The online me, the real me, and the deep dark in between.

There is a conversation happening on the interwebs at the moment about the online person versus the real person. I have been watching and reading with interest at Maxabella Loves and  Sugar Coat It .  It got me thinking about my online persona versus my real life one – is there a difference? If there is, is it on purpose? Do I hide things about myself online? Or, for that matter in person?

And really… all this in real life and online. Seriously, I’m not into the third life, so as far as I’m concerned my online life is, in fact, real.

As much as I have observed  -  we all of us have masks.  We all of us have different personas with different people. Speak, act, do things according to where we are and who we are with.  You can deny it.  But it’s what happens. It is not a bad thing necessarily.  I’m certain the me I am at home at 6am in the morning is not the person a class of 25 children want to face three hours on. I’m sure the me that says take your hand off that and please wash you hands right now, is not the me that would get very far at a 40th birthday party… well not any party I want to be at. The me at the MCG is a sight to behold. The me tearing up in a movie, or a concert may seem a million miles from the person at the football. But all these personas are a part of me. Part of who I am. Just like my online persona is a part of me.

So, my online self, do I edit it? Do I make it better than I really am? Do I make it smarter, more attractive, taller? Not as far as I can tell.  I mean, in some photos I am on my tippy toes, but I always do that.  My blog was designed by my hubby.  He knows me well after all these years.  I helped.  I wanted feathers, I love feathers.  I wanted birds, I love birds.  I called it Under the Yardarm, because I have been known to have a drink before the sun hits that supposed magic mark.

I like simple, clean lines, with a bit of hippyness for good measure.  I love vintage and new.  I have an aversion to clutter.  I get cranky when my blog begins to look cluttered.  Or my desk.  Or the kitchen table for that matter.

I like what I like, and like to be in control.  Sometimes buttons, banners, widgets don’t team with the theme… this brings out my OCD. Time, care, considered placement.  These things matter to me. Aesthetics are important to me in all I do. Home, dress, work, blog. I hope it shows through.

I like to be a glass half full girl. But to be honest sometimes I am not.  Honesty is something I strive for on my blog, so some of my posts are not all sunshine and lollypops. But that is what I am all about, honesty.  My honesty.  My life.  The good, the bad and the down right black dog dark.

The same goes for when I comment, tweet, facebook.  I have been doing a lot of learning in the past twelve months.  Learning about myself, my perceptions, my mind.  So I write, tweet, update, speak as I would like to be written, tweeted, updated, spoken about.  Sometimes I forget this. But I am learning.  I am trying.  I am mindful of words and their flow on effect.

Some of my life is not on public display.  I do not name my Hubby or my children.  Their life is not mine.  The Blue Eyed Boy asked me to take all photos of him off facebook as it was a violation of his privacy. I love him for that.  I now do not write about him, or my Green Eyed Girl without permission. Ever.

I rant some days about my political views, my view on humanity and anything in between. I do not expect everyone to agree with me, but I expect that people respect differing opinions. However, I have un followed people for racist remarks and I will continue to do so. The same applies for comments, tweets, updates filled with vitriol.

There are some photos of me on the blog, but not many.  Mainly because I do not have many. Some are down right bad, and really, I don’t know a single person who purposely puts bad photos of themselves out there.

I write about my family, my friends, my work, my down time.  It’s my voice.  My way.

As far as I can see it is the real me.  Just in a bloggy format.

So, what about you? Is your online persona the same or different? Do you think it maters? Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Instagram, anonymous comments, comments with names attached… are you the same or different online?

Rewinding with Multiple Mum

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Tags: feathers and birds and tattoos oh my, good bad and down right black dog ugly, OCD, real life online life but never third life

Friday I’m in Love *warning this post contains images that readers may find distressing.

So, it’s Friday. I do love Friday. Don’t you?

Today was a great day. The class were happy and engaged… there was talk of the Feiffel Tower (that’s Eiffel Tower to you) There was wondering about how to build said Feiffel tower with blocks as well as the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

We had a wonderful incursion, where, among other things children learnt what to do if they see a used syringe. Yes. Really. Welcome to the 21st century people.

In case you are wondering what to do, you STOP! DON’T TOUCH IT! QUICK! GET A GROWN UP! There are even actions!

But what Friday really means is the weekend is almost here .  That means I can deal with this -

WARNING THE IMAGE BELOW MAY CAUSE DISTRESS!

Yes. That is my bath.  A deep, claw foot bath. Yes.  It is full of laundry. There was more, but I shoved it in the washing machine… on Tuesday… it’s still in there.  Just one of those weeks. *

So, now you have been shocked… may I suggest a calming drink? It is, after all Friday.  Cheers everyone!

Have a great weekend! xxx

*Yes, and now it seems it’s just one of those weekends… discovered nits this morning in the Blue Eyed Boys hair… so the washing pile was de-bunked from the bath… and added to with more towels, sheets, pillow slips…. and I think, in there somewhere my sanity.  I wonder if it’s too early for a drink?

Tags: Friday I'm in love with you, OCD, school

OCD much?

Right. The next thing I am about to say will come as no shock to those who know me. I like things a certain way… yes things can get the better of me… like the washing pile (read about that here) but I like a certain order to life… a place for everything, and everything in it’s place. Which brings me to toilet rolls. People, there is a right way, and a wrong way to place the loo roll on your loo roll holder… really, there is… and if I visit you, and yours is on the wrong way, I may just change it around to the right way.  Please don’t be tempted to turn it around just to see me twitch… I have a long memory and will find out your secret OCD behaviour and pay you back.

I will not be swayed on this. I am right. I’ve even joined a group on facebook in support of this!  It is very important to have it on the right way, it says a lot about who you are… things like ~ I have an eye for detail, a keen sense of style, and above average OCD tendencies!

And just incase you’re wondering which the correct way is…

Tags: facebook, house work, OCD

The washing – it is mocking me.

I think the washing pile is mocking me. It is getting to an unmanageable size…AGAIN! I try, I really, really do… but sometimes I have far more important things to do than fold washing, you know work, or facebook… and then the pile grows and grows… and the kids have no socks for school… or I can’t find the top I really need to wear… so why don’t I just fold the bloody pile? Why does it grow and fester to a size so large I try not to make eye contact with it?

I tell myself this is because I’m a perfectionist… I like to fold tops like they are in a lovely pile in Myers.  I like to make the face washers look like they are in a hotel… all seamless… I like to make separate piles for each family member… with jeans at the bottom, then shorts, then long sleeved tops, then T-shirts, then PJ’s, then undies and socks… ah… OCD anyone?

But, if I was such a perfectionist, wouldn’t I fold the washing every day instead of making an Everest like mound?  Or at least on the 2 days I don’t work…  or on the weekend? Perhaps it’s the size that is defeating me… perhaps if I go, and tackle it, and place the piles on the kids beds for them to put away, and I have a lovely, empty washing basket the task wont seem so big… and tomorrow when I have more dry washing, and it’s in a little non threatening pile, I can just fold that… and we’ll all have matching socks, and lovely folded clothes, put away in drawers…  ready to get out and put on… wouldn’t that be nice?

Right then… off I go to start folding… turn over a new leaf… I can do it, yes I can! (Actually, no I can’t… Hubby has just done it… perfect timing on my part!)

Tags: house work, OCD