Frands
I received a rude awakening the other day....it hit me that blogging has many forms of relationships bundled up in one big ol' blogworld. In fact, blogging is very much like online dating but better. With blogging, you can follow a person and not get accused of stalking. You can have a blogroll a mile long and no one will accuse you of being a "playa". You can stop following a blog and there's no hard feelings (not usually.)
But, there's also a frand factor that exists and one that I admit bugs me. A frand is someone that is a fan and a friend or someone that is a fan posed as a friend - thus, the meaning can be a positive or a negative, depending on the way you view it.
The positive version of a frand is knowing that no matter what you do or say, your frand will always be not only be a fan of yours but will stick by you, through some tough stuff and the not so tough stuff. The positive frand would give honest input while always looking to be supportive and encouraging. Meaning, if I colored my hair a certain color, I'd want that frand to say, "Girl, that color just doesn't work with your style." Would I be ticked? Heck no. That's what frands are all about. With frands, there's always the joy of talking on the phone after commenting so many times...sometimes, emailing and comments just don't measure up to laughing together or just hanging out.
Then, there's the negative version of a frand. This frand is often found when blogging. It's a person that agrees with everything you say and comments on how cute your "ugly" dog is or has memorized your favorite foods, drink, last book read and can recite it just to let you know that she/he is a REAL frand. Those frands come out mainly when there's a giveaway but when there's a REAL need, like a shoulder to cry on, the negative frand is nowhere to be found.
Being that I'm all for being real, I'm appreciative that I have so many positive frands in my life. I one day look forward to hanging out or meeting your face to face or sharing some laughter over the phone...after all, there are many reasons for blogging but that's been my number one joy!
So, thank you for being my frand!
But, there's also a frand factor that exists and one that I admit bugs me. A frand is someone that is a fan and a friend or someone that is a fan posed as a friend - thus, the meaning can be a positive or a negative, depending on the way you view it.
The positive version of a frand is knowing that no matter what you do or say, your frand will always be not only be a fan of yours but will stick by you, through some tough stuff and the not so tough stuff. The positive frand would give honest input while always looking to be supportive and encouraging. Meaning, if I colored my hair a certain color, I'd want that frand to say, "Girl, that color just doesn't work with your style." Would I be ticked? Heck no. That's what frands are all about. With frands, there's always the joy of talking on the phone after commenting so many times...sometimes, emailing and comments just don't measure up to laughing together or just hanging out.
Then, there's the negative version of a frand. This frand is often found when blogging. It's a person that agrees with everything you say and comments on how cute your "ugly" dog is or has memorized your favorite foods, drink, last book read and can recite it just to let you know that she/he is a REAL frand. Those frands come out mainly when there's a giveaway but when there's a REAL need, like a shoulder to cry on, the negative frand is nowhere to be found.
Being that I'm all for being real, I'm appreciative that I have so many positive frands in my life. I one day look forward to hanging out or meeting your face to face or sharing some laughter over the phone...after all, there are many reasons for blogging but that's been my number one joy!
So, thank you for being my frand!
Comments
I'm sorry if you were hurt. :(
And yes, I DO like the Frito toe smell!! :)
Hallie
:) Just kidding. I hope I fall into the "good" frand category!
But I have found some amazing people I would go to the ends of the earth for and back again all because of this thing called blogging!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
When I began blogging, I had just moved away from a community that I had lived for 21 years, new job, new life and a Boo who's work schedule was opposite of mine (still is). I was lonely and wanted familiarity but that wasn't to be found in this desert so thank God for blogging. It has been a place not only to forge new friendships but also still keep my writing chops fresh.
Not everyone will view things the way I do but in my desire to blog, it was because I looked forward to making new and treasured friends and I have and will continue to do so.
But, as I have said before, if I have 3 true friends instead of 500 followers, I consider myself blessed because I believe that friends are family created from the heart.
Justine :o )
xo
How with giveaways, you can bump your status counter by 300 hits per day. But those people were not actual readers of your blog and probably didnt even read the review.
:sigh: They are the ones missing out.
I had a private blog only 10 other bloggers whom I never met.
Something went seriously wrong and it ruined blogging friendships.
However, for me it was just blogland and not real life. Had we known each other I am sure things wouldn't have gone array.
But, I need to focus on the real.
I do want you to know that when I befriend someone. I would drop anything and give anything to that person if I had or could.
I keep myself very guarded. I am friendly to all where I believe people feel I am a good or close friend where I have only felt they were frands to me.