INTERVENTION

I have a friend. For anonymity sake, I'll refer to him as Mr. Big, or simply MB. Now Mr. Big could probably be considered an over-achiever. I don't think he'd protest that. He latches onto an idea, or a project, sinks his teeth in and runs. Now that can be a mighty handy trait to have. For instance, if you're trying to build a lawn mower out of old spare parts, or write a movie script, or lay a woman properly, (ooops, that one just slipped in there - it's been a few days and I can't concentrate) the dedication and focus required to complete these tasks is already hardwired. But, and you know there had to be a but, these same qualities can take over the body and remove all sense of reason and balance..........

You see, my friend has a serious blog problem. MB appears to have slipped into that seedy, underground world of chronic bloggers and I don't know how to get him out. I'ts a bigger problem than I can handle myself. I'm forming a committee to assist me in this undertaking to bring MB back and make him want to live in THIS reality. From a distance, it does seem harmless. It does start that way. Someone will introduce you to the blogging world, by telling you how wonderful and fulfilling it is and the best part - it's free! Well, free if you don't consider your soul as a commodity. At this point, it's still all sunshine and roses. All the creativity that's unleashed, releasing your demons, producing wonderful works of literature, it seems like you've found Nirvana and wish you had found this sooner. But then...........

The comments and emails start. Innocuously at first. Praise for your stellar style, wit, insight, bravery. Critisism for your foolhardy and unpopular remarks on..............fill in your own topic here. But we all know that any attention is good attention. Toddlers have been blowing hissy fits in stores from the beginning of time to continue to showcase that theory. The volume of readers rapidly grows, with more fans than dissenters. YOU are a rock star!!!! You have a Sally Field moment, "You like me, you really like me!". But the glory comes with a huge price tag.............

You see, the blogger people just keep uping the ante. They are bloodthirsty vampires that can't get enough of MB's blood, sweat and tears. He is drowning in the cesspool and barely knows how close he is to going under for perhaps the last time. This one-time recreational hobby has become an all-encompassing, full-time occupation. Feed the monkey MB. Feed the monkey. Friends are gradually left behind. We tried to participate so we could have that in common, but he quickly outgrew us. We are leery of taking this blogging further, where he has no fear and charged on. Farewell good friend. Family, largely ignored. Chores left undone. There is blogging to do - everything else must cease to exist!

The responsibility to the blog people is eating MB up. If you sit back quietly, just outside of the perifery, you can see him starting to crumble. The eyes are a little wider and sometimes frantic. I don't have proof, but I bet food, hygiene and physical pleasure have been largely ignored as well. There is no other topic worth discussing outside of the blog. It was never supposed to be this way, but he doesn't know how to make it stop. Neither do I, but I will.

Hold on Mr. Big, we're coming for you.

D.