Pearls of Wisdom and Foolish Mutterings

WARNING; Whiny, Crybaby Blog Ahead!

Change is inevitable. It's all around us - our lives are constantly evolving, forever moving us in a new direction, pushing us toward that road not taken. Change can be exciting, or scary, or just downright depressing. There's a lot to be said for familiarity. It's comfortable, like a cozy old sweater, and fits well in all the right places. That's what Blogville has been to me for the last eighteen months. A warm, cozy sweater to wrap around me. I've snuggled down into the warmth and familiarity of Blogville on many, many occasions.

For the last several months, Blogville has been in a state of flux. When I first noticed it, I viewed it as a temporary lull; blamed it on the advent of spring. I convinced myself things would return to "normal" soon enough. But, as time wore on and the changes began to become permanent, I felt a sense of mourning. It's official now. Five of my favorite bloggers, people I felt an immediate connection with when I first came to Blogville, real friends in an artificial world, have stepped through the looking glass and are off to find adventure in other virtual worlds.

Each of us on this site has within us a compulsion to write and to be read. We write not because we can, but because we can't do otherwise. Every writer must pursue a path that hopefully will lead to the ultimate goal - that of being published, recognized, revered for the words we write. We are compelled to follow that path wherever it may lead. I understand the decisions of Nada , David McClain , Carolina Blue . Debi Wharton and Eric Wharton to move on from Blogville. I applaud the goals set forth by each of them and wish them only success on their new path. But I can't say I'll be okay with not seeing their names pop up on my favorites list every day. I'm not fine with their absence. I'm selfish when it comes to friends. I don't ever want them to go away.  This is the kind of change I abhor. This is one of those situations where I want routine, I want predictability, I don't want change.

This is the point where I'm supposed to insert an encouraging little ditty along the lines of "when one door closes, another one opens." Screw that. What I really want to do is lay on the floor, kick my feet and scream. I've been trying to compose some kind of gracious, wish-you-the-best farewell blog in my mind all day, so that I could come on here tonight and type out a witty, yet poignant ode to my disappearing comrades. Okay, I'm happy for them, but I'm not happy for me. Blogville won't be the same and frankly, that sucks.

Thank goodness PlannerDan came back, scarlett_o_h is home and ready to blog about her adventures, and bugzy is baaaccck!! , Mrs. Whatsit , ShellySunshine , Auntynae , Paige Turner , Kåre เลียม Enga , Alrac Tabb , The Literary Penguin , Thomas , faithjourney, NOVAcatmando , Thea , lindamv, windac, Mel aka Mrs Tor , Rainbowapple , Special Kay , alfred booth, wanbli ska are still hanging in. And I did have a comment from partyof5 recently, so it looks like he may still be alive.

If I left anyone out in my name-dropping frenzy, I apologize. It was inadvertent. It's just that I'm so busy feeling sorry for myself and being depressed - yeah, thanks a lot Nada , David McClain , Carolina Blue , Debi Wharton , and Eric Wharton . Don't worry about us. We'll all be fine. Just go on - chase your rainbows. I'll be here, like a faithful old dog, whining and crying while I wait for your possible return. Don't worry your pretty, little heads about me. No, no, no. *sniff, sniff*

Now, if you'd like to read a gracious, well-written tribute and fond farewell to our friends who left me here bereft, wringing my hands and wailing, go to The Literary Penguin 's blog. He wrote the touching, meaningful blog I was too whiny to even attempt.