Blog Love

Though I still think of myself as new to the blogsphere, I have noticed a trend when I find a new blog. Like any relationship, there are cycles and a flow to blog love. Yes, there are many stages for the blog readers:

Stage One: Flirting

This is the stage when you first find the new blog. Probably you noticed a new link on a reliable site. Or maybe you happened across the site by accident. Whatever the case, you like what you see. The most recent entry makes you think and chuckle a bit. You add a bookmark to your browser and plan to return the next day. You leave comments on every new post, hoping the author will look at your blog.

Things you might say at this stage:

That’s a tight entry – I wish I had wrote it.

I wonder why I never came across this before now.

Look at me! Look at me!

Oh, I hope they like my blog.

Maybe my therapist is right. Maybe I do need friends who aren’t on the internet.

Stage Two: Infatuation

It’s all chemistry and obsession at this stage. You religiously check back at this site every hour to see if it has been updated. Every new entry on their blog seems like gold.When you write an entry, you hope that the other blog author will agree with you.

You stay up way too late methodically going through every month in the archive. This is not so much to read the past posts, but to find pictures of the blog author.

Things that you might say at this stage:

This is the best blog I have ever read, EVER!

I have fallen in love for the first time and this time I know it's for real!

I already have the bridesmaids dresses picked out. My colors are blush and bashful.

I wonder if they noticed me watching them from the bushes.

Stage Three: Marriage (Never Monogamous)

At this point, you have a committed relationship with the other blog author. There is a link to their blog on yours and vice versa. Each of you exchange comments and maybe an e-mail or two. You know the other blog author’s writing patterns and can predict when a new entry will appear.

Things you might say at this stage:

I wish I could meet this blogger in person.

I can’t wait until their next post.

Is it possible to have sex via blogs?

This is much more satisfying than actually finding a steady boyfriend.

Stage Four: Doubt

Now that you have the mutual links, second thoughts start to haunt you. Their last entry didn’t really inspire you. What if this blogger isn’t as cool as you thought? There are some things in the blog that make you wonder if they really think like you do after all. At this point, you start to wonder about other blogs that might be out there.

Things you might say at this stage:

Eh -- It’s an okay blog.

Why does that blog spend all its time with its loser friends? Can’t they get a job?

When are they ever going to fix all those broken links? It’s driving me nuts.

Didn’t somebody write a post just like that two months ago?

I can’t believe that blog just drank all the milk and put the empty carton back in the fridge.

Stage Five: Stability

The doubts have passed. For every great entry, there are three fluffy ones (kinda like this one). That’s okay. Each of you comments on the other blog, but not every post. Still, you value their companionship and insight.

Things you might say at this stage:

What a nice blogger, I am glad that we encountered each other.

I look forward to the next post – if there is nothing better on television.

What was the name of that all-gay-man porno site I found the other day?

I wonder what sunlight feels like on my skin.