Here it is. My first blog on my new site. So what now? What do I write about? The urge to try to write something compelling or spectacular is strong. So many topics running through my head. Do I write about my background and how I got to this place in my life? Naaaa…boring! Do I write about Contests, Coupons, Freebies and Deals (subjects I know a lot about) ? Naaa…I’ll save those for later. I know! What I really want to write about is YOU, the reader. Why? Because you are the reason I’m doing this. You are the reason I started Canadian Blog House.
It has been 7 years since I first ventured onto the internet and got happily tangled in its net. It was the thrill of discovering the fact that I could actually receive free things in the mail that got me hooked. It was joining my first forum that reeled me in and got me addicted to this online world.
Even 7 years later, I can still recall the warnings:
“You can’t trust people you meet online.”
“People pretend to be a lot of things they aren’t when they are hiding behind a computer screen.”
Don’t get me wrong, a lot of “bad” lurks on the internet. Whether it’s liars and cheaters or scammers and spammers, I’ve seen it all. But, if I had listened to all those warnings years ago, my life would not be as rich as it is today. Rich? No, not monetarily speaking. Rich with wonderful friendships. You see, that simple act of joining that first forum, led me into an online world full of amazing friends.
I found people who would:
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offer to send me things I wanted and they didn’t need (such as something they won in a contest or got for free)
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contact me to make sure I’d seen the latest freebie before it was gone
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vote for me every day in the hope that I would win a contest prize
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mail me a “surprise” card at Christmas or a “just because I’m thinking of you” note
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go on vacation and bring me (someone they had never met in person) back a souvenir from their trip
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pour out the most intimate details of their lives and listen to me when I needed an ear
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be willing to stay up and online with me into the wee hours of the morning when I was going through rough times
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send me a message just to ask me how I was doing – even when I know they were in the midst of their own personal problems
I think you get my point. I feel so incredibly lucky to have the hundreds (yes, I said hundreds) of online friends I have gathered over the last 7 years. Many of these friendships I’ve had since that very first forum I joined (you know who you are). These are friendships that have lasted longer than friendships I’ve had with many “real” friends in my life.
My very best online friend? That special title goes to my boyfriend. Yes, he and I met online on a forum similar to Canadian Blog House. If I had heeded those first warnings 7 years ago…well, I don’t even want to think about that now.
My online experiences have been nothing but positive. Yes, I know that isn’t the case for everyone – the world wide web can be a nasty place. I think the online world is what you make of it, what you do with it, and what you ignore (like drama). Every one of my online friends whom I’ve met in real life are exactly how they appear online – no surprises. I hope that’s how people see me when they meet me in person too.
So to all my wonderful, long-time online friends – and my new ones – I invite you to come inside my Canadian Blog House. A whole new world of friendships awaits you!
*** a special thank you to my wonderful group of blogger friends who have welcomed me into their world, inspired me, and encouraged me to strike out on my own. I will always be grateful for all your help and assistance.
