The Risky Business of Blogging

Now that I’ve experienced these two events, it feels like I belong to an exclusive club of individuals who are entirely different from the rest of the population simply by virtue of blogging. (Although, according to some sources, 14 thousand new blogs open each day, and only the laziest members of society decline to announce what they’ve had for breakfast to anyone who cares to listen.)

The first scenario took place at the New York Art Expo, which you can read about here. Throughout my stay at the exhibition, I did nothing but take photos of various artists and their work. Just about anybody I came in contact with was curious what I was doing, and I would tell them about my blog. Everything was very peaceful up to the point when I asked permission to take pictures at one of the boxes, and received a rude rejection. A middle-aged man in a business suit let me know that it was a publishing house and they have no need whatsoever to be discussed in some silly blogs. Since this was the first (and, hopefully, the last) time I saw him, it seemed that the whole scope of his irritation concerned the possibility of appearing in a blog. Ironically, it was a Canadian publisher. I still don’t understand what secret thing I could have captured that would have damaged the reputation of this participant of the Art Expo. (You’d think that speaking rudely to visitors would be worse for their overall character.)

The second story happened in Toronto. I really like coming into small stores while I walk around in various neighborhoods. It’s great to find unique places with a special atmosphere. I usually buy something in a good store, and have a pleasant chat with the owners or staff.

That time, when I asked for permission to take pictures, the person first turned slightly red, and then snorted. I realized that things weren’t going too well, and took up a strategic position next to the door. Then he gathered all his willpower and spoke – “You bloggers, you can ruin any good thing. My ex is a blogger.”

I decided not to wait for a continuation of this tragic story.

In both cases, it felt like I was suddenly a special type of person, who is not welcome in certain places. Why is that? The only thing that makes me a member of this group of people is having a blog.

Since I meant no harm to either on of these people, and conducted myself politely, I must know – was it just my luck during those two days, or do my blogger friends also find themselves in these situations?

To avoid making my post completely hopeless, I’d like to show you a couple of photos from my weekend. It was wonderful. I’m really a sweet, fluffy individual, and I don’t bite anybody, unless they step on my tail.