Do I Surprise You?

07 Apr 2004 By

Lauren says (in her sideblog):

I think I’m pretty flaky in real life – and not very articulate in conversation – almost the opposite of how I write.

I’m always freaked out by hearing other bloggers’ voices and finally seeing pictures if I’ve been reading for awhile. I almost always picture them as the opposite of how they really are. I also imagine that we are all drop-dead gorgeous, because really smart people register high on my attractive-o-meter.

…and asks:

If you blog, what is one thing you think your readers don’t realize about you? What would they be surprised about upon meeting you in person?

Besides my flip “I’m shorter than you probably thought” answer, I can’t really come up with something. On various occasions, one of The Coffee Shop Girls has told me she didn’t think I was much of a drinker based on my soy chai latte order, that she thought I was one of those “I don’t watch television” types, and that she never would have guessed that I’d have my own personal Best of Cher mix.

Being surprised by bloggers’ voices is an obvious thing. (Mac speaks, and Glenn X responds.) I’ve posted audio of myself here once, in a totally unnatural (I think, but maybe not) answering machine freeze up voice.

Faces are an obvious surprise, too, if you’re not one to post pictures of yourself. (By the way, did Lauren imply that we’re all uglier than she thought? :P)

But I’m more interested in personality facets. I know I write a few things that I probably would never bring up in normal conversation. But I personally don’t really think what comes out in the blog is all that different from the “regular” me. This is what flows through my head. I’m just wondering if there’s some sort of filter that I’m not aware of or if my “style” comes across differently.

I still have no idea. Y’all can probably tell better than I can.

  • http://www.contractorpeon.com/blog glenn

    I agree with Lauren that I associate intelligence with attractiveness if I’ve never seen the face.

    I don’t know whether to feel stupid or be ashamed of myself when I see a blogger who is a good writer but is ugly / totally unattractive. I feel kinda shallow, but not for long :)

  • http://www.swirlspice.com Erica

    I don’t know whether to feel stupid or be ashamed of myself when I see a blogger who is a good writer but is ugly / totally unattractive. I feel kinda shallow, but not for long :)

    I’m trying to think if I’ve ever encountered this.

    It’s also interesting how the look and feel of someone’s blog affects your perception of their demeanor, too. Are they kinda stiff? Are they funloving and fancy free? (Or are they just CSS stupid? Heh.) All based on their graphics, color palette, and choice of font.

  • http://www.blueroomlounge.com Brent

    Understandable. Out of about 300 images on my website total, I think less than 6 have my likeness in the photo. I always felt it was my responsibility to ensure my website wasn’t so offensive that it would be compared to the Janet Jackson boob fiasco. (not that my face and her boob have anything in common…but I think my mug is comparable in terms of shock value)

    Brent!
    BRL, Inc.

  • http://www.suburbanblight.net kelley

    People would be SHOCKED that you are even funnier and cooler in real life than you are on here. I mean, you’re pretty damned funny and cool on-blog, but off…you light up a room.

    Ooh, and they’ve never really *seen* you pissed off. I think people might be surprised if they saw the visceralness of your anger instead of just what you write here. She really does get mad when she’s mad!

    I’m trying to think of any other places in which you vary from your online persona, but there aren’t many. You’re pretty true-to-life over here…

  • http://www.dawnpennington.com dawn

    Well, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you yet, so I can’t comment on that. But I’ve been told that I personally am way more laid-back and blase in person. I posted a few different photos, so you can see some of my moods. But for the most part, apparently I come across as feisty, and I am, to some degree, but most times I am fairly agreeable — or so I’m told. :) But then again, hand me a few bloody marys, and there you’ll get my bitchy blog personality. ;)

  • http://www.happybeagle.com/shelbysblog/ Shelby

    Hmm, I swear a f*ck of a lot more in person (and in email) than I do on my blog. My SIL lets my niece read my blog occasionally and I try to keep it clean there, but in reality, I’m a potty mouth.

    Also, please don’t judge me based on the look of my blog! *whimpers* As it just so happens, I’m AM CSS-impaired and my husband refuses to implement the sweeping changes I’d like to introduce.

  • http://coconnell.blogspot.com Casey

    I dunno…you seem pretty you-like to me. Of course, I’ve known you through the internet for years and have only spent a couple of days in person. Maybe the real question is how you come across *off* the internet. Are you fronting then? :-P

  • http://www.highlymoody.com mel

    you seem to be you. :)

  • http://liminalmusings.blogspot.com Deirdre

    Accents.

    Accents surprise me.

  • http://www.swirlspice.com Erica

    Kelley, your check is in the mail.

    Dawn, I think I ought to test your personal assessement myself. :)

    Okay, Shelby, I’ll reserve judgment. ;)

    Dee, excellent point. Accents are a funny thing. When I read people, I hear generally hear them in the midwest newscaster accent. No sense of cadence or inflection at all. (Except for Mel. Kwall me!)

  • http://feministe.us/blog/ Lauren

    Ugly? No. Different, yes. Often surprisingly so.

    I think people would be surprised at exactly how much I hate movies (not lying) and how I regularly torture myself by watching them anyway, and how I can’t watch TV without making endless sardonic commentary, even about shows I like.

    I also think the amont of venom I throw into my daily rants would surprise people. I tend to be rather chill (I think) on my blog.

    And with the angry, militant feminist thng I’ve got going there, I think people would be surprised to see how feminine I am in real life – in dress and behavior. I still shock people when I reveal my politics, even those that have known me for years. It’s like having a secret internal life.

  • http://feministe.us/blog/ Lauren

    Oh, and first time you posted a candid shot of yourself, I was surprised at how big and wide your smile is. So cute!

  • http://www.swirlspice.com Erica

    Woo, sounds like you are a feisty one, Ms Lauren. Interesting, since folks seem to tend to be more mellow in real life than on the blog.