Lately I am reminded that it was only an accident that brought Benni to stay with me for a few years, and that I always had a very clear picture of myself living alone, not counting the Pack of course.

I had this discussion a couple of times with a friend, or a like one, about what is real and not. And you know I've had those thoughts about the journal myself, and likewise about the online. I am still not sure about it.. I am leaning more and more to believing it though, the validity of those relationships. Most of the close ones though have a lot of text, or a lot of time in them, and shared experiences.

The journals function differently for different people, and like the Board or as Dorothy said, "people come and go so quickly here." I think it does provide a quick medium for catching people up on your life. I like it for that. I sometimes wish I could get the rest of my friends and family here, if only to save on emails and phone calls.

What really has surprised about the board is not the drift but how many people have stayed connected. My time has changed a lot, and that has been a factor for me as much as the change in format, although I do miss the show for the rich springboard it provided for essays and conversations.

I don't have any answers for you either. I know you've been through a lot in the last couple of years and that (at least for me) seems like it could be as much a factor although the journalling aspect is different.

As far as getting me? I've never really found that. And even with people I know really well, where I am really trying, I still get surprised. I think there's fun in that too; but, I admit to a afscination with trying to understand others, and at the same time, I've had lots of those moments of wishing it were easier.

Thanks for the post C. Amongst other reasons, I'd miss your journal for the chewy wonderings you so often provoke.