Am I Too Old to Blog?!

Maybe I never really act my age? At work people tell me I act "so mature." At home I cut out paper shapes and glue them to canvas like a 5 year-old.

But am I too old to blog?

Should I really be announcing to all of cyberspace that I eat cake at 3 AM, didn't return a library book, got about half drunk on a Tuesday night?

We had dinner with another couple this evening. They're a great couple. We all like one another and the conversation is always lively. Our careers and interests are different enough that there is always something to talk about. And we're all a little nerdy so we laugh at the same stupid stuff.

C and I are about 2 years apart in age. The other couple, has a greater age difference. He is the youngest of the bunch a year behind me. She is the oldest about 3 years older than C.

We met at The Red Star at 8. They had already ordered an appetizer and a bottle of really nice red wine. Dinner was excellent. . .And at some point after a dessert where no one has ordered a coffee, there comes that slightly awkward moment when the group "feels out" one another to see if a third bottle of wine is in order. It was. And that's when my blogging doubt started creeping in. . .

Male Companion says that his 80 year old neighbor asked him what Twitter was the other day and he said he heard about it on the radio but couldn't explain much more to her as he doesn't Twitter or Tweet and he can't stand text messaging or cell phones at all really.

Female Companion chimes in "If I get one more invite to facebook, I could go nuts. I don't understand, if you're my friend call me or send me a card."

Male Companion: "I don't understand why someone would think they are so important that they would want to keep a blog about what they are doing every single moment?"

Female Companion: "Everyone these days thinks they are some kind of wonderful writer or poet. Hello? You got a C in English - you were an average writer and you still are!"

C & d remain alternately silent and laughing with them knowing of d's "dirty" blogging and crackberry habits. As well as her love of creating anything. . .Including Chaos.

C squirms almost imperceptibly no doubt wondering if d will speak up and come to the defense of bloggers, writers, and Blackberry addicts everywhere. . .

Conversation continues. It's amusing and light hearted mostly.

d finally speaks and gets in a zinger earning big laughs, "I'll be honest, I really don't like people all that much."

(A half-truth because while I might not necessarily like too many people too much I do find them all positively fascinating)

d finds the wine and secret blogging habit is making her blush and perhaps sweat. C signals relief that d hasn't chosen to call lovely couple to task regarding the conversation.

The conversation moves on to Gens X & Y, the Trophy Generation, and Helicopter Parents. WHEW!!!!

But am I too old to blog? Is it something that only younger folks should be doing? And am I blogging because I'm still mortifyingly self centered and truly do think this content is so magnificent and brilliant everyone should want to read it?

I've come to the conclusion no. I'm doing this because I enjoy it and I believe there are folks that might also enjoy some aspects of it. That's all. There's nothing else much to say about that. . .

In terms of wanting to be a writer? I'd love to be a writer. I'd also love to be a princess/astronaut/ballerina/supreme court judge. Do I think I have the talent to do any of these things? Maybe not professionally. I do firmly believe most people have the capacity to be proficient in whatever they decide to do so long as they set goals and work hard.

Perhaps what we're seeing with the proliferation of blogs and Facebook and Twitter and the like is an extension of reality TV and tabloids. People are far more willing to share themselves - good bad and ugly - because society has become more accepting of it. Perhaps people feel compelled to do these things no only because it's become acceptable but also because it's fun and in some small way it allows you to connect with others in a relatively non-committal (anonymous even) way.

For me I think it goes a little deeper - or at least I was aspiring to that when I started this. It's about, as Jon Katz would say, sending my signal. It's about sharing just to share. My intent is to have a place where I have my ideas and welcome others. It's also about believing in my arts and crafts, my writing, my humor, myself - believing that they are worthy of others time and opinion - worthy of sharing.

C sleepily coming to the basement to call all the pets to bed:

C: "What are you doing?"
d: "Blogging about blogging."
C: "I like your blog because then I know what's going on in my life."

Send your signal, believe in yourself. You should never out-grow that!