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Oh my I've become a Hubpages Stalker!
I need to get a real life
I got up this morning, I logged online, I checked my ebay store, and then I headed over to good ole' Hubpages. I checked my new comments that I'd received, responded to the pathetically small amount of people that I've managed to lure into my Hubs, and then began to wander the site. I did a small amount of Hub Hopping, looked at some questions, voted on a few peoples answers, which I must say, seems rather petty of me to think I have any right to vote on their opinion. I mean, heck, it's THEIR opinion! How do I earn the right to give it an up or a down thumb?? But that's off topic. Then I wandered off to look at the small amount of money I've made off Google Adsense...small amount mostly because I have a paltry 10 hubs, and most of those are about matters that are private to my family, which, let's face it, is not going to generate great amounts of interest, or money!
I then went to read the Hubs of some of the people I "follow" on here. And I must be totally honest with you. I follow approximately 64 people on Hubpages. In the very beginning, before I really knew what I was doing, I kind of thought the purpose was to go and follow all types of people, and get them to follow you. So that is where some of them came from. Then I became more discriminating in how I followed...I only picked those that had things I felt I would actually read, or those that I found more interesting. I did not automatically begin to follow people just because they followed me. If they began to follow me I went to their profile and looked to see what they wrote about, and if it was something interesting, or I thought I might return and read things, I followed them. There are a couple on my list that I follow who have taken a break from writing and no longer add anything to their hubpages, and there is at least one who is only on here to read hubs and does not write anything of their own. So the number is 64, but the actual number of people writing content is slightly smaller than that. But still, of the approximately 55-60 people that I follow, I regularly read every new Hub written, of about 4 people. Seriously.
And of those four, there are 2 that I can't wait to read. I go to their pages first and read whatever new Hub they've written. I usually comment on their writings, unless I'm feeling extremely uncreative that day, or for some reason have a limited amount of time and do not feel I can do their creativity justice at that time, in which case, I return later and try to make sure I comment. There are a few hubs of theirs I do not comment on, just because some content is perhaps a topic that is not quite as interesting to me as others. But for the most part, I read, I comment, and then I wait to see if they respond to my comment.
This is where the stalking comes in. I've discovered that I find myself logging on to Hubpages several times throughout the day, looking for new hubs, or new comments by my favorite few people! My God, do I have no real life?? How in the world can a woman with a husband, a dog, a fairly large house, two kids, two grandkids, and an eBay business have time to log onto hubpages that many times a day just to see what relative strangers have to say?? Do I need help?? Are there others out there like me?? Logging on, looking for new hubs, searching frantically for comments to respond to?? Do we need to start a 12 step program for ourselves?? Please, let me know I'm not alone in this twisted need to log onto hubpages! At least if I knew there were more out there like me, stalking other hubbers, perhaps stalking ME, I'd feel better. Misery loves company type of thing you know! I just can't be the only one out there telling my family I'm on here writing so I can make money on Google Adsense, or that I'm trying to "be discovered" for my writing ability, or that I'm learning new things, all just so they won't look at me funny when they catch me running over to the computer for a quick check for comments!
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Comments
hub hopping brought me to this hub, and its quite ironic that THIS hub is the one that made me want to follow you. comically enough, as much as i hate to admit it, i am now sitting here, a new hubber to boot, wondering if when you veiw my profile you will deem me "worthy enough" to be followed. Its slightly foolish to be so caught up and only embodies the subject of this very hub. Bravo for pointing out what many of us are too afraid to admit ;)
Haha, Ang!!
First I'd like to say congratulations to you, for I have generated absolutely no revenue to date from my hubs.
Second, I hope I'm at least in one of those top four people, and even if you don't find my hubs interesting, you should comment on them anyway, lol.
And third, I'd like to say that I'm also disappointed with the number of times I log into hub pages per day. I get up in the morning, and log in, and when I see nobody has written me, I take a nap, and then I get up and log in again, lol.
Fourth, how dare you call me a relative stranger! :P
And last, I'll say that it is fairly odd how there are so many of us that search for that feeling of validation. And why must it come from others who are no greater than ourselves? Were we to find any, what sort of validation would that even be? Meaningless. I understand the feeling of getting a new comment on a hub, and that's different. Know that I love you, Ang, and that I appreciate all the things you write and share with me, and that we need only to impress ourselves.
Your right who you follow isn't like Myspace trying to build the biggest list. Mine is actually pretty big, but I bet I've read at least one hub from each of them. True I probably will never get back to the majority of them, but like you it took me awhile to figure out. In some ways following a person is an electronic "attaboy"... it makes them feel better. So no worries if you have a lot of followers or following. What matters is you do what you like and create compelling content.
I enjoyed this hub from you! A hubpages stalker! Isn't that what we all are? But I do not see it as a bad thing! I have made great friends here at HP and some of them I feel like I know very well! I read as many hubs from those I follow as I can. If I have something to say I leave a comment, or I just vote on them or leave them. I see it more like win-win relation. So, I am stalking you:) and I read your hubs! Hubpages community is one big reason we are here, besides our personal desire to write!
I guess this makes me a hubpages stalker too AngRose :)
I do the same as you and I believe there are many more.
LOL Ang, love it. You,a stalker. And here I always thought of you as a good girl! Anyway...if you enjoy it and it doesn't hurt anyone else, do it. Life's too short not to try and enjoy it!
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YAY! I have stalkers of my own! I was so happy to get up this morning and log onto my email and see the list of new comments!!!
LOL Coexist, it's not really about being "worthy" of me reading your stuff..it's more about if I think I will ever get back to read it. I know this sounds silly, but now I almost feel "guilty" if I follow and I don't come back and read...but I will head over and see what you have to offer! :)
Erik my sweet baby, Does it even have to be said out loud that you are at the top of the list of two?? You know I can't wait to read everything you write. I find you such a wonderfully talented young man, it makes me wonder how you can doubt your talent and ability. I've read in a couple of your hubs that you think you can't write, and I want to smack you! lol But seriously, I do think you have a lot more talent than you know. And I am so impressed and proud of your compassion and genuine love of others. I love you sweet boy....keep writing and making Mama proud!!
Mike, I can honestly say that when I went and followed each person on Hubpages, I read at least one of their hubs to see if I liked their style. I just don't always get back to some of them as much as I think I ought to! But you're right, it does make people feel good to see they have a new follower so I will probably continue to go follow others just to give them that little "thrill" at seeing a new person on their list!
Thoughtforce, I agree with you totally...I too, do not see it as a bad thing to "stalk" on Hubpages...it is after all rather the point of the whole thing isn't it? I just felt like finding a silly way to let others know how much I appreciate their work and comments..so much so that I find myself on here way more than I should be! lol
Carrie, So glad to have you here stalking alongside me! And I bet there are LOTS of us on here...makes me feel better!
Pook, You KNOW I'm a good girl! I just can't help it if I like to sneak up and see what people are up to! lol
Ang, so that's what I am. I had my suspicions. I try to read as much of the writings of others that I can... and anyone who has made a comment or added me to their list, I try to read their "nest" and their "latest" so I know what sort of person is reading me and if I am going to find somebody who really attracts me as a writer and as a person.
I have got to know some people so well during the short time that I have been a hubber, and you know that you are one of those I really feel so much for. There are others who disappear for ages and I wonder if I have offended them, or they have stopped writing, and then they reappear and I'm like a kid with a new puppy.
I have only twice found someone on HP who I found had written some actively foul comments... one right at the beginning of my time here, and strangely enough... only half an hour ago. But t=neither of them were direct contacts. They were people who had commented on hubbers I like, admire, were looking into.
Enough of all this... Here I am and here I stalk
(Please form an orderly line; all who are available for stalking me... I'm easy!)
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Ian, I think you know as well that you are one of my top two. I read alot, I wander around Hubpages alot, but I have to say I'm touched by very few. Yours are one of the few. I love the pictures you paint with your words, the compassion you have for others that shines through in your work. Please don't stop stalking me my friend...I need you! :) And I, of course, am lurking behind your door just waiting for your latest musings!
There we are; I laughed out loud (I never, ever write lol), and would you believe it, I looked over my shoulder at the door into the dining room where I have my computer, just to see if you were there. I can't see you, and it is a glazed door, but perhaps you just withdrew slightly, as I turned.
Thank you so much for that lovely comment.
Consider the stalking not to have ceased, Honey
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HAHA I am so glad I got you with that one!! That makes it all worthwhile! And so glad you will stay with me...it would be so lonely without you here by my side. :)
Great writing....Well done. You've captured the thoughts of many...
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Thanks so much Stan. Just thought it would be fun to point out how much I find myself on here. Poke a little fun at myself if you will. :)
We all know I am a stalker too. :P I stalk, I hit ads, why because I am your big sis and that is what we do! I will admit I cannot help myself, it is like looking into people's medicine cabinets when you go to visit them. You just gotta snoop! So I am right there with you, although I haven't had much time lately, and I gotta get back on here and get back to spying, er snooping!
Great one Sister!
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haha Laur, I knew that was you sneaking around in the bathroom in the middle of the night looking for my medication! Shame on you! And you better get on here and do some writing to entertain your little sister so I can come stalking at your place again!! :)
I laughed really hard at this one. Although I'm no HP stalker I do stalk my Google Adsense, which I feel is really unhealthy and makes no sense! Because yes, I can make a few dollars a day, but I could probably easily make 100X that amount on my store. Lol! I guess it's all about perspective. Rated up!
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So glad you enjoyed! I tend to only check my Google Adsense a few times a week, as it makes me more depressed than anything to see how small it remains! haha
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Erik, Have you set up your Google Adsense account yet? If you have, I will go click on some ads for you so you can say you've earned money! haha
Lol, Yes, I have, but that's cheating!
:P
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Oh crap, I guess I shouldn't have clicked on all of them then huh??? :p
You are ridiculous!!!
Lol
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I know. It's why you love me! And when are you going to write more for me to read?? You've been suspiciously silent the last few days! Oh man, that makes me sound horribly greedy and needy doesn't it?? Sighhhh
No it doesn't. It's kind of funny actually. I've also been wondering that same thing about myself. Lol
I've got kind of a half idea for one. So maybe Monday morning.
:P
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YAY! I will be looking forward to it. Hope all is well with you lately. :)
Ha, yeah. It is. Just dreading tomorrow a little bit. Valentine's. Blah.
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Sorry sweetie...I know how you feel.
Yea me too. :( No special valentine. Bah humbug, oh wait that is for Christmas! How about bah diddlebug!
Hi Ang, yes I am hooked like you and your article speaks to me. I hope it wears off soon - the thought of making money has worn off but the checking, checking, checking thing hasn't.
Re followers. I feel quilty because I follow so few but I regard following as a commitment to check out new articles, and I don't have the time to make that commitment - what with checking my (lack of) traffic stats 200 times a day.
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Yeah Mark, I've given up on making anymore money...I did make about $46, but I've been stuck there for weeks, so apparently my novelty has worn off...well, that and the fact I haven't written anything lately...but heck, why should that punish me..how unfair!
And yes, I'm much more select on who I follow now because frankly, as I stated above, I only read a few peoples stuff, and I too feel guilty about that...and I have enough guilt in my life, I don't need cyber guilt too!!
Speaking of which, I wrote another hub, Ang.
It's horribly laid out. The point of view changes, and it almost doesn't make sense. It's sloppy. But it seemed appropriate. I wrote about you in it. :)
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It made perfect sense...It made me cry. I wondered if it was about me, then was too embarrassed that I'd even thought it might have been. You humble me Erik. Is it too sappy to tell you I love you? :)
I knew you'd know it was about you.
Of course it's not sappy. I love you too.
You are beautiful.
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Thank you sweetie. Would it be wrong to say I think you should marry my niece so you can be my real family member??? HAHA, no I'm not a real stalker...just couldn't resist putting a smile on your face!
Ang, if she can cook, then I'm all for it.
Lol
Where do you even live anyway?
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Erik, you really are into that cooking thing aren't you?? If she can't cook, she can learn...and you can come eat at my house when she won't cook for you!
We live in Northern part of Illinois. Might be too cold for you, we might have to move there.
*laughs* She can cook mac and cheese, and fried egg sandwiches, and a few other things! And she needs a good boyfriend too! :P
And just in case you didn't know, I am the big sis, but also Diva's mom! *laughs*
Yes! I am! Ask any of my friends or family. I'm constantly complaining that I'm hungry. Lol!
Fried egg sandwiches! That's about the only thing I can cook too, lol. How funny.
Illinois isn't too far. And definitely not too cold. I was born in New York. ;)
I'd like to visit sometime. :D
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Oh heck, then the cold wouldn't bother you at all! Although I do like TN, I was there a couple of years ago visiting my girl friend that moved there. We spent a couple of days at the end of my trip in Nashville...had a nice time!
You just want to road trip so Grandma can cook something for you! I know you! :)
Ha. You're mostly right. It's about 50/50 between a good meal, and a hug from you. :P
And you're more than welcome down here anytime. Bring Laurie and your niece with you! We'll have a gay old time.
Lol
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I can take 50/50 for now...but eventually it better be higher in favor of a hug from me! :)
And you better watch out inviting people, we've been tempted to do a road trip for awhile now! haha
*laughs* It has been time for a road trip!!! we have been talking about it now for weeks, getting out of this Chill`inois weather! hmm....might be time to get out the maps!! But Ang, can we stand being in the car that long with Diva?!!!1
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We might have to send her in her own car. LOL I like Nashville...that's a good place to start. We can have Lynda join us for a visit too...she loves to come there.
Well we'll only be in the apartment for another two months or so. Adam's moving on. I'll probably have to move back in with my dad. I can't find a roommate. I'm not looking forward to it, lol. But you'd still be welcome there too. :D
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Where does your Dad live, is he in Nashville too or do you have to go back to New York? I bet you're going to miss Adam, hopefully you won't have to be too far away from him. And I just bet your Dad would love to have a car load of women show up at his door! HAHA
No no, my dad lives about 10 minutes away from me. And yeah, I'll miss Adam. I have no idea where he's going or what he's going to do. But he needs it, whatever it is, and I wouldn't dare try and get in the way of that.
And my dad is super cool, lol. EVERYBODY loves him. Especially women. Maybe that's cause he's gay. I dunno. Lol but still, he's got plenty of room. And it's not like I won't be paying rent, so too bad if he doesn't like it! :P
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That's good you don't have to leave the Nashville area...at least, it's good if you like it there I guess. I will say a prayer that Adam finds what it is he's looking for...he seems like perhaps he's a little troubled sometimes...I worry about him..must be the Mom in me.
I bet your Dad is a fun guy to be around. And at the risk of sounding like a stereotypical idiot, gay men really do make awesome friends! One of my best friends in high school was gay and we always had so much fun.
I'm glad to hear you're planning on paying rent to your Dad! haha
It's alright here, I guess. Just haven't found anything good enough to make me wanna leave yet.
And I've paid my dad rent since I got a job when I was 16! That's just what ya do. I was actually paying him more than I do for this apartment before I moved out, lol.
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Going to be nosy here. Do you work now or do you go to school?
I work.
Like you I started out following anyone and had to cut it out. Thanks for sharing
interesting hub...I seem to have some of the same issues....but at least I am having fun....voted up
Your hub is fabulous. I laughed, thought well maybe I am a stalker too but more than anything I really enjoyed your writing.
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Cogerson, At least now you know you're not alone! I like knowing others are "stalking" with me!!
Mrs. J.B. Again, glad to have a fellow "stalker" join me in my craziness! And glad you enjoyed my writing. Always welcome a friendly face! :)
I'm starting to become addicted to writing and reading on this website. The people seem really nice and the quality of the articles are really good.
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Twilightnera, good grief, I'm so sorry! I just noticed you'd left a comment on here! I'm very good at stalking others hubs, just not my own apparently...can't stand most of the time to read my own drivel! :) Thank you for your sweet comment!
I had to laugh as I am new to hubpages but I have found myself doing some of the same things already..I may need help now before it get ugly..very funny. Thank you!
Sunnie
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Sunnie, It gets worse before it gets better! haha Thanks for reading my drivel! :)
Angie
you are a funny lady and funny is worth its weight in gold these days. Well written and voted up and funny. BTW I'm reading because I don't follow every follow.
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I'm glad to hear you're reading and following arb! Glad to have you on board, and glad to entertain you!
Ang, I forgot to give you an Erik update, so I'll do it on this hub. Seems appropriate. He decided he's not 'creative' enough to stay on Hubpages. But he's probably just bored with it just like he was with Facebook when he deleted his account. I get bored sometimes, too, so I understand. Doesn't mean he doesn't love you! :) He'll be alright, though. I'm sure he appreciates your concern.
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Adam, Thanks for getting back to me. I can certainly understand the boredom factor and the thinking you're not creative enough to be on here...feel the same myself. LOL I know he'll be alright, just didn't want to be a creepy "stalker" and pester him...sometimes I worry too much and then people think I'm a pest, so if that's what happened, tell him I'm sorry and I'm not really a nut job...well, I am, but not in a bad way. LOL
Nah, he likes attention. I should give you his number so you can call and check up on him. ;) After all, we need to stay in contact, just in case you find the perfect girl or girls for us.
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LOL I'm sure he'd appreciate you randomly handing out his phone number! You two are both so adorable I find it hard to believe you haven't found girls worthy of you both yet!!
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