I needed the company of friends today. The past two days have been spent fending off a lot of online unpleasantness. I should know by now that words (mine) written in an online forum can be interpreted in amazing and completely unintended ways. I guess I should also know by now that, hidden behind the buffer of the internet, people (a couple of them, anyway) can be unaccountably vicious. Still, when it happens it is a whack at the back of the knees that just knocks the pins out from under you, and makes you feel like, well, crap. "Wow, if what I wrote got someone this upset there must be something wrong with me!" "But wait—I didn't even write what she said I wrote. Oh, but she claims she knows what I meant. Huh? Is this a joke? Is this Junior High?" This is where a reality check is badly needed, and where friends and good food provide that. Sitting around drinking coffee, sharing stories, showing projects, even laughing about my online woes. My stress melted away. And the sun was shining at last.
And that is only one of the reasons I love these women. Thanks for the soup, Suzy. It warmed me more than you will ever know.
Goodness Terry i can't imagine anyone getting their knickers in a knot over anything you say- some people just need to get a life!
ReplyDeleteDitto what Dijanne said! I am always surprised by how vicious some people are. I hated high school for that very reason. Please know that you always make me laugh, think, or drool over your artwork and never have I been offended. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteWonderful you realized "It's them".
ReplyDeleteI think it must be because it is so easy to be anonymous online. Even if someone knows your name, they may not know you face to face and it appears to be easy to be hurtful or vicious behind a screen.
ReplyDeleteI do envy you and Gerrie your STASH group. I've looked everywhere in Spokane trying to find a place and everyone says "sorry, group is full."
I should have begun trying to find a group of quilters six years ago when we first moved here. Inertia is setting in...lol.
And I ditto Dijanne and Jeannie. Your blog is always beautifully written with beautiful art, interesting, informative....what in the world is there to pick at!?!?
ReplyDeleteIn the past I stopped reading an art/quilting blog when the writer began writing more and more about politics. I did not agree with her and no longer enjoyed her blog but she had a right to her opinions. Your blog is wonderful, Terry. Keep the posts coming!!!!
You make beautiful art-you know what you are talking about-and if people don't want to stop and consider it for a moment-that is their loss!
ReplyDeleteI was happy to be part of your reality check. It was a lovely morning and lunch.
ReplyDeleteI have not kept up with the flaming on QA list, but I have heard about it from others. How wise you are to "consider the source" and how obtuse the "flamer" to put her own interpretation on your words. I am so glad you had a "get well" session with your STASH friends. You have many, many friends around the world available to you 24/7 - we are just an e-mail or a phone call away. Anytime! Love, Del
ReplyDeleteSome people just never grow up. It's good you have good friends close by when you need them.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what she "thought" you said and it doesn't matter to me any way. If I don't like something someone writes I just don't read it. Simple. I have always enjoyed your perspective and I find that everyone does not have to agree with me in order for my world to keep spinning. Glad you found the support you needed from good friends. Aren't they the best?!
ReplyDeleteMom,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear people are being that way. My conclusion after ten years of teaching is that though there are many wonderful people out there, there are also many people who just aren't quit right and definitely not socially skilled. Believe me, I get plenty of weird, mean and inappropriate feedback from parents. There is no anonymity there, and people still do it. I pick my words carefully with my students and even more carefully in other public forums because you never know when someone will misinterpret you.