So, um...What Constitutes a Stalker?

This past weekend when I was out on my date with Princess, we started talking about our blogs. More specifically though, we were talking about all the people that read our blogs, and who we communicate with outside of the comments box, and how we both feel about that.

Here's the thing that I've discovered...at least about myself.

There are some of you that I would love, love, love to know outside the blogosphere. I would love to be able to call you up and say "Hey, what's shakin'? Do you want to go grab a coffee?" However, since in most cases that's not really feasible, I have to make do with a comment on your blog or a quick email if I have your address.

There are some of you that I communicate with on a daily basis, we even hang out with spouses and stuff - those of you that I know personally. There are others of you that I email with once a week or so, some that I do phone calls with, a few more of you are Facebook buddies, and I know a couple of people's actual residential addresses or where they work.

Now here is where my title comes into question - just what constitutes a stalker? Or even, what is going too far in the way of too much information?

Because there are days when I read one of your blogs and want nothing more than to call you up and tell you I'm thinking about you (in a completely non-pervert way) and that you are not alone. Sometimes an email is enough, though I don't have everyone's email address, but when it comes down to it, I'd rather send you a card. I'm somewhat of a card-o-holic...it seems I have an addiction to sending people $6 pieces of paper.

There are other times when I see something in a store (I'm talking little, silly things here) that I think would make your day if you were to get it in the mail all the way from Winnipeg. Some things remind me of a certain person, or maybe someone else has been looking everywhere for something and I happen to know a place that has 5 of them for sale - that sort of thing.

But for the most part, I don't want to ask anyone for their address because I'm worried that I will turn out to be the person that people think is a stalker. The thing is - I am soooo not stalker material.

First of all, my life is busy enough - who has time to follow someone else's life so closely?

Second of all, do you know how much work it would be to be a good stalker? Always having to know someone's every move - where they're going, who they're meeting, when they'll be back...

Third of all, I lose interest in things too quickly to ever make a career out of being a stalker - I'm already losing interest in this post!

Fourth of all, I'm just too lazy. Seriously. The last thing I want to do is sit in your bushes and watch every little thing you do. I'd probably just lay down for a nap in your peonies.

Here's how I look at it - you have to use your best judgement. If someone is sending you nudie pictures and you've started receiving phone calls of heavy breathing, maybe don't give out your home address and what time you're going to be alone that night.
For the most part, I think the majority of us are pretty smart, and are on top of things enough to realize when someone is getting a bit psycho.

So, um...if I happen to ask any of you for your phone number or home address - I can assure you that I am not coming to find you - we'll be lucky if I even take the time to write it in my address book.