Reflections on Readings

I'm in the process of reading the readings for class tomorrow and I'm trying to capture my "epiphanies" and get them down on "paper."

On page 18 of the introduction to Life Online, Annette (wow, for some reason I didn't recognize the feminine voice in this narrative at all, only realizing it now. nod to the anonymity of language) refers to "Texts (people) [she] encountered." I'm wondering how much am I treating my topic and the bloggers as texts and how much am I treating them as people. I've contacted some bloggers, some I almost prefer not to contacts, because I almost respect them too much? does this make any sense? some of the bloggers I think in my mind I want to preserve as 'texts' equal to that of the travelogue books I'm going to be comparing them to in my third chapter. While others move on to casual address in their comments "tu" I usually reserve myself to the polite "vous." ..... interesting

"Also, some users deliberately use nontraditional spelling and
capitalization to convey a particular sentiment or identity."
(page 22 Life Online)

I wonder what I can say about the accents often omitted from french online communication. What significance, if any, does my writing geniale as opposed to géniale hold? Is it a revolt against the 'academie Francaise' ? Is it a sign of conformity? does it imply that in today's world I am far too important and busy to waste my time hitting extra keys? Or does it simply imply that not all online interfaces are French Friendly?

Now after reading Chapter 1, and laughing aloud quite a few times to myself in the library, then trying to explain the laughing to my study buddies - they gave up pretty quickly- I'm feeling that momentary empowerment and want to go out and contact more bloggers. Maybe I'll take the leap and contact one that intimidates me quite a bit... I'll write the blog's name if I succeed.

ciao bellas and bellos (I don't speak Italian, only pretend to on occasion),
-N