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Am I the crazy stalker person?
You know those crazy stalker people who seem to have some sort of magic tracking device installed on their computer so that they can instantly show up when their pet topic is mentioned anywhere on the web, post one of their five or six standard rants, and then hang around endlessly droning on about their viewpoint?
I recently received an email that indirectly involved Crossed Sabers/Second Wind Adoption Program, and as I was writing my response, I had a sudden moment of panic that I had become one of those crazy stalker people with regards to SWAP.
I’m not, and I know I’m not (well, maybe with this post…), but it’s an important question: when do you become that crazy stalker person?
We all have our hot-button topics. Mine are IE6, 419 scams, and bling. Well, ok; those are the ones I’m conscious of. I manage to rein myself in about the bling everywhere but this blog, and if I try really hard I can keep my mouth shut about IE6, but I know very well that there are circumstances where my house could be on fire and I would sit on the couch trying to get a certain type of post in about 419 scams.
Fortunately, I live in the USA, where the dominant culture is: “I’m a freaking unique individual, and you better love me for all my individual-ness, because I’m sure not gonna change for you! And if you ask me to change, I’m gonna sue you! And then I’m gonna write a book and go on the talk show circuit! Just like everyone else!” All I have to do is admit that I’m a crazy stalker person, and you have to admire me. Or else.
Er… that was really funny while it was in my head, but it’s not so funny on screen. Pretend it was a riot, ok?
All attempts to joke about the unearned sense of entitlement running rampant in the US aside, seriously: how do you draw the line between being very passionate about a subject and becoming a crazy stalker person?
I think we need a mutual support group. An agreed-upon wake-up slap club. Some friendly reminders that, hey, being passionate is ok, but being an insufferable bore is not. And if that fails, a friendly, derail-the-crazy-train wake up slap.
Meanwhile, I need to go find something new and refreshing to post about.
Oh! I am learning how to do a running braid. Isn’t that exciting?
Not a whole post worth of exciting, but a good positive note to end on.
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