Isn’t it weird how it’s less strange to call something an “obsession” than a “passion?” “Obsession” is a word that in all its forms over the years has been trivialized.”I’m OBSESSED with Oprah” sounds majorly less wackaloon than “I’m PASSIONATE with Oprah.” Or to be fair, less crazy than even “passionate about Oprah.”
©iStockphoto.com/Mr.Incredible
Currently, I”m obsessed with Wordpress plugins. And they are free, which is a lot less expensive than pretty much everything else I want. I feel certain the day is out there on the horizon when someone will invent a Wordpress plugin that can cook breakfast. Undoubtedly there are masses of hungry bloggers out there. Eggs would be nice. Protein is important.
My web host and designer of my new blog, Shauna, has told me that I really must cut back on this plugin thing. Before I did that though, I found one more that I simply must have. Yesterday I added an open id plugin to make commenting easier. (Not to mention get claimed on Technorati, but that’s a whole other story.)
Last night my blogging friend, lawyer mom at A Lawyer Mom’s Musings, was kind enough to email me and let me know that she was rejected from commenting here. I was horrified that she was rudely redirected to a page that told her she wasn’t a registered member of her own blog! How strange is that?
I have since removed the new plugin. Not sure if the new plugin was (is?) this issue, but I still see it as a sign. If you look over in the far right column you can see that in over- compensation I have gone back on my vow to wean myself from all things Google and have added a Google Friends Connect widget. Don’t I look pathetic?
I refuse to prattle about the issues I’ve had since moving my blog. Without meaning to sound too yin and yangy, I must claim space within myself for a much overdue new obsession.
I have heard many people proudly announce their obsession with everything from their children, to re-decorating the family room to Jesus. To be obsessed with something is often perceived as desirable.
The definition doesn’t sound so hot:
obsession:
- Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.
- A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.
Not exactly positive.
When a mother says, “I’m obsessed with my children,” we can assume she’s either being fey, or perhaps establishing top mom status while leaving an impression of humble self-sacrifice. On the other hand, if the creepy loner guy across the street who only sees his children every other weekend were to say, “I’m obsessed with my children,” at the very least we would keep an eye on him.
Has this fast paced lifestyle led to “obsession” being something we aspire to, or even more concerning, something we must have?
If so, I better pick this new gig carefully. This blog is what happened last time I went a lookin’.
These days I’m down to one very boring obsession: mango salsa from Costco. After one bite too many this afternoon, I’m over it. I think.
Any new ideas for potential obsessions for me? Preferably something that won’t suck up half my waking hours or be rude to people? What’s with this Mad Men? Scented candles? Sustainable eating? Oprah you out there?
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to my RSS feed!
{ 23 comments }
First, hey! New digs! Glad I came by so I can update you on my blogroll.
Obsession vs. Passion. As another fellow “wordie” (can we use that like “foodies?”) You know, people that are so into food? Anyway, good point here.
I must admit, I am obsessed with using the word obsessed or obsession or any derivative, thereof. I think it lends to my “obsessive” nature. No, really! It’s rather unfortunate but I am one of those “obsessive types.”
Come, now. I am crazy. Should this come as a surprise?
I think I reserve “passion” and its derivations for all things to do with love, romance, sex! *laughing*
I’m obsessed with those things too, maybe? *grin*
Take care darling,
PA
.-= patientanonymous´s last blog ..Stargazing =-.
PA – Do you think it’s okay to be a foodie/wordie? Good, I thought so. I’m thinking it’s all good as long “it” whatever you want to call it isn’t tied into yours or anyone else’s pain. Hope the stargazing goes GREAT
Ann, I think coconut sorbet and rachel dratch are great ideas! xxx ooo
rosaria, i like your attitude… just buy an antacid and roll with it…much better than becoming obsessed about not obsessing!
blueviolet, it’s definitely a fine line that is sometimes hard to see. xxx ooo
Staci, the closest i think I’ll get to being obsessed with oprah, is contemplating why so many are so obsessed with her. I shutter to think what would happen to our nation if this woman got run over by a bus. And why am I thinking like this? It can’t be NORMAL!
Thom, after reading your comment, I’m proud to say I went and deleted two plug ins, and only added two more!
Jane, that’s why plugins are so great – no html required – at least at first, then you may find yourself returning to continuing ed classes, learning all kinds of cool stuff from a 21 yr. old male, then messing your blog up to the point that everyone has to keep filling out the information to comment. Or worse. You notice how lawyer mom hasn’t commented yet?
mother, you are so right! If only we could choose what to become obsessed with, life would be a lot more productive and healthy
eric, Many of my favorite people have unique interests, and as long as the word “passion” is in there, it all might just be how it’s meant to be
eileen, as long as you can move on from one interest to another, I think it sounds like you’ve got it figured out. We don’t have a Whole Foods or anything like it here – and I often wish (obsess over?) we did. Costco is great though
BB Suz, you are so nice! Thanks for coming by. I hope your dog is getting along better
Sparky, ABSOLUTELY.
Jessica, I can’t go there either, and just thank goodness that the entrance to the bookstore is from the parking lot. How about the outlet in your mall instead of wall?
I loved your obsessed with children compare/contrast, and cast the Mom with Rachel Dratch and the bum with Chris (Mango) forgot his last name.
Oh, and when I began my blog it was truly an obsession. Now it’s more like a nagging Aunt.
How about coconut sorbet? mmmmm…
.-= Ann´s last blog ..Dear Fat Ass =-.
Obsessions keep us focused. They may cause gastric distress, however. So, eat, rest, work, and then splurge on your obsession. ThaT’S NOT SO BAD!
.-= rosaria´s last blog ..Weather Watching =-.
I wish I could tone down my obsessions to passion but I think what happens is every one of my passions turns into obsession.
Plus, I’m obsessive compulsive without the ability to multi-task. My life is a freak show.
Newman’s Own pineapple salsa is good, and you don’t have to go to Costco’s to get it, in case you’re looking for a new salsa obsession. It’s the only salsa I have ever eaten an entire job of. He also has a mango salsa, in case you still want mango.
I don’t suggest becoming obsessed over anything that comes with a message board. I got sucked into the whole Big Brother thing this summer. Since I don’t have the feeds, I find myself checking the message boards all day long to find out what’s going on. Then I stay up and watch it on Showtime. If I don’t wing myself off of it soon, I may go through withdrawal symptoms when the show ends in a few weeks.
So Oprah probably isn’t a good idea. I’m sure there are plenty of Oprah forums out there, and she’s on Twitter.
.-= Staci´s last blog ..My Purse is Turning into My Mother’s =-.
Oh my friend. I know what you mean about these WP plug-ins. When I first started I went off too much. It not only can add to the time your blog takes to load, but the bandwith can be eaten up much quicker also. I tried a different commenting system and dropped them. I don’t have very many plug-ins now. I love ‘em I must say. The thing that I don’t like either is if you have a problem it takes an act of congress to get an answer LOL. So I sorta stay just basic.
.-= Thom´s last blog ..What Kind of Book Are You? and Some Senior Funnies =-.
Wish I could do the Word Press thing but I just don’t get html; drives me crazy and don’t have the time or inclination to learn something else. BTW, why do I have to retype all my info again and again before it’ll let me comment?
Anyhoo, obsession is definitely an overused word, although I can easily become obsessed with certain things like the new Chocolate Moose Tracks!
.-= Jane Gaston´s last blog ..Giveaway Announcement & Other Stuff =-.
Obsession is always a bad word. Especially if used about your children.
Reading? Exercise? You know, healthy vices.
.-= The Mother´s last blog ..Whips and Tomb Paintings =-.
Is it ok to be ‘passionately obsessed’ about something? Is that greater than just passion or obsession?
My interests are in ancient art and stone. Haha, and so many people *do not* share that…
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Cement Mistakes and the Grave of Peter =-.
I tend to go from one obsession to another. I like to figure out everything that I can about a particular passion…
then move on.
I have not tried Cosco!! I hear great things about the store. I went to whole foods today! LOVE IT!! Got lots of premade munchies!! Yummy
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..Aloha Friday =-.
This is great. I may have found my new passion….I mean ‘obsession’…YOU.
So funny and smart.
Have a great day! Suz
You are so funny … should we be keeping an eye on you!? ha ha ha
.-= Sparky´s last blog ..Now Frommer’s Calling Us Names! =-.
all my obesessions kick in at the mall which is why I never go. Too expensive
.-= jessica´s last blog ..Knowledge is a source of power. I prefer the outlet in my wall =-.
Margo, obsessions… Dexter, TV series on Showtime; Lobster and Clam spread from Costco (that’s 2 different spreads for crackers), Werther’s hard candies, photography.
.-= maryt/theteach´s last blog ..Is Health Care a right? =-.
GIMME some of that salsa!
…. and it is NOT really possible yo be obsessed with Oprah, is it??
I have a wordpress golf blog. I plug it in to the wall socket
.-= Eric “Speedcat Hollydale”´s last blog ..Wander through Smoked Mirrors and Stigma =-.
yummy I love mango salsa from whole foods! And an obsession with anything techie is healthy in my book
.-= fiona´s last blog ..Expedition FUN at The Denver Museum of Nature and Science =-.
Aren’t we all kind of obsessed with blogs? And I would say “obsession” as opposed to “passion” because it definitely has that connotation… I often have to take a step back and remind myself that it’s just a blog – it’s okay if I ignore it for a few days….not that I’ve accomplished that yet. Aiming for this week while I’m on vacation.
.-= Kate Coveny Hood´s last blog .."I Never Thought I’d Like Sunglasses" or "Shooting Practice Begins Tomorrow" =-.
I think you should become obsessed with goat’s milk soap.
I also know where you can find some.
This is why I am a good SpokesGoat…
heh heh.
Seriously, how about knitting?
.-= Pricilla´s last blog ..The Publicist is Cheating on Us! =-.
Passion – obsession- passion – obsession, one in the same sometimes. Great post.
xo
Travel to points westward would be a good obsession. Bring the mango salsa.
I thought obsessed might sometimes be good until I watched my MIL fall completely off the cliff into OCD insanity. It runs in her family. She is obsessed with being in control of every minute detail of her husband’s behavior and every single bite he puts in his mouth. Sometimes when he is boring or too well-behaved she works on me.
Ironically while she obsesses over how many chips he eats with his chili, she doesn’t follow her own diabetic diet very well at all. Nor will she do her required exercise. I’m nearly irritated enough to be brave enough to point this out. I hope I survive it, if I ever do.
These days I do this math:
obsessed = torturing everyone around you
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Pare It Down: Diet =-.
i love plug-ins too. not obsessed though. i saw a plug-in recently that can do guest posting. i thought, well blow me the heck down. going away on vacation, use a plugin to grab articles similar to what you post. great idea, but it wouldn’t be the same for me. unless there’s an option for odd news. hmmm.
.-= Natural´s last blog ..Herstory In the Making =-.
Comments on this entry are closed.