Monday, January 09, 2006

Yellow is a mystical experience that we all embody

Ever since I wrote my blow-by-blow post of all of the bloggers I've met in the last year, I've wondered how much my blog reflects me. That may seem like a "who's buried in Grant's tomb" type question - what I mean is that some people develop a blog persona quite different from who they are in real life.

My friend Jeff once gave me a compliment that I really had to chew on: I am always exactly who I am. Because I am that way, and relentlessly so, I didn't really understand it at the time (particularly funny since I was in my mid-to-late twenties at the time.) Now I see it more sharply: people claim interests they don't actually have, dress to suit someone else's idea of fashion, espouse viewpoints they haven't considered, are silent when they'd really rather rail.

Honestly, I don't know how to be different. If you asked me to change one little thing about myself for a week, or even a day, I'd probably fail. I think there is something to be said for being able to dissemble, at least a little bit. (Sidenote: maybe this is why I enjoy Halloween - it's the only time I can get fully behind acting like someone else.) I can't play poker because I telegraph everything that I think on my face. Because I want to be a litigator, I've learned how to stoneface (a little), but still - you always know where you stand with me.

What I'd like to know from those who have met me or know me: am I like my blog? Is my blog like me?


P.S. - the post title comes from absolutely primo graffiti. My other options were "Angelama a.ka. Crackhoe #1 = Love" or "Lydia's 21, bitches."

5 comments:

wt said...

I think you're much taller in person.

maisnon said...

Nice! That's pretty much what my best friend's mom said the first time we met. I was a little early and she gave me the "elevator look", i.e. crown of the head down to the shoes, and back up and said "Oh! You're so... pretty!"

Mmmyeah. But a pretty good cover, for someone who's first language is not English

wt said...

Yeah, that was a joke.

Like when they ask an actor whether he resembles the character he plays on television.

The classic response is, "well, I'm taller than him." Obviously, he isn't actually taller. And you aren't really "taller" than you are on your blog.

So now you see how clever I am?
WT: 1
Maisnon: 0

But yes, in reality, you are a giant.

maisnon said...

But, contrast Margaret Cho: while shooting her autobiographical TV show, the network told her she needed to drop a few lbs. As she riffed it later, "Why do I have to lose weight to play myself?"

Also, to be fair, I really am taller than people think. Maybe it's the Indian thing - people invariably think I'm under 5'6 when they find out this train came from browntown.

Saucy Lil' Tart said...

I always struggle with how my blogs reflect "me," which is why I'm always starting new blogs. I think I may start another (and tear one down) here soon - I get so bored, I think I get pigeonholed in different personas. And then I think, "Take 'em all down and go back to journaling!" Which is probably what I should really do.