, in Vegas, I so wanted you to miss your flight. I should have told you to get on Twitter. Dam.
Thank you for writing this. Being very new to blogging and also very close to the weekend’s drama, I applaud you. Twitter is changing the shape of blogging and social media in general, but not necessarily for the good, as we witnessed recently.
That said, I have had the fortune of meeting you, Jenn, Jenna, Lu and so many others through it. I think all we can really do is find the balance that works best for us as individuals.
Kate´s last blog ..Apparently, I’m Over the Top! (Mah First Meme)
Issa Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 9:44 am
@Kate, I agree. I’ve made some great new friends on Twitter. New ones too.
I am not going to delete it. I just need to find my balance again.
Good on ya woman.
I think Twitter is over-rated, I just don’t get it. I don’t know anyone in real life that is on twitter, it just hasn’t taken off over here. I do enjoy Facebook but mainly for playing games and catching up on people I rarely see.
Best wishes to you Issa.
J from Ireland´s last blog ..A Good Auld Rant.
Issa Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 9:48 am
@J from Ireland, Thanks.
Yeah, I mostly use FB for games. Twitter is HUGE here. Like every company is on it, tons of celebs. I think it was more fun, before everyone and their brother was on it.
I’m very new to blogging – I do it for myself, and if anyone stumbles onto it, fine. But Twitter? I don’t get it. I’ve tried, but I just don’t understand the attraction.
For me, it’s like mayonnaise: I really don’t like it, and I’m not going to force myself to try to like it, because I’m sure it’s not good for me anyway.
kootnygirl´s last blog ..Two Sisters
*hugs*
Twitter has changed us, that’s for sure. Most of the time I believe it hasn’t been for the better and some times I think that there are people I’ve become CLOSER with because of it… but then I stop reading blogs because I talk to you guys all day anyway.
We definitely need less drama.
sam {temptingmama}´s last blog ..The Wind
Issa Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 10:59 am
@sam {temptingmama}, Sam, I just tried to DM you back, but Twitter is being a jerk wad.
I love twitter in some ways. it brought me to my best friend. That is priceless too me. I’m not leaving Twitter…just pulling back a bit. It’s been nice actually. I’ve gotten through a bit of my reader.
On the drama, dude i heard there was some last night..but because i am not following a ton of people, I completely missed it. Was happy about that.
Every day I become a bit happier that I don’t Twitter more than once a week.
tracey´s last blog ..It’s amazing what a little sunshine can do for the soul…
I was introduced to you by ways of the BlogHer keynote and have noticed you around Twitter, but this is the first time I’ve been by to read/comment. I have to say, I commend you for taking back your blog and doing what you feel is good for you.
I try my damnedest to stay away from the drama on Twitter and around the intertubes, but it’s there, and I talk about it with friends, but not ‘out there’ on the boards/streams/blogs. It’s negative energy. Negative feelings. I don’t need that in my life. GOOD FOR YOU!
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]´s last blog ..Easiest way to make yourself look Awesome? Personalize everything.
Good for you hon. You need to do what you need to do.
I’m rarely ever on twitter because I don’t have the time. But then again lately I rarely ever post or read blogs. I think I need to take mine back as well.
I’m with you sister.
But Why Mommy´s last blog ..Sharing is Caring