My friend Skeet over at Skeet's stuff is trying out a new feature on her blog. She is toying with the idea of making it regular meme. The idea is distinctly different than most of the memes out there. As a dedicated book worn and all around wordy person, she has created a game that is also a writing exercise.  

Here's the game straight from the mouth of the Skeet, herself:

I will propose a subject for a simile. Each of us will select an object of comparison and give at least three reasons to support our choice. It's a writing exercise, so don't limit yourself to making a list. Be expansive. Play with your words. Make it fun! There are no grades or prizes. The reward is in the self-satisfaction each of us will gain from becoming better writers. My simile will be posted on Friday, July 27th. Each participant will link their own post in my comments so that we all can enjoy each other's offerings.

Your first assignment: A blog is like _________________. Write your piece and I'll see you here on Friday!

I'm game.

A blog is like standing on a street corner naked with a paper bag over your head in hopes of anonymity.

I say this because we are each hidden, yet in publishing our words and thoughts in a format where anyone with an internet connection is a potential reader.

I have been thinking much lately of the idea of staying anonymous on the web, yet promoting and branding myself. I was at first adverse to the idea of using my real name as my url. I tried to get TinaK.com or TinaLouise.com. When that didn't work, I seriously debated going with my personal screen name for everything since my AOL email address: CL5125.com. Even people I've known in real life since I had that first e-mail account have trouble remembering it, So, I took the leap of using my name out there is the scary old internet. I just have to hope between featuring my big, growly husband prominently and being basically unexciting, I will avoid having a net stocker.

A much more common issue for bloggers and users of social networking sites is what they post is read by people they know in their off-web lives. This problem is something I strive to avoid by remembering that even if my head is in that paper bag, it is pretty obvious from height, weight, and build to identify me. If I wouldn't want my coworker to hear back what I was saying about her in the break room, I don't say it on the web.

My philosophy is this: Write your blog like no one reads it, and as if everyone reads it.

I'm bold enough to continue blogging, even though it can be awkward to have one's personal bits on display.