Do nuts and sickies rule the blogosphere?

We certainly hope so. And anybody who disagrees with us will be beaten with my cane. When I'm in my manic phase.

This question arises from Dr. Helen's blog, in which she asks, "I wonder how many other bloggers are out there posting on a regular basis and keeping the world amused because it is one of the few outlets that requires little physical exertion?"

My personal view is that there is an element of this being the great equalizer for those of us who can't walk really fast across the street, but I think there may be more to it than that.

When I was on crutches after applying to my knees that grievous harm, I got a lot of people talking to other people around me, as though I weren't there -- I can only imagine the degree of frustration for somebody in a wheelchair. At least my eyes were at the same level as everybody else's (o'course, I also have always had rather substantial... um... forward momentum, so there's always been a problem with men and eye contact). But nobody online sees me when I'm doped up to deal with the knees, or when I'm struggling to keep my mind on something other than the bumblebees inside my head. The only thing they see is that which I want to share. And their eyes meet my letters. They address my words, not my limp.

Then, too, it's a great way to share info with others suffering the same pain or indignity, so that the deeper problems may be addressed. And, a lot of us with mental problems use writing as a tool to keep abreast of our own cycles, so we can plan our lives accordingly, and to adjust behaviors or meds as necessary. It used to be, the only person reading this sort of stuff I produced was a guy in an office who talked to me and helped me decide how best for me to cope with my own skin and what it contained. Now, I can ask my friends to keep tabs on me, if I want... it can serve very nicely as a sort of group therapy. When we blog, we have outside input, to remind us when we're not paying attention to what we're doing.

And, just as in proper therapy, somebody else can usually spot the bullcrap and call us on it.

If I don't want to use it for group, I can use my blog to bolster my mood, anyway, simply by showing that I can finish my thoughts... no matter how long it takes for me to type them out. It's a way of coming out with a simple, finished product. It's very Garden-of-the-mind, with weeding and all.

Blogging is a great tool for the damaged masses to make themselves closer to functional.

But mostly, for me, it's a clear way to sabotage my future career as President of the United States and first female US ambassador to Barsoom, and to bring shame upon my family.