Outside a Small Circle of Friends

I was rather surprised, and more than a little upset, when Shelley responded angrily to Jonahon Delacours’ Riding Easy in the Harness by saying, “Yes, I am too dense and foolish, too shallow to understand all this fully, But then, I am only a computer geek.”

I was sure that Jonathon never intended any such message, but I was still surprised that Shelley would react this way to Jonathon’s entry. My attempt to bridge the gap between Jonathon and Shelley certainly didn’t help the matter, and apparently left Jonathon with the impression that I was attacking his integrity. Apparently there’s something about this individual versus community debate that strikes close to home.

Both Shelley and Jonathon are interesting, unique individuals. That’s precisely why I read them and why I was honored when both of them chose to link back to my site. In this virtual world of blogging, I would certainly consider both of them “virtual friends.” Jonathon graciously helped me to set up this site, and I was honored when Shelley asked me if I would like to join her network when she sets it up.

In fact, I consider most of the people I link to “virtual friends.” I link to each of them because they are interesting people with interesting viewpoints and interesting things to say.

I would love to spend a week hiking the Columbia Gorge with Jonathon, a week walking the Oregon Coast with Shelley, at least a week exploring Canada with Steve Laidlaw, and the same goes for virtually every one on my list. On an individual level I’m sure I would find each of them fascininating.

I suppose some could argue, then, that my list of links represents my “community.” I wouldn’t, though. Although I would l love to meet each and every one of them, I don’t really consider them my “community.” I suspect that if there was a weekly blog meeting where all of them attended that I would attend once out of curiosity, but doubt I would attend meetings regularly. That’s not who I am, nor who I want to be.

Personally, I have never felt the desire to join clubs or organizations. I couldn’t imagine running for office in grade school or high school. I laughed when someone suggested I join a fraternity in college.

Even when I was a Lieutenant in the Army, I didn’t feel like an “Officer and a Gentleman” and hated following the rules of the “club.” I didn’t like attending Happy Hour or going to long formal receptions. I was good friends with a few officers, but I generally felt closer to the sergeants I worked with than I did to other officers. I could never have made the Army a career because I could never have followed a set of rules that told me who my friends could be and must be.

8 thoughts on “Outside a Small Circle of Friends”

  1. Okay, qB, to be fair you’re going to at least have to hint what country you’re in if I’m going to meet you at Haye on Wye. I haven’t quite figured that out yet.

    I’m not sure Wye but I imagine I’d like Haye if it’s anything like your site.

  2. Loren, I’ve already apologized to Jonathon offline, though I should also put something into his posting. I was still feeling the sting of inadequacy based on a comment at another weblog. My reaction was out of context, and inappropriate.

    I can’t speak for Jonathon, but I felt that for me at least, you were trying to help, and I appreciated it. Very much.

    This medium sometimes isn’t the most effective communication tool in the world.

    And I am honored at being your friend, virtual or otherwise, and look forward to the hike up coast of Oregon, but you have to reciprocate and let me show you Missouri. I can promise you a black bear sighting.

    I can guarantee much better behavior on the part of the bear then I’ve demonstrated this last week.

  3. It would, of course, help if I’d ever got the hang of spelling. But I didn’t. What I should have typed was “Hay on Wye”. Site of possibily the largest concentration of second hand bookshops in the UK, and venue for an annual literary festival: http://www.hayfestival.co.uk/. I’ve whizzed through the town once and never been to the festival. And answer to the boat question coming as soon as blogspot sorts itself out.

  4. Loren, I never felt for an instant that you were attacking my integrity.

    Like Shelley, I took your comment as an attempt to bridge two seemingly (though not actually) incompatible positions.

    And I’d love to spend time with you exploring the Columbia River, which has fascinated me ever since I first saw Carleton Watkins’ 19th century photographs.

  5. And do feel free to drop in and see me anytime as well Loren and I will be only too happy to show you the Columbia Basin, picking up on where Jonathon leaves off, on the northern side of the 49th 🙂

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