Rapport, Truth and Blogging

They say in journalism the best chance to bury a story, post it on Friday or Saturday. Since I consider this a self indulgent post I’m going to test this theory, though I am hoping a few of you will be kind enough to share your thoughts. I've been thinking about truth in relation to blogging – particularly regarding me and…well, you.

I believe I represent myself truthfully here, short of meeting me in person. You've only my word to know the validity of that statement combined with however you interpret my personality and character based on my posts and the views I share. I contend my posts and responses are me if not in totality, then certainly true aspects of me as a person and as a gamer. I believe the same of you or at the least (in a few blog cases I've read) I believe you share how you want me to see you and I accept that and do so as best I can. I'll continue to believe or think this until you prove me wrong.

On another blog that I’ve had for years before finding 2O2P are written thousands of words that likely provide a fuller picture of who I am. That blog reveals my day-to-day mundania, my hopes and fears, successes and misses, my thoughts on politics, the world, people, music, my relationships with those I love and those who piss me off. I feed my pleasure of debate and discussion. I feel fortunate; over time I have developed some true friends. We share our lives and generally support each other though at other times we hotly argue and disagree. We act like jerks at moments and goofy at others. We are a community. Much like the one I'm recognizing here as I read and learn.

When I started this blog a couple of years ago it was during the height of a painful time in my life. While the details of that pain were shared with that other blog community, this blog became my personal oasis away from the pain. I’m a bit of an optimist as I’ve mentioned before and I like to believe you often get what you give. Here, I hoped if I shared with you all my love of games and thoughts around that I would receive the same back and I largely do, thank you. Yet even after a certain point, the circumstance and pain of my situation seeped in my posts here because it was all I had to give at that time. But I remember the outporuing of support and strength from you all that was welcome but a total surprise for me as I hadn't been here very long. And in the aftermath of the situation, I took a rather long break from posting here because I needed to recover. Again your warmth and welcome when I started posting again was a warm surprise. Thank you, if I didn't say that to you before.

On 2O2P, I’m interested in developing community, fellowship and friendships. I’m interested in respectful debates and discussions about topics, too. It is cool and compelling to learn about you personally and game wise. I know that in life as well as online I'm generally a person more inclined to reveal aspects of myself slowly and organically through time and mutual discussions. I know that sharing of self can build intimacy faster, but I confess that my brain still thinks of this blog as “my oasis,” which presses me to share my gamer interests and aspect over anything else first. I'm not trying to be secretive or mysterious. I really just like to take my time because I tend to like to make lasting friendships and I've found friends worth having are worth getting to know in a deliberate way.

So, I guess what I’m wondering is this; does any of this really matter? Would a lack of sharing personal non-gaming related aspects of myself on this blog prevent you from building rapport with me - from your perspective? Would it prevent us in your view from developing a friendship at best or feeling some sort of rapport between us at the least? Or as long as I'm online gaming or posting, is this all a moot thought?

An inquiring mind would like to know. Hope this makes sense.

Thanks for looking!