The witch riding her broom..

I saw a really good post over on AG awhile back. It was asking about the real difference between Internet friendships and so called 'real' friendship's. I thought, damn, that's a good subject. I couldn't post that day, I had to go to work.

I think, for me, the only difference is that when you get upset by a 'real' friend you can hash it out in about an hour. You can have a some margarita's or whatever your poison is, and you can say, why are you such a fuckin' bitch sometimes? And she will say, YOU are the fuckin' bitch! And you'll argue and present your points of view and you end up hugging each other and both saying, god, I AM a fucking bitch and your my real friend!..before the ice melts in your third round. And no one else hears it, but, the bartender you hopefully over tip.

On the net, you have to think before you bitch. At least, that's what I think is true for me personally. I know I can fly off the handle, post a string of impressive profanity that would make George Carlin sit up in his grave and say ''damn girl, that is rough!" And on the net, when feelings get hurt, it can go on for months. Years. Entire blogs can be made about how fucking pissed you are. Photo shop can be used. (A personal favorite of mine.) Entire communities can chose a side. Email bombing will flood networks. If it gets real dirty, and you find out your friend was not your friend and is actually psychotic, employers can be contacted, husbands and lovers and ex's also get an earful, family members can be harassed, social services will be called. It doesn't even matter if the person who you're fighting with is nuts, it's still a pain in the ass. Not that I know anyone like that (I don't)..I'm just saying, that's the chance you take on the net.

So, I find, for myself, that it's just better to sit and think about everything for awhile before posting back. Also, that way I have the advantage of seeing what other's respond back with and who has my back. Just because someone doesn't say anything, it doesn't mean they don't give a shit or they are guilty. It might mean they know when to shut up. No matter how much it hurts. The things you say and do on the net can not be taken back. They are never forgotten and they never disappear. That is a simple truth and something I had to learn a long time ago. I think inner and hidden truths are more transparent on the Internet. I have learned that some friendships can be mended, but, you have to voice your thoughts carefully and not in anger. My biggest fear is that I will type something that seriously injures someone I once cared about. And I can never take it back. My biggest net advantage is that sometimes I see the truth about someone and no matter how much it hurts, I am better for that.