He didn't like the idea of me meeting up with people I met from the internet. For as long as I can remember, he has always been against the idea of blogging and he hates the fact that I reveal so much about myself.
He really lost it today when he found out that I attended a blogger's meet on my own. I understand no amount of explanation can undo his views on the dangers of meeting strangers off the internet.
He asked me if I read the papers today and if I knew what a girl called Sarong Party Girl did to herself. I told him that of course I knew and it has been circling around the internet. He said he would just DIE if he ever saw me doing such a thing to myself. He spat, "Look at her!! Telling the world about her sex life," .. to which I replied, "But I don't have a sex life." Reading that article threw him even further away from the idea of blogging. Many thanks to the clever media for highlighting such an issue. It has created such a situation for me. Thanks.
"I am worried that you will one day expose yourself like that as well. Who knows how daring you may get? I don't want this to happen to you. Do you really love attention that much?"
I hate to admit it. But yes, it's the attention. With 123 incoming links and an average of 350 unique hits a day, how can I not want more? This may not be the most popular blog around but I have nurtured it into something bigger than I've ever expected it to be.
I've made friends with a journalist from a leading publication and he kindly offered to interview me alongside other bloggers for a piece on blogging. He even asked if I am cool about having my photo in it.
I hate to admit it. But yes, it's the attention. With 123 incoming links and an average of 350 unique hits a day, how can I not want more? This may not be the most popular blog around but I have nurtured it into something bigger than I've ever expected it to be.
I've made friends with a journalist from a leading publication and he kindly offered to interview me alongside other bloggers for a piece on blogging. He even asked if I am cool about having my photo in it.
You know what? Even though he probably asked me out of convenience sake, I AM elated. Ridicule me as much as you want, but since I know how far blogs can bring someone, I'd love to have a taste of that. But as they say the grass is always greener on the other side so I am sure this is just a passing phase. But I am not afraid to admit that yes, I would love to be famous.
However, my father is right and doing something that he doesn't think I should do is very unsettling. So what if I get what I want, being recognised, having my link passed around? It's all a temporary ego rush but what would really throw me off would be how I would have to tip toe around my own father when I go about blogging.
I have agreed to never attend any more blog gatherings. He says that the interview is good publicity but it all goes back to me revealing too much of myself.
He says that I am over friendly and I should learn to be more reserve. Well, there goes my promise to my journalist friend an interview with an identity. I'm sorry.
He is afraid of potential stalkers, crazy hackers and the likes. The probability is damn low but I understand there is a chance. I see where he is coming from. Am I just being rebellious by saying, "I KNOW. I KNOW how it is. I KNOW what to do,"?
My mother, frustrated, said, "DOn't make your daddy worry like that lah! Just stop blogging!!"
I CANNOT STOP BLOGGING.
It almost got to the point where I had to say, "Yes, I will stop blogging,". But I cannot.
Through tears I told them, "I don't defame anything, I don't talk bad about the people I know, I don't put myself in situations which will result in me getting sued,".
"Why do you think your blogger friends asked you to mosaic them out? It's because they know the danger that blogging can bring. One day when you are an important person, people can look you up and know about your past, and put it out to bring you down. THEN you will know," he rationalised.
Sobbing, I replied, "BUT I LOVE TO WRITE."
My dad soften his tone and said, "I love you, but you do what you want,I hope you know what you're doing,". His tone gave away an "I still don't think it's a good idea,".
Big fat tears still rolling down my cheeks, "That's reverse psychology. But I don't want to upset you either. I do and will write responsibly."
"As long as you write responsibly," he sighed, the sentence somewhat hanging.
"I do."
I've never cried so much since the days when he would give me an earful about racking up the internet bills back in the last millenium when we were still on dial-up.
The family and I drove in silence to The Curve and Dad said, "Change the topic okay? Forget about it, don't be sad," and he passed me a tissue.
Dad tried to cheer me up by asking me for directions to The Curve. It takes alot for a man to ask a lady for directions to somewhere.
I love my father and I don't want to do anything that will make him stay mad at me.
I am very grateful that he has not pried my fingers off my laptop and turned off the power button on my internet activities forever.
Hence, I will not attend any other blog gatherings. As much as I'd love to meet each and everyone of you, I just don't feel nice going against my dad. I will also have to turn down the interview. Meeting new people and getting my blog out there doesn't matter THAT much to me. If there are no consequences for me to face, of course I will be the first to arrive at gatherings and such. Please enjoy the PPS birthday bash for me.
The lot of you I met today, you guys were right to be shocked when you found out I was 18. I was abit indignant at first because I didn't want you guys to think that I'm too young. But it is the truth as I still have to listen to my father.
I will keep blogging and be watchful of my ways. You guys can help me by letting me know what is too much, okay?
He says that I am over friendly and I should learn to be more reserve. Well, there goes my promise to my journalist friend an interview with an identity. I'm sorry.
He is afraid of potential stalkers, crazy hackers and the likes. The probability is damn low but I understand there is a chance. I see where he is coming from. Am I just being rebellious by saying, "I KNOW. I KNOW how it is. I KNOW what to do,"?
My mother, frustrated, said, "DOn't make your daddy worry like that lah! Just stop blogging!!"
I CANNOT STOP BLOGGING.
It almost got to the point where I had to say, "Yes, I will stop blogging,". But I cannot.
Through tears I told them, "I don't defame anything, I don't talk bad about the people I know, I don't put myself in situations which will result in me getting sued,".
"Why do you think your blogger friends asked you to mosaic them out? It's because they know the danger that blogging can bring. One day when you are an important person, people can look you up and know about your past, and put it out to bring you down. THEN you will know," he rationalised.
Sobbing, I replied, "BUT I LOVE TO WRITE."
My dad soften his tone and said, "I love you, but you do what you want,I hope you know what you're doing,". His tone gave away an "I still don't think it's a good idea,".
Big fat tears still rolling down my cheeks, "That's reverse psychology. But I don't want to upset you either. I do and will write responsibly."
"As long as you write responsibly," he sighed, the sentence somewhat hanging.
"I do."
I've never cried so much since the days when he would give me an earful about racking up the internet bills back in the last millenium when we were still on dial-up.
The family and I drove in silence to The Curve and Dad said, "Change the topic okay? Forget about it, don't be sad," and he passed me a tissue.
Dad tried to cheer me up by asking me for directions to The Curve. It takes alot for a man to ask a lady for directions to somewhere.
I love my father and I don't want to do anything that will make him stay mad at me.
I am very grateful that he has not pried my fingers off my laptop and turned off the power button on my internet activities forever.
Hence, I will not attend any other blog gatherings. As much as I'd love to meet each and everyone of you, I just don't feel nice going against my dad. I will also have to turn down the interview. Meeting new people and getting my blog out there doesn't matter THAT much to me. If there are no consequences for me to face, of course I will be the first to arrive at gatherings and such. Please enjoy the PPS birthday bash for me.
The lot of you I met today, you guys were right to be shocked when you found out I was 18. I was abit indignant at first because I didn't want you guys to think that I'm too young. But it is the truth as I still have to listen to my father.
I will keep blogging and be watchful of my ways. You guys can help me by letting me know what is too much, okay?
