Damn, I really have watched too much Amazing Race! This morning on the bus a guy asked if I could spare a dollar to pay for his ride. My first thought: err, were you just through a non-elimination leg, sir?

Only it was not my first thought. In fact, I can't recall what that was. It was only when I reached my office did I reflect on the experience. Then, I thought of the above. Ah, the beauty of blogs.

No, seriously. Where else can you write "Today we kinda ran into each other again. Coincidence? Or was it Mr. Fate J. Smith having a hand? Either way. She looked stunning -- not like she's ever not, of course. As our eyes met, she smiled this little smile of hers and my heart skipped a beat. Damn, was she pretty! Anyone who had been there would've definitely felt the connection between us, so strong the amorous air was. I'm telling you, one of these days I will ask her out" while what actually took place was the two of you simply exchanging nods at the office's water cooler?

(Actually, that could've been worse. Were you Danielle Steel, the two of you would've burst in tears. Oh yeah, despite myself, not only did I watch Closer I also read one Danielle Steel book.)

Sure, you can also write that paragraph in your precious little diary. But I am almost certain the feel would be different. Of course, you can also write it on your office's front wall, but that would be vandalism. And given the time and effort required to come up with such graffiti, it would be caning, if you're in Singapore.

There was a popular analogy a while back: how a blog is like a house -- a home, if you will. It's your house, you can do whatever you want, you can design it any way you like, you can write as you please. While it's true to some extent, I believe the better analogy would be your blog and your front door. Sure, you can do whatever you want in your house. Thing is, you don't allow any one to enter your house -- you select whom you wanna allow in and these people would not likely object to the interior of your house.

When you write something and put it on your front door -- front gate, I believe, in Indonesian terms -- people are free to read or not read it. A casual passer-by might stumble upon it. A relative of yours might check out your house and see it. And, of course, you can invite all your friends/colleagues/people you meet at the market place to come and have a look.

I came across some article where the author questioned the moral responsibility, so to speak, of bloggers. I can't access Google now, so I can't see if there's an online version of it -- isn't that great, try telling that to your boss, "Sorry, sir, but I can't work today. Google is down." It is arguable that small-time bloggers like yours truly can be exempted, as no matter how controversial their writings are, they are not likely to impact the society. It is as arguable then that popular bloggers should "behave themselves" more.

Going back to my front door/gate analogy, when you live -- stay, people here say -- in a small suburbia apartment, the world will not flinch even if you hang a "Dude! J-Lo is actually a guy!" sign outside your door. But when you live on the main street downtown and put on a "I think the Pope is gay" signboard on your lawn, I think it's safe to say you'll hear not-so-nice stuff from us Catholics -- despite all we say about turning the other cheek.

In that, I agree with Aju that the "seniors" owe it to the "juniors" not to confuse or even mislead them with inaccurate information. Also agree with Bison -- three of us having graduated from the same faculty apparently helps -- that what's good/bad for some is not necessarily good/bad for everyone. Still, when you have the power to "decide" what's good/bad for the majority, it doesn't hurt to exercise a bit of care.

PS: happy b'day to Biki and Anie. May the Force be with you both.

Current music: Rob Thomas - Lonely No More
Current mood: happy