Moving to a filtered friendslist.

[icarus]

When I first started this journal, I had about thirty people on my friendslist and we knew each other, kept up on each other's lives. Some of us had chatted online or exchanged emails and compliments over each other's stories.

It looks like I need to go to a filtered friendslist.

Wake up call number one. About two months ago, I posted some personal complaints, and someone called someone else a name in my journal. It turned into a big public deal. I've refused to censor myself in my own damned journal.

Wake up call number two. At another point I posted a complaint about my boyfriend and got all sorts of unsolicited advice from people. All right. It's my journal, I want to be able to able to complain and I don't want to have to censor myself. But I learned the lesson about not leaving comments open.

Wake up call number three. Then I posted a complaint about essays that turned into a bitter war with someone who to me, is a complete and total stranger - they're not even on my friendslist. Everything they said bespoke a complete ignorance me and even my past posts. It was a huge waste of time. But it's my damned journal and I want to be able to write what I like.

In a discussion with machiavellian I mentioned, "Well I have a very public journal."

And that's the problem, isn't it?

People friend me and read this journal not for me but for the stories and the occasional essay I put out. Which is my main use for this journal after all -- just read my user information. I've always had a policy of friending everyone who friends me, but most people friend me for the stories.

I haven't wanted to do this, damn it, but I don't want to end my friending policy (I've met some interesting people that way) and I'll never keep up two journals.

So this weekend my personal stuff, school rants, wildernessguru, etc., will go to a filtered friendslist.

Drop a comment if you want to be on the filtered friendslist. My feelings won't be hurt if you just want Harry Potter stories because to me that means hey, you like my stories.

ETA: wildernessguru says, "No matter what way you say it this is censorship." He's absolutely right. It sucks that I have to take this step. But battles over what is essentially entertainment for me are worse.

Comments

[lizardspots.livejournal.com]

Hey, I don't mind hearing about your personal what-nots. If anything, I'd like to hear about the exploits of wildernessguru. *g*

[supergrover24.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry you feel the need to do that. It is your journal, you should be able to say anything and everything.

I'd like to be filtered, if you don't mind. I may not comment a lot, but I do feel as though I've gotten to know you a little bit.

[kijikun.livejournal.com]

I find you a very intersting person for more than just your stories and promise never to give unasked for advise :)

[fiatincantatum.livejournal.com]

"No matter what way you say it this is censorship."

Well, no. Censorship would be saying "you can't say that" to either yourself or to another.

All you're doing is limiting who you let into your "house" to see your private "stuff." That's not censorship, that's privacy. There is no earthly reason why you have to let the whole world wander into your private space, after all.

That being said, if you want to let me see your private stuff, I'm happy to see it/respond to it if I think of something to say.

[everythingisaid.livejournal.com]

I'd like to be added to the filtered friendslist, please. I always thought that all of your posts were interesting.

[ntamara.livejournal.com]

I'd like to be on the filtered list :)

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

sweetie, please put me on your filtered list? I love your HP stories it's true, but I care about you too! *hug*

[timberwolfoz.livejournal.com]

I know just how you feel -- sometimes you do have to restrict access to create your own space where you can say what you like and not self-censor, even subconsciously.

Bottom line -- your journal, your space, your outlet. Ergo, yours to do as you will with. As you said, it's entertainment... not the place where you want to fight battles.

I'd love to be on the filtered friendslist, if I may: I friended you for the stories, IIRC, but lately I've been reading your anecdotes and putting the stories aside for later! Must remedy that. :) And comment a little more so you know who I am.

[hsg.livejournal.com]

I got all sorts of advice on my relationship with Harry. I think well-meant advice is inevitable.

[dancing-moon.livejournal.com]

I hardly ever comment here, so I understand if you want to keep me out of the filter. That said, I find your anecdotes and stories interesting and would like to keep on reading them, if it's no hassle =)

[mctabby.livejournal.com]

*pets Icarus's LJ personality fragments, offers chocolate*

I want to be filtered too! Please.

And I'm only using my Dumbledore icon because ntamara used hers. Baaaaa.

Gah!

[barbana.livejournal.com]

Hey I'm sorry you are going through this hassle. *hates hassles*

I'd like to be on the filtered friends list because I do enjoy reading your other stories and essays and opinions (although I don't always comment) but I totally understand if you decide to leave me off.

[ursula]

If you can withstand my urge to analyze everything, I'd like to be on your list.

Jumping in line

[theladydoor.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'd like to be on the list too, please. I know I never comment (mainly because I just read *my* flist nowadays and never sign in), but I'd miss reading your stories and other posts. Thanks!

[lerah99.livejournal.com]

It's awful that you are having to do this. I'll admit that I friended you for your stories. In fact a squeeled like a little girl when I saw that you had friended me back. (Sorry, I can be a hopless fangirl sometimes)

But, I have really enjoyed reading your day to day posts. If you don't mind, I would like to be on your filtered friends list. I promise to keep all relationship advice to myself.

[boniblithe.livejournal.com]

I filter all the time, to keep real life separate from fannish life. Sometimes the twain should not meet. I don't consider it censorship at all ... I consider it prudence. It's censorship if someone forces you to keep quiet, to not express yourself. It's just good sense if you choose the who and the where and when of that self expression.

[femmequixotic]

I agree with the comments above that sometimes you just have to filter in order to maintain some semblence of privacy. Particularly with the brou-ha-has you've had to deal with at times.

I'd love to be on your filtered list, if that's okay. I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts...fandom and RL related.

*hugs*

[goseaward.livejournal.com]

If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to keep reading--it's really interesting to see your opinions on university after having had a *real* life, which is very different from most of my friends and myself.

[florahart]

Naw, it's not censorship. If you'd told the professor she or he couldn't say these things, and found some sort of means to enforce, or at least coerce her to abide by your decision, then yeah, but no.

I enjoy reading the not-HP stuff too. I also offer unsolicited advice all the time, but I try to remember to note it as such and harbor no expectation that the reader will accept it, and I certainly don't get into lengthy confrontations about it. ;)

[boomingvoice.livejournal.com]

Put me on it, svp. You're too cool to let go, man.

[abigail89.livejournal.com]

I've enjoyed reading your rants, essay, and moans. I do the same about kids, husband, work, school, fuckwits of the world. I read that essay exchange. Man, that was intense, and the responder just didn't get what you were on about. I had no idea that was a stranger.

So, if you don't mind a mom-type who likes your stories, I'm game to be on the filtered list.

[aigooism.livejournal.com]

Filter me ?

I read stuff based on both HP and Real life.

[loup_noir]

Meh. I'm more interested in your life than your fics. Is that heresy?

[cedarlibrarian.livejournal.com]

Though it does suck that you have to filter, I'd like to be on the filters. I think your journal, all of it, is very interesting.

Re:

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

wildernessguru is well pleased, and just struck a pose for you, coming out of the shower. ;)

Icarus