The Virtues of Blogging

As of late, my friends have been very busy – rewarding others and being rewarded themselves. I was very lucky to meet these friends through blogging – particularly over the last seven months during my posting of The Story of Ghassan and Alexandra. What they have brought to my life, are bright rays of sunshine and delightful reading at least weekly. I never imagined when I started blogging just over a year ago that it could be so rewarding. It has truly surprised me. It is a community which can quickly become very tight and interdependant in a most supportive way. And yet, outside of the blogosphere, away from the computer screen, each of us continues with our own separate lives. Some of the community have been fortunate enough to be able to bring the two worlds together. I would say they are very fortunate, in fact. There are many with whom I would dearly love to sit and sip tea and chat life.

I have to go back to November of last year. Well, actually before that. I wish I could remember exactly how I came upon his blog – probably through reading his comments on another blog. All I can say is that I’m so glad I found it. I have never read so much wisdom, depth, and insight coming from the mind of one so young. Yazan, on his blog On Olives and Sake, sees the world in such an intelligent and unique way. His ideas are often complex yet his writing flows so smoothly it settles in you like a soothing cup of tea. In trying to describe it here, I could never do it justice. I invite you, dear reader, to have a look for yourself. Yazan is also a writer for Global Voices and honoured me with a piece about The Story of Ghassan and Alexandra after I had written only a few chapters. For that I am eternally grateful, Yazan. Thank you.

Shortly after Yazan’s piece appeared on Global Voices, I was lucky enough to receive a few new readers, who eventually became people I could call friends. One of them was the enthusiastic Jillian. She commented after each chapter and was there to encourage me when I had fallen behind on my writing. Thank you, Jillian. Jillian has a wonderful blog on which she covers everything from politics, to culture, to personal perspectives on life. I visit often to Jillian C.York , her blog, but don’t comment as much as I should. Again, dear reader, you should take a meander through Jillian’s thoughts. I think you will find them most enjoyable.

The sweet and talented Gabriela made her first appearance after Part 6 of The Story of Ghassan and Alexandra, and became a close and fast friend. After discovering my site, she made an effort to go back and read as many posts as she could and to comment on them. This made such an impression on me, I naturally went to visit her site – Seis de enero (The 6th of January) and made the best of the Google translator (she writes in Spanish). Gabriela often writes about friends, and fellow bloggers – recommending their sites and enriching the blogging experience. Gabriela was recently interviewed by Global Voices for the role she plays in translating to Spanish for Global Voices and about her own blogging experience. The article is a great introduction to the woman who’s blog is a must read.

Dania, Yaser, and Fantasia also made themselves known over the course of the story and who’s blogs I’ve enjoyed visiting. Dania’s blog, My Chaos, covers everything from Syrian politics, to her astute thoughts on current events and life in general. Yaser has found a niche for himself by bringing us current events on the social and music scene in Damascus as well as advances in technology. Tajreed is a must visit to be up to date on the latest and greatest. Fantasia, who’s mind I greatly admire – she is forever thoughtful and analytical – introduced me to the most enticing and lovely erotica on her blog, Pillow Talk. Transcending vulgarity and domination, Fantasia’s writing brings a unique beauty to love making and sexual pleasure.

Last but definitely not least, I must extol the virtues of a friendship with the man who calls himself my #1 fan. Abu Fares, what would I do without you? Abu Fares has been with me since my first post on the blogosphere and has brought me so much support and delight. A more thoughtful, kind, and poetic man I have never met. Abu Fares’s blog, Abufares said…the world according to a Tartoussi…brings, unequivocally, the most rich, wise and intricate writing I have seen on the blogosphere. He has such a following that I’m not sure that I’m introducing him here but rather embracing an already well established voice on the Syrian blogosphere and beyond. Saying thank you doesn’t seem enough, Abu Fares, you’ve truly found a place in my heart.

I would never want to discount the anonymous or casual readers, or those without a blog (Katia). I appreciate your visits ever so much. I hope that, over time, we may come to know one another better. I also look forward to meeting more thoughtful writers and my hope is that I might draw them here not so much that they will read me but so that I can find out about them. What a small world we live in that we have been able to congregate and communicate and to build such a strong connection. But we do it with such diversity and individuality that in continues to be a fascinating and exciting place. My best to you all.

Mariyah

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