The Perils of the Internet

I love blogging. I love comments. I love e-mails.

Love.

But lately the Internet has been freaking me out.

In a span of only a few days, I have received a number of unsolicited e-mails and comments from unfamiliar sources -- nameless, faceless, and profileless.

Normally, I'd be eating this up. It touches me that so many of you are motivated enough to comment and/or send me e-mails. These things really do make every day brighter.

But there is a line you don't cross when you're a commenter.

So-called "anonymous" bloggers are strange creatures. If you post your face and experiences on the Internet, there is no way you can truly be anonymous. It is folly to think you can pull this off.

But we try anyway.

There is a reason why I'm Monkey, why my husband is Mr. Monkey, why my brother is Brother Monkey. There is a reason why my friends are Giggles, Bax, Glam, Curly Fries, Perfecta, BPLJ, and Pescado. There is a reason why I work at the CIA or the Green Giant.

It's not just to be cute.

And the line you don't cross when you're a commenter is posting identifying information of such a blogger.

Cardinal sin, folks. Very uncool.

So please don't cross this line, or I'll have no choice but to turn this into an invite-only blog.

Don't make me unnecessarily paranoid about well-meaning fans who just want to send me nice e-mails, telling me to keep my chin up, complimenting me on a post well-written, or asking me for advice.

Don't ruin it for all the others who respect the line.

For those of you who do respect the line, I thank you profusely.

In contrast, you guys can thank the Dumbass Who Crossed the Line for my new policy of comment moderation instead of instant comment publication.