I haven't blogged as much as I would like. I really would like to do it as often as possible and grow this into a regular and enjoyable read for anyone willing. I thank each and every one of you who took the time to read any of my blog posts over the years in this format and in its previous format.
A few times my blog posts have turned people away on a personal level. Perhaps its from something I said and later posted links to my personal Facebook page. I would notice a decrease in the number of facebook friends. And this happened recently after posting my rant comparing politics to cancer. One of the people I noticed to have unfriended me on Facebook was a very interesting person who has mutual friendships with people I have known personally for many years although we have only met in person once. We never communicated much but I feel the timing between his removing me from his friends list and my posting of the blog may be over the extreme nature of my blog expression.
If that person or a close friend of his should happen to read this I must express that what I post on my blog is never intended to directly insult anyone. If it is then I clearly identify the target of my scorn. It is never intended for personal attack of any friend or acquaintence or relations of those people. I am expressing an opinion and we aren't likely to agree on everything but I do appreciate conversation. If I should say something you consider to be out of line please feel free to share that with me. Lets give each other the chance to make conversation out of it and come to an understanding.
I used to joke about some people going to prison and the possibility of a person being raped in prison. One such example was when the singer George Michael was sent to prison for a crime he committed and I said something about his being gay and may enjoy having a boyfriend that was also his cellmate. When I jokingly posted comments regarding that one person responded that she felt that rape jokes were never funny, ever. This happened more than once where I made a rather immature joke and the same person expressed her dislike in the joke. Then upon further observation of her postings I realized that the subject of assault and abuse appeared to be personal.
Out of respect for privacy I didn't dare ask so I assume that my postings triggered a reaction based on circumstances within that person's life or from that person's field of work. Neither of which I knew for sure nor was any of my business. But it got me thinking about how with some subjects it can really hit an individual hard on a personal level that I could never understand for not having any experience of my own on the matter. So with that along with the seriousness of that topic I no longer intentionally make jokes about prison inmates and sexual assault. I think twice about the time and place out of respect to those I know who may read it. And while thinking twice the result often is that the expression just isn't worth it.
My recent post where I suggested that politics is akin to having cancer could have triggered a negative reaction for people who have dealt with cancer in their family or personally. I believe this may be the case with the recent post and the person who unfriended me. But with no communication between me and that person this will never be confirmed. But in any case, I never meant to insult anyone. You just never know how simple topics and expressions could touch people.
For me, the subject of demensia hits close to home. My mother had it during her many years of illness. Only thing is for me dealing with it was very distant because of my living in another state and my sister was the one at home taking care of our mother. Still I don't consider demensia to be a laughing matter. Perhaps I should consider that some may have had to watch a loved one suffer so much with cancer as it is so terribly common and posting an angry blog as I did was poor judgement.
I can't take back what I posted. I stand by my opinion and you can see that if you read the details within. The regret from me is that it may have caused some to be offended for personal reasons unrelated to the subject matter. And to those especially the one who unfriended me on Facebook around the same time I posted my blog, I sincerely apologize for any offense I may have caused.
As I continue to blog I hope to find more creative ways to get my point across. I also may step on toes because I refuse to sugarcoat anything. And I hope the readers will look carefully within and between the lines.
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