SEDUCTION - Part III

Continuing the story of my seduction ...

After visiting a number of blogs written by bloggers of various ages, on this first foray into the blogosphere, I happened on a blog that quite caught my attention. Strung across the top of the blog, beginning on the left hand side of the page, I saw a smiling pretty little girl. She seemed to gradually age and mature before my very eyes as I followed the changing picture sequence all the way to the right side of the page.

I noticed then, a caption that read, "What it's really like to get older." Later I learned all those pictures I saw at the top of the page were of the woman writer of that blog. At that time I wasn't particularly interested in who she was or much about her. I was interested in what she had to say, so I simply began to read some of what was written on that blog. I liked what I read and, her "post," as I learned a piece is called, was well-written for my taste. I noticed most others apparently agreed, had written comments of approval at the end of the piece, also expressing their views on the topic that day, along with any of those few who had disagreeing views.

In the weeks and months ahead, I returned to the blogosphere, visiting numerous blogs, but often I found myself going to that one particular blog as my last stop for the night before going to bed. From time to time I visited other blogs, not only in the United States but in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Scotland, Japan, France to name just a few countries.

Many of the new blogs I visited were simply links and recommendations made by bloggers I read and enjoyed, whose judgement I was beginning to trust and respect.

During this period I was only reading blogs. I later learned readers only, such as myself, are sometimes referred to as "lurkers." At first, I thought this term had negative connotations only, which it can in some instances, but since I knew my motives were honorable, I ultimately, did not mind being referred to as a "lurker."

Having established what I believed to be legitimate real people associated with these blogs I was repeatedly visiting, I found myself, one day, wanting to make a comment on a topic. The topic had to do with whether or not some bloggers would ever want to meet each other in person. I decided to type my first comment, but to use a web name, which I proceeded to do with some trepidation. I was mindful that when writing on the Internet, the admonition is to never say anything you wouldn't mind having printed on the front page of the New York Times. I don't know what I thought might happen, but, of course, nothing did.

My view was very skeptical of the idea of ever meeting in person someone with whom I had only online contact, and I said so. Many months later, I had completely evolved on that subject to a view that under certain circumstances, with select people, I would look forward to such a meeting, possibly with others present, and/or in an open public setting.

Continued to the Final Part IV.